PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23038, 17 August 1938, Page 9

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Grim in implications, but unfolding a poignant romance of young love on a prison threshold, the_ tense, dynamic drama 4 Penitentiary ’ is offered at the Empire. Jean Parker, John Howard, and Walter Connolly are featured in this Columbia picture. Here is one drama of the prison world that does not lean on the usuall gaol-break for thrills. It is the story of a different sort of gaol-break—a psychological one. * Penitentiary ’ shows the escape from moral disintegration of a young prisoner undergoing a severe punishment for an accidental crime. The story concerns William Jordan, who is sent to prison by a district attorney who is aiming for the Governor’s mansion. Jordan accidentally kills the son of the State’s most influential citizen because of an insult to a girl. So Thomas Matthews sends Jordan to the penitentiary. Six years later Matthews is appointed warden of the prison, another step toward the Governorship. His daughter, Elizabeth, goes with him. In prison, broken in spirit and in health, Matthews finds Jordan, the bpy he Sent away. A chain of grim circumstances in which there are a muij der, an attempted prison break, and a romance between Jordan and the warden’s daughter, brings Matthews face to face with the most dramatic crisis of his life. THRILLS IN THE TROPICS. Glorious romance on a tropic South Sea island, coupled with daring thrills and the beauty of technicolour, make ‘Her Jungle Love,’ which will open a season at the Empire on Friday, an entertaining film. Dorothy Lamour - and (Ray Milland are the stars. Miss Lamour gives an impressive performance as the beautiful white “ goddess ” living alone on a jungle isle, and evidently liking it until fate forces Milland, a transpacific flier, to a landing on her island. Milland and Lynne Overman, his mechanic, are befriended by Miss Lamour, who is being kept on the island by the power-mad ruler of crocodile-worshipping natives. J. Carrol Naish, who uses her as a puppet “ goddess ” to maintain his hold oyer the superstitious islanders. Falling in love with Miss Lamour, Milland only complicates matters and makes the situation dangerous; Naish, who is also in love with her, intends to make Miss Lamour his hride, and so increase his hold over the islanders. When he finds out that Milland and Overman have watched the secret sacrificial ceremonies, he is determined that nothing shall stand in his power-mad way. and decides to sacrifice the three of them to the native gods. From this_ point onwards the picture is a series of thrills. REGENT Tantalisingly titled, conceived in the new tradition in light comedy, and sparkling throughout, * Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife ’ comes as one of the finest comedies of the year to date, and large crowds are attending every session at the (Regent. Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert, both players noted . for past performances in this type of production, handle the leading roles in superb style, and others in the cast are comedian Edward Everett Horton, David Niven, Herman Bing, Warren Hymer, Franklin Pangborn, and Elizabeth Patterson. The tale told is that of ah American millionaire who has lost t seven Wives either by death or divorce. For' his eighth he takes an impoverished hut well-born French lady, who loves him enough to want to end what she thinks will be the_ fatal eighth, in order to get on to a ninth, satisfactory and final marriage. The tale of how she makes a success of her plan makes for sparkling entertainment, spicy and moving fast from start to finish. Throughout there are evidences of the now famous “Luhitsch touch.” Good supports are also being shown. DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL ROMANCE. ‘The Broken Melody,’ Cinesound’s new production, which will be commenced at the Regent on Friday, is a, delightful adaptation of F. J. Thwaites’s sensationally popular novel of the same name, interpreted by a big cast headed by Lloyd Hughes, Diana du Cane, Rosalind Kennerdale, Frank Harvey, and Alec Kellaway, and set to glorious music by Mr Alfred Hill. The leading role of a young singer is taken by Diana du Cane, the charming English actress who first appeared in Sydney for J. O. Williamson’s two years ago, and who has recently < appeared in many radio presentations. Playing opposite the American star Lloyd Hughes, Miss du Cane sings several songs composed by. Mr Alfred HUI, and also sings in the operatic sequence specially written by this famous musician that is the glorious climax to the film. Rosalind Kennerdale has the role of a vivacious French prima donna, and it is hard to believe that this is Miss Kennerdale’s first

screen appearance. She gives an inspired performance right up to the highest Hollywood standard. Playing her manager in the film is Mr Frank Harvey, who recently scored a tremendous success in ‘ Tall Timbers.’ Set in Sydney and London, ‘ The Broken Melody ’ is the story of a young musician and university student who, through an escapade, is expelled, and after a run of hardships goes to England and embarks on a successful career as a composer-conductor, A delightful romance between Hughes, who plays the role of the young musician, and Diana du Cane, is developed with sincerity and charm. CRAM ‘ Battle of Broadway,’ a comedy of American Legionnaires in New York, has begun a season at the Grand. When Victor M'Laglen and Brian Donlevy, of the American Legion Post, arrive in New York for the convention, the first thing to whet their rivalry is the attractive person of Louise Hovick. They both fall in love and out of good favour with each other. The boys are not in town solely for pleasure, however. They have promised Raymond Walburn, big steel man, to break up the romance of his son, Robert with a chorus girl, Lynn Bari. Louise is on the side of the youngsters, however, and pretends to Vic and Brian that she is Bob’s fiancee. Walburn comes to New York to see what sort of_ a girl has snared his son, and falls in love with Louise himself. This horrifies M'Laglen and Donlevy, who abduct the steel man. They tell Louise Walburn has left, and offer to pay her “ heart balm,” only to learn that Louise really loves Walburn. .She discovers the plot and hurries to him. The boys follow, and an hilarious fracas ends in the marriage and the march “ up Fifth Avenue again.” ‘ The Lilac Domino,’ one of the most popular musical comedies ever staged in London, has been filmed, and will be seen in support. Michael Bartlett. the American operatic star, who sang his way to film prominence opposite Grace Moore in ‘ Love Me Forever,’ and then proved his ability as a ” straight ” actor with Claudette Colbert in ‘ She Married Her Boss,’ plays the leading male role. June Knight, the musical comedy star, plays opposite

Bartlett as Shari. Szoke Szakall, the Hungarian comedian, whoso reputation was born when he made the late Emperor Franz Josef laugh, brings his unique humour and unique hame to the English screen in the role of the gipsy band .leader, Sandpr.

STRAND The New Universal presents ‘ The Crime of Br Hallet,’ with Ralph Bellamy, Josephine Hutchinson, Barbara Read, William Gargan, and John King, at the Strand this week. Working under intolerable hardships in a feverinfested tropical jungle, an heroic scientist finds his efforts to save countless thousands of human lives thwarted by the death of a single individual. What is he to do P Shall he meekly bow down before the conventional standards of right and wrong and thereby abandon suffering men and women to their agony? Or shall he defy man-made laws and the taboos of human society for the benefit of tortured humanity? This human dilemma is the theme of ‘ The Crime of Dr Hallet.’ A riotous romance on wheels, with every second crammed with hilarious, exciting adventure, ‘ Time Out For Romance,’ is the second film. Claire Trevor and the stalwart Michael Whalen are co-starred. As a runaway bride and a “ highway Romeo,” with a motor caravan on their hands, the duo find their lives filled with a multitude of mishaps. MORE OF JOE E. BROWN, Joe E. Brown appears as a criminalcatching soda fountain attendant in his newest Columbia comedy 4 Wide Open Faces,’ which will be commenced on Friday at the Strand. Those in his supporting cast include Lyda Roberti, Alison Skipworth, Jane Wyman, Alan Baxter, Berton Churchill, Barbara Pepper, Sidney Toler, and Joseph Downing. Kurt Neuman directed. Ear’s Snell, Clarence Marks, and Joe Bigelow wrote the screen play from the story by Richard Flournoy. Also screening will be a novel murder mystery set on a college campus. ‘ Extortion,’ a Columbia production, with Scott Colton and Mary Russell, is concerned with the search for the murderer of a thoroughly disliked college proctor. An advanced course in murder is conductedby a police official investigating the crime. His “ students ” are the suspects in the case—a campus newspaper editor, several pretty “ co-eds,” a professor of physics, a star football player, the football coach, and other students and faculty members.

STATE Jack Buchanan, popular English singing and dancing personality, has his latest comedy role in * The Sky’s the Limit,’ which is the current attraction at the State. In his latest production Buchanan is co-starred with a new actress, Mara Loseff a Russian girl with beauty and. an excellent singing voice. Buchanan is seen as a worker in an English aeroplane factory with great ambitions as a song writer. He meets a world-famous opera star (Miss Loseff) and asks her to dinner. Of course, he has no money, and all sorts of trouble follow when he cannot pay the bill. Interspersed is a variety of tuneful song numbers and spectacular Buchanan dancing. The film is outstanding for the number of fine comedy players appearing. Athene Seyler. comedienne of ‘ Blossom Time,’ David Hutchinson. Sara Allgood, and Barry Lupine are all prominent. Other players are William Kendall, H. F. Maltby, and Anthony Holies. NOT ONLY SHIRLEY. ‘ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,’ a musical film suggested by the popular story -by Kate Douglas Wiggin, stars Shirley Temple in one of her most entertaining roles. Randolph Scott heads the supporting cast of the film, which is a Darryl F. Zanuck production, and which will come to the State on Friday. The favourite old story is brought up to date. Sunnybrook farm becomes a broadcasting studio—but not until Shirley Temple has led sundry persons on a hectic chase. It starts when Anthony Kent (Randolph Scott) decides that Rebecca (Shirley Temple) is just the child singer whom he has been seeking to feature his ‘ Crackly Grain Flakes ’ radio feature. His bungling assistant, Jack Haley, discharges her, however, and she has to be found again. Staying with her aunt, down on Sunnyhrook farm, Rebecca is having the time of her life when the radio station scouts locate her, and their business becomes tangled up with rural prejudices. Rebecca does not mind a bit until she sees a romance to take an interest in, and then she lends a hand to straighten things . out. In addition to six new song hits specially written for the production, Shirley Temple repeats all the most popular songs that she has sung for the films since she started her screen career four years ago, beginning with ‘ The Good Ship Lollipop.’ To the long list of ' romancing stars, dancing stars, comedy stars, and singing stars are added six sunny new songs, in addition to a medley of Shirley’s famous hits of the past which she sings again. These songs are ‘ An Old Straw Hat,’ by Gordon and Revel; ‘ Alone With You,’ * Happy Ending,’ and ‘ Crackly Grain Flakes,’ by Pollack and Mitchell; * Come and Get Your Happiness,’ by Pokrass and Yellen; and ‘ Toy Trumpet,’ with music by Raymond Scott and lyrics by Pollack and Mitchell.

OCTAGON Featuring Nora Swinburne and G. H. Mulcaster in the leading roles, ‘ Lily of Laguna,’ a delightful musical film, is the principal attraction on the current programme at the Octagon. The story tells of a talented actress who, despite the warnings of her friends, leaves the stage to marry a scientist. After several years of married life she again feels the urge of the footlights, and, much against her husband’s wishes, she returns to the stage and again becomes a popular idol. The husband immediately divorces ber and secures custody of the child, Jane. Several years pass by, and Miss Swinburne makes a personal appearance at a broadcasting studio, where she falls in love with the producer, Roger Fielding, who is really in love with Jane. The method in which the story reveals itself provides excellent entertainment, and the climax is entirely satisfactory. The music of the film is outstanding, and many old and new song favourites are attractively rendered. A strong supporting programme is shown. MARK TWAIN CLASSIC. Mark Twain’s stories are still among the most popular reading, and, in addition, they make good films. Both extremes of acting experience are represented in the cast of the techni-coloiir production, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ which will begin at the Octagon on Friday. Tommy Kelly, the 12-year-old star of the film, has had no previous acting experience whatsoever. May Robson, who plays Aunt Polly in the picture, which is directed by Norman Taurog, with Jackie Moran and Walter Brennan, has been in the theatre 54 years. Tommy Kelly is the typical American boy who recreates “ Tom Sawyer.” Jackie Moran is Huckleberry Finn, May Robson js Aunt

Polly, Walter Brennan is Muff Potter. Ann Gillis is Becky Thatcher, Injun Joe is played by Victor Jory, Midky llentschler is Tom Sawyer’s friend, Joe Harper, and his half-brother, Sid Sawyer, is played by David Holt. Fifty juvenile extras were called for a school scene in the technicolour picture, ‘ The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ at Selznick International Studios. Four extra teachers were sent by the Los Angeles Board of Education to see that the children kept up with their 1937 studios while reciting before the camera the “ three R’s ” of Mark Twain’s day. The principal of the studio school was Fletcher Clark, who was regularly assigned to instruct the juvenile members of the 4 Tom Sawyer ’ cast who had to attend classes while working. Children of the cast in regular attendance at the school, besides Tommy Kelly and Jackie Moran, and their “ stand-ins,” were:— Ann Gillis. Mickey Rentschler, Cora Sue Collins, Phillip Hurlic, David Holt, Georgie Billings, and Marcia Mae Jones, with their respective “ stand-ins.” ST. JAMES James Cagney, in the part of an orchestra leader, reveals unexpected talents in ‘ Something to Sing Aboht,’ the bright musical film now showing at the St. James. His new leading lady, Evelyn Daw, is reputed to have one of the most promising voices yet recorded. Cagney proves he can sing as well as act, but it is in the dance routines that he excels. He presents two solo numbers, one at the opening of the film, and the other at the end. Supporting Cagney in the picture are Evelyn Daw, Victor Schertzinger’s new singing discovery, William Frawley, Mona Barrie, and Gene Lockhart. New song successes are 4 Right or Wrong,’ 4 Something to Sing About,’ 4 Loving You,’ 4 Any Old Love,’ and 4 Out of the Blue.’ The picture was produced by Zion Myers, who made ‘ Roberta ’ and other Astaire-Rogers hits. Will Hay is the star of the supporting feature, ‘ Windbag the Sailor,’ and in this film he provides much excellent comedy in his maritime endeavours as a captain who knows neither navigation nor routine.

SANDY POWELL EXCELS. Sandy Powell, the laughable, lovable North of England comedian, whose brilliance can bo said to have made him a national draw nowadays, has the biggest role of his career in ‘ Leave It To Me,’ which, with the thrilling ‘.Renfrew of the Royal Mounted,’ will be screened at the St. James on Friday. In his new film, Sandy becomes a special constable—and what a “ special!” His unorthodox methods of carrying out his duties land him into trouble with his sergeant and people on his beat alike. ■ First of all, Sandy is called upon to settle an all-in wrestling bout which has turned into a riot. With that happily—albeit accidentally — ended, he finds himself an unwilling conspirator in a Chinese gang, plotting to steal a famous jewel and return it to the idol from which it was stolen. Doped, imprisoned, and divested of his trousers are just a few of the things that happen to Sandy that night, and the result is an hilarious comedy that would be hard to better. Iris March, Franklin Dyall, Garry Marsh, and Jack Hobbs are in the supporting cast. No more picturesque organisation exists today than the Canadian Royal Mounted Police, and there is no more popular fiction character than ‘ Renfrew of the Royal Mounted.’ Romance, adventure, and the peril of sudden death ride the ranges of the great Canadian Northwest side by side in this new release, in which James Newill, radio singing star, has his first important role. Newill’s magnificent baritone voice is heard frequently through the picture, adding effectively to his fine dramatic performance. Carol Hughes takes the feminine lead, while associate players include David Barclay, William Royle, Donald Reed, and Lightning, the famous police dog of the screen.

MAYFAIR Warner Baxter and Joan Bennett are seen for the first time in technicolour in ‘ Walter Wanger’s Vogues of 1938,’ the spectacular musical comedy which is now at the Mayfair. Offering a glimpse of next year’s fashion in girls, gowns, songs, and dances, this merry story of Manhattan centres in the romance of New York’s leading couturier, played by Baxter, and a charming debutante, played by Joan, who jilts a millionaire (Alan Mowbray) on her- wedding day to become a mannequin. Also featured in the cast are Helen Vinson, as Baxter’s selfish stagestruck wife; Mischa Auer, as a penniless Russian prince; Jerome Cowan, as the “ shady ” theatrical producer who stars Helen in a failure of a show that it takes Baxter’s last cent to back; and the gorgeous Walter Wanger models. The second film, ‘ London by Night,’ is a mystery story, and to reveal the plot would deprive readers of a thrill which they deserve to enjoy. George Murphy plays the role of a Fleet Street reporter who solves a mystery that baffles Scotland Yard. Rita Johnson is the. girl involved and with whom he falls in love. Leo G. Carroll plays a role of mysterious characterisation that may well launch him i n the footsteps of the late Lon Chaney.