PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23130, 2 December 1938, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

: ST. JAMES | Starring the ever-popular Dick Powell, and introducing in grand rnani uer to audiences Fred Waring’s iuteri nationally famous orchestra, ‘ Varsity 1 Show,’ which is being screened at the • St. James, with the dramatic “ Missing Witness,’ marks a " new high ” in musical and comedy entertainment. ; included in the stellar east besides Dick Powell and Fred Waring are such leading figures as Ted Healy, Lee Dixon, Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Buck and Hubbles, Walter Catlett, • and Roy Atwell. Busby Berkeley, known for his imaginative and lavish , production numbers, outdoes himself • in ‘ Varsity Show,’ with a smashing finale. The plot of the picture deals with the efforts of Powell, a Broadway • producer temporarily out of work, to stage the annual Quadrangle Club show at Winfield College. Powell, himself a Winfield graduate, is induced to rescue the varsitv show from the hands of Waller Catlett, faculty adviser, who is all for art and nothing for modernity in school presentations. Powell overcomes many obstacles set before a successful production by Catlett, who sets members of the east through special scholastic examinations, and then figures in a student strike when undergraduates take matters into their own hands. The film is liberally studded with musical numbers, sung in an engaging manner by Powell. ‘ Missing Witness ’ is one of the new-pattern tales notable for stark realism and dramatic quality. The starring players are John Li tel. Dick Purcell, and Jean Dale. Written by two American police reporters who know their underworld, the picture is an authentic exposition of the terrifying process of getting witnesses out of the wav who mightTstify damagingly against desperate criminals. EMPIRE At a time when the peace of the world is in the balance it is appropriate that a film showing the conditions which follow war should be screened. ‘ Three Comrades,’ which is being presented at the Empire, gives a strong condemnation of war and all the troubles which accompany it. Postwar Germany is the setting for the film, with three young returned soldiers as the principal characters. /Robert Taylor. Franchot Tone, and Robert Young portray the three young men, Erich, Lenz. and Koster, who have been comrades during the struggle and return to find an entirely different Germany from that which they had known before. Work is scarce, and the fact that they have served their country for several years proves no advantage. In desperation the three open up a small garage and taxi business. and fill in their spare time by building a racing car. It is when they are engaged in an impromptu race that the three comrades meet Patricia, with whom Erich immediately falls in love. At first Patricia docs not wish to marry Erich, as she realises that she is suffering from consumption, hut Leuz and Koster at last succeed in persuading her. In the meanwhile political troubles are causing some concern to the partners. for business has fallen off and their new taxicab is destroyed by rioters. In the middle of their difficulties Patricia dies. Leuz falls a victim to a sniper in a street riot, and his two companions search the streets to find the murderer of their comrade. In a dramatic scene Koster and the killer are brought face to face and Lenz’s murder is avenged. RtGENI Billed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as their most lavish musical, 1 Rosalie,’ winch heads the programme at the Regent, is “ big ” in every respect. Fumed on a grand scale, it has a cast of the world’s most popular screen celebrities, and the production is highlighted throughout with fine singing, racy comedy, intricate dancing, and wonderful spectacle. Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell are teamed in this tuneful-melange, which varies in locale between a football game,, a military college, a transatlantic aeroplane, and the colourful, mythical kingdom of 1 Roinanza.’ The pairing of Eddy and Miss Powell is a brilliant feat. Not only do they dance and sing in the manner of stars of their magnitude, but as lovers they are decidedly in the top rank among romantic teams. Those who thought they had seen “ tops ” in immense motion picture sets when ‘ The Great Ziegfeld ’ came to Dunedin have something to think about when they see Romauza, the tremendous white and silver kingdom presided over by Frank Morgan as a king j with an eye for a pretty girl and Edna May Oliver as a queen able to curb j such tendencies. Ray Bolger, he of , the rubber legs, is really good as comedy relief and, of course, in his ] comedy dancing specialties. Ilona j Massey is a newcomer whom playgoers ] can well watch carefully. This bean- ) tifnl European, who makes her American debut as the second lead of the picture in the part of Countess Brenda, s confidante to the Princess Rosalie, not i only proves herself a delightful come- , dienne. but a singer of extraordinary ‘ range. . GRAND I Enhancing the ever-popular story of a gentleman criminal by providing him ( with a clever feminine rival, RKO * Radio’s new mystery offering, ‘ Double ) Danger.’ is screening at the Grand, , with Preston Foster and Whitney 1 Bourne as stars. Foster plays a writer of detective stories dealing with the exploits of “ The Gentleman,” a

former cracksman whom the New York police have been vainly pursuing for years. Alias Bourne, as an adventuress, opens the proceedings by cleverly making off witli a uotable collection of diamonds. The stones in turn are taken from her by Foster and his valet, posing as a pair of police J oirieers, and from tins point the action gains speed. A police commissioner / has narrowed his search down to just [ two people—Foster and Miss Bourne 3 —and he invites them both to his home as guests. There the various 1 coin plications rise to intriguing heights, with an ingenious scheme of ‘ the commissioner’s to trap the lougJ sought criminal getting itself mixed : up with a romance between the two ’ principals. The anomalous situation ’ of a big crime wave without a victim forms a plot for the new detective 1 thriller, ‘ One Wild Night,’ the second film. STRAND Cheers of the crowd, exploits by college athletes, youthful romance’ and campus fuii are some of the features in Columbia’s ‘ All American Sweetheart,’ which commenced screening at the Strand to-day. Headlining a cast of youthful players on the screen are Scott Colton and Patricia Farr. Columbia is tbe first studio to weave a story around the annual crew racing competition among colleges and universities throughout the U.S.A. for a place in the famous Poughkeepsie Regatta Finals. The chief comedy role is played by Joe Twerp, while the supporting players include Jimmy Engles, Arthur Loft. Gene Morgan 1 Midnight Intruder,’ a Universal thriller, is the second film. This picture was filmed from an original story by Channing Pollock. It is all about the adventures encountered by one Barry Gilbert, an adventurer with a gentleman’s manners, when he poses as the son of John Reitter, a wealthy publisher. The excitement begins when he meets the wife of the man he is impersonating ; the mystery is supplied when he becomes a sleuth and sets out to solve a murder. Handsome Louis Hayward portrays the role of Barry Gilbert, with Barbara Read as his leading lady. Sheila Bromley, Eric Linden, and J. C. Nugent also feature prominently. , STATE The ‘Crazy Gang’.brings its inimitable antics to the screen in the new Gainsborough picture, ‘ Alf’s Button Afloat,’ which is tbe new feature at the State. The film gives , unlimited rein to the irresistible slapstick, gagpulling genius for which this “ crazy ” sextet —Flanagan and Allan, Nervo and Knox, Naughton and Gold—has become so renowned. They are supported by Aiastair Sim, as the Genie of the Magic Button, which creates ■jich havoc in flic lives of the Crazy Gang. Laughter is packed into every foot of this film, which opens with the six street-corner musicians being tricked into joining the Marines, it is- not until they are on the high seas that Flanagan, as the celebrated “ Alf,” discovers the supernatural powers of an uncleanable tunic button. Of course, it is rubbed unsuspectingly by one of their number, who, when he sees the magic spirit, carelessly remarks; “ Strike me pink.” The literal translation,' of his wish is the start of a series of hilarious episodes, which rise to a glorious climax on the English hunting field, but not before the sextet has disorganised the whole of the Home Fleet, had their revenge on a sergeant of the Marines, and robbed the Bank of England. There, is a slight;romantic theme running through the production, and even this is furthered by the gang and its obliging genie. Of the many incidents in ‘ Alf’s Button Afloat,’ which are perfect gems of comedy, is that in which the gang, called upon to entertain at a ship’s concert, summon the aid of their faithful friend, and as a result put on a delightful burlesque rendering of the famous sextet from ‘ Lucia di Lainmermoor.’ OCTAGON Popular song hits, colourful ballets, and fine acting combined with a generous sprinkling of humour go to make up United Artists’ new teclmicolour film, ‘ The Goklwyn Follies,’ which commenced to-day at the Octagon. Containing one of the most varied casts yet to appear in any film, the picture, which aims to please all shades of opinion, includes a wide range of turns from opera singing to crooning from ballet dancing to tap dancing. The humour is well maintained throughout by Edgar Bergen and his famous radio personality, 11 Charlie M'Carthy,” and by the Ritz Brothers. The star of the film, Andrea Leeds, impresses -with her understanding portrayal of the channing and unaffected country girl engaged by a conceited film producer (Adolphe Menjou) to add a touch of humanity to ; his productions. Grand opera is sung by Helen Jepson and Charles Kullman, and Zorina and the American Ballet of the Metropolitan Opera, together witli the famous Goldwyn girls, give some fine exhibitions on the dance floor. ‘ The Goldwyn Follies ’ boasts the last and perhaps greatest score written by the late George Gershwin, studded with several song hits, including ‘ Love Walked In,’ ‘ I was Doing All Right,’ ‘I Love to Rhyme.’ and ‘ Love Is Hero To Stay.’ The lyrics are by Ira Gershwin. The music for the beautiful ballet numbers, as well as the hit song, ‘ Spring Again,’ is by Vernon Duke. The ballets were conceived and staged by George Balanchine. The Ritz Brothers’ specialties and songs, including the hilarious ‘ Pussy, Pussy,’ are by Sid Kuller and Ray Golden.

MAYFAIR The charming Annabella is the star of ‘ Dinner at the Ritz,’ her first American production, which heads the programme concluding to-night at the Mayfair. It is a sophisticated romance with, touches of comedy, mystery, and adventure. Also screening is ‘ The Westland Case.’ ROBERT TAYLOR STARRED. Robert Taylor’s latest starring vehicle, ‘ A Yank at Oxford,’ in which the producers, Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who made the film in England, indulge in no little raillery at both English and American customs, will be the feature to-morrow at the Mayfair. Having been made in Engand, the production practically breathes the atmosphere of the famous seat of learning, and at the same time moves with the natural ease of films which have hitherto been made only in the United States. The race track forms the excellent setting for the second attraction, ‘Checkers.’ which heads its cast with Jane Withers. GREEN ISLAND To-morrow at the Green Island Theatre will be screened the epic action film that first earned Errol Flynn his claim to stardom. This is ‘ The Charge of the Light Brigade,’ and for those who prefer their film entertainment fille.d with thrilling incident, it will be found to satisfy every demand they make. Olivia de Haviliand is the principal feminine player, included in the graphic sequences of the film is the gripping charge at Balaclava, which is the highlight.