PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON In its own way, the British film, ‘ The Man in the Mirror,’ which is now at the Octagon, is a little masterpiece of comedy. It jumps right out of the rut, and the acting of Edward Everett Horton and Ursula Jeans is as bright as the original idea upon which the story is based. Whether it ifc labelled as satire, fantasy allegory, or straight farce, the film is full of laughs, with Horton giving one of his best performances. By his own description, Jeremy Dilk© is a “ prune,” hectored by his business partner and hen-pecked in his home. But on© day, when this shy and furtive fellow regards Ins reflection in the mirror, there materialises the man he would like to be—virile, robust, and dominating. Thereafter the two Jeremy Dilkes chase one another through some exceptionally enjoyable situations. The second film is 4 Career Woman,’ featuring Claire Trevor and Michael W r halen. JANET GAYNOR’S BEST. Janet Gaynor appears in what is probably her finest role to date in 4 A Star is Bom,’ which will be screened at the Octagon on Friday. This famous star takes the part of a young girl who goes to Hollywood determined to carve a screen career for herself. Full of boundless enthusiasm and high aspirations, she succeeds in being taken on as an extra. It is then that she meets Fredric March, who, as an established star, is losing interest in his life. Miss Gaynor’s freshness and vitality awaken him to love, and, helped on by the love of her, he regains his lost enthusiasm. Friendship with March is the means of Janet Gaynor getting a lucky “ break,” and she rises from the ranks of extras to become one of the greatest stars in motion pictures. This film is especially interesting to those who like to see the\way in which films are made. It gives many intimate glimpses into life in Hollywood, and shows some of the famous resorts which are attended by Hollywood’s stars. The Santa Anita race track, the famous restaurant—the 44 Brown Derby ” —the great howl where stars watch prizefights, and boulevards of the film city are shown. REGENT The brilliant musical film, ‘Vogues of 1938/ is enjoying a successful season at the Regent this week, patchy song hits, a host of specialty artists, wonderful spebtacles, beautiful girls, distinguished acting, a clever story, and snappy dancing are only a few of the features of 4 Vogues of 1938,’ which undoubtedly sets a new standard in this type of entertainment. The story goes with a dash from start to finish, and is mainly concerned with the escapades of a runaway heiress bride and the fierce rivalry between two fashion houses. Warner Baxter. in_ the male lead, distinguishes himself with an unusually good characterisation, full of vim and shot with humour. Opposite him, the charming Joan Bennett gives a delightful performance, her charm and acting ability suiting admirably the role in which she is .cast. • Helen Vinson, as Warner Baxter’s extravagant and stage-struck wife, contributes much to the merriment of the story, but it is again left to Mischa Auer to provide the highlight among the supporting cast. Again he is an impecunious prince, and again his droll style of humour and art of expression are responsible for uncontrolled mirth. Alan Mowbray and Jerome Cowan are other supporting players who distinguish themselves. There is an excellent supporting programme. MONTGOMERY AND RUSSELL. The four distinguished British players who went to Hollywood to make the screen version of 4 Night Must Fall.’ which will be shown on Friday at tne Regent, represented half the cast that played in the original stage production. But they are not half the oast suporting Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in the danng Metro- ' Goldwyn-Mayer film drama. _ In one scene of an English hank holiday carnival nearly 500 actors were directed by Richard Thorpe in suport of Montgomery for the picture. To make other •spectacularly beautiful scenes for 4 Night Must Fall,’ the company spent nearly a week on location in Sherwood Forest in Ventura County, California, where a quaint English cottage was built in the middle of a bright garden set in the dark woods. ‘Night Must Fall’ presents Montgomery in a striking new character, that of a villain, The drama is said by Hunt Stromberg, who also produced 4 The Great Ziegfeld ’ and ■' May time,’ to be unlike any other film ho ever saw and one which may start a new hollywood cycle. Not since 4 David Copperfield ’ have so many star player been imported for a film. - Dame May Whitty heads the group of English principals, which also includes Merle Tottenham, Kathleen Harrison, and Matthew Boulton. The new picture is based on Emlyn Williams’s stage success which ran in London for 55 weeks and was also presented on the New York stage. John Van Druten wrote the screen adaptation. GRAND Binikie Stuart plays her way into the hearts of all audiences in 4 Rose of Tralee,’ which commenced a season at the Grand to-day. Altogether charming in the curls in her hair and roguishness of her smile, and in the attraction of her personality, it seems that she is destined to be the Shirley Temple of England. The Eicture is 44 built round ” her, and her andling of the big task presented to her shows her as a natural actress, giving character to any picture in which she is placed. She will win the heart of every father and mother and of all to whom children speak with appeal. _ 4 Rose of Tralee,’ an Elstree production, is pleasing relaxation, with just the right admixture of sentiment, melody, and humour. It will have an assured success in every Irish heart, if only in the big collection of favourite Irish songs that are part and parcel of the production. The story is simple. It tells of a young mother and her child left to fend for themselves while the father went to America seeking a chance to make a name for himself as a radio singer. They fall on hard times, but are befriended by an old Irish innkeeper and others. The years roll past, and the husband, who has won .success, tries desperately to find his wife and child, but without success owing to the efforts of his agent to keep them apart. He is finally assisted to find them by an American girl, who is herself in love with him. The story is pleasantly carried forward in its presentation of kindly characters and of humorous incidents, and the child star does her part admirably in keeping the audience entertained with her lovable characteristics and precocity. As the mother, Kathleen O’Regan is splendidly cast, and the other characters, too, have been well chosen. The whine of a highpower rifle bullet, a trace of a nameless subtle poison* ft forbidding .waste

supposedly tamed—such is the setting when murder and romance meet in the desert and an embarrassed detective goes to the aid of love, as Death Valley lives up to its name in the Twentieth Century-Fox film, 4 Fair Warning,’ which is the associate feature. The unusual story of secret murder and sudden romance in Death Valley’s millionaire playground, with J. Edward Bromberg as a naive detective faced by a startling crime and sure he cannot solve it at all, features Betty Furness and John Howard Payne as the romantic pair whose love comes under the strange spell of the Great Desert. Victor Kilian and young Billy Burrud also have important roles in the film. ' EMPIRE With Spencer Tracy, Gladys George, and Franchot Tone teamed in the leading rolesj Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 4 They Game Him a Gun,’ is pleasing audiences at the Empire this week. Tracy is seen as Fred Willis, circus barker, in the adaptation of the William Joyce Cowen best-seller, while Franchot Tone plays the small-town bookkeeper, Jimmy Davis, who turns racketeer following the war. Gladys George is the Red Cross nurse, Rose Duffy, whom they both love. Featured supporting roles include Cliff (Ukulele _ Ike) Edwards as Laro, Tracy’s circus helper; and! Mary Lou Treen as Saxe, Rose Duffy’s fellow nurse. There are approximately 250 speaking parts all told. The picture was directed, by W. S. Van Dyke 11. The story is sharply drawn and delicately presented by this group of experienced players, In France, the former clerk and the ex-circus man both fall in love with a Red Cross nurse. She marries the weakling out of pity when Tracy is’reported missing. He escapes from a prison qlmp and they meet again in civil life. But now, having learned' to use a gun in action, the clerk has become a gangster. Destiny eliminates him, and the balance of love is restored. It is simple in the telling, hut the picture has a wealth of detail and a power of visual and audiMe beauty that swayed, the audience. With variations, Spencer Tracy has equalled his performances in 4 Fury,’ 4 San Francisco,’ 4 Libelled Lady,’ and - Captains Courageous.’ ‘ MAYTIME.’ 4 Maytime,’ based on the unforgettable play by Rida Johnson Young, jvill be shown at the Empire on Friday, enhanced tenfold by the vaster resources of Hollywood and the artistry of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer workmen. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy are the stars, and John Barrymore appears in his first role since 4 Romeo and Juliet.’ Lynne Carver, a screen newcomer, has the juvenile feminine romantic part with Town Brown. The skilful adaptation was ma/de by Noel Langley. The songs were written by Sigmund Romberg, composer of the original Broadway score, and also by Herbert Stotbart, who has composed the first film operetta, ‘ Czantza,’ which provides a lovely sequence in the picture. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy rose to stardom in 4 Naughty Marietta ’ and then in ‘Rose Marie.’ In the supporting cast of 4 Maytime ’ John Barrymore plays a picturesque role _ as the temperamental impresario, his first since the memorable 4 Romeo and Juliet,’ which was one of the sensational pictures of 1937. There is a newcomer in the cast. Lynne Carver, ,a delicately beautiful young singer from Kentucky Blue Grass regions, who sings and acts unusually well. She and Town Brown provide the juvenile romance in the story. In love with Nelson Eddy, a young singer, Jeanette MacDonald, an opera star, actuated by a mistaken sense of duty, marries John Barrymore, the impresario, to whom she owes her career. When circumstance brings her and the singer together again, they realise that their love is stronger than before. Mad with insane jealousy the husband kills the singer. The tragedy answers the problem of the younger girl who is drawn between a choice of love and a career. ST. JAMES George Formby, the popular Lancashire comedian, who has won for himself a prominent place among the screen’s foremost stars, considers himself a poor actor, and a worse singer, and he states that he really finds it difficult to understand why tho public likes him, but he hoped it would continue to do so. The public likes him for the single reason that he is a very simple and likeable fellow, and the public has grown a little tired of highpressured supermen on the screen. Formby has made only three pictures to. date— 4 No Limit,’ 4 Keep Your Seats, Please,’ and 4 Feather Your Nest,’ and in those three films ho has won for himself the coveted crown of 44 filmdom’s most popular comedian,” a crown previously worn by such monarchs of mirth as Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. In his new production, 4 Keep Fit,’ which is being shown at the St. James Formby is a barber in a departmental store, who is accidentally whisked into a gymnasium and made the hero of a national fitness campaign. Entirely by accident he knocks out a leading local athlete, and,’ inspired by the smiles of lovely Kay Walsh, he agrees_ to a challenge match and enters the ring as 44 The Battling Barber.”STATE Several good pictures at the State lately have had extended seasons. Among those is 4 Wee Willie Winkie,’ featuring Shirley Temple, who is so popular with Dunedin audiences, which is now in its second week. This film, based on Rudyard Kipling’s tale, provides an ideal feature for the brilliant child actress, and she imbues the film with a spirit of lovable humour. Shirley Temple shows another side of her acting ability in this film. Those people who expect her to tap dance and sing her way through the production as she did in earlier films may be disappointed, but it is safe to say that they will be astonished and charmed by the additional talents Shirley reveals. _ Those who have read Kipling’s delightful story, and there must be few people who have not, will be astounded at the producers’ success in recapturing the atmosphere of the book. Victor M 4 Laglen, veteran character actor of many fine films, shares the honours with Shirley, and also in the cast are C. Aubrey Smith, June Lang, Michael Whalen, and Cesar Romero. The supporting features fully maintain the usual State standard. PAUL ROBESON STARRED. Paul Robeson possesses what may be recognised as the greatest bass voice ever heard in talking pictures, and each appearance he makes verifies this fact without a doubt. Robeson has more than a voice, though. He has a personality that is completely disarming. and an acting ability that stands out in any show ho appears in. Consequently, his apoparance in 4 Big Folia,’ ‘a new G.-R.-D, production, which will commence a season at the State on Friday, bears more than usual interest. 4 Big Fella ’ presents Paul Robeson as Joe, a dockside ■ worker in Marseilles, who is called in to _ help trace a young boy who has mysteriously

vanished from a vessel in port. It _is suspected that tlis youth has been kidnapped, but police officials are unable to do anything. Joe eventually discovers the lad, who threatens to say that Joe kidnapped him if ho is taken back to the ship. The lad, a mischievous 14-year-old, has read too many adventure stories, and wants excitement. Joe realises that it would not do for officials to think he had kidnapped the child, and so, with tho help of Manda, a cafe singer, he looks alter him only to have the child really kid- 1 napped by a wharf loiterer who wants the reward. STRAHD f Four Days’ Wonder,” the Universal romantic mystery comedy, starring Jeanne Dante, which is the chief attraction at the Strand, is based on the novel of the same title by A. A. Milne. Milne' has written some 22 plays and a number of books, probably the best known offering being ‘ When We Were Very Young.’ - His reputation for amusing narratives peppered with laugh-provoking situations is exemplified by his sprightly novel, ‘ Four Days’ Wonder,’, in which he sets a whole country topsy-turvy, trying to solve the mystery of a supposed murder. kidnapping, and general complication of criminal activities, which exist only in the mind of a detective who suffers from over-developed imagination and an under-developed mentality. An excellent story effectively presented by a capable cast is the 1 Song of the City,’ a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, which is the second feature. * Song of the City ’ is the story of a youth who refused to marry for wealth when his own money was lost in the stock market. The girl, however, loves him and refuses to give him up easily. The youth is washed overheard from a San Francisco Bay ferry and rescued by an Italian fisherman. RITZ BROTHERS COMEDY. ‘ Life Begins in College,’ Twentieth Century-Fox musical smash, starring the Ritz Brothers, and featuring Joan Davis, Tony Martin, and Gloria Stuart, and a tremendous cast, will be shown on. Friday at the Strand. Augmented by the song hits of Lew Pollack and Sidney D. Mitchell, which include ‘ Why Talk About Love ’ ‘ Big Chief Swing It,’ The Rhumba Goes Collegiate,’ ■ Our Team is on the Warparth,’ and * Fair Lombardy,’ together with ‘ Sweet Varsity Sue ’ by Charles Tobias, A 1 Lewis, and Murray Mencher, * Life Begins in College ’ moves along at a smart pace. The mad merrymakers of * Sing, Baby, Sing,’ ‘On the Avenue,’ and ‘ You Can’t Have Everything ’ have the time of their lives in this film,'in which they are cast as trousers pressers working their way through college, and they upset all past traditions with their riotous antics. But that is only the beginning of the fun. Comic-faced Joan Davis is on a heart-hunt for a poor Indian with 10,000dol a day to spend. The associate feature is entitled i Tugboat Princess. MAYFAIR One of the tenderest romances of our time lives again on the screen when ( Seventh Heaven,’ the Twentieth Cen-tury-Pox production of Strong’s immortal love story, will he shown tomorrow at the Mayfair, with Simone Simon and James Stewart in the starring roles. Adapted from the stage play produced and directed by John Golden, ‘ Seventh Heaven ’ recreates for screen audiences that star-crossed pair of Montmartre, Liane and Chico, two lovers who lift the heart to the stars. As the little street waif, Liane, Simone Simon surpasses all hopes expressed for this sensational French screen find, touching the deepest places of the heart and emerging gloriously as the screen’s newest and greatest star. Opposite her is James Stewart—tall, laughing, grey-eyed—as Chico of the valiant spirit and the shy, yearning love. Dynamic in its dramatic force and thrilling in a spectacular way, ‘ The Devil is Driving,’ with Richard Dix as the star, will be the associate feature. Dix gives one of the finest performances of his career as the young lawyer who perjures testimony in defence of a wealthy young wastrel charged with manslaughter. He wins acquittal for the drunken driver, hut eventually has cause to regret it. This situation develops when Dix is elected District Attorney and finds himself faced with the job of prosecuting tho very same boy for billing a girl in another motor accident. GREEK ISLAND To-night at the Municipal, Green Island, Tim M‘Ooy will he starred in a thrilling Western film, ‘ Justice of the Range. One of the best of its type, the picture is excellent fare for those who prefer their entertainment actionfilled. There is not a dull moment from first to last. The suporting film is it special attraction, the Louis-Farr fight screenings. It is one of the finest fight films yet seen in New Zealand, showing perfectly as from a ringside seat all the most thrilling incidents in the world championship bout..