PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES

STRAND Packed with exciting action and romance,, ‘ Nurse From Brooklyn,’ which heads the programme at the Strand, drives home with dramatic intensity the lesson that “ crime doesn’t pay.” It is an unusual film, in that it tolls the love story of a hard-boiled detective, Jim Barnes, who Vods a hospital nurse, Elizabeth Thomas, by reciting excerpts from Omar -Khayyam’s ‘ Rubaiyat.’ Paul Kelly gives a sound performance as the detective, while Sally Eilers as the nurse displays the dramatic ability that earned her stardom in ‘ Danger Patrol ’ and ‘ Condemned Women.’ A newcomer in Larry Blake plays the part of the suave villain. Larry Craine, with a conviction that is surprising when it is considered that ho had his first screen test only 16 months ago. Also , being screened is ‘ The Last Journey.’

FIRE AND FEUD, Gene Autry’s latest production, ‘ Boots and Saddles,’ will be screened at the Strand on Friday. Gene returns an excellent performance with his usual catchy songs and his nonchalant manner. He is assisted by an able cast, including “ Smiley Burnett,” Ronnie Sinclair (Ra Hould), Judith Allen, and Guy Usher. “ Spud,” young owner of the ranch Gene manages, arrives in America to sell it to Neale, an unscrupulous rancher. Neale, intending to use the ranch for training army horses, is furious when Gene suggests to “ Spud ” that he do likewise without selling the property.' Gene and the boys ride out to the army post to present their’ bid, and Gene meets and falls in love with the colonel’s daughter, Bernice. The colonel, perplexed by the almost exact similarity of the bids from Gene and Neale, declares a race, stating his intention to award the contract to the winner. Neale, inflamed further at Gene because of his love for Bernice, burns down the stable sheltering Gene’s horses. Nevertheless, the day of the race finds Gene mounted on Champion at the starting post. The entire production is packed with action, and the climax is particularly thrilling. Dick Foran, erstwhile “ Singing Cowboy,” will be seen in the second film, ‘She Loved a Fireman.’ Dick is the one who is loved, and the feminine lead is Ann Sheridan. Foran sings a couple of excellent numbers in ‘ She Loved a Fireman.’ Robert Armstrong plays a fire captain, and between him and Dick exists a bitter feud. _ This is ended by Foran’s rescue of his superior officer during a gigantic waterfront blaze, in which boats as well as land apparatus combat the conflagration.

STATE Tempestuous romance is the keynote to the film ‘ Wise Girl,’ which is proving popular at the State. Taking the leading roles are Miriam Hopkins and Ray Milland. This fast-moving comedydrama, with its smart dialogue and hilarious situations, concerns a romance which involves two natural enemies—a fiery Park Avenue beauty and a defiant Greenwich Village artist. The girl has promised to aid her wealthy father secure custody of his two orphan grandchildren, who live with their uncle and their legal guardian, a youth with a precarious income. Upon this basis are built the story’s dramatic and laugh-provoking situations, chief of which is, of course, the love affair between Milland and Miss Hopkins, when the latter, posing as a destitute artist, meets the artist with the object of double-crossing him, but suddenly finds herself in love with him. Noteworthy contributions to ‘ Wise Girl ’ are by Walter Abel, as a hard-drinking artist, Alec Craig, as a soft-hearted landlord, Guinn Williams, as a sculptor by day and a pugilist by night, and Harry Stephenson, as a crusty old millionaire. Two juvenile performers, Betty Philson and Marianna Strelby, also give good characterisations.

RITZ BROTHERS—HILLBILLIES. The Ritz Brothers present their familiar antics in a new setting in ‘ Kentucky Moonshine,’ which will begin on Friday at the State. The film is a gay comedy, and contains three new songs by the same team which made the college picture a tuneful sensation. Lew Pollack and Sidney Mitchell wrote ‘Moonshine Over-Ken-tucky,’ ‘ Reuben, Reuben, I’ve Been Swingin’,’ and ‘Sing a Song of Harvest.’ The singers are Tony Martin and Marjorie Weaver. The story tells how a radio company sends its talent scout, Tony Martin, down to Kentucky to get some real hillbillies.. Marjorie Weaver, waiting for an audition, overhears the plans and hurries back to her theatrical boarding house to tell the Ritz Brothers. They go down to the hills, disguise themselves as mountaineers, become mixed up in an old feud, hoodwink Tony Martin into putting on a broadcast in the mountains, and when the smoke clears away a romance nearly goes on the rocks, is patched up again, and fame on the radio comes to all. The cast includes Slim Summerville, John Carradinc, Wally Vernon, (Berton Churchill, and Eddie Collins. Marjorie W'eaver was just one of. many “ stock ” girls in Hollywood only a few months ago. She had won a fan magazine contest which resulted in a contract with a studio which let her go after a brief trial. Then Twentieth Century-Fox gave her a contract. Like all stock girls she was given some atmosphere and small bits to play, and then, all of a sudden, a big role in ‘ Second Honeymoon,’ was given her. Immediately after the preview of ‘ Second Honeymoon ’ Marjorie won one of the title roles in ‘ Sally, Irene, and Mary.’ Then came her first real leading role in ‘ Kentucky Moonshine,’ and everybody knew that Marjorie Weaver had “ arrived ” —that is, everybody but Marjorie. She still continues to worry and fret and fear, but worst of all, she is unable to get over the feeling that she is dreaming it all.

OCTAGON Bringing together two of the most famous and popular musical comedy stars in Europe in Jack Buchanan and Maurice Chevalier, ‘ Break the News, now at the Octagon, has proved to be popular with Dunedin audiences. June Knight is the lady in the case, and the picture is produced bv Jack Buchanan, being the fourth of his productions. The story tells of the efforts of two chorus boys (Jack Buchanan and Maurice Chevalier) to break into the newspaper headlines and so gain fame and fortune. All other attempts failing, they decide that one of them must disappear in suspicious circumstances, leaving the impression that there has been foul play. Even then it_ is the female star of the show in which the boys are appearing that gets the publicity. Complications and amusing incidents follow when Buchanan becomes mistaken for a revolutionary leader in France and is sentenced to death. HENIE’S LATEST TRIUMPH. Thrilling, daring skating, even more entrancing than that seen in her two former successes, ‘ Girl in a Million and ‘ Thin Ice,’ takes Sonja Henic s latest film, 1 Happy Landing,’ out of the groove of ordinary comedy-ro-mances to produce a picture of the highest merits, an entertainment with which the most discriminating of audiences could find little fault. ‘ Happy Landing,’ which is coming to the Octagon on Friday, brings together that splendid team, Sonja Heme and Don Ameche. It promises to enjoy equal popularity with its predecessors. Surpassing the sensations of ‘ Thin Ice ’ with bright, catchy songs, and still more songs, the clover little actress gives the best performance of her career. Cesar Romero, cast as an egocentric orchestra leader, who, with his companion, Don Ameche, flies across the Atlantic, starts the film at a fastmoving pace. An ocean fog puts the , ers off their course and they have to land in Norway, where Jean Hersholt’s five daughters, including Sonja, are happily engaged in a “ Brides’ Fair” festival. Tiie local custom that a young man who dances twice with a girl is proposing to her, involves Romero in a love affair which is all

hero-worshipping on the part of Sonja Henio. Don Amoche, sincere in his interest, endeavours to keep things on an “even keel,” but the situation becomes more involved when (Romero’s •girl in America comes into the picture. ST. JAMES The popular comedy team George Burns and Grade Allen, as George Jonas and Grade Alden, provide the comedy highlights in ‘ College Swing,’ which is at the St. James. The story tells of the career of Grade Alden, a student at the Alden College, founded by one of her ancestors. According to a will, the first female member of the Alden family to pass an examination at the college has the right to the property and the right also to dictate educational policy. Unfortunately Grade seems unable to pass even the easiest examination, and it is not until she enlists the help of a would-be educational reformer. Bud Brady (Bob Hope), that she manages to secure a pass. Having once gained control of her inheritance she begins, at the instigation of Brady, to overturn the old system of education. The second attraction is ‘ Bulldog Drummond|s Peril,’ and is probably the best of this series. In the role of Drummond, John Howard brings to life Sapper’s popular character, and with the assistance of Inspector Neilson (John Barry-' more) manages to foil the attempt of a gang of thieves to make off with the formula for the making of artificial diamonds. COMEDY AT CATALINA. Hollywood reports that picture trends come in cycles—one time it will be musicals that are “ all the rage,” the next dramas, then perhaps Westerns, G-men shows, and so on. To-day it would appear that the homely comedyromances are having their innings, for the number being released from the Mecca of filmdon is steadily increasing. Latest to be shown in New Zealand is another of the popular Judge Hardy scries, which, witli the exciting espionage drama, ‘ Non-stop New York, 1 wilt commence a season at the St. James on Friday. ‘ You’re Only Young Once shows the Hardy family at play on their first combined holiday for 11 years. En masse they troup to America’s playground—Catalina_ Island—where the fun is fast and furious. Each member of this film family, which rapidly ascended the pathway of celluloid fame, has his or her own ideas of how to make the most of everything, but “ the plans of mice and men gang aft agley.” So it is with the Hax-dy family, but their adventures provide everything that could possibly be desired in the way of entertainment—drama, comedy, and romance. Lewis Stone this time takes the role of the head of the family, but otherwise the same old faces return—Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, and others. The associate feature, ‘ Non-stop New York,’ is an exciting tale of aviation espionage. John Loder and Anna Lee take the leads, and the action leaves nothing to be desired. EMPIRE ‘ Cocoanut Grove,’ the current attraction at the Empire, has as its background the most famous of Hollywood’s night clubs, which goes by the same name. Fred. Mac Murray and Harriet Hilliard are the featured play-

ers, and they aro well supported by the Yacht Club Boys, Ben Blue, Rufe Davis, Eve Arden, and Billy Lee. The featured musical ensemble is Harry Owen’s Royal Hawaiian Band. MacMurray appearing as its leader. His eccentricities of temper allow the band to fall on bad days, but he manages to secure an audition at the Cocoanut Grove, and he and his companions travel to Los Angeles. The journey provides a wealth of entertainment for the audience, but only more trouble for Mac Murray. After many trials and tribulations Mac Murray and his band at last make good and win fame for themselves at the celebrated club. Needless to say, there are many delightful singing and dancing scenes in the film, which is supported by a fine array of short subjects, including a “ Pop-eye ” cartoon. DRAMA OF UNDERSEA BOATS. Hollywood is always being “ twitted ” for constantly changing titles on pictures after they have gone into production, but there is occasionally a change that no critic can find fault with. A case in point is the change from ‘ Submarine 262 ’ to 1 Submarine D-l,’ in a thrilling romantic melodrama of the undersea service made by Warner Bros, at the San Diego naval base. This picture will be commenced on Friday at the Empire. The original title had no particular significance except that the “ 262 ” was used because there is no submarine so numbered. However, with permission and full co-operation of the United States navy, an active commissioned submarine was used in the picture, and it is officially designated as the “ D-l,” with the supplementary name of “ The Dolphin.” Since it would require almost an Act of Congress to effect the change of name on a warship and it would be contrary to all articles of war to permit even the temporary hanging of a sign, No. 262, on one of the American navy’s undersea craft, it seemed much more simple merely to change the title of the picture to fit the actual name of the submarine on which many scenes wore filmed. Lloyd Bacon directed ‘ Submarine D-l.’ with a cast headed by Pat O’Brien, George Brent, Frank MTlugh, Doris Weston, Wayne Morris, Ronald Reagan, and Henry O’Neill. Heading the supporting programme will be ‘ The Long, Bright Land,’ a Warner Bros, travel talk dealing with New Zealand, Filmed throughout in technicolour, this featurette offers an interesting pictorial description of the Dominion. The musical accompaniment is said to be outstanding. A special “ submarine ” matinee is to be held on Saturday. REGEHT Searching for new talent, Hollywood has made many forays on the European stage recently, and from them have come to the American film centre Franeisca Gaal, Annabclla—and Olympe Bradna. She was introduced to the New Zealand public some time ago in ‘ Souls at Sea,’ and proved a great success. It has required ‘ Stolen Heaven,’ her first starring picture, however, to mark her as a real find, bound for front rank popularity. The film is now a popular attraction at the Regent. The little French actress is a captivating figure even in the role of the jewel thief, and in the later sequences she is taken completely to heart. Apart from that, the picture derives much of its appeal from the musical background. It is not a “ musical ” in the “ song-and-dance spectacle ” sense, but rather as ‘ Moonlight Sonata ’ was a musical. The opening musical numbers are stirring features, and in the later stages the melodies of Liszt, Chopin, the odder Strauss, Grieg, and Moszkowski hold sway. ALPINE ESCAPADES. ‘ Romance for Three ’ will begin at the Regent on Friday. Nearly every poor man would like to enjoy the life of a millionaire for two weeks, and everv rich man would like to go back to the simple pleasures—at least for the same time. And that’s just what Frank Morgan, Robert Young, ' and Reginald Owen do in this escapade of , the Alps. Morgan turns poor while tho

other two actors become rich and powerful. Their plan works until Morgan’s daughter, Florence Rice, his housekeeper, Edna May Oliver, and his “girl friend,” Mary Astor, find out about it. But in the meantime Morgan, who has won a contest and has been given two weeks’ vacation at an exclusive Alpine resort, appears to be a poor man and therefore is treated badly by the management. Only one man is "kind to him, and he is Henry Hull, the dish-washer. When Morgan’s family make him return to his normal life as the wealthy capitalist he orders the hotel manager and porter to his office, explains that he was actually staying at his own hotel, reminds them of their treatment towards him, and makes the dish-washer their boss. Miss Rice and Young are outstanding in the leading romantic roles, while Morgan does the finest work of his career as the capitalist. GRAND When the modern “ racketeer ” replaced the old-fashioned rustler on the range the next step was only logical. To Smith Ballew, cowboy singer, goes the distinction of being the first detective of the West, in his newest release, ‘ Panamint’s Bad Man,’ the present feature at the Grand. Crammed with typical outdoor action, the film introduces Ballew as a new type of law maker. Assigned to the task of stopping the raids on the Wells-Fargo silver express, Ballew advises the shipper to molt the regulation-sized 231 b silver bars into big 2501 b ingots. When tho next hold-up occurs the desperadoes are foiled by this simple ruse—the bars are too heavy for them to carry away! With the hold-ups stopped, Ballew then sets about catching tho gang. The second feature is ‘Mr Mote’s Gamble.’ Guns without bullets —silent, invisible, and deadly—with 20.000 witnesses unable to tell how death struck in the midst of a nacked fight arena, provide Peter Lorre, the star, with an entirely different and far more exhilarating type of mystery drama than he has been given before. To add still further intriguing elements to this Twentieth Century-Fox hit. Kcye Luko, playing his famous role as Charlie Chan’s Number One Son, helps Mr Moto clear up the strange ease of a prize fighter’s death. I Mr Moto’s Gamble ’ is new, gripping to the last scene, and packed with surprises—produced by an excellent supporting cast featuring Keye Luke. Dick Baldwin, Lynn Bari, Douglas Fowley, Jayne Regan, Harold Huber, and Maxie ißosenbloom. MAYFAIR Novelty seems a light term to use about so moving a production as 1 Cloistered,’ the new motion picture at tho Mayfair, for it is truly a production of awesome, inspiring, spiritual beauty. Yet it must be classified as a novelty in screen fare, for the picture is totally unlike anything that has ever been shown before. In fact, opening the doors of the cloistered Convent of tho Good Shepherd, it discloses, for tho first time in any medium, the intimate life of the nuns of one of the greatest of all Roman Catholic orders. The convent alone houses 800 sisters. ‘ Cloistered ’ tolls the story of a girl who seeks admission to the Convent of tho Good Shepherd, and as the picture unfolds in scenes of simple grandeur it traces her daily life throughout tho five years and a-half that elapse before she takes her perpetual vows as a Sister of the Good Shepherd. And, as the tale progresses, the film seems to have caught the very spirit of the convent. ‘Cloistered’ is an authentic picture; there are no staged scenes. Robert Alexandre, the director, devoted two years to the making of the production, photographing bit by bit the actual scenes of daily activity that were necessary to tell "his story. Much of tho story is told by the dialogue of the nuns, whose sincerity is more forceful than the studied efforts of many a Hollywood star. There is a further explanatory recital by Rev. Father Matthew Kelly, a Long Island priest; and throughout the picture there is a background of the inspiring choral and organ music that plays so important a part in the life of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. There is an appropriate supporting programme.