PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 22953, 10 May 1938, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE No film in recent memory has commanded so much interest and consequently has been so eagerly awaited as ‘ Lovers and Luggers,’ Cinesound’s action romance of tropical adventure, now screening at the Empire. Cinesound has presented some excellent pictures in the past, but ‘ Lovers and Luggers ’ sets a new level in production, story, acting, and, above all, a new entertainment standard for local films. Here, indeed, says one critic, is a picture Australia can proudly send overseas with every confidence of an enthusiastic reception. The cast of ‘ Lovers and Luggers ’ is headed by Lloyd Hughes, popular Hollywood star, who was specially “ invited ” for the starring role, and also boasts such screen and stage favourites as Shirley Ann Richards, James Raglan, ElaineHamill, Sydney Wheeler, Alec Kellaway (Cecil’s brother), Frank Harvey, and Ronald Whelan. The screen play was written by Frank Harvey from the novel by Gurney Slade, and. the action swings from London to the cosmopolitan port of Thursday Island to tell a fascinating story of romance and adventure woven around the pearling industry. NAVY DRAMA. ‘ Navy Blue and Gold,’ a colourful and spirited story of life at the United States Naval Academy, is coming on Friday to the Empire. The cast is headed by Robert Young, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Florence Rice, Billie Burke, and Tom Brown, with Samuel S. Hinds, Paul Kelly, and Barnett Parker in important supporting roles. The story presente three midshipmen from different stations in life, who are drawn together at the academy. Young is a cynic with no intention of remaining in the service. Stewart is from a battleship, and is trying for a commission. Brown is a scion of wealth, with a pretty sister, played by Miss Rice. Stewart is involved in a scandal when 'it is learned that he enrolled under an assumed name, owing to the fact that his father, a navy officer, had been cashiered out of the service. He clears his father’s name in a dramatic scene and is reinstated. ‘ Navy Blue and Gold ’ is splendid entertainment for all types of motion picture patrons. A specially-selected supporting programme includes the Laurel and Hardy comedy, ‘ A Country Hospital.’ GRAND An entertaining double-feature programme will conclude to-night at the Grand Theatre. The principal production is ‘ Smash and Grab,’ a sparkling and clever comedy featuring the popular English comedian, Jack Buchanan, who again has the assistance of Elsie Randolph, herself a comedienne of no mean worth. The associate picture is ‘ Western Gold,’ a stirring drama of the West, with Smith Ballevv in the leading role. BRIGHT COMEDIES. What O’Reilly said to M'Nab and what M'Nab had to say to O’Reilly provides material for one of the funniest fiilms ever produced in Britain. This film was written especially to suit the talents of two famous humorists, Will Mahoney and Will Fyffe, who are co-starred in this, their first full-length film appearance. Will Mahoney is from America—his fame has spread throughout the vaudeville world in his home country and in England, but he has only appeared previously in films in some 10-minuto “ shorts ’’—and his particular brand of American-Irish humour is said to be absolutely individual and amusing. Will Fyffe is Scotch. He has an equal fame in the music halls of Britain and Scotland, and it would be difficult to place a finger on a more popular or versatile character humorist. ‘ Said O’fßeilly to M'Nab,’ which will be shown to-mor-row at the Grand, was made by Gainsborough and is released through G.-8.-D. Although the stars are not well known to cinema audiences here, there is no doubt that once seen, they will be demanded in further pictures by Dunedin film fans. The story is amusing, clever in its development, and the dialogue is extremely cleverly written. The theme is similar to that of the old Cohens and Kellys films. ‘ Big Business,’ the second feature, presents the Jones Family, who are fast acquiring popularity, in a humorous and entertaining attraction. Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Spring IByington, Russell Gleason- and Florencd Roberts are some of a large cast which assists in a particularly pleasing and diverting picture.

STRAND Twentieth Century - Fox places the locale of its film, ‘ Hawaiian fiuckaroo,’ the Strand’s first feature, in the picturesque setting of Hawaii. In Arizona, where the story opens, Smith Ballew finds himself out of work as a cowboy because of the ravages of dust storms. So he and his humorous friend, the cook, pool their savings and set out for more romantic fields. Having read of the fortunes to be made from the pineapple business, they have, in the naive way of simple cowhands, bought themselves a pineapple farm by correspondence. When they fall over the baggage of a bristling young girl at the wharf, it is inevitable that she should turn out to be the port little mistress, who gives them a post when they find their alleged farm is nothing but waste land. ‘ Start Cheering ’ is a delightfully amusing film, in which Jimmy Durante has the leading role. He is given able assistance on the comedy side by the “ Three Stooges,” and others in the cast are Joan Perry, Walter’ Connolly, and Charles Starrett. The story tells of a screen idol who, becoming tired of the crowds and publicity in which hjs calling involves him, decides to realise one of his earlier ambitions by going to college. He has reckoned without his manager,: who informs the dean of the college of the star’s real identity. REGENT Sandy Powell, recognised as the greatest comedian in England, is starred in ‘ It’s a Grand Old World,’ the attraction at the Regent. Never before has the famous Yorkshire comedian been provided with_ such a fine vehicle in which to exploit his inimitable talents. The laughter-creating story, w'ritten by Tom Arnold, who is also responsible for the production, deals with Sandy’s adventures after he wins £16,000 in a football pool. With this money Sandy indulges in the most humorous exploits imaginable, ranging from adventures with a circus lion to buying a country mansion by mistake and falling into a den of London criminals. As Sandy’s actress sweetheart, who is just an English country girl, trying to keep the family mansion in the family’s possession, Gina Malo gives a very pleasing performance. A supporting feature on the screen is ‘ Schubert’s Serenade,’ a symphony in technicoloor.

SUPERB COMEDY. Round and weighty Billy House, tall and slim Mischa Auer, short and shy Jimmy Save, and raucous Bert Labi are teamed in what is one of the funniest “ foursomes ” of the season, ‘ Merry-Go-Round of 1938,’ coming on Friday to the Regent. Four madder comedians were never thrown together in one picture. Nineteen-thirty-eighv finds four broken-down and povertystricken vaudeville artists faced with the task of straightening out the love affairs of their adopted daughter. . She is in love with a young man, heir to the millions of an Eccentric aunt. The aunt objects to the young man’s marriage to any girl with a threatrical background. The boys determine to set her straight on that little matter. Dressed as { and pretending to be, a titled Englishwoman, aunt of the girl, Billy House gains the confidence of the aunt. Mischa Auer is introduced into her household under the guise of a Swami, with Jimmie Save, . worldfamous pantomimist, as hie assistant.; Swami Auer’s powers summon Bert Lahr, who pretends to he the long-lost sweetheart of the aunt—-and then the fun becomes fast and furious. STATE Pat Paterson and Zasu Pitts, featured in Walter Wanger’s ‘ FiftySecond Street,’ now at the State, which dramatises the story of America’s Montemarte, also make their vocal debuts in this picture. Miss Paterson, while doing a special dance number, introduces a new ballad, ‘ I Still Love To Kiss You Goodnight.’ ‘ Twenty-three SkSdoo ’ is the comic melody presented by Miss Pitts. Other hit tunes featured in the production include ‘ Don’t Save Your Love for a Rainy Day,’ ‘ I Would Like to See Samoa of Samoa,’. ‘ Nothing Can Stop Me Now,’ ‘ Fiftysecond Street,’ and ‘ Let. Your Hair Down.’ In addition to Miss Paterson and Miss Pitts, the cast includes lan Hunter, Ella Logan, Leo Carrillo, Kenny Baker, and Sid Silvers. The picture is released by United . Artists. Ella Logan, the screen-radio-stage-nightclub personality who first won American fame on New York’s Fiftysecond Street and is now starring in Walter Wanger’s screen version, ‘ Fifty-Second Street,’ was born in Scotland, educated in England, trained in Franco and Germany, and introduced to motion pictures in Holland. ‘ Fifty-Second Street ’ is released through United Artiste. * HURRICANE ’ COMING.

Samuel Goldwyn’s long-awaited film version of ‘ The Hurricime,’ the famous novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, who wrote ‘ Mutiny on the Bounty,’ commences on Friday at the State. ‘ The Hurricane ’ introduces an important new star in Jon Hall, a handsome young man of magnificent physique, whom Goldwyn selected over leading Hollywood names to play Terangi, the native hero of the story. Dorothy Lamour appears opposite him as the South Sea_ belle, Marama. The story opens with the wedding of the native lovers, Terangi and Marama, Their short-lived happiness ends abruptly when Terangi, returning to Tahiti with the schooner of which he is first mate, strikes a drunken white man who insults him. The ngm has Terangi imprisoned. Yearning to see Marama, he attempts to escape., but is apprehended and his sentence extended. In the ensuing five years, he makes several unsuccessful attempts, and in his final break accidentally kills a guard. Terangi finds his way to his native island, but cannot remain there because of the attitude of the duty-ridden French , Administrator, De Laage. He takes refuge on a neighbouring island, where he is reunited with his bride and sees his little While the search for him is at its height, the great hurricane begins to blow.

OCTAGON Hilariously funny and surpassing anything which has been seen in Dunedin for some time, the fast-movmg musical comedy, ‘ You Can’t Have Everything,’ which is now screening at the Octagon, is' a film which combines a splendid cast, an interesting story, and numerous colourful scenes. The tale is that of an enterprising young playwright (Alice Faye) who despises musical comedy, but who is finally persuaded by a young and famous writer of this type of entertainment _ (Don Ameche) to take a leading part in one of his shows. The young couple fall in love, but when she hears that he is already married she disappears and cannot be found. Ameche and his pro-ducer-friend decide to bring out her serious, dramatic masterpiece as a musical comedy, and, with the help of the Ritz brothers, they do this very successfully. As they predicted, the young lady is furious, and again appears on the scene to demand an explanation. the efforts of Louise Hovick, who is scheming to get the young man for herself, matters are finally straightened out, and a splendid finale is provided. Alice sings a number of song hits which should prove popular, and these include ‘ The Loveliness of You,’ ‘ Pardon Us, We’re in Love,’ ‘ You Can’t Have Everything,’ and ‘Afraid to Dream.’ Besides the Ritz brothers, who are at their best and maddest, Charles Winninger, Arthur Treacher, _ Louis Prima and his band, and Rubinoff and Lis violin all help the show to move with a swing. M'LAGLEN AND TAYLOR. Rich in dramatic and entertainment interest, with a definitely strong story appeal, ‘His Affair,’ coming on Friday to the Octagon, has also an historical association. Of greater importance, perhaps, to picture lovers, it provides romantic passages acted by (Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck at a time when their real-life romance was headline news. It features also the hearty songs and robust chorines _of the 1900 era. The historical association lies in the fact that Lieutenant Richard Perry, who is portrayed by Robert Taylor as hero of the story, was a forerunner of the G-men of the present day, and was employed by President William M'Kinley for secret service in the detection of gangs of bank 'robbers and bandits. More or less accurately on the lines taken by Perry for his espionage, but with the addition of much picturesque sensation, the development of ‘ His Affair ’ runs the gamut of _ the night life of a great American city during the opening years of the twentieth century. It furnishes all the entertainments of those days, in addition to the thrills of exciting adventure and the flutterings of a romance fostered in the underworld. Robert Taylor arid Barbara Stanwyck are at their glamorous best in the leading roles, and Victor M'Laglen has one of those “ he-man characterisations in which he_ revels. The wealth of character studies provided by an able cast contributes largely to the attractiveness of the picture.

ST. JAMES The amazing intelligence and sagacity of Gcesar, the Alsatian star of Trailing the Killer,’ which is now showing at the St. James, is a thing to marvel at no less than his cleverness in a stage act which precedes the picture. Wherever this picture has been shown Cfesar has captured »li hearts, and, judging

from his reception in early screenings, ho will do the same in Dunedin. ' The picture is unpretentious, but for novelty and excellent entertainment value is a real change. The whole action centres round Caesar, and this great dog fulfils all the requirements of his part. The story shows Ciesar as a trapper’s dog, wrongly suspected of sheep killing, and whose life is sought as a result. How .Caesar vindicated himself and saved the life of one of those who sought to take his, provides thrilling material and a wealth of excitement. One of the highlights of the film is a fight : between Caesar and a mountain lion, while another is a death struggle between the dog and a rattlesnake. It is great entertainment for the children, and adults, too, will find this film all that can be desired, with ita touch of uov'elty and genuinely amazing animal acting. _ Caesar makes an appearance of 20 minutes on the stage of the St. James. ‘One Mile From Heaven ’ stars Bill Robinson. NEW TARZAN. ADVENTURES.

Thrills in plenty are provided on the programme scheduled for the St. James next week, Tarzan, played by Herman ißrix. the famous athlete, returns to the screen in ‘ The New Adventures of Tarzan,’ a film which bristles with exciting adventures in the jungles of Guatemala. This picture, unlike former “ Tarzan ” films, was made on the actual locations of the story, and a largo steamer was chartered to convey the entire company and its tons of equipment to Guatemala. Tarzan,' who, as usual, is accompanied by " Nkima.” the famous chimpanzee, is once again seen in amazing fights with jungle beasts and fierce savages, the latter capturing him and dragging him off to their queen’s court —a cave made terrifying by the presence of a stagnant pool filled with crocodiles. Many weird and breath-taking adventures with natives and crooked adventurers take place in this cave before Tarzan and his friends escape. But more thrilling spectacles follow villain and ms associates are finally brought to book. - MAYFAIR The popular screen players, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, appear together in their sixth production, ShaU We Dance ?’ which will be screened at the Mayfair to-night, and which is considered by critics to reach a higher standard than that achieved in any of their earlier films. The second picture on the programme is ‘ Can This Be Dixie P’ an entertaining musical comedy featuring Jane Withers.

COLBERT TRIUMPH. That gift of sparkling repartee which has made Claudette Colbert a delight to many thousands of filnxgoers is given full rein in ‘I Met Him in Paris.’ which will be commenced to-morrow at the Mayfair. With Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young, the film can boast a trio of first-class comedy stars, while the story, written by Claude Benyon, the author of ‘ The Bride Comes Home ’ and ‘The Gilded Lily,’ provides them with plenty of opportunities. Both men are in love with the vivacious and elusive Claudette. They woo her ardently in Paris, pursue her to the playground of the Swiss Alps, where each tries to surpass the other in snow sports to hold her interest, and double back on her trail to Paris to force her to make her choice. For this fast-moving courtship splendid backgrounds are offered by scenes aboard ship, in Paris, and amongst magnificent alpine scenery. A pictures that combines an abundance of laughs with plenty of pathos is always one that appeals to any audience. Such a picture is ‘Counsel for Crime.’ which will be the second attraction The story of a son who does not know his own unscrupulous father, and yet. through prosecution, is responsible for his redemption, provides powerful drama.

GREEN ISLAND * No Limit ’ and ‘ Keep Your, Seats* Please,’ two of the.funniest films eve* released*, established George Formb* among the screen’s most pppula* comedians, and his tided ~ picture* ‘•Feather Your Nest, which comes to* morrow _ to the Municipal, GreeS Island, is even funnier than the others. With his übiquitous ukelele and ..broad “Lancashire” grin, Formby goes through the paces in high hunipnr. He portrays a dumb-witted country “ laaq.” employed as a gramophone factory recordist. Breaking the'master record of an “ ace ” crooner, he makes another, substituting his own voice to banjo accompaniment, thus hoping to ' save his position and the rosy dreams of a salary increase with which to pay the instalments on his new house and furniture. The song, ‘ Leanin’ on a Lamp-post,’ has a pleasant swing and catchy tune, and is the forerunner, to two other equally pleasing numbers, ‘ Feather Your Nest*’ and ‘l’m , As Happy As a Sandboy,’ which George renders during the film. Formby bus an attractive and competent opposite in Polly Ward, •as the girl of fail dreams..