PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22895, 1 March 1938, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

STATE Paul Robeson and Elizabeth Welch; generous with songs in their own popular and distinctive style, are' the chief attraction in ‘.Big Fella,’ which is featured at the State this week. Robeson’s magnificent voice, so splendidly presented in ‘ Sanders of the River ’ and ‘ Show Boat,’ is even more delightful in ‘ Big Fella.’ He has six songs—■ ‘Lazin’,’ .‘I-Got a Robe,’ ‘Roll Up, Sailorman,’ ‘ My Curly-headed Baby,’ ‘ River Steals My Folks from Me,’ and ‘ You Didn’t Oughta Do Such Things.’ The Welch titles are ‘One Kiss’ and ‘ Harlem in My Heart.’ The plot of the story deals with the mysterious disappearance of a young boy from a vessel in port, and, as Joe, Robeson plays the role of a dockside worker, called upon to assist in the search for the boy. Though the police officials are unable to do anything, it is generally thought that the boy has been! kidnapped. The story takes a rather strange turn when Joe manages to find the boy, , who has not been kidnapped, but has merely run He tells. Joe that if he takes him back he will let everyone believe that it is Joe who kidnapped him. With the assistance qf Manda, a cafe singer, he agrees to look after the boy. The latter really is kidnapped by a wharf ruffian, who is seeking the reward for his return. The whole film is delightfully acted, but Robeson is thef attraction, and hie performance is magnificent. NEAGLE’S ‘ VICTORIA THE GREAT.’ Due to the co-operation of the British Government, which ■ extended hitherto unheard of facilities in the production of RKO-Radio’s feature, ‘ Victoria the Great,’ the lavishly-pro-duced drama of the revered British Queen, which will be seen on Friday at the State, rejoices in an atmosphere as colourful as it is real. Much of the story centres on, the younger days of the Queen, showing her as a fun-loving girl, her courtship, her love for Prince Albert, with Victoria doing the proposing by virtue of royal right, their marriage, and the long period of 27 years of wedded bliss which followed. Many important and leading events of Victoria’s reign form dramatic highlights in the film, such as the fateful occasion when she interfered to prevent Prime Minister Lord Palmerston from sending what virtually amounted to an ultimatum to the American Government. Anna Neagle, leading favourite of the Fmglish screen, plays the star role of Queen Victoria. Anton Walbrnok, celebrated dramatic actor, is bracketed with her as Prince Albert. H. B. Warner fills the important role of Lord Melbourne. STRAND The Ritz Brothers; famed for their merry-making in many films of note, not least among which was Sonja Henie’s ‘ Girl in a Million,’ are featured in the main film now screening at the Strand. It is entitled ‘ Life Begins in College,’ and, as can be readily imagined, the somewhat wild life of the American “screen ’’ college makes an excellent background and excuse for the famous brothers’ antics. The central figure of the story is Nat Pendleton, who is seen as an Indian student with a fabulous income, which lie disposes of to the irresponsible Ritz Brothers. The story is further complicated by the enforced retirement of the football coach, but the Ritz Brothers, with the fortune behind

them, bring about his reinstatement with not a little comedy work. ‘ The second film is an unpretentious drama entitled ‘ Tugboat Princess,’ in which Walter C. Kelly offers a sympathetic portrayal of a kindly tugboat captain who adopts a little orphan. The story of their trials and tribulations is a fascinating one, and never oversteps the mark. OCTAGON Drama of unusual intensity is the outstanding characteristic of ‘ They Gave Him a Gun,’ which heads the current programme at the Octagon. 'During the war young men were taught to show no mercy and to kill, and the picture endeavours to show one side of the result of that training when the men returned to peaceful occupations. Franchot, Tone, who appears first as a weak and somewhat effeminate person, is strengthened in a way by his war experiences, but feels it necessary to carry a weapon when he returns home. He enters upon life in the underworld, and resists the efforts of his wife and friends, played by Gladys George and Spencer Tracy, to show him the folly of his course. In a gripping climax he at last realises the futility of his exists ence. The supporting programme is particularly varied and interesting, and includes Empire Games pictures and a James Fitzpatrick trayeltalk, REGENT Adopting a technique of story construction that is entirely new on the screen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer introduces a novel picture in ‘ Night Must Fall,’ which is being shown at the Regent. The film is a daring venture in the production field, but even more experimental for Robert Montgomery who deliberately chose to drop his accustomed heroic roles for the characterisation of a pathological killer. His performance is remarkable from every standpoint. There is no element of mystery in the narrative. It is the peculiarly effective account of a youth whose mind is bent on crime. The situation is complicated by the romance between him and Rosalind Russell as a girl who finds herself in the unenviable position of loving a man whom she knows to be bad. The background of the story is a country carnival and a small hotel where most of the action occurs. Hunt Stromberg produced the film with Richard Thorpe directing. Montgomery played in ‘ The Last of Mrs Cheyney,’ 1 Piccadilly Jim,’ and similar successful films. Miss Russell is remembered for her outstanding work in ‘ Craig’s Wife ’ and ‘ Rendezvous.’ In the cast are players from the original stage company who appeared in the play for 55 consecutive weeks. Among them are Dam© May Whitty, Merle Tottenham, and Matthew Boulton. BRIGHT COMEDY. Directed by Elliot Nugent from a screen play by Mary C. M‘Call, jun., Columbia’s ‘ It’s All Yours ’ makes an undeniable bid for top honours in the romantic comedy field, equalling—if not eclipsing—those recent successes, ‘ It Happened One Night ’ and ‘ Theodora Goes Wild.’ This film, which will be the featured attraction on the Regent’s next programme, brings together the screen’s newest and brightest romantic team, Madeleine Carroll and Francis Ledcrer. Sparkling with bright comedy ‘ It’s All Yours ’ displaj’s a captivating charm which proves absolutely irresistible, credit for which must go to Miss Carroll and Francis Lederer for their scintillating interpretations of the light romantic leads, to Mischa Auer for several of the most hilarious comedy

scenes that ever menaced an audience’s risibilities, and to Director Nugent for an effective balancing of comedy_ and dramatic values. Also, the audience will see in action what is accepted as the greatest tango dance couple of Hollywood, comprising Madeleine Carroll and Mischa Auer, who, although noted for their usually restrained dignity in private circles, are considered' the finest tango exponents in the film city. GRAND Although Fred. Conyngham and Kathleen O’Regan play the main romantic roles of ‘ Rose of Tralee ’ at the Grand, most of the appeal of the sentimental drama is carried by the dainty little child player, Binkie Stuart, who gives an excellent performance. These players are supported by a capable cast led by the_ Irish tenor, Danny Malone, who sings a number of popular songs, all with an Irish flavour. The picture itself is inspired by the old-fashioned but everpopular song, ‘Rose of Tralee,’, and Danny , Malone’s other songs include ‘ Mountains -of Mourne,’ ‘ Come Back to Erin,’ and other equally tuneful numbers. The story tells of the troubles of a young ' mother and her little daughter, the husband and father being overseas. Mother and child are befriended by a quaint old couple who conduct a cafe. A thrilling plot is created by the efforts of an agent to keep the father separated from his family, but eventually they are reunited. Binkie Stuart may_ be classified as a “ find ” ; she gives indications of a genius which should make her very popular with screen audiences. The second feature is a full-blooded melodrama of the kind that generally finds a large following. It bears the intriguing title ‘ Fair Warning,’ and deals with sudden death and its amazing consequences. The featured player is J. Edward Blomberg, and in a strong supporting cast are Betty Furness, Victor Killian, and John Howard Payne. CLEVER COMEDY-DRAMA. A laugh-spiced comedy pungent with danger, . as two snowbound strangers find themselves marooned in a mountain lodge with only a dead moose for chaperon, ‘ Fifty Roads to Town 7 wiu be commenced at the Grand to-morrow, with Don Amecho and Ann Sothern, two delightful young stars, in' the leading roles. ‘ Fifty Roads to Town ’ starts its thrilling toboggan ride of merriment with Don Ameche hurriedly leaving town in his car after receiving a mysterious telephone call that someone is ready to shoot him on sight. Roaring along the road to Canada at the same time is Ann Sothern, and the addition of a motor cycle policeman to the party makes for a three-cornered chase. After tricking the pursuing officer, the two fugitives seek refuge in the hills, hut got a surprise when they both wind up at the same cabin. ‘ Rose of Tralee ’ will be continued for a second week as the supporting feature. ST. JAMES It is difficult to imagine a picture more replete with comic situations than George Formby had in 1 Keep Your Seats, Please,’ yet that distinction is accorded his latest offering. ‘ Keep Fit,’ which is now in its second week at the St. James. ■ George has the role of s, young assistant in the barber’s shop in a department store. He also has a sheepish fondness for the shop’s pretty young manicurist. In the hope of finding favour in her eyes and justifying a supposed reputation for athletic prowess, George enters the keep-fit competi-

tions conducted by a local newspaper. When it comes to rowing, George picks on a tpunt as the safest medium; but Miss Manicure chooses a skiff, so George has to skiff for the lady’s favour. In more than one sense George is much upset, and when it comes to swimming, who is he, a beginner at the art, that ho should be called upon to rescue a fat man from drowning? In the gymnasium further feats await him, inexpert though he is at parallel bars and the flying trapeze. Finally, George •is called on to fight a four-round contest for the boxing championship of the county. Thanks to goodness and the now relenting manicure lady, George is provided with a mascot, and: emerges the winner. Despite his many adventures, he finds time to produce his banjo and sing several of his songs in effective style, but it is in the field of burlesque that he shines most. ■ EMPIRE ‘ Maytime,’ another of Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayei-’s successes, is now at the Empire, and is proving a popular attraction. 'fhe favourite singing stars, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, have never been more happily cast than in this production, and they have practically unlimited opportunities to sing, which is what most of those who visit the Empire will want from them. ‘ Naughty Marietta ’ and ‘ Rose Marie ’ reached a standard beyond which it seemed even these two stars could not go, but ‘ Maytirae,’ in its setting and story, allows such great scope for acting and singing that it is not surprising to find both Miss MacDonald'and her costar excelling themselves. The Rida Johnson Young operatta, which was one of the most memorable hits of the New York stage, has been lavishly adapted by Robert Z. Leonard, who was responsible for ‘ The Great Ziegfeld,’ and the story is delightfully embroidered with a wide variety of songs by Sigmund Romberg and Herbert Stotbart, as well as excerpts from famous operas such as ‘ Tannhauser,’ ‘ Rigoletto,’ ‘ II Trovatorej’ ‘ Lohengrin,’ ‘Marta,’ and ‘Bohemian Girl.’ With the famous song hit from the original play, 1 Sweetheart, Will You Remember?’ also, included, there is a feast of music which makes the listener long for more. John Barrymore heads a brilliant supporting cast. The associate programme is of a high order. MAYFAIR Odd clues, a sensational automobile wreck staged by a criminal, the roaring offices of a great daily newspaper, figure in the latest newspaper-detect-ive romance of the screen, ‘ Sinner Take All,’ which is the principal film on the programme concluding to-night at the Mayfair. Bruce Cabot, plays his first leading man role after a succession of “ heavy ” characterisations, and proves himself an admirable selection for the part. Margaret Lindsay ajipears as the heroine. ‘ Elephant Boy ’ supports. ‘ ROMEO AND JULIET.’ When one is asked to choose the picture that proved most satisfying in all the year one pauses. When asked what is the best picture ono has ever seen there should be a much longer pause. Many fine, even splendid, productions come crowding to the mind. And yet, after seeing ‘ Romeo and Juliet,’ the next feature at the Mayfair, the hesitation is not prolonged. This is a mag-nificently-produced and profoundly moving picture, something to which M.-G.-M. will be able to point with pride for a long time to come. Although Howard and Norma Shearer, as Romeo and Juliet respectively-, have the

major roles, the success of the film is attributable, at least as much as it is to them, to the finished performance of th© many subsidiary players who appear. John Barrymore, for example—what a Morcutio! And Basil Rathbone, as Tybalt; magnificent old C. Aubrey Smith, as Lord Capiulet. A wealthy publisher, his romantic daughter, her high school teacher, and a lady novelist comprise the four principal characters of the second film, ‘.Make Way for a Lady,’ » romantic comedy. Herbert Marshall and Anne Shirley are costarred, and Gertrude Michael and Margot Graham featured.;