PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22687, 29 June 1937, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

ST. JAMES The escapades of Tarzan in book 'arm and mo.ro recently on the screen nivo given him an extremely wide and justified popularity. Tho screen vermins, as so often happen, have not aeon alloyed to Hag in interest, and tho latest picture dealing with Tarzan is no exception to the rule. 1 Tarzan Kscapes,’ which is still at tho St. James, is, in fact, considered to_ lie far simerior to any of tho previous films. 'As before, Johnny Weissmuller, who has mado a. name for himself in this role, plays tho part of Tarzan. Again ho is given excellent support by Maureen O’Sullivan. The story is set in Tarzan’s hunting ground', where the initial atmosphere is gained by Tarzan and his mate undergoing many dangerous experiences. There conies to this" land a safari, guided by Captain Fry, an animal procurer, who decides to capture Tarzan, considering that he would be a seven days’ wonder circus attraction in Kugland. Tarzan is captured, but the savage tribes rush to his rescue. Thus n climax, tense with action and 111 rills, is reached, culminating in a stampede of elephants. Tho . excitement is never allowed to wane throughout the whole picture. GRAHD An amazing plot is unfolded in ‘ Don’t Turn ’Km Loose,’ tbo first of tho two attractions ending to,-night at the Grand. ‘ Wedding Present,’ the supporting feature, is a brisk comedy of happenings on the stall of an American newspaper. ‘WITHOUT ORDERS’ TO-MOR-ROW. Romance, thrills, and a. colourful sidelight on modern commercial aviation arc combined in ‘ Without Orders,’ which will be screened at tho Grand to-morrow, with Robert Armstrong and Sally Eilcrs in tho romantic roles and Frances Sage, Charley Grapewin, and Vinton Haworth cofeatured with them. Dealing with tho personal and official problems that beset modern transport pilots, and combining plenty of thrilling episodes and a stirring climax in its story, the picture revolves around tho rivalry of two flyers in their professional work and in their attentions to the same girl—a stewardess on the air line. There is a lot of fun behind tho scenes in tho making of some of tho nation’s favourite radio programmes, and Paramount has put a good-sized amount of it into its comedy-romance, ‘ Easy to Take,’ tho associate feature. Background for the picture is largely set in. a radio studio, and John Howard, leading man, is introduced as “ Uncle Roddy,” a radio chilren’s hour storyteller. REGENT ‘God’s Country and the Woman,’ based on a novel of the same name by James Oliver Curwood, demonstrates the advance which has been made in the American colour film. In this Warner Bros.’ all-technicolour production (showing at the Regent), the colours are much nearer to reality than hitherto. One result te that the magnificent scenery in the film is in better perspective and clearer in vision, and is less vibrant with atmospherical overtones. The general effect is .also less tiring to the eyes, and does not, as previously, hinder concentration on the main essentials of tho picture. There are some splendid views of timber country, with winding, log-filled rivers taking the toll of the lumber kings down to the mills. The dynamiting of a big jam is one of the high spots of; many thrilling episodes. Concerned primarily with tho feud between the pretty and courageous Jo Barton and the Russett Lumber Company, because of the latter’s continuous attempts to annex the adjoining Barton property, ‘ God’s Country and tbo Woman ’ illustrates the ruthless methods.employed by some lumber magnates in attempts to extend their territories. ‘STOLEN HOLIDAY’ ON FRIDAY. While Europe to-day seethes with political and economic turmoil, ‘ Stolen Holiday,’ a First National picture, starring Kay Francis, which comes to the Regent on Friday, takes bn startling topical significance. Events depicted in the film, and based on reallife occurrences, were among those which lit the spark that smouldered and finally burst into flame. For beneath a frothily beautiful “ front ” of Parisian fashions in the making, style salons presided over by Miss Francis, and beautiful, stunningly-gowned mannequins—in short, tho French fashion racket!—is the sinister current of the nation’s greatest financial scandal. Claude Rains is the adventurer who, in ‘ Stolen Holiday,’ enters_ the plot penniless and meets final disaster at tho end of the story as perpetrator of one of the most daring, ruthless swindles in history. It is a swindle that has international effect, and plunges Paris into revolt expressed in street riots. Opposite Miss Francis is lan Hunter, playing a British diplomat. The star is first seen as a mannequin who becomes the innocent tool in the hands of the adventurer whose gigantic swindle subsequently rocks Europe. MAYFAIR Bobby Breen, the eigbt-year-old boy tenor, makes his debut in the new melody drama, ‘ Let’s Sing Again,’ which concludes to-night at tho Mayfair. It is tho tale of a runaway orphan who attaches himself to a travelling tent show. Charles Farrell is featured in tho second film, 1 The Flying Doctor.’ TO-MORROW’S COMEDIES. A rollicking whirlwind of mischief and excitement, tho irrepressible Jane Withers romps merrily through the laugh-provoking situations of ‘ Tho Holy Terror,’ tho Twentieth CenturyFox comedy hit which will bo commenced to-morrow at tho Mayfair. In this latest and gayest fun feast of her career, involving her in hilarious doings with tho Navj* the young madcap is ably supported by Anthony Martin, Leah Ray, Joan Davis, El. Brendel, and Joe Lewis. Strange bets have been made anfl paid. Tho screen devises one of the most fantastic bets, with stipulations still more strange, in ‘ Love On a Bet,’ tho new comedy romance which will he the associate feature. Gene Raymond is the challenged and William Collier, sen., is the challenger. Seeking 15,000d0l with which to produce a play, Raymond is forced to livo its intriguing odd plot to tho letter before his uncle, played by Collier, can be convinced that it is plausible and worthy of backing as a play. EMPIRE Nelson Eddy’s voice, personal charm, and acting ability have remained witli Dunedin cinema-goers unrenewed since ‘ Naughty Marietta ’ two years ago, until the current presentation of ‘Rose Marie at tho Empire,. This picturisa--

tion of tho famous Harhach-Hammer-•steiu musical play is now hugely entertaining big houses at tho theatre. It was directed by tho famous “ Woody ” Van Dyke, maker of some of Hollywood’s best films, including ‘ Trader Horn,’ ‘ Tho Thin Alan,’ and ‘ Wife Versus Secretary.’ Its producer was Hunt Stromberg, generally regarded as tho successor to the late-lamented, Irving Tlialberg, Norma Shearer’s husband. ‘ Rose Mario ’ in film form is different from tho play; but no intelligent or seasoned entertainment seeker will bo so foolish as to compare the play and fiim. Essentially differing conditions of production necessitate varying tem]M)s, backgrounds, and perspectives, individual and mass action, even presentation of the music. This music includes, in the-film, the haunting ‘ Indian Love Call,’ the sighing ‘Rose Maiic, I Love You,’ tho pert ‘ Pardon Ate, Madftino,’ tho thrilling Song of the Mountios,’ the thrilling ‘ Totem Polo Dance ’—all tho Herbert StothartRndolf Friml score, sung as only Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy can sing it. STATE Dancing and musical numbers of more than usual merit characterises ‘ It’s Love Again,’ the latest (British musical film, starring Jessie Matthews, which is now screening at tho State. Miss Matthews outshines all the other members of the cast, which includes such favourites as Sonnio Halo and Robert Young, and her numbers include several catchy tunes which should prove successful hits. Miss Matthew's is cast as a girl with an ambition to get on tho stage, and sho succeeds in drawing public attention to herself by impersonating a young woman created in tbo imagination of a newspaper society columnist as a source of “ copy ” for his paper. However, when Miss Matthews discovers that her prototype is an authority on Oriental matters and is expected to give interpretations of Eastern templo dances the impersonation becomes somewhat difficult to sustain. She does her best, but her attempts at temple dances are not in agreement with most people's ideas as to what these entail. DISTINCTLY REFRESHING FILM. A drama with music, deftly relieved by comedy and enlivened by several new song “ hits,” combine to make ‘ Banjo on My Knee,’ tho Twentieth Century-Fox picture which opens on Friday, at the State, a “hit” screen production. Add to this a story that is distinctly different in theme and plot construction, with the locale of Tobacco road and for characters the shanty-boaters who live, love, and die on their ramshackle barges on the lower Mississippi, and tho sum total is something pew in movie entertainment. Fighting—loving—laughing—weeping, tho tempestuous emotions of those picturesque children of tho mighty river stir the blood and intrigue tho interest of everyone, from opening scone to thrilling climax. The selection of a cast to delineate these difficult roles was little short of inspired, with Barbara Stanwyck and Joel M'Crea co-starred, supported by such talented and popular players as Helen Westley, Buddy Ebsen, Walter Brennan, Waiter Catlett. Anthony Martin, and Katherine de Mille. STRAND Three entertaining features are at present being shown at the Strand. The first, the full record of the threefound fight between Joe Louis and Jack Sharkey, is necessarily short, .but, because of its vivid detail and topical interest, it is fully entitled to a prominent place on the programme. The second film, ‘ Lady From Nowhere,’ features Mary Aster and Ben Quigley in a comedy melodrama. It concerns the adventures of a manicurist who is a witness to a murder, and flees to the country under an assumed name to escape the attentions of the gangsters, only to find herself caught up in the centre of tho whole mystery. Tho climax is an exciting cross-country chase. ‘ Killer at Large ’ tells of a demented wax-worker who uses his strange art to Cover a career of murder. Mary Brian, Russell Hurdle, and Betty Compson have the leading roles, OCTAGON' A varied double-feature programme is at the Octagon. ‘ Now and Forever ’ is a film with an exceptional acting combination, a thrilling, fast-paced, and imaginatively-directed story, and a human and appealing theme. They make tho picture one of the most delightful and entertaining hours of film faro that have been offered in a long time. Romantic Gary Cooper, Carole Lombard, and lovable Shirley Temple are the three who play out this tale of a reckless .young international crook, his light of love, and the child who changes the whole course of their gay lives. The world’s nerviest jewel thief returns to stop a rival from getting away with the world’s largest diamond in ‘ The Return of Sophie Lang,’ the other picture. In addition to Gertrude Michael in the title role, the cast boasts at least four “ name ” players—Sir Guy Standing, who gives an excellent performance as the suave and ruthless rival jewel thief; Ray Milland, Elizabeth Patterson, and Colin Tapley.