PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22630, 23 April 1937, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

% RESENT A refreshingly different picture makes it appearance at the Regent this week in ‘ Come and Get It,’ a finely acted and superbly photographed film having as its background the enormous timber industry of the end of the last century. The story is spread over two generations, and the stars are Edward Arnold, who gives a fine characterisation of Barney Glasgow, a pioneer who wins through to power and riches, Joel M'Crea, as Glasgow’s son, young, and with the enthusiasm of the twentieth century, and Frances Farmer, who has a dual role to play as the sweetheart first of Glasgow and later of his son. This newcomer to the screen has charm and attraction, as well as the capability of many of the more renowned figures of the screfen world to-day. The s£ory traces the life of Glasgow, who starts his career in the timber lands and rises to the head of a great paper concern. To achieve his ambition he deserts the girl he really loves, and when later in life he finds her image brought back to life in the person of' her daughter, his old infatuation returns, and he endeavours to win the heart of the young girl, regardless of his family ties. Unfortunately his sou has fallen in love with the girl, and is also violently opposed to the scandal that his father is gathering around his name. The story reaches a stirring climax in the final chapters. The early portion of the film contains some remarkably spectacular shots of the logging industry, taken in the giant lumber camps. EMPIRE ‘ The Great Ziegfeld,’ which is now in its third week at the Empire, is the greatest Achievement of Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer, the company which has already swept the screen with ‘ Naughty Marietta,’ and other memorable productions. In this new film, glittering scenes from the most successful shows of the great Florenz Ziegfeld, jun., follow each other in an almost breathtaking sequence of well-conceived and brilliantly-executed ensembles. These, however, are not the only parts of the film which draw applause. There are acts in the shows which, by their own appeal, unaided by dazzle or sumptuous -etting, actually succeed in drawing applause from a film audience, a dimcult thing to accomplish in these days, in which the art of the talking picture is usually taken for granted and in silence. The story itself is a biography of the great showman of the twentieth century whose name is a byword for taste and magnificence. Opening with his_ part in the great Chicago World fair of 1894, when he had an even more imposing figure, the great Sandow, undisputed holder of the title of “ The World’s Strongest Man.” the story takes the audience with Ziegfeld on his career which really culminated with the brilliant successes of the middle 1920’5, and the stock market crashes which began the depression. One of the finest character studies in his career is given by--William Powell, in the title role. As his first wife, the talented Anna Held, Luise Rainer scores yet another success. The part of Billie Burke, the second Mrs Ziegfeld, is played splendidly by Myrna Loy. Frank Morgan is also at his best in a breezy, blustering role as a rival '■ barker ” and friend in the old fair days and afterwards. GRAND No author has contributed as many novels to the screen as Zane Grey, whose newest work, ‘ King of the Royal Mounted,’ has cotie to the Grand as a Twentieth Century-Fox release, starring Robert Kent, and with Rosalind Keith and Alan Dinehart in the featured roles. Not only have most of Grey’s early favourites been refilmed several times, but as fast ag each new story comes off the press it is bought by one of the film producers, who knows that the name of Zane Grey is one of the few author names which attracts the fans as consistently as does a reigning star. Sol Lesser produced ‘ King of the Royal Mounted,’ based on the nationally syndicated newspaper adventure strip, with Howard Bretherton directing. Also in the cast are Frank M'Glynn, Grady Sutton, Jack Luden, and Arthur Loft. It is a modern story of the most romantic police service in the world, and was filmed in the High Sierras with some of the most beautiful scenery ever captured by a motion picture for its background. Based on Fulton Oursler’s play of marital complications, * All the King’s Men,’ ‘ Second Wife,’ the associate feature, stars the two noted dramatic players. Gertrude Michael and Walter Abel, in its leading roles. Weaving a dramatic and vividly human story' about the trials and adjustments necessary in making a success of a new marriage, ‘Second Wife ’ strikes boldly out in a field that seldom- has been touched hr picture makers.

ST. JAMES Record houses have becu ex per 1cuced during the past week at the St. James, where the film, ‘ Keep Your Sats, Please,’ starring the popular radio artist, George Form by, is enjoying a successful run, which is now to-be extended for a further week at the St.' James. The story 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 seven 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 pace, and Gus M'Naughton 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 Cha'k 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. STATE , ‘ East Meets West,’ starving George Arliss, with Lucie Mannheim, Ballard Berkeiy, Romney Brent, and Godfrey Tearle, is at the State. 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 Gaumont-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 tying, A rich offering this, suitable For all audiences who enjoy stirring entertainment, full of thrills, romance, and the intrigue that surrounds the East. 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 readers yeoman support, with -Romney Brent making an effective foil as the representative of the Eastern Power. Lucie Mannheim is one of the most famous German actresses at the present time. STRAND Ralph' Bellamy, Marian Marsh, and Isabel Jewell have the leading roles in ‘ The Man Who Lived Twice,’ coining on Saturday to the Strand. 'l’his fascinating film is built round the theme of a man who, by means of a nervecentre operation, is given a new character. It tells the story of Slick Rawley (Ralph Bellamy), a dangerous killer, who, to evade a police trap, induces a surgeon to operate on him and emerges mentally a new man. This situation, as may be imagined, is full of dramatic possibilities, and the film exploits each one to the full, lb can be warmly recommended to all lovers of thrillers. When, in the second picture, ‘ The Girl on the Front Page,’ a society girl tries to run the great city newspaper she has inherited, several things move at a fast rate. Behind the vivid story of newspaper life there are unfolded also thrilling crimes. Gloria Stuart as the society newspaper proprietor desiring to take an active interest in the production, clashes with the strong-willed editor, portrayed by Edmund Lowe, and has to submit to defeat. But he saves her from the clutches of several blackmailers, unmasks the villains, and marries Gloria. George Wallace, Australia’s prince of comedians, sends the house into roars of laughter with his singing and stories. OCTAGON A rollicking comedy of a most unusual type, ‘ Three Men on a Horse.’ which is now at the Octagon, has claims to being one of the funniest stories ever brought to the screen. Adapted from the famous stage play which made thousands laugh in New York and London, ‘ Three Men on a Horseis the story of three racecouse gamblers with the richest of Bowery accents, who suddenly receive a gift from the gods—a man who can pick winners for every race. And when the tipster happens to be a poet who writes verses for Mother’s Day and Christmas cards, and the part is played by Frank M'Hugh, it is a guarantee that the humour is of the best. Joe Cook introduces some innovations to the west, including elephants for mounts instead of horses, in Paramount’s madcap ‘ Arizona Mahoney, the associate feature, his first full-length comedy. It is his job to untangle a triangle consisting of Robert Cummings, June Martel, and Larry Crabbe, and how he manages it furnishes the plot for a really amusing film.

MAYFAIR Three baffling murders are solved b\ S. S. Van Dine’s fascinating character, the debonair Philo Vance,- in ihe Garden Murder Case,’ which will conclude a season at the Mayfair to-night. Edmund Lowe gives a polished perforinance in the leading role, while ms hanaling of the romantic interest with the delightful Virginia Bruce also calls tor special comment. ‘ Sky Parade supBright entertainment is provided by ‘ Come Out of the Pantry,’ which will be screened at the Mayfair tomorrow. Jack Buchanan, the' famous English musical comedian, is seen in one of his best roles—a role that gives him plenty of scope. He takes the part of an English lord who finds himself down and out in New York ioilowing a hank crash. A former servant of the family gets him a job as a footman in a wealthy Americans home, and then the fun begins. The American’s niece, who suspects the identity of the new footman, falls in love with him, 'but the arrival of his brother (Lord Axrainster) from England nearly upsets matters. Lord Axminster, with whom a match with the girl has been arranged, condemns his younger brother, who is thought by the family to have decamped with money he had received for the sale of a number of old masters. The highlight of the film is when Lord Axminstev is the guest of honour at a dinner at which the singing footman has to wait. Many humorous situations arise, but matters are straightened out eventually. ‘The Magnificent Obsession ’ will also be screened. GREEN ISLAND In ‘ Show Them No Mercy,’ the 20tb Century thriller, which opens to-mor-row at the Green Island Theatre, producer Darryl F. Zanuck has managed to catch a new slant on pictures which deal with the war against crime. Violence, intense emotional drama, spontaneous humour, and romance are tightly packed in the speed sequences of this new picture, which the new underworld terror in America s fight to wipe it out. The plot of 'Show Them No Mercy!’ carries Rochelle Hudson and Edward Norris, two innocent young people with their baby, into the hideout of the gang. The criminals have 200,000d0l in “ hot money,” and are waiting for the hue and cry to die down. Panicky, afraid that the youngsters will disclose their refuge, the gangsters .are all for putting them out of the way.. Through a series of exciting scenes the picture reveals how the well-laid plans of the Department of Justice draws the net tighter and tighter about them,, until the mobsters flee, leaving one of their number, behind. In a smashing climax, Cesar Romero and Bruce Cabot, leaders of the gang, decide to shoot Miss Hudson and Norris. But a daring ruse on the part of the two intended victims gives them the upper hand just as the federal men arrive on the scene.