PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22896, 2 March 1938, Page 15

PICTURE THEATRES

STRAND Full of the fun and vigour that have characterised "their previous appearances, the Ritz Brothers are in their element in ‘ Life Begins in College,’ which, with ‘ Tugboat Princess,’ comprises the current programme at the Strand. ‘ Life Begins in College ’is the story of an Indian student with a fabulous income, who is subject to the unwelcome attentions of a young “Co-ed.” Ho becomes the friend of the Ritz Brothers, who are working their way through college, and subsequently makes them a present of his income, which they use with spectacular effect. Tho sport of football figures largely in the plot and provides tho famous three with opportunity for their foolery. Walter C. Kelly is the featured player in ‘ Tugboat Princess,’ a simple but sincere story of a small orphan child. ‘ BORN RECKLESS.’ Depicting what shocking conditions can ensue when racketeers get _ the upper hand of the police and business men in any middle-sized American city, ‘ Born Reckless,’ Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox picture, will be screened on Friday at the Strand, and features Rochelle Hudson and Brian Donlevy in a story of ruthless taxicab warfare. Rochelle Hudson changes from the “ straight ” romantic roles she has been accustomed to playing to a dramatic “ other woman ” portrayal in ‘ Born Reckless.’ . Brian Donlevy, whose last assignment was in ‘ His Affair,’ with Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, and Victor M'Laglen, has the male lead in ‘ Born Reckless ’ in a fighting role pitted against Barton Mac Lane. The screen play by John Patrick, Robert Ellis, and Helen Logan is based on a story by Jack Andrews. The supporting feature will be ‘ Headline Woman,’ an exciting newspaper drama, with Roger Pryor, Heather Angel, Jack La Rue, Conway Tearle, Ford Sterling, and Jack Mulhall in the leading roles. OCTAGON In 1917 a hero—in 1937 a gangster. That is the theme of ‘ They Gave Him a Gun,’ the dramatic film which is now being shown at the Octagon. Spencer Tracy, who, by several really excellent performances in such films as ‘ San Francisco,’ has gained a front rank among the stars, is in the leading role, and with him are Franchot Tone and Gladys George. The story is that of a young American who was forced to become a soldier during the Great War, and who there realised the power behind a gun. As a novel by William Joyce Cowen, a former army officer wjto hated war, the story was a best seller. There is a good supporting programme. CLAUDETTE COLBERT STARRED. The problems of a private secretary are briskly dealt with in Claudette Colbert’s new Columbia picture, ‘ She Married Her Boss,’ which will be the next feature at the Octagon. Produced by the same company that presented Miss Colbert in ‘lt Happened One Night,’ the new film has the same buoyancy and freshness that made its predecessor a five-way prize-winner. Miss Colbert herself is delightful; her inherent charm and vivacity have never

been shown to better advantage. As a very efficient secretary, who carelessly falls in love with her boss, she sees to it that he takes time off ono day to buy her a wedding ring. That proves a costly mistake, for the marriage turns out to bo one of the maddest things one can imagine. The fun continues fast and furious, with Miss Colbert as the storm centre. Melvyn Douglas gives a fine portrayal as the frantic boss, and Michael Bartlett is thoroughly engaging as a devil-may-care chap wdio tries to manage tho secretary’s affairs for her. The supporting film will be ‘ Grand Exit.’ REGENT ' Night Must Fall,’ Afetro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s latest production, now showing at the Regent, presents Robert Montgomery cast as a murderer, and his performance in this rolo is ono of the outstanding things he has done. Lonely Epping Forest provides the eerie sotting of the story It is a little cottage of plastered stone with a slate roof, with a garden flinging a bright patch of colour in the face of tho .dark wmods, where four women Jive/ and its walls contain a drama of weird excitement. Robert Montgomery appears as a bellboy from a nearby holiday resort hotel, who has been hired as a handy man by the mistress of this cottage. She does not know, of course, that he is a murderer. Montgomery pedals down the road, wobbling a little as the weight of his suit cases in a rack behind the seat swings the cycle off the centre. He stops at the gate of “Rose Briars,” opens it, and goes to the window, through which he peers. He is torn between interest in what he sees and a furtive fear of detection. What cannet be seen is what he is watching. It is his employer at her safe. The old Lady has a lot of money, and she distrusts banks. But the "poor old lady is to find out that it would have been better to trust banks than an ingratiating young bellboy. CARROLL, LEDERER, AND AUER. With Madeleine Carroll, Francis Lederer, and Misoha, Auer heading a stellar cast, and with a scintillating story, Columbia has scored again with a romantic entitled ‘ It’s All Yours.’ This picture is sparkling entertainment, and is to be the next attraction at the Regent. The story concerns shy young Jimmy Barnes (Francis Lederer), who comes to America from Europe to join the law firm of his uiicle. Jimmy is forced into spending a few months having a good time, and the result is that after a few years young Barnes is the scandal of San Francisco. To bring him back to earth the elder Barnes enlists the aid of his mouse-like secretary, Linda Gray (Madeleine Carroll) . On his death bed he leaves his fortune to Linda, whom he knows to be in love with Jimmy, hoping thus to bring them together. How Linda goes to town with Jimmy along to prevent her from spending all the money and with Mischa Auer making a competitive bid for her affections, provides the hilarious comedy denouement. It is said to be a grand picture, loaded with romance ana laughter and enlivened by the brilliant dialogue, sparkling wit, and laugh-filled situations provided by Adelaide Heilbron’s original story. GRAND Humour, a matter of mixed identities and thrills, are combined in tho Twentieth Century-Fox production, ;Fifty Roads to Town,’ Which heads tho double programme which was presented today at the Grand. Don Ameche and Ann Sothern play the leading romantic parts, and comedy is provided by the acting of Slim Summerville and Stepin Fetchit. Ameche and . Miss Sothern meet by chance when they are marooned by a storm in a mountain cabin. Both are making their escape from unpleasant situations, the former to avoid being brought into a divorce case as a witness, and the latter in order to marry against the. wishes of her millionaire parents. Miss Sothern forgets her infatuation, however, when she and Ameche find themselves falling in love with each other. Thrills are provided by the arrival of an escaping criminal, and the remainder of the story moves in exciting fashion. An appealing story set to music, ‘ Rose of Tralee/ which enters its second week, features a new film personality who is a distinct “find” —Binkie Stewart, a four-year-old girl, who is destined to fame if she continues to show_ the talent and ability she does in this picture. ‘ Rose of Tralee ’ is _ a sentimental drama, telling how a little girl brings about a reunion between her estranged father and mother. The romantic leads arfe taken by Kathleen O’Regan, as the mother, and Fred Conyingham as the father. Both are accomplished actors, the latter adding to his other accomplishments a pleasant singing voice, - which is used to good advantage. Danny Malone, the famous Irish tenor, gives a fine rendering of Rose of Tralee.’ Excellent characterisations are given by supporting players, including Sydney Fairbrother, whose study of a landlady is a delightful piece of work, and Talbot O’Earrell, as a genial Irishman. ST. JAMES George Eormby, 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 the 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 high-pressured supermen on the screen. Eormby has made only three pictures to date— 1 No Limit,’ ‘ Keep Your Seats, Please,’ and ‘ Feather Your Nest,’ and in those three films ho has won for himself the coveted crown of “ filmdom’s most popular comedian,” a crown previously worn by such monarchs of mirth as Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. In his new production, ‘ 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 ei\ters the ring as “ The Battling Barber.” ‘ ‘ HOPALONG RIDES AGAIN.’ Thundering hoofs and the sharp clatter of guns are heard when ‘ Hopalong ” Cassidy sets out to bring a gang of cattle rustlers to justice. It all happens in Paramount’s ‘ Hopalong Hides Again,’ which, with the hilarious ‘ Partners in Crime,’ will be the next attraction at the St. James. The thrilling tale of how one man’s daring rid the old West of its worst gang of rustlers makes most exciting entertainment. Heartbroken to find the leader of the rustlers to be tho brother of the woman ho loves, “ Hopalong ” fights to bring the criminal to justice and to remove any suspicion of complicity from the girl. Ably assisted by Ids two " familiar saddle mates, George Hayes,

against cast as “Windy, and Russell j Hayclon, playing “ Lucky,” William 1 Boyd accomplishes his aim and brings peace and happiness to the whole countryside. ‘ Partners in Crime,’ with Lynne Overman, and Roscoo Ivarns in the main roles, will be the associate feature. EMPIRE * Maytime,’ another of Melro-Gokl-wyn-Mayer’s successes, is now at the Empire, and is proving a popular attraction. The 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 go to the Empire will want from them. ‘ Naughty Marietta ’ and ‘ Rose Mario ’ reached a standard beyond which it seemed even these two stars could not go, but ‘ Maytime,’ in its setting and story, allows such great scope for acting and singing that it is not sui prising to find both Miss MacDonald and her co-star excelling themselves. The Rida Johnson Young operetta, which was one of the most memorable hits of the New York stage, has been lavishly adapted by Robert Z. Leonard, who was responsible tor ‘ The Great Ziegfeld,’ and the story is. delightfully embroidered with a wide variety of songs by Sigmund Romberg and Herbert Stothart, as well as excerpts from famous operas such as ‘ Tannhauser,’ ‘ Rigoletto,’ ‘II T'°X a “ tore,’ ‘ Lohengrin,’ ‘ Marta,’ and Bohemian Girl.’ With the song hit from the original play, 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. STATE The gay waterfront cafes of Marseilles make a colourful background tor the singing of Paul Robeson in Big Eella,’ now at the State. Robeson s voice is, of course, magnificent, but in this film he also shows a decided flair for light comedy. There is an amusing story to support the excellent musical fare.- Robeson plays “Toe', a good-hearted negro resident of Marseilles, whose assignment by the police to assist in the search for a kidnapped English boy leads him into all sorts of predicaments. The boy turns out to have run away, and is found by Joe playing happily with the waterfront urchins. When he appeals to Joe to bo allowed to stay with him and Mandy, a singer, the kindly negro is unable to refuse. An enemy steals the boy and takes him to the police, collecting the substantial reward. His treachery, however, recoils rhost amnsingly on His own head in - the final scene of the picture. Robeson six songs, and all are excellent. They are ‘ Lazin’,’ ‘ I Got a Robe,’ ‘ Roll Up, Sailorman,’ ‘Ma Curly-headed Baby,’ ‘(River Steals My Folks From Me, and ‘ You Didn’t Oughta Do Such Things.’ Elizabeth Welch (Mandy) is a worthy partner for the star. _ She, too, has a fine voice of thrilling timbre, and her numbers are ‘ One Kiss ’ and ‘ Harlem In My Heart.’ There is an excellent associate programme. -‘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 soon to have its local! showing at the State, rejoices in an atmosphere as colourful as it is real. The pictiire, already hailed in London, Paris, and New York, was planned by Herbert Wilcox, its producer, as long as 10 years ago, although he was aware that until four generations after Victoria’s death no stage or screen entertainment offering an impersonation of the Sovereign would be permitted by British officialdom. This decree has now ■been cancelled. 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 andi leading events of Victoria’s reign form dramatic highlights in the film, such as the fateful occasion when interfered to prevent ' the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, from sending what virtually amounted to an ultimatum to the American Government when the two countries became embroiled in an argument as to the legality of a Yankee cruiser having stopped an English mail boat to remove two Southerners as prisoners from under the protection of the British flag. MAYFAIR 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 one 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 new _ feature at the Mayfair, the hesitation is not prolonged. This is a magnificently-produced and profoundly moving picture, something to which M.-G.-M. will he 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 the many subsidiary players who appear. John Barrymore, for example—what a Mercutiol And Basil Rathbone as Tybalt; magnificent old C. Aubrey Smith as Lord Capulet. A wealthy publisher, bis romantic daughter, her high school teacher, and a lady novelist comprise the four principal characters of the second film, ‘ Make Way for a Lady,’ a romantic comedy. Herbert Marshall and Anne Shirley are costarred, and Gertrude Michael and Margot Grahamo featured. GREEN ISLAND Picture presentations by Eddie Cantor conform to a definite type. There are usually to be found in them an abundant supply of the inimitable Cantor brand of comedy, a collection of beautiful girls, lavish staging, and some tuneful melodies. In this particular field of entertainment the little dark, big-eyed comedian has established a reputation for himself second to none, and the fact that the number of his productions is strictly limited adds to the drawing power of his pictures. ‘ Kid Millions,’ one of his finest comedies, ' will be shown to-uight at the Green Island Municipal. In this Cantor is at his best, and the picture for allround entertainment value would be difficult to surpass. There is, of course, the usual fantastic plot—if there were not the picture would lose much of its appeal. Cantor plays the part of a boy who achieves fame.