PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22720, 6 August 1937, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

RECENT After being a best-seller for two years Lloyd 0. Douglas’s novel, ‘ Green Light ’ has been transferred to tbe screen, retaining all of its original strength and beauty and brought to life by an unusually able cast. ‘ Green Light ’ began to-day at the Regent. Errol Flynn, whose first two pictures, ‘ Captain Blood ’ and ‘ Charge of the Light Brigade,’ revealed him as one of the greatest screen “ finds ’ of recent years, adds to his dramatic reputation with his handling of tho role of Newell Paige, tho young surgeon who sacrifices his own professional integrity to cover tho mistake of an older doctor. In shouldering tho blame ho incurs the hatred of Phyllis Dexter (played by Anita Louise), whose mother’s death was caused by the fatal mistake. To justify his life, and to prove to Phyllis, whom ho loves, that he is trying to make np for the tragic mistake she believes he has made, ho goes to an obscure laboratory in the Rocky Mountains and risks his life trying to discover a vaccine that will prevent tho dreaded spotted fever. Phyllis is made to realise that Paige is innocent, and she finally goes to him in the mountains. Arriving there, she finds him desperately ill. He has injected himself with the deadly virus. All through his illness he insists on keeping a case history which will be valuable to other research men if he should die. Ho recovers, however, and with his recovery makes a valuable contribution to science. Meanwhile the older doctor clears Paige’s name, and, reunited at last, he and Phyllis are married. Sir Cecil Hardwicke, who was knighted by King George for magnificent work on the stage, appears in the role of Dea,n Harcourt, the minister whoso advice and philosophy shape the lives of the other characters. Margaret Lindsay, as Frances Ogilvie, who loves Paige but has to give him up, gives a convincing and sympathetic performance as does Henry O’Neill, as the older surgeon who is the cause of Flynn’s martyrdom. ST. JAMES Even the keenest murder mystery enthusiasts will find intriguing entertainment in the Metro-Goldwyh-Mayer production, ‘Mad Holiday,’ which _ was shown for the first time in Dunedin at the St. James this _ With Edmund Lowe and Elissa Landi in the prominent roles, the film is a combination of thrilling mystery and hilarious humour which must bring a smile to the face of the most cynical filmgoer. There is no dearth of murders, and the plot- has sufficient twists to delude the most astute amateur detective, but at the same time it moves at such rapid speed and with such light-hearted abandon that laughs follow thrills in lightning sequence. Edmund Lowe is seen in the part of a handsome screen “star,” who for three years has been portraying the part of the debonair detective hero of a series of* popular detective novels. Tiring of the part he has been playing, he decides to take a holiday away from film studios and murder mysteries, but the very ship on which he embarks for his vacation proves to be the scene of. the first murder. To add to his troubles the actor is disbelieved when he tells of his discovery of the body, because of a prank played upon him by the charming creator of the character he has been playing for so long. With each successive scene, in spite of his efforts to become freed from any connections with the crime, he is involved deeper and deeper. With the help of the authoress, who is excellently portrayed by Elissa Landi, however, he successfully unmasks the murderer, Lowe’s own light style provides very cheering entertainment, but the humorous aspect is further enlivened by the performance of Zasu Pitts as an ardent “ film fan,” and Ted Healy as a particularly bumptin us publicity agent. Supporting roles' also are capably portrayed. STRAHD The new picture at the Strand is Universal’s ‘ The Mighty Treve,’ a dramatic story based on the novel ‘ Treve,’ by the popular author, Albert Payson Terhune. It is a narrative of young sweethearts, who have to overcome the obstacle of a stubborn uncle, a sheepowner. To make matters more difficult for the romantic pair, the uncle is obsessed with fear of a dog owned by the boy friend. At first uncle orders the young gallant and his dog off his property. But the girl has ideas of her own, and she overcomes this difficulty by a diplomatic plan. The dog more than pays for his keep by saving uncle’s life, rounding up flocks of lost sheep, and winning prizes at a dog show. The climax of the picture is reached when other sheep ranchers accuse the dog, Treve, of being a sheep killer, and want to execute him. The solution of that situation provides breathless drama. A brand-new type of detective, a Racing Commission officer assigned to protect the sport of kings, is portrayed by Paul Kelly in Columbia’s ‘The Frame-up,’ the second attraction. Jacqueline Wells heads the large supporting cast, which includes George M‘Kay, Robert Emmett O’Connor, and Edward Erie. EMPIRE Eleanor Powell once again clinches her title of the world’s greatest feminine tap dancer in the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer musical spectacle, ‘Born to Dance,’ which is now in its second week at the Empire, Miss Powell, who first won praise from critics and film audiences alike in ‘ Broadway Melody of 1936,’ is a delight to beholdf a pleasure to listen to, and a tremendous treat to lovers of dancing in any form. In her first picture she proved her versatility by switching from tap dancing to ballet; in ‘ Born to Dance ’ she introduces a bewildering array of routines, including even an original version of the current popular “swing” tempo. In its music, production value, and dazzling array of supporting talent ‘ Born to Dance’ in every way lives up to the high standards set by its brilliant dancing star. The songs, written by Cole Porter, of ‘You’re the Top ’ and ‘ Night and Day ’ fame, are of the type that once heard linger on the ear for weeks after. They include the romantic ‘ Easy to Love,’ the haunting ‘ I’ve Got You Under My Skin,’ the catchy ‘ Swingin’ the Jinx Away,’ and the lilting waltz number ‘ Hey, Babe, Hey.’ The story of ‘ Born to Dance ’ involves tho romance of a small-town girl who falls in love with a navy man and almost loses him to a show girl. The personable James Stewart is the navy man, and stunning Virginia Bruce gives an outstanding portrayal as the temperamental show girl. Also scoring in a top-notch supporting cast are Una Merkel and Sid Silvers furnishing laughs galore, the lovely-voiced Frances Langford of radio fame, Raymond Walburn, Alan Dinehart, and Buddy Ebsen, the eccentric comedy dancer, who scored in ‘ Broadway Melody of 1036.’.

MAYFAIR Gangsters and comedy are not usually found in combination —not even in the films, where life is often quite different from experience—but in ‘ Passport to Fame,’ the main attraction on the programme at the Mayfair, the combination is achieved. In the chief role is Edward G. Robinson, noted for his characterisations of really bad men, who unexpectedly and convincingly appears as a timid little clerk who is mistaken for a much-sought-after gangster. The second attraction on the programme is ‘ Ladies in Love,’ featuring Janet Gaynor, Loretta Young, Constance Bennett, and Simone Simon. What is heralded as one of the outstanding productions of the screen, ‘ The White Angel,’ a First National picture portraying the life story of the immortal nurse Florence Nightingale, will bo screened at the Mayfair to-mor-row, with Kay Francis in the stellar role. The picture paints in fiery drama the fight of Florence Nightingale, a wealthy English society girl, to remedy conditions in army field hospitals and the neglect of dying soldiers. All the tragedy and pathos of the battlefield is pictured in the film, as_ well as the beauty of the life of sacrifices of Florence Nightingale and her speciallypicked nurses. ‘ Eight Bells,’ the second film, tells the story of Margo Walker, daughter of the owner of the steamship line, Captain Roy Dale, master of the freighter, and Steven Andrews, first officer. Marge is engaged to the captain and takes the trip to be near him. At sea he shows his incompetency, while the first officer demonstrates his mastery. The girl finally discovers it is Andrews she really loves. GRAND Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart play the principal roles in the thrilling melodrama based on the American Post Office Department’s relentless battle against crime and fraud, ‘ Wanted, Jane Turner,’ which is to be screened at the Grand to-day. The dynamic and smooth-tongued _ Tracy plays the role of an ace postal inspector', who resents the invariable assignment of a lovely department secretary, Gloria Stuart, to his cases, until she suddenly and emphatically makes him realise her worth. Tracy, with Miss Stuart, goes in chase of a gang of desperadoes responsible for a sensational daylight theft and murder. The henchmen are swiftly apprehended through the adroit use of, scientific instruments of crime detection, but the leader remains at lame. Brilliant sleuthing and scientific detection are combined with Tracy and Miss Stuart’s courage to . capture him. Merrily rolling along on a vacation on wheels, the happy-scrappy Jones family fill the wide, open spaces with fun and hilarity in their latest—and best—'Twentieth Century-Fox hit, ‘Back to Nature,’ which will be the second film. Featuring Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Dixie Tony Martin, Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florance Roberts, and Billy -Mahan, the picture is an hilarious narrative of the Jones’s vacation—which they take on the open road in on automobile trailer. The film opens with Dad Jones beamingly announcing to his family that he is going to Tranquil Lake while they spend their vacation at Of backwoods farm. At the concerted roar of protest which greets this announcement, Dad gives in weakly and agrees to buy a new automobile trailer and take the whole family to the convention. En route the Joneses go through a merrv series of adventures and escapades, climaxed when Bonnie Jones is rescued from a bear cub by Tom Williams. ' STATE Lily Pons, the vivacious French operatic soprano who made a most favourable screen dobut in * I Dream Too Much,’ will add to her popularity by her performance in ‘ That Girl From Paris,’ an RKO Radio picture that opened a season at the State to-day. .Miss Pons again sings a number of modern compositions most attractively,

while the bell-like quality of her high notes in the ‘ Una voce pqce fa ’ ana from ‘The Barber of Seville,’ brings the film to a stirring climax. ‘ That Girl From Paris ’ is a film that all will enjoy, not only for its singing, but also for its humour and brilliant musical score. Outstanding comic performances arc provided by Jack Oakie, as a mercurial tap drummer; Mischa Auer, a sad-faced pianist; and Herman Bing, whose acting contributed largely toward the hilarity of ‘ The King Steps-Out.’ The musical background of the film ss both ingenious and attractive. Audiences will be especially interested in tha clever arrangement of the popular, Strauss composition, ‘ The Blue Danube.’ The plot presents Miss Pons as an opera singer who enters the United States without a passport and so falls foul of the immigration authorities, bhe falls in love with the leader of an orchestra. Gene Raymond, and a diverting senes of adventures follow. Miss Pons is heard in three attractive modern songs in- the course of the film,besides a bracket of classical compositions. Playing opposite her, Gene Raymond again shows his talent for light comedy. The • resourceful direction or Leigh Jason has given the film many clever touches that make it one of the most attractive musical films that has been shown in Dunedin for a considerable time. The supporting items are excellent. ' ' . OCTAGON Three men, and possibly four, find Mae West their “ big moments m the glamorous star’s newest picture, ‘Go West, Young Man,’ released at the Octagon this afternoon. Romance No, 1 is with the newly-wed Lyle lalbot, cast as an old “ flame ” of hers who has become a prominent politician, and finds it good publicity to “ spark with the glamorous star portrayed by Miss West. Talbot knew her when—the star knew him when they called, him “Butch.” Romance No. 2 is with “ tall, blonde, and handsome Randolph Scott, cast as farm boy inventor “ with large ' and’' sinewy muscles.” She wants him to “go West ” to Hollywood. She has helped so many men to realise themselves, as she puts it, and Scott has an invention for motion pictures. Romance Pso,3 is with Warren William, playing a Press agent who accompanies, the star on hex personal appearance trip to tha “ movie ” palaces, primarily to keep her from getting married. They fight and bicker about her romances and the marriage clause in her contract. - William extricates her from all her entanglements, but somehow gets involved himself. A fourth romance i* also suggested -with. Etienne Giraiylot, a professor—this, however, is strictly comedy. ‘ Till We Meet Again ’ star* Herbert Marshall and ■ Gertrud* Michael in a fine romance, GREEN ISLAND Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper ar* united one© more in the. Metro-Goldwyn« Mayer picture ‘ O’Shaughnessy’s Boy,’ coming to-morrow to the Green Island Theatre. Their new picture is described as a dramatic, human interest story of father love told against a background of universal appeal—the circu* with all its pathos, humour, and spectacle, abundantly punctuated with surefire animal thrills. Wallace Beery ha* one of his finest roles as “ Windy,” the confident, easy-going, swaggering lion tamer. Jackie Cooper plays hi* son, and Spanky M'Farland plays Jackie as a child. Leone Maricle,Broadway stage actress, makes her motion picture dehut in the role of Cora* “ Windy’s ” neurotic wife," and Haden is seen as Martha, her spiteful sister. Here is the picture BeeryCooper “ fans ” have been waiting foy ever since 1 The Champ,’ one of th* most successful pictures of all times. It is their picture. from the opening shot until the final fade-out.