PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT One of the finest achievements with the technicolour process in film photography is showing at the Regent, where the new programme features ‘ God’s Country and the Woman.’ How life in a lumber camp and a girl of the backwoods made a man of Steve Bussett, formerly the “waster” of the family, is the story of ‘ God’s Country and the Woman.’ Essentially the story is of mental, physical, and romantic conflict. It moves .at a steady, unflagging pace. The part of Steve Russett is taken by George Brent, who capably fills the part of the man of fashion. He is recalled by an angry elder brother, senior partner in the Russett Timber Company, who takes him' by force to the lumber camp. Soon after arriving he goes off in an aeroplane, but is forced down near the Barton lumber camp, which has a feud with the Russett company over a right of way. There is no way out, as all approaches are picketed by Russett men, who do not know Steve; so he is set to work ■in thetiraber on pain of starvation by the beautiful red-haired Jo, Barton, who has taken charge of the camp since her father’s death, and whom Steve’s presumption has antagonised from the start. Apart from the quality and depth of its romantic interest, the filni has an individual and distinctive appeal lent to it through the spectacle of teohnioolour. The camera has caught the natural beauty of virgin forests of the north-west and transferred to the screen a spectacle that can only bo described as a triumph. KAY FRANCIS AS MANNEQUIN. Kay Francis, perpetual favourte in this city, comes to the Regent on Friday in ‘ Stolen Holiday,’ a First National film, which depicts the rise of an obscure little French mannequin in a tiny modiste shop to the position of queen of fashions for the whole world. Tho name of Kay Francis instantly conjures up visions of magnificent gowns, and no list of tho 10 bestdressed women in the country 'fails to include her name; but ‘ Stolen Holiday ’ is said to be not merely a fashion show. It is a tense drama, with riotmobs on the streets of Paris, international, political, and financial complications', and no end of suspense. While advance reports indicate that there are plenty of “ 1937 ” gowns to be seen as Miss 'Francis advances her career as a designer, the beautiful costumes are merely incidental to the story. Claude Rains, who triumphed in 4 Anthony Adverse,’ appears as an unscrupulous financier who backs Kay in her ventures, until at last his complicated schemes crash about his head. lan Hunter, who has appeared with her recently in several pictures, provides the love interest for Miss Francis in this one. Alison ■ Skipworth, Alexander D‘Arcy, Betty Lawford, Walter Kingsford, Frank Belcher, Frank Conroy, and other ■well-known, players make up the balance of the nicely-rounded cast, GRAND The programme at the Grand again presents two big features. These are ‘ Don’t Turn ’Em Loose’ and ‘ Wedding Present.’ Taken together, these films provide an excellent blend of drama and romance. Interpreting the unusual theme in ‘Don’t Turn ’Em Loose’ is a strong cast of celebrated. players, including Lewis Stone. Bruce Cabot, James Gleason, and Betty Griyble. - Lewis Stone, in particular, gives a finished performance m a role admirably suited to his talents. ‘ Wedding Present ’ provides satisfying entertainment oh a popular and ever-fresh theme The principal players are Joan Bennett, Cary Grant, Conrad Nagel, and George Bancroft. There _ are both drama and humour in the situations, and the story moves briskly from start to finish. Joan Bennett and Cary Grant, who have proved themselves to be very capable players, sustain their reputation in this picture and give finished performances. WEDNESDAY’S BILL. Introducing all the thrills of adventure in the sky, ‘ Without Orders,’ a stirring story by Peter B. Kyne, will head the new' programme which will commence at the Grand on Wednesday. Tho stars are Sally Eilers and Robert Armstrong. Behind the peril so vividly portrayed lies an appealing romance, and the picture is bound to be a favourite. Sally Eilers and Robert .Armstrong are given ample scope for their talents in_ the romantic side of the story and give a finished performance. The film, which was produced by RKO-Radio, is a romantic thriller of the air, and has met with outstanding success in other centres of New Zealand. It presents, in an original tale, the life of aviators in the United States on the big commercial! air liners, and contains some fine scenes of mountain flying. ‘Easy to Take,’ a fine comedy, featuring several of America’s radio celebrities, will be the subsidiary picture. ST. JAMES The third of the Tarzan series to he brought to the 'screen, ‘ Tarzan Escapes,’ is continuing a successful season at the St. James. Maureen O’Sullivan gives a very engaging performance as Tarzan’s mate, and Johnny Weissmuller appears in the title role. There are numerous thrilling scenes of jungle life introducing lions, elephants, crocodiles, and merciless African savages. Herbert Mundin and Benita Hume head the supporting cast. ‘ Taraan Escapes ’ is packed with thrills, and tells the story of a human deceit directed against a primitive man of the jungle, and of the treachery of civilised man against the jungle friend of wild beasts who has never known tho tricks of his “enlightened” brothers. ‘ Tarzan Escapes ’ takes the Edgar Rice Burroughs character into tho country of giant vampire hats; its i thrills include a battle between an fti-mv of elephants and savage warriors; the routing of lions by an elephant stampede; a dash through a crocodile-infested river, and other exciting details surrounding tho primitive love story of the series. In the new story Tarzan is betrayed and captured by the man who pretends friendship, and who plans to exhibit him as a wild man. His faithful mate, played by Miss O’Sullivan, and his jungle “friends aid in a sensational escape. Weissmuller. as Tarzan. swings across wild gorges, on strange vine bridges, and swims perilous rivers. Miss O’Sullivan is her charming character, as in former Tarzan pictures, and Benita Hume, British actress, plays the sister. John Buckler' enacts the animal collector. William Henry plays Miss O’Sullivan’s cousin, who remains loyal. JACK BUCHANAN SUCCESS. ‘This’ll Make You Whistle,’ Jack Buchanan’s latest comedy for Herbert Wilcox Productions, which comes to the St. James on Friday, is a deliciously daring musical film, crammed full with gaiety, song, and dance, overflowing with witty wisecracks and hectic situations, with Jack in the embarrassing position of being engaged to two girls at the same time. The cast, most of

whom appeared in the stage version, which created such a riot all over Eng- ‘ land, includes Jean Gillie, Elsie Randolph, who makes a welcome reappearance on tho screen, David Hutcheson, and William Kendall, as Jack’s pals, Anthony Holley, and Marjorie Brooks* x EMPIRE In all the splendour of its well-re-membered songs, and with the added scenic beauty which only the screen can give, ‘ Rose Marie ’ is enjoying a, most popular season at the Empire. Tho tale of Marie de Flor and Sergeant Bruce, of the Royal Canadian Iv orth-west Mounted Police, is told with, a clarity and conviction which was rather lacking in the stage presentation. In the title role Jeanette MacDonald excels even her performance in ‘ Naughty Marietta.’ Her singing is superb, especially ‘The Indian Love Call, sung in a typical Canadian set-* ting of surpassing beauty. Thu full range and power of her voice are brought out in the final scene of Tosca,’ in which some splendid acting is seen, as the highly-strung prima donna strives to carry on with her part while the voice of her lover rings in her ears. Nelson Eddy gives a fine performance as Sergeant Bruce, and his splendid voice does full justice to the melodious ‘ Rose Marie ’ and to the rollicking ‘<Song of the Mounted.’ The story is that of an opera singer who, hearing that her brother has escaped from gaol and is being hunted by tho Mounted Police, goes to his assistance. Deserted by a half-caste Indian guide in a northern Canadian township, she is aided by the man who has been sent to bring in her brother. He finally gets his man ” with the traditional ease, but retains the love of the prima donna. The picture has some magnificent scenes of Canadian beauty. An excellent supporting programme ■i» screened. STRAND Having been given her long-deserved stardom, Mary Astor proves her firstranlc capabilities in the exciting melodramatic comedy, ‘Lady From Nowhere, the Columbia production serving as her star debut vehicle which has commenced at the Strand. The mm tells of a manicurist who is forced to flee for her life after witnessing a gangland murder. She arrives, in a small town and is taken in tow by a local reporter 1 To cover her flight she assumes the name of a publicised runaway heiress. The climax is reached when the gangsters, the police, and the irate father of the‘real heiress all join in the chase, each ignorant of tho others intentions.. Miss Astor performs admirably in a difficult role, and Charles Quigley is exceptional as Earl Daniels, the local Galahad. The spinechilling melodma of a demented murderer who lives and plots his sinister crimes in a chamber of horrors waxworks is unfolded in ‘Killer at Large, which will also be screened. Mary Brian, Russell Hardie, and Betty Compson head the large cast. Tho omoial film of th© fight between Louis and Sharkey will also be screened. STATE A film that is securely knit by tha cleverness of its star, the spirited team work of the supporting cast, excellent staging, and bright; catchy tunes, ‘lt’s ■”°Y 6 Again,’ starring the whimsical and effervescent Jessie Matthews, has all the essential makings of sparkling light entertainment, and is an excellent oM ic6 a ?, the new attraction at tiio state. her performances :m The Good Companions,* Evergreen,’ and ‘ First a Girl,’ Jes«e, in It’s Love Again,’ is unique. Iho supporting players, Robert Young and the inimitable Sonnie Hale, help thA production along its dancing path. Iho story is set in extravagant locales, intermitting between Fleet street arid the cabarets of Mayfair. Jessie was never seen to better advantage, while .Kohert Young is her ideal romantic opposite, with Sonnie Hale playing the tool as usual in his own way. The story concerns Elaine (Jessie Matthews) an aspiring dancer, who, havmg taxied to impress a very eccentrio producer, is intrigued by the publicity given to a certain Mrs Smythe-Smythe, a great traveller, a big-game huntress, and Indian celebrity, about whose allure and mystery the newspapers are making much to-do. Elaine decides to impersonate the absent lady, and, dressing for the part, successfully makes a sensational appearance. Unfortunately for the intrepid little lady, there is no such person as Mrs SmytheSmythe Peter (Robert Young), a gossip writer, has invented the celebrated traveller to make a story for his column. An entertaining programme of short films is screened.. OCTAGON Sophie Lang’has returned from the dead. - When she finished her career as ‘ The Notorious Sophie Lang ’ and supposedly died, it was only to tho world, being in reality in the safe harbourage of Elizabeth Patterson, who gives one of her first-rate renderings of a wealthy and witty old lady in her latest film, ‘ Return of Sophie Lang,’ which has commenced at tho OctagonMiss Patterson is travelling to America with the famous “Krueger ” diamond with her converted companion,, meeting on board the news reporter, Ray Milland, with whom Sophie makes a Second in a romance. Sir Guy Standing, in an outstanding performance a a Sophie’s whilom partner in crime, is resurrected in the same capacity, but cannot now draw the girl into criminal practices. But determined on his own. line, he is deft enough to get the diamond into his possession. Sophie sets her wits to work to recover it, and in a series of eijthralling incident® she finishes one ahead of Standing. In ‘Now and Forever,’ th© associate feature, Shirley Temple plays the of Gary Cooper, an amiable, ingratiating confidence man, MAYFAIR Bobby Breen, the nine-year-old singing discovery, is the star of ‘ Left' Sing Again,’ which features, George Houston, Henry Armetta, Vivienne Osborne,_ and others. ‘ Let’s Sing Again ’ is at the Mayfair, The story is centred upon Bobby, an orphan, whe is lured away by a travelling tent show. Joe Pasquale, its handyman, take® Bobby under his wing. An erstwhile member of the Milan Opera Company, Joe recognises the potentialities of _% fine voice in Bobby. With hardship facing them at every turn. Joe and Bobby make their way to New Yorir, where they seek out an opera stay whom Joe tutored years before. At her house she gives a party in honooir of the concert baritone Leon Alba. A surprise climax revealing her guest of honour as the estranged father_ of Bobby produces a heart-throb ending said to be one of the most gripping denouements to flash across the screen of late. Something new in screen entertainment is to be offered in the associate feature, ‘ The Flying Doctor, t an Australian film, with Charles Fan* rell, Mary Maguire, James Raglan, Margaret Yyner, Joe Valli, and Erid Col man heading the cast.