PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22723, 10 August 1937, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Eleanor Powell scores I lie biggest success of her career in ‘ Pom to Dance,’ the lavish M.-G.-M. musical comedv, which is in an extended season at the Empire. This production is of special interest to film goers because the star is surrounded by virtually all the stars and technicians who made 4 Broadway Melody of 193G.’ Two labourites not seen in the previous musical are featured iu 4 Born to Dance in the persons of the jaunty James Stewart, who plays Eleanor Powell’s loading man, and lovely Virginia Bruce, making her first appearance since her success in ‘ The Gtpat Zisgfeld.’ Familiar faces from 4 Broadway Melodv ’ who sing and dance their way through * Born to Dance ’ include Una Merkel and Sid Silvers, now recognised as one of the screen’s most hilarious comedy teams; Frances Langford, of radio fame; and the longlegged Buddy Ebson. Also featured are Raymond Walburn, Alan Dinehart, Juanita Quigley, whose dancing and singing have earned her the title of the “ Baby Eleanor Powell,” the brilliant dance teams of Georges and Jalna, Reginald Gardiner, monologue star, Barrett Parker, and the singing and dancing Foursome, composed of J. Marshall Smith, L. Dwight Synder, Jay Johnson, and Del Porter. ‘ Born to” Dance ’ was directed by Roy Del Ruth, who directed 4 Broadway Melody ’ and who is known in the picture industry as the maker of the faslestmoving musicals. IMMORTAL SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA. At last Shakespeare’s immortal drama, 4 Romeo and Juliet,’ has been brought to the screen, and in such a, manner that the beauty and power of the original play have been recaptured. 4 Romeo and Juliet ’ is coming to-mor-row to the Empire, and the producers have brought into the cast a number of stars of such calibre that the leading parts, and indeed all the parts, are carried out with refinement, and as the master dramatist himself would probably have wished. Juliet, played by Norma Shearer, is a lovable and convincing character, and her Romeo, for which part Leslie Howard has been chosen, is an appealing young man against whom the forces of destiny have pitted themselves. These two lovers, of course, form the central figures of the drama and their parts are played with complete understanding of Shakespeare’s noble lines. A further actor whose performance is above ,tbo usual standard of screen achievement is John Barrymore, and his rendering of the shiftless, appealing, and even noble character of Mercutio, friend of Romeo, is one of the most brilliant of the film. C. Aubrey Smith makes a fine, patriarchal Lord Capulet, and Basil Rathbone, as Tybalt, and Ralph Forbes, as Paris, also play their parts well. One notable feature of the production is the excellent photography, and the scenery is also convincing, and a true reproduction of medieval times. GRAND The dangerous work of United States Government department officials assigned to investigate criminal activities is again made a subject of propaganda in the RKO picture 4 Wanted— Jane Turner,’ the first of the two films at the Grand. This time it is the criminal activities which harass the officers of the United States Postal Department. Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart are starred. 4 Back to Nature,’ the second feature, is an entertaining production dealing with the adventures and misadventures of a typical American family on a trailer holiday. Fredric March, Warner Baxter, June Lang, and Lionel Barrymore head the cast of a strange drama, 4 The Rond to Glory,’ which is to commence tomorrow at the Grand. The film tolls a gripping story of love in all its phases, painted on a canvas as great and encompassing as tho Great War itself. Baxter is seen as the warweary commander of a valorous regiment. Monique, a lovely French nurse, provides him with his only interest in life. Fredric March, Baxter’s chief aid, _ unwittingly falls in love with Monique too, unaware that Baxter cares deeply for the girl. The triangle creates a crisis between the two men, which is increased when Baxter, to his astonishment, discovers that his father, Lionel Barrymore, is a private in tho regiment. Praise must be bestowed upon the battle scenes. No expense was evidently spared in bringing them to the screen, for they are tho most elaborate, realistic, and thrilling ever filmed. March contributes an exceptional performance. Baxter, as the war-weary captain, is a revelation, while Barrymore’s portrayal is one of the most convincing characterisations ever immortalised on the screen. A new angle in criminology proves unusually successful in 4 15 Maiden Lane,’ Twentieth Century-Fox thriller of the world’s jewel centre, which supports. Determined to catch the silk-nattod crook, played by Cesar Romero, who dared defy the scientific watchdogs of New York’s Diamond Row, Claire Trevor is sleuth in satin who sets her trap with a kiss, recovering tho million dollar gem, as well as breaking up a crime ring. ST. JAMES Even the keenest murder mystery enthusiasts will find intriguing entertainment in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer production, ‘ Mad Holiday,’ which is at the St. James. With Edmund Lowe and Elisa Landi in the prominent roles, tho 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 tho 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 tho part of a handsome screen 44 star,” who for three years has been portraying the part of tho debonair detective hero of a scries 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, hut the very ship on which he embarks for bis vacation pl-ovcs to he the scone of tho first murder. To add to his troubles the actor is disbelieved when ho tells of his discovery of the body, because of a prank played upon him by the charming creator of the character ho has been playing for so long. With each successive scene, in spite of his efforts to become freed from any connections with the crime, ho is involved deeper and deeper. With tho 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 iierformance of Zasu Pitts ns an ardent 44 film fan,” and Tod Hoaly ns a particularly bumptious publicity agent. Supporting roles also are capably * portrayed..

ROLLICKING ENGLISH FARCE. A rollicking English farce, 4 Aren’t Hon Beasts,’ will begin a season at the St. James on Friday. As a guarantee of its powers as a laughter provoker its east includes such favourites ns Robertson Hare, Allred Drayton, Billy Milton, and June Clyde. Tho story, a matrimonial mix-up, bristles with irresistibly funny situations. providing the sort of comedy that is relished everywhere. The lun starts when a. mysterious dark beauty determined to stop a wedding, disarranges her dress and her hair, tears off her garter, and yells police! Not the intending bridegroom but bis father is caught in the trap. Robertson Haro, as Herbert Holly, is the innocent victim of tho subterfuge. It is not difficult to imagine the _ success ho makes of the role—-one in which he alono can excel. In a few of fho uproarious situations Robertson Hare is seen escaping from tho police dressed as a woman, hidden in a clock, rushing down fire escapes, and selling tomatoes disguised as a coster. REGENT Errol Flynn, Anita Louise. Margaret Lindsay, and Sir Cedric Hardwickc have the principal roles in 4 Green Light,’ tho principal feature on the Regent hill. This picture, a dramatic story of a doctor’s mistake, of tho medical code laid down by tho Hippocratic oath, and the strange way three Jives aro woven together in a pattern of love, suffering, and adventure, breaks new ground, and is admirably acted. The prominent and charitable Mrs Dexter dies on the operating table as the result of a surgical mistake. Tho operation was begun by tho young and brilliant surgeon, Newell Paige; it was taken over by Dr Endicott, a man who at this moment has been caught up m a crisis and momentarily unnerved. Paige is blamed by tho hospital and bound to silence by the terms of his medical vow. And then there comes hack to America the daughter of the woman who died so unnecessarily, and tho two fall in Jove. This tense and dangerous situation for them both is worked out in a novel and thrilling way, the succeeding events heap suspense on suspense, and tho film reaches an unexpected and satisfactory ending. Errol Flynn, even and virile, is well cast as Dr Paige: Margai-et Lindsay has the role of the nurse who loves him, yet makes way for another woman- Anita Louise plays understandingly the part of Phyllis Dexter; and Sir Cedric Hardwicke is east as a minister who has quite an influence on tho story. Tho supporting Gitas fully maintain tho excellence of the main presentation., NEW ROMANTIC DRAMA. In their search for new romantic teams picture directors have seldom made such an excellent choice as in 4 History is Made at Night,’ which is coming on Friday to the Regent. They have cast together Charles Boyer and Jean Arthur, with the result that the film lias practically universal appeal. The story opens on a rather novel note, with Paul Dumond, a handsome and mysterious stranger, playing knight errant to Irene Vail, the wife of an objectionable shipping magnate. The magnate’s chauffeur is sent to make matters difficult, in order that Irene will be compelled to drop the divorce , proceedings which have been begun against her husband. Paul overcomes ! tho chauffeur, carries off Irene, and a romance is started. That the place to which the couple adjourn after the assault on the chauffeur happens to be the cafe in which Paul is employed as head waiter is just another delighful twist to an already delightful story. Perhaps tho . most attractive of the minor parts is that of the temperamental chef in the cafe, played by the experienced actor Leo Carillo. Tho story proceeds to a most unusual climax. STATE The film heading the State billy's the gay musical comedy, 4 That Girl From Paris,’ which brings to the screen for the second time tho voice of the world’s premier coloratura soprano, Lily Pons. Starred with the vivacious French prima donna are Gene Raymond and Jack Oakie, and Herman Bing, Mischa Auer, Frank Jenks, Lucille Ball, and other well-known comedians are seen in supporting roles. 4 That Girl From Paris ’ is tho story of a famed French opera star who rebels at a marriage of convenience, jilting her wealthy impresario, and hitchhikes across the ocean to tho United States in pursuit of a handsome American jazz baud leader, who has ignited a latent romantic spark in her soul. The vicissitudes of this charming singer, who smuggles her way into a strange land, incognito, to find herself a fugitive from tho immigration authorities, and entangled in an almost hopeless romance, are at the same time heart-rending and highly humorous, Spotted throughout the picture is a pot pound of musical offerings ranging in rhythm and colour from a sizzling 44 swing tune ” to 4 Una Voce Poco Fa,’ the aria from 4 The Barber of Seville,’ sung by Miss Pons. Showing an amazing versatility, tho diminutive diva also sings 4 Tarantella,’ by Panofka, a swing version of 4 Tho Blue Danube Waltz,’ and three modern original numbers— 4 Seal It With a Kiss,’ 4 My Nephew From Nice,’ and 4 Call to Arms.’ Jack Oakie also sings one of the five original songs written for the photoplay, 4 Moonface,’ and the other is an instrumental number played by a “ swing ” band. Deviating sharply from the average opera star vehicle, 4 That Girl From Paris ’ is crammed with hilarious comedy, and Miss Pons displays a surprising flair for her light humorous role. ‘THE PLAINSMAN.’ “Calamity Jane,” famous frontierwoman of the early ’seventies, joins the glamorous array of gorgeous women who made history, and whoso lives were glorified by the genius of Cecil B. d© Mille, in Paramount’s 4 The Plainsman,’ a saga of the West, which is tho next attraction at tho Stale. “ Calamity Jane ” is played by beautiful Jean Arthur, and it is her romance with 44 Wild Bill” Hickok, _ famous peace officer in the lawless wild, portrayed by Gary Cooper, which forms the basis of tho broad and sweeping film of America in tho making. It has been ascertained that 44 Calamity Jane ” received her name from a troop of soldiers who found her as a. babe beside her dead parents after an Indian massacre—a true child of calamity. A real product of tho West, she was 44 tough and hard-boiled” onlv in the sense that all women of the West wore. hardened to suffering and toil. In this she was the typical woman of the West, and is thus glorified by de Mille. OCTAGON * Go West, Young Man.’ the main attraction at the Octagon, is a typical M : o West production packed with laughs and rapid action, in her latest film Mae appears in the rolo of a motion picture star who goes on a personal appearance tour accompanied by.

her Press agent, whose chief duty is to keep his charge out of romantic entanglements. This is a situation that presents Miss West with a host of opportunities for displaying her inimitable subtlety in dealing with the most "'omplicated situations. Tho Press agent, a part taken by Warren William, has au uneuviabele time and is involved in an amusing series of escapades, which reach a climax when he himself is irrevocably snared in his employer’s matrimonial net. Tho second picture is entitled 4 Till We Meet Again,’ a thrilling drama of the espionage system. Gertrude Michael and Lionel Atwill are the featured players. Taking a news subject that is hot in tho minds of the paper-reading public, and transforming it into a motion picture that everyone wants to_ see, seems to bo a. Warner Bros.’ specialty. They’ve done it again with 4 Black Legion,’ a melodrama based upon the pernicious activities of the secret order of that name which operated in Michigan, and some of whoso leaders recently were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. This film will ho tho first feature on tho Octagon’s next programme. Humphrey Bogart, who has the leading role, plays tho part of a young automobile mechanic, a decent enough follow, who gets into tho clutches of the grafting and hatred-breeding secret society, and who goes altogether to the had through his mistaken loyalty to the order and iis commanders. Paramount’s ‘ Her Husband Lies,’ a drama of a lie that had to he told, will also bo screened, and features Gail Patrick and Ricardo Cortez. The story concerns Cortez, a gambler, whose wife. Miss Patrick, gives him the alternative of giving up gambling or losing her. STRAND Good, bright faro is offered patrons in the current programme at the .Strand, where there are two films being presented, ‘ Tho Mighty Treve ’ ami 4 The Frame-up.’ The first of these is an appealing story of a country lad who is left alone in the world with his horse, his dog, and his parrot. The work of the dog with tho sheep, his fierce fight witlYa coyote, another with a cougar, his triumphs at a dog show, and bis final narrow escape front death by shooting as a., suspected sheep killer

constitute the main interest of tho film. Noah Beery, jun., Barbara Read, and Samuel B. Hinds head the cast. The second film discloses the operations of a gang of racecourse crooks who lay an ingenious plan to trap the course detective, but are outwitted cleverly. Paul Kelly has the leading role. MAYFAIR Kay Francis, who is regarded as one of the siiiccrest actresses on the .screen to-day, has the leading role in tho First National production 4 The White Angel,’ which heads the programme at the Mayfair, A seafaring story, 4 Eight Bells,’ is the associate feature. The romantic story of a titled nobleman who marries an American girl and then sets about to prove himself a better American than she is and a better cowboy than his neighbours in Arizona is presented in 4 My American Wife,’ starring Francis Lederer and lovely Ann Sothern, which will be screened at tho Mayfair to-morrow. Giving a 14 reverse angle twist ” to the theme of the wealth-seeking Old World aristocrat and the title-seeking American girl, tho film introduces Lederer and Sothern after their marriage. Lederer finds Arizona, his bride’s home,to his liking. He wants to become a rancher and make his living from the soil. His wife, however, is Jed by her mother into making capital of Lederer’s social prestige. She forgets her Arizona background and insists upon keeping her husband in braid and medals. The romance almost hits the rocks before the two are reunited. 4 Barred Windows,’ the second feature, is said to be one of the most exciting films ever screened, with a gun battle between dope runners and police, a penitentiary riot scene, two murders within the prison walls, and a gaolbreak, Craig Reynolds and June Travis have the leading roles.