PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22627, 20 April 1937, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND The unsurpassed scenery of Yellowstone Park, America’s outstanding tourist resort, provides the setting tor a quick-moving story in ‘ Yellowstone, concluding to-night at the Grand. Henry Hunter, Ralph Morgan, A lan Hale, and Andv Devine, with Judith Barrett in the feminine lead, are chief among the players. The piquant tale of a beautiful temperamental heiress who knew what, or rather whom, she wanted, but wouldn’t admit it, an ingenious and personable college boy whose very impudence broke the barrier she set up, is told in ‘ Walking on Air. SPECTACULAR ACTION FILM. Based on the nationally syndicated newspaper adventure strip of the same title, Zane Grey’s ‘ King of the Royal Mounted ’ will be shown at the Grand to-morrow. It is a thrilling story of spectacular action, scenic grandeur, heroic romance, and headlong excitement. Starring Robert Kent and featuring Rosalind Keith and Alan Dinehart at the head of a cast of Hollywood favourites, the film is breath-taking drama of adventure _m the primitive, rugged vastness of the Canadian North-west. Kent, as sergeant King, is called upon to solve a murder, save a beautiful girl from peril and, death, and unmask a group of scheming crooks who are seeking to gain control of a fabulously rich gold mine. How he succeeds is told in the unfolding of the story. The intensely dramatic, tenderly romantic, and vividly human story of the stage play, ‘ All the King’s Men,’ now comes to the screen in the photoplay, ‘ Second Wife,’ which was adapted from the Broadway hit written by Fulton, Oursler. Presenting Walter Abel as a lawyer-widower with one child, and Gertrude Michael as his second wife, the story mingles the romance of a girl’s first love with the problems she faces in creating a home from the ashes of her husband’s former successful marriage. In support of Miss Michael and Abel is a small but select cast. Erik Rhodes, known for his portrayals in Astaire-Rogers musicals, appears as the _ other man, in a triangle situation that threatens throughout the photo-play to wreck a tottering marriage. Lee Van Atta, new juvenile find, plays Abel s son, who is indirectly responsible for much of the marital'difficulty. Others in important roles are Emma Dunn, Brenda Fowler, and George Breakston. REGENT ‘ My American Wife,’ which is at the Regent, shows Hollywood in the role of social satirist, making fpn of those charming American heiresses who dig on the Continent for titled husbands. It is an entertaining comedy, with Francis Lederer as the handsome count from Hungary. Titled gentlemen who marry wealthy American girls know just what is expected of them. In exchange for his title the husband is given an allowance and a job by the family. He has a part to play and is expected to play it—to be seen at the best houses (if they’ll admit him) and in the smartest clothes. Thus the homecoming of Mary Cantillqn and Count Ferdinand to Smelter City is not exaggerated in ‘ My American Wife, and, unfortunately for Mr and Mrs Robert Cantillon, of Smelter City, Count Ferdinand, although he looks beautiful in his morning coat, is-not very much interested in posing as a languid aristocrat. He wants to become a real American. Now, among all the Cantillons is one who has not forgotten that he is an American—and proud of it. Grandpa Lafe Cantillon fought Indians as a young man, and founded Smelter City. Lafe, however, has little time for Smelter City; he lives on his ranch. As for Count Ferdinand—well, • Lafe is very indignant. Ferdinand wins the old man’s heart, and, in doing so, nearly loses Mary’s. But it works out happily in the end. FINE ROMANTIC DRAMA. For those who like their picture entertainment a little different from the ordinary stereotyped run 1 Come and Get It,’ coming on Friday to the Regent, is the ideal attraction. The title itself is out of the ordinary; it is the call of the cook in the big American lumber camps when he wants the men to come to the dinner he has prepared. The story concerns the lumber camps. Edward Arnold, the main player, takes the role of Barney Glasgow, a lumber “ baron ” who falls in love with a pretty dance hall girl. Later he forsakes the girl to marry the daughter of a powerful timber man. Years afterwards the irony of fate causes him to fall madly in love with the daughter of his former sweetheart. In his son, Joel M'Crea, however, he finds that he has a successful rival. Although such a plot seems rather ordinary, Samuel Goldwyn, the producer, has, dressed it in such a cloak of clever dialogue and other incidentals that the picture is one of the big attractions of the season. In the part of the dance hall girl, and later as her daughter, Frances Farmer, a newcomer to the screen, is particularly impressive, and in the future a good deal should be seen of her. Walter Brennan, famous as the “ Old Atrocity ” of ‘ Barbary Coast,’ is seen as a Swedish lumberman, a bosom pal of Barney Glasgow. Other members of the cast include th© versatile Mady Christians and Frank Shields.' EMPIRE Crowds still attend every session at the Empire, where ‘ The Great Ziegfeld.’ which is drawing to the close of its season, is showing. Those who have had the pleasure of seeing the film agree that it is one of the most outstanding productions of its type that has. been shown in Dunedin for many years. The splendour of its stage settings and the general magnificence of its production make it a picture that should not be missed. The cast is packed with stars, the majority of whom are undoubtedly in the highest class. William Powell takes the role of Ziegfeld, Luise Rainer is seen as his first wife, Anna Held, and Billie Burke, who is still living to-day, is played by the popular Myrna Loy. Others in the cast include Virginia Bruce, Ray Bolger, Fannie Brice, Frank Morgan, Reginald Owen, and Nat Pendleton. The story traces the great producer’s jifo from the days when he was showing Sandow, “ the strongest man in the world,” at the Chicago World Fair in 1893, to the days when he was producing the most magnificent stage shows that New York had over seen. WODEHOUSE ADAPTATION. ‘ Piccadilly Jim,’ a film based on the side-splitting novel of P. G. Wodehouse, comes to the Empire on Friday. The picture, which is an M.-G.-M. production, does not follow the book closely, but it lias a true Wodehouse-flavour and is cosmopolitan enough to appeal to all tastes. The acting is excellent, and the comedy is bright and entertaining at all stages. Robert Montgomery, who plays the part of Piccadilly Jim, is extraordinarily likeable, and gives the impression that he is the man Wodehouse had in mind when he wrote the book. Piccadilly Jim, the

cartoonist, makes the mistake of picturing the family of the girl he loves as the “ Richswitch Family ” of his cartoons, and the picture reveals how he faced up to the situation after discovering his mistake. Eric Wore, as the butler, out-Wodehouses Wodehouse and comes very close to securing the major comedy honours. Frank Morgan, as Jim’s father, is typical of the part required of him ; and others who play prominent parts with distinction are Robert Benchley, Madge Evans, and Billy Burke. There are others who appear throughout the picture, and although each and every one upholds the standard set by the principals their names are too numerous to mention. The supporting features are all excellent. STATE Although it was bound to come, Wodehouse enthusiasts, who run into many millions, might quite reasonably have feared that P. G. Wodehouse’s delightful characterisation, Jeeves, could never be successfully portrayed by any actor. Such fears are groundless, as ‘Thank You, Jeeves! ’ which concludes to-night at the State, convincingly shows. In Arthur Treacher the screen has found the perfect Jeeves. ARLISS’S LATEST, ‘ East Meets West,’ starring George Arliss, with Lucie Mannheim, -Ballard Berkely, Romney Brent, and Godfrey TeaPle, comes to the State to-morrow. George Arliss’s latest starring vehicle is rich melodrama, flavoured plentifully with thrills, adventure, and romance. As the wily Sultan of an Eastern principality. he successfully wheedles great sums of money out of Britain and an Eastern Power, playing against them the life of a renegade Englishman, a rum-runner. whose wife has had an affair with the Sultan’s Oxford-edu-cated son. There is action in plenty in this offering from Ganmont-British. Arliss is his usual polished self, investing every word he speaks and gesture he makes with infinite dignity and significance. Lucie Mannheim is an attractive and appealing. figure as the

unfortunate wife, while Romney Brent’s study of a Japanese diplomat is flawless. Much excitement is derived from great crowd scenes in which natives mob for the life of the Englishman. The splendour of settings, dress, and manner is unique and wholly satis-, fyiug. A rich offering, this, suitable for all audiences who enjoy stirring entertainment, full of thrills, romance, and the intrigue that surrounds the Fast. The picture is comparable, with the best that Arliss has made. His characterisation as the Rajah is comparable to his work in ‘ Disraeli ’ and 1 The Green Goddess.’ Godfrey Tearle as the English diplomat renders yeoman support, with Romney Brent making an effective foil as the representative of the Eastern Power. ST. JAMES * Keep Your Seats, Please,’ which is now being shown at the St. James, is aptly titled, for it deals with an eccentric "will whereby the “ black sheep ’ of a well-to-do family inherits the fortune of his irascible aunt only if he buys a set of chairs in which a large sum of money is hidden. George Formby, as the ne’er-do-well nephew, and Florence Desmond do more than their share in keeping the action of the picture at a high tension. Both sing several songs in a delightfully bizarre manner, and these as well as their exaggerated antics serve to make the picture particularly enjoyable. The theme is pure farce, but by reason of the excellent work of the two principals it never becomes wearisome. Florence Desmond also helps to keep the humour of the picture galloping along at a merry and Gus M‘Eaughton and Alister Sim also contribute largely towards the fun of the show. In addition to the screen entertainment, a variety stage presentation is provided. Trevor and Dawn, two clever dancers, are seen in several graceful numbers and an adagio, and Miss Esme Chalk executes a tap dance with spirit and precision. Mr Fred Dawson, in addition to providing the pianoforte accompaniments, also' presents one of his own compositions.

OCTAGON Two films of outstanding entertainment merit are being screened this week at the Octagon. The first film is entitled ‘ Smart Blonde,’ which brings together Glenda Farrell and' Barton Mac Lane in a mystery drama. Miss Farrell’s role is a smart newspaper woman, and Mac Lane is the police inspector who is followed around on his cases by the reporter. The biggest investigation comes with the killing of Joseph Crehan, whom Glenda had arranged to interview. Together the investigators trace clues that lead to the questioning of a girl friend of Addison Richards, night club proprietor. Following the murder of another man, Richards, thinking the girl has killed in self-defence, takes the blame for the happening. Continuing her investigations, Glenda finds that the girl is really associated with another man in the killing of the two men. The associate feature, ‘ O’Riley’s Luck,’ deals with the romantic entanglements of three young men and' two girls. A FINE DOUBLE. Joe Cook, one of America’s leading comedians, plays the leading role in ‘ Arizona Mahoney,’ which will be commenced at the Octagon on Friday. Cook is a stranded carnival operator, who assists his bashful ■ assistant, Robert Cummings, in pressing his courtship of beautiful June Martel. Larry Crabbe, a bandit chief, but a right amiable one, is also out for Miss Martel’s hand, and while he engages in considerable shooting and wild escapades just to please the girl, he_ has nothing but respect for his rival. ‘ Three Men on a Horse,’ the second film, is the side-splitting story of Erwin (pronounced Oiwin), a meek little writer of greeting-card verses, who has the weird gift of picking winners in horse races. He keeps that secret to himself, and as he rides to and from work he jots down in a little book his prognostications and imaginary winnings. His nagging wife finds the book, denounces him as a philanderer, and browbeats him to the point of desperation. - How Erwin survives is ; told in a highly amusing and enteri taming fashion.

MAYFAIR Seldom has a film incorporated so much pathos, dynamic action, and ironical humour as are embodied in. the story of ‘ Mary of Scotland,’ now screening at the Mayfair. As Mary Stuart, Queen of the Scots, Katharine Hepburn presents one of the most magnificent performances of her career,, while Fredric March as the Earl o| Bothwell gives an excellent; portrayal. Edmund Lowe as Philo Vance —the intriguing image conjured up by that phrase is no more engaging than the reality in ‘ The Garden Murder Case, - which comes to the Mayfair-to-morrow. As the super-scientific detective, Lowe gives a performance that is utterly delightful. He drawls his way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. But not one of his thrills can be compared to his sudden falling in love. It is the first time in Philo’s adventures .that he has undergone this experience, and the way ha reacts to romantic situations is at onca humorous and entertaining.- - Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who •gives him palpitation of the heart, and to save her from police suspicion ha risks not only his reputation, but his life. Supporting the two principals is a strong cast. ‘ Sky Parade ’ supports. STRAND The Strand Theatre will he closed for a few days for renovations.