PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22573, 15 February 1937, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND ‘ The Flying Doctor,’ now showing at the Grand, depicts a phase of life typically Australian, and reflects a national spirit. The theme of the film is the development of one of tho most unique institutions in a land of great distances, tho Australian Aerial Medical Services. First conceived in tho pipedreams of a great pioneer, tho llev. John Flynn, the idea took shape under his direction, and tho service lias brought succour to hundreds of outback dwellers. Depending upon the swiftness of wireless telegraphy (generally with the use of portable “ pedal transmitters ”) and distance-annihi-lating aeroplanes, the “ Flying Doctors ” of tho Central and Northwest areas do humane and noble work. But the film depicts more than this. Presenting its drama of human lives, it faithfully reproduces the Australia the whole world will appreciate—the wide, hot regions of tho cattle lands where Kidman had his domain: the teeming cosmopolitanism of Sydney. All the characteristics of the real Australia. Charles Farrell and Alary Alaguire play the leading roles, and Tom Lurich and Don Bradman are in the supporting cast.' ‘TWO’S COMPANY.' A new and most interesting comedy partnership is introduced to the screen in 1 Two’s Company,’ to be shown at the Grand on Wednesday. Ned Sparks, one of Hollywood’s leading comedians, is co-starred with that inimitable Cockney humorist, Gordon Barker, and the result is said to be one of the funniest comedies turned out of Elstree for a long time. The story opens in New York. Mr B. G. Aladison, a wealthy business man, is reluctantly persuaded by his wife and daughter, and* his lawyer, A 1 (Ned Sparks), to take a health trip to England. On board the liner they meet Aluggridge (Gordon Harker), valet to the Earl of Warke. Muggridge is. travelling back to England in charge of his master’s champion dog. Of course, the Americans mistake Aluggridge for the earl. Aladisdn’s daughter, Julia (Alary Brian) makes a hit with the earl’s son Jerry (Patrie Knowles), and fun begins when the earl (an ardent butterfly collector) falls out with the fiery Madison. Aluggridg.6 and the lawyer A 1 take up the cudgels, and it is not until tlje lovers, Jerry and Julia, are in need of support that the two get together and smooth matters out to an uproarious climax. The principal honours are taken by Sparks and Harker, and sterling support is given bv Patrie Knowles. Mary Brian, Henry Holman, Gibb ADLaughlin, and a fine cast of players. The other film will be ‘ High Tension,’ a dramatic story dealing with adventurous sea life, and which is stated to be freely interspersed with hilarious comedy. REGENT * Forgotten Faces,’ which has begun a season at the Regent, is the dramatic story of a man who dedicated his life to his daughter’s happiness. The owner of a fashionable gambling house, he married a second-rate actress and persuaded her to give up the stage. However, after several years, her longing to return made her discontented and reckless. A flirtation with another man ended abruptly when her husband, coming home unexpectedly, found them together and shot the man. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but not before he had managed to smuggle away his infant daughter and arrange for her adoption by a rich and childless couple who adored her from the first moment they saw her. Twenty years passed, and the unfaithful wife, back to the stage in- cheap burlesque, became desperate for money. Her only source of supply seemed to be through her daughter and her rich adopted parents; but first she had to find out where she was. Her efforts resulted in a thrilling battle of wits and nerve against her husband, released on parole from prison, and ended tragically. The leading roles in the film are taken by Herbert Alarshall, as the quiet, determined husband, and Gertrude Michael as his actress wife. Both give able performances, and the photography and incidental music aro excellent. _ The programme of short features is unusually good. EMPIRE Jean Harlow. Franchot _ Tone, Cary Grant, Lewis Stone, Benita Hume—such is the imposing array of stars heading the cast of ‘Suzy,’ the current attraction at the Empire. This is a drama of war-time espionage which holds attraction for evrey type of filmgoer. Set in London and Paris and opening in the stormy days of 1914, ‘ Suzy ’ has a scope and spectacular appeal that belie the simplicity _ of its title. Jean Harlow unquestionably reaches the high note in her career as a star in ‘ Suzy.’ At the opening of the story she is seen as an American actress stranded in pre-war England. In London she meets a young inventor interested in aviation and marries him. He is shot under peculiar circumstances which point to her guilt. Terrified in the belief that he is dead, she escapes to Paris, and there, after the war is raging, marries again. The first husband appears, and her life is more deeply involved than ever. The war forms a spectacular background to the tangled story, but it never overshadows the interest of the spectator in the central characters. Jean Harlow is superb in a difficult portrayal, while the supporting cast are without exception highly satisfactory. ‘ MY MAN GODFREY.' Starring together for the first time in three years, William Powell and Carole Lombard will be seen on the Empire screen in Universal’s 1 My Alan •Godfrey,’ which advance Hollywood reports declare to bo excellent madcap romantic comedy. The picture is scheduled for its initial Dunedin screening on Friday. The story deals with the exploits of a whimsical butler in the most rattle-brained family in Alanhattan. He manages to soothe the fevered brow of the mother; batter down the arrogance of'one daughter; dodge the affectionate aims of the other with 99? per cent, success; and save the father’s fortune. Powell is cast in the title role, with Miss Lombard portraying the daughter Irene, known as the “ dumbest debutante in New York.” A strong supporting cast includes Alice Brady. Gail Patrick. Jean Dixon, Fugene Pnllettc. /Inn Mowbrav. 'lischa Auer, and P.obert Light. The r lnive’’s"> picture was produced and dire Med by Gregory La Cava from Eric Hatch's novel of the snmo name. STATE It is always an event when Shirley Temple comes to town, but ‘ The Poor Little Rich Girl,’ wli ich is now in its second week at tho State, is a now mijcstoue_ in entertainments, for in it Shirley gives the greatest performance of her life. She is seen as the daughter of Michael Whalen, a wealthy young business man who is far too occupied making money to devote much time to his daughter. Shirley persuades her

father that she should he sent to boarding school where she can associate and play with other little children. Whalen agrees, but, instead of attending to the task himself, delegates Sara linden to accompany her to the school. Waiting for the train, Shirley wanders off. The busy sidewalks of New York lure her on to adventure. She is entranced by Tony, the organgrinder, and follows him to his home. Tony already has a large family, but the new “ bambiua ” so wins him that he lets her stay with his other children. Jack Haley and Alice Eaye, an out-of-work vaudeville team, notice Shirley singing and dancing. Haley is inspired with the thought that she is just what the act needs, and despite Miss Faye’s protestations she is taken into the" act. Whalen has met Gloria Stuart, and the two have fallen in love. She persuades Whalen to listen to Gilhngwater’s new radio programme, and he is astounded to recognise Shirley’s voice coming oyer tho air. Here several other complications enter the plot, and there is a whirlwind of exciting events before the thrilling climax is reached. OCTAGON The brilliant adaptation of Pierre Benoit’s court drama of love and intrigue, ‘ Koenigsmark,’ an AngloFrench production, is now being presented at the Optagon. Tho pxay is spectacular, and the court scenes are lavishly produced. The leading parts are taken by Flissa Landi and Pierre Fresnay, the former having been brought from Hollywood for her role in this drama. Pierre Fresnay is a French star who recently achieved success in London. The story is that of the beautiful Princess Aurorc, who. forced into a court marriage, finds in her kingdom a real love. The play was produced in France, and attracted large audiences, as it did also in London. Important roles are taken by John Lodge, Frank Vesper, Rorailly Lunge, and Marcelle Rogez. In ‘The Arizona Raiders,’ which lends excellent support, Larry Crabbo and Marsha Hunt have the leading roles. Miss Hunt appears as the owner of a ranch which has suffered from the attentions of rustlers. When the story opens Crabbo is about to be hanged on a charge of rustling, but he escapes, and later manages to save another suspected rustler (Raymond Hatton) from a similar fate. Together they find employment on Miss Hunt’s ranch, and, when they learn of an attempt to run off a herd of fine horses, action develops at a thrilling pace. Two stampedes and a running gun battle are among the exciting episodes in the production. ST. JAMES George Robey, the Empire’s greatest comedy host, leads the laughs in the merry musical romance, ‘ Southern Rose,’ which is now at the St. James. What happens when a young naval officer goes on shore leave in a romantic town like Barcelona? A soft, southern moon, .a tropical night—made for romance—exotic fragrance of a million blooms, and into the scene steps Reggie, with a few pals, determined to enjoy to the full their few precious hours of “ freedom.” Calling first at* the night club “ Trocadcro, Reggie sees and immediately falls in love with the charming eabarat artiste, Mary Roland, but another, Don Ramon, also has eyes on pretty Mary. _ However, “the navy,” in true nautical style, mete out swift justice to the dastardly Spaniard, and there- -begins a grand series of infectious gaiety, engaging comedy, and diverting by-play under the title of ‘ Southernßoses,’ the merriest, sprightliest musical comedy seen in many, many ihonths. Added to this is the ripe humour of Old Higgins, who, in the person of. George Robey,, is a comedy host in himself, with his bland asides and fruity innuendo. Others, who score in a sterling cast aro Gina Malo, who has never been- seen to better advantage than in this attractive role of Mary, a role which affords full opportunities for her talents in song, dance, and sprightly romance. Chilli Boiichier as the tempestuous Estralla is still another characterisation. (Neil Hamilton is appealing as the - debonair Reggie, and the remainder of the unusually strong cast includes an old Australian favourite, Vera Pearce, in the part of Carrie, the Cannonball Queen. MAYFAIR Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, and Clark Gable aro the chief players in ‘ Wife v. Secretary,’ now screening at the Mayfair. Once again Myrna Loy is the effervescent young wife in love- with her husband, once again she delights the audience with polished dialogue, and once again she shows how well she is suited to portraying a millionaire’s wife. The millionaire in this instance is the boyish Clark Gable, cast as a highlysuccessful magazine publisher. Although he is deeply in love with his wife, he is dependent on his young secretary, but until malicious tongues start asking why he finds ft necessary to employ anyone so beautiful, he does not realise that she may upset his marriage. As. the third party in this remarkable triangle, Miss Harlow has a part unlike .those in which she has been cast in the past, and shows that she is quite as well adapted to playing the efficient secretary as the more sophisticated parts to which she is accustomed. The second film !is ‘ Thirteen Hours By Air,’ featuring Fred Mac Murray. The theme is not a novel one, but the action moves gradually towards a thrilling climax. STRAND * The Voice of Bugle Ann,’ the main feature in the now? programme' at the Strand, based on Mackinlay Kantor’s famous novel. ■ It is a moving story of actual happenings in Missouri. A Civil War veteran, devoted owner of one of the finest hounds ever bred in the State—Bugle Ann—kills a man to avenge her death, and serves a term in prison, returning to his farm and resuming life as usual, respected by all, “ because in that country folks understood.” Lionel Barrymore adds to his long list of laurels by his masterly portrayal of the old farmer, who makes an eloquent plea at his trial for dogs as man’s best friends. The court scene is one of the most dramatic which has appeared on tho screen, and Barrymore rises to histrionic heights in it. Tho thrilling action of the story is played against a highly interesting background. A tender love romance runs through the narrative, and in this Eric Linley and Maureen O’Sullivan are seen at their best. With a pack of actual Missouri hounds, some thrilling fox-hunting is staged. The picture has been fashioned with a deft skill which brings out all the hitman touches, and shows the great attachment between the hill people and their hunting animals. ‘Three Cheers For Love ’ is another excellent picture, which tells tho story of a poverty-stricken girls’ school, which is brought back to fortune by a brokendown stage company and a girl pupil with a talent for acting. Eleanor Whitney and Robert Cummings play the leading roles, and they are well supported by Roscoe Earns, Billy Leo. Grace Bradley, and William Frawley.