PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23175, 26 January 1939, Page 8

PICTURE THEATRES

REGENT ‘ Letter of Introduction,’ now screening at the Regent, continues to attract the attention it deserves. The jdot, which allows for many dramatic situations and comedy undertones, makes ‘ Letter of Introduction ’ a picture out of the ordinary. The letter of introduction which gives the title to the film leads to some amazing situations. When Andrea Leeds, as Kay Martin, takes it to John Mannering. screen and stage idol, whose powers are waning, and who is to the life by Adolphe Menjou, Mannering discovers that Kay is his daughter, whoso existence he had never suspected. George Murphy, Kay’s sweetheart, is not told of the relationship between Kay and Mannering, and misunderstanding it, a lover’s quarrel thus arising. The letter also serves to introduce Bergen and “ Charlie McCarthy,” a really amazing vontriloquia! turn. Thanks to the very fine directing by John M. Stahl, of ‘ Magnificent Obsession ’ and other screen masterpieces, the story of how the letter of introduction brings tragedy into some lives and happiness into others is worked out smoothly and in a very interesting manner. ‘ Letter of Introduction ’ is splendid entertainment. GRIPPING MURDER MYSTERY •* ROVING REPORTERS’ " FIRST FILM Heading the now bill at the Grand is a bright mystery film entitled ‘ Time Out for Murder,’ starring Gloria Stuart and Michael Whalen. ‘ Sweet Devil,’ which supports, is a most amusing comedy. livery mystery fan knows that the essence" of a good alibi is tune. There have been all sorts of “ time ” alibis both in fiction and in actual crime, but none more ingenious than that used by the guilty one in ‘ Time Out for Murder.’ Announced as the first of Twentieth Contury-Fox’s new “ Roving Reporter ” series, the film goes straight to the source of time, so to speak, for the central idea of its clever story—the source being in this case the New York telephone operator, who announces the time at quarter-minute intervals. Without revealing the actual method by which the murderer uses the telephone company to establish his alibi, executive producer Sol M. Wurtzel stated that the story device is completely plausible—and perhaps for that reason was just as completely baffling to the amateur sleuths on the Twentieth Century-Fox lot who tried to solve the mystery before they were shown the final thrilling sequence of the picture. Yet all the necessary clues are included, giving audiences an equal break, with Michael Whalen, who plays the resourceful reporter who finally works out the solution. The picture, as outlined by the producer, opens with Whalen and his wisecracking photographer, Chick Chandler, covering what appears at first to be a routine murder case. Their story filed, the two return to their apartment to pursue their separate hobbies; Whalen is learning to play the slide horn and is making private recordings of his progress, while Chandler picks up the phone to listen for hours at a time to the dulcet voice of the time signal operator, with whom he imagines he is in love. The two newspapermen are interrupted by Gloria Stuart, a determined bill collector, who refuses to leave the promises until the improvident Whalen pays the last instalment on his trombone. Whalen cannot pay, so Gloria stays. Then, when .startling now developments suddenly occur in the murder case, she becomes an involuntary party to Whalen’s investigation. After a quick succession _of harrowing encounters with the police, the underworld, and the murderer himself, the three finally bring matters to an exciting conclusion. And Gloria—a thrilled young woman—is still unwilling to let Whalen out of her sight, though this time for more romanticreasons. Bobby Howes, the fa.mous musical comedy star, and Jean Gillie, the beautiful young English film actress, are the madcap stars of 1 Sweet Devil.’ the latest Jack Buchanan production to be released through G.B.D. 1 Sweet Devil ’ is a comedy amazingly full of incident, and every incident is mirthprovoking. The. story concerns the calf love of a pretty typist (Jean Gillie) for her rather pompous employer (William Kendall) and tlft dilemma into which she gets when his harumscarum partner (Bobby Howes) comes along and captures her heart. The partner himself has a vixenish fiancee with prior claims to him (Glen Alyn), the fiancee has an awe-inspiring mother (Ellis Jeffreys), everybody knows everybody else, and the consequent mix-np is colossal! STRAND Two pictures affording unusually attractive entertainment, ‘ King of the Newsboys ’ and ‘ Sons of the Legion,’ comprise the double bill concluding tonight at the Strand. The former picture, which tells a dramatic story of tho tenement district of New York, has the popular player Lew Ayres in the leading role. The associate picture tells of the refusal of an exsoldier to allow his sons to join, an American organisation known as “ The Sons of the Legion.” WALLACE FORD IN ARMY. Wallace Ford, well-known actor in American films, returned to England for the first time since he left his native shores as a boy 29 years ago to play the leading role in ‘ Sally of the Regiment,’ spectacular and amusing comedy-drama of army life, which will come to the Strand to-morrow. This film has everything that makes entertainment -comedy. drama, singing, dancing, and a cast of popular English players headed by Anna Lee, Ford. John Mills. Grace Bradley, and Frank *Cellier. Bringing to the screen n thrill-packed story of the clash between modern gangdom and the Old West ‘ The Old Corral.’ the latest western musical, starring Gene Autry, will lathe associate attraction. Briefly, the story tells of the invasion of the West by modern gangdom, when a night club entertainer, accused of murder, takes refuge in a western town. Gene Autry, the sheriff, finds himself in difficulties when faced with gangsters using machine guns, and all the advantages of modern warfare, hut he m-oves that he is quite eoual to them Ho sings no fewer than four numbers in the film— 1 Old Pinto,’ 1 The Old Corral,’ 1 Heart of the West,’ and 1 Silent Trails.’ _ Abounding in fast action and thrilling adventures agninsnovel backgrounds, the picture lias an excellent and talented supporting cast, including Hope Manning. Lon Chaney, jun., and Smiley Burnette.

STATE The popular Robin Hood of criminals, known to thousands of fiction lovers as ‘ The Saint,” is the central figure in tho RKO film, 1 Tho Saint in New York,’ which is to screen finally tonight at the State. The plot is an enthralling one. A largo American city is dominated by half a dozen gangland chiefs. It is to clean out this menace to freedom that the city fathers, in conference with the Commissioner of Police, decide to enlist tho aid of 11 Tho Saint.” “ HEADLINERS ” STARRED. Staging u circus is no circus. It is a gargantim test of craftsmanship—and the technicians who prepared a 11 big top ” for Warner Baxter’s new romantic- comedy, 1 I’ll Give a Million,’ are willing to concede that tho phrase 11 greatest show on earth ” in no idle bit of persiflage. One entire sound stage- at Twentieth Century-Fox was taken over by scores of workers who for days devised every phase of a big top, menagerie tent, side-shows, merry-go-round, and the thousand other items which ranged from elephants to eyebrow pencils. Thousands of actors were used in the scenes—as patrons, freaks, attendants, musicians, candy butchers, balloon peddlers, and roustabouts. Lions, tigers, elephants, horses, monkeys, ami all tho stock needed by a good tent show bad to bo assembled. Acrobats, aerialists, wire-walkers, clowns, riders, and barkers wore recruited for their roles. Six camera crews wpro used to catch every angle of the buzzing activity—and no authentic detail was spared. Back-stage, a .school lent was erected, so that tho hundreds of children appearing in the picture could carry on their regular educational courses between scenes. The circus was created because the story of 1 I’ll Give a Million ’ is about a millionaire who leaves his wealth to become a tramp and enjoy life. Warner Baxter, in this role, meets Marjorie, Weaver, of the circus, and a romance ensues which gives Miss Weaver the best role or her meteoric career. Baxter is starred when ‘l’ll Give a Million’ opens to-morrow at the State, with Miss Weaver, Peter Lorre, and Jean Hersholt heading the east, including John Carradine, J. Edward Bromberg, Lynn Ban, and Fritz Feld. OCTAGON Walt Disney’s delightful fantasy, 1 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ based on one of the most popular of the Grimms’ fairy tales, continues to attract large audiences to the Octagon, where it is to conclude a long season to-night. Not only have the fabricators of this entrancing technicolour production caught much of the charm of the original tale, but they have also interpolated some attractive incidents in the Disney stylo. GRAND LITTLE TROUPER. 1 Little Miss Broadway,’ Shirley Temple’s latest starring picture, will open its Dunedin screening at the Octagon to-morrow, after a delay of some weeks because of the success of 1 Snow White and tho Seven Dwarfs.’ It is an acknowledged fact that to millions throughout the world, each new Shirley Temple picture is an event of major magnitude. Most recently India capitulated to the charm of this young thespian when an age-old rule against feminine entertainers dropped its barriers—and Shirley is now the box office champion of the world. _ In 1 Little Miss Broadway,’ tho critics say, Shirley dances and sings with greater ease aiid tajeut than she has in any previous film, and her rare dramatic ability continues to amaze her audiences. Part of the secret of her phenomenal success is credited to the fact that Darryl F. Zanuck, production chief at Twentieth Century-Fox, has consistently commandeered every facility within Ids control to assure the best in story, production material, and cast. The cast which supports Shirley is headed by George Murphy, Hollywood’s ace actordancer; Jimmy Durante, a droll comic who needs no introduction; Phyllis Brooks, tho rapidly rising young blonde beauty; and Edna Mae Oliver, who is well known as the austere old maid. Six sparkling tunes, ranging from ballads to the “ swing ” typo, lend themselves to Shirley’s singing, as well as the intricate steps which she and Murpjiy execute together. ST. JAMES 1 West of Shanghai ’ and 1 Kid Galahad ’ are the two films which comprise the programme to conclude to-night at the St. James, The first picture is a thrilling adventure story featuring Boris Karloff as a notorious Chinese bandit with a pleasing manner. In 1 Kid Galahad ’ Bette Davis, Edward G. Robinson, Wayne Morris, and Harry Carey are the stars. IN QUEST OF A TIGER. A young Englishman, who gives up everything and risks his very life in tho untamed jungles of Southern Asia to catch a mysterious white tiger, is the central figure in “ Booloo,’ Paramount’s romantic jungle adventure, which will have its local opening tomorrow at the St. James. Colin Tapley, tho New Zealander who was discovered in the 11 Search for Beauty ” contest a few years ago, portrays the Englishman whose dogged courage defeats wild men and wilder Nature in the heart of Malaya. Tapley is assisted by a cast of Hollywood players and natives. The crazy yarn of an Egyptologist who patterns his life, and his" love, after the story of a young couple born when Egypt was young provides the amusing background for Paramount’s new Harold Lloyd comedy, ‘ Professor Beware, which will be tho associate feature. Lloyd, the scientist, is let out of his job when he gets into a scrape with an aspiring young actress. At the same time ho is offered a position with an Egyptian expedition, providing he be in Now York by a certain date. An hilarious coast-to-coast trip without any money follows, through all of which Harold is pursued by a beau-' t i fill girl. Phyllis Welch. Lionel Slander, William Frawley, Raymond Walburn, and Cora Witherspoon are also in the cast. EMPIRE A thrilling story giving an insight into Britain’s strength on the high seas is unfolded in 1 Our Fighting Navy,’ which is the attraction to conclude tonight at the Empire. The Home Fleet is well represented in the picture, no fewer than 15 shops playing a proini nent part. The lead-in personalities in this vigorous film are H. B. Warner, Richard Cromwell, Noah Beery, Hazel Terry, and Esme Percy. There is a good supporting programme. FORMBY “ UP IN THE AIR.” Not so long ago George Forraby was just about settled down to the satis faction of considerably more than average theatrical fame as a shining light of the variety balls, with his biggest public in Lancashire.' To-day hc° basks in the limelight of international fame, rating with Grade Fields as the highest salaried British screen star. His latest film, 1 It’s In the Air,' is sky-rocketting him to greater heights than ever. 1 It's In the

Air ’ will come to the fempire to-mor-row. It is expected to find a response with Dunedin theatregoers that will add to the already tremendous public his films enjoy in Great Britain and New Zealand. In both countries bis popularity equals that of the leading Hollywood stars, and with his fame expanding with every film Associated Talking Pictures studios have mapped out an ambitious schedule for nis future. More money and more time will be devoted to his productions, and there will be no efforts spared in determination to further his popularity with pictures that, from every angle, of production merit, should match tho best of Hollywood’s lavish entertainments. 1 It’s In the Air ’ is the first of tho group of new season Formby subjects to be made on the higher financial budget, and this riotous story of what happens to George when he accidentally ” joins the Royal Air Force is said to be hide scribably funny. George is a very raw recruit, as might be expected, but somehow he muddles through, and succeeds in piloting a plane in one of the most hilarious sequences imaginable. George is assisted in mischief by Polly Ward. Garry Marsh, and Frank Leighton. MAYFAIR Dick Powell, Warner Brothers’ handsome singing star, appears in the musical comedy, 1 The Singing Marine,’ which is now at tho Mayfair. . Bob Brent (Dick Powell) is a timid private. His pals. Sergeant Mike (Allen Jenkins) and Slim (Lee Dixon), take him along—to provide romantic music; — when they go out with their girl friends. Bringing to the screen one of tlie gayest and most exciting romantic comedies of the year, Columbia’s 1 The Lone Wolf in Paris,’ with its colourful background of Continental intrigue, proves an ideal vehicle for the charm of Francis Leclerer and the beauty of Fiances Drake.