PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23189, 11 February 1939, Page 13

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES ROBERT MONTGOMERY STARRED SUPER-SMART COMEDY AT THE ST. JAMES ‘ The First Hundred Years,’ the new attraction at the St. James, is another of those super-smart domestic comedies which the studio of Metro-Goklwyn-Mayer excels at producing. The story is perhaps a trifle threadbare, but witty dialogue, diverting situations, luxurious settings, and attractive performances, go a, long way toward disguising the fact. „ , . „ There was a time when all screen plays ended with, hero and heroine at . the altar. "What came after was not supposed to be interesting enough to the public to be worth making turns about. / Nowadays, however, it is unite fashionable for . .screen plays. to begin after- - ' mafriage. This particular one itfeare, in very, light vein, the problem: I& a woman entitled to choose her own Career, and - her own environment, or is /she bound,to follow her husband? Ihat is the question; but the film manages to evade giving a definite answer. The attractive performances of Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce, supported by Warren William, Binme Barnes, Alan Dinehart, and others, invest ‘ The First Hundred Years with no small charm. Montgomery and Miss Bruce are seen as husband and wife, and are moderately happy; but the fly in the domestic ointment from the husband’s point of view is that he is .practically dependent on his wife s earnings. She is a very competent, very successful authors’ agent, and she pays her two servants just about the same salary as her husband makes from his yacht-designing. Naturally, he is somewhat humiliated. So, when the chance arrives for a highly-paid position in a shipbuilder’s yards outside New York, he leaps at it—and expects his wife to follow. But she refuses to abandon her career, leave her interests in the city, and make a home for him. So they separate, though still in loye. The judge’s decision to award alimony to the husband hardly has the effect of pouring oil on the troubled domestic waters; and the reluctance of husband and wife to express their affection for one another after they have separated keeps the story moving leisurely but amusingly along. The rift in the lute is only mended by the advent of a baby. After a succession of roles in which he has played the had boy who has caused marriages and engagements to break up. it is a pleasant change to find Robert Montgomery in the right for once, particularly as he handles his husbandly role with such charm and smoothness. Virginia Bruce likewise • is attractive and competent enough to ■ make one - willing to overlook most of the faults in the character she plays. The film also gives both Warren William and Alan Dinehart the chance to shine in semi-comic roles; and Binriie Barnes is her usual competent, wellpoised self as a predatory _ actress who seeks to console the sorrowing husband; 'The principal supporting feature is another of the series of prison- dramas, a Columbia production, ‘-'Convicted.’ New ground is broken in this thrilling story, making for tense/drama, strong suspense, and powerful romance. It is -a first-class action film with the popular young stars. Charles Quigley and Rita"Hayworth, heading a capable cast. MUSIC iAND ROMANCE *THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST ’ Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy reach unprecedented heights in ‘ The Girl of the Golden West,’ which opened before an enthusiastic audience at the Regent Theatre yesterday. ’An excellent blending of charming music and the romance of California in her early, ribald gold camp and pastoral mission days, the new operetta is an inspiring picture recommended for theatre-goers and music lovers of all ages. The picture is the story of the orphan girl, Mary, who owns the Polka Saioon and dance hall in Cloudy Mountain gold camp. She is loved by all the boys, but the gambling sheriff, Jack Ranee, is the favoured one. On her way to Monterey, her stage coach is held up by the masked bandit, Ramerez, who is smitten by her beauty. He trails her, and when a carriage arrives to convey her to the Governor’s festival it is Ramerez, masquerading as a young army officer, who escorts her. ’ They fall in lovc._ At the festival, where “ the Mariachie,” a colourful early California dance and feast is held, Ramerez flees when he sees soldiers approaching. Ramerez, dressed as an American, again appears in Cloudy Mountain at Mary’s saloon. Suspicious, Ranee immediately takes a dislike to the stranger. Enraged because he has forsaken her, Nina, Ramerez’s '> native sweetheart, betrays _ him to Sheriff Ranee. In his pursuit, Ranee wounds the bandit, and later captures him in Mary’s cabin. He surrenders to Mary’s pleas, and plays cards with her for the life of Ramerez. Mary -wins, but Ranee catches her cheating. She promises to marry the sheriff if ho will free' Ramerez. Ranee does, but swears to kill the bandit on sight. At the mission, on the day of the wedding, Mary hears a familiar song in the patio. It’is Ramerez. Ranee finds them in an embrace, but offers to give Ramerez an even chance for his life. He hands a gun to the bandit and tells him to walk around the chapel. Ranee starts to circle the chapel in the opposite direction. Mary faints. When she awakens she is in Ramerez’s arms. Ranee has vanished, failing to meet Ramerez. Interspersed through the romance are numerous new and beautiful tunes by Sigmund Romberg and Gus Kahn. They are 1 Senorita,’ ‘ Who Are We to Ray,’ ‘ Shadows on the Moon,’ ‘ The Wind in the Trees,’ ‘ Sunup to Sundown,’ 1 Soldiers of Fortune,’ and * Mariachie.’ Miss MacDonald also _ sings Gounod’s ‘ Ave Maria ’ and Liszt’ s ‘ Dream of Love.’ Buddy Ebsen sings ‘ The West Ain’t Wild Any More,’ one of the comedy high lights in a picture packed with entertainment.

DOUBLE PROGRAMME TWO FEATURES FOR GRAND There is an excellent cast in the major picture of a double feature programme now showing at the Grand. ‘ Sky Giant’ is a gripping drama of modern aviation, but it also provides a really worth-while glimpse behind the scenes in a training school of to-day. Richard Dix, co-starred with Joan Fontaine and Chester Morris in this up-to-the-minute offering, plays a noted pilot transferred to managing a big aviation school under the strict discipline of its superintendent, Harry Carey. Carey’s son, Morris, enrolls in the school without his father’s knowledge, and the conflict begins, with Dix in continual hot water trying to keep matters smoothed out between father and son. . The romantic element is introduced when both men fall in love with Miss Fontaine. Drama results through a quarrel between Morris and Miss Fontaine. Dix marries the girl himself just before setting out with Morris and another pilot, Paul Guilfoyle, on a dangerous flight, intended to map out an air route to Europe via Alaska and Siberia. All come to grief in a lonely Alaskan wilderness. The three, airmen, one of them badly hurt, set out for the coast, and safety, but Morris’s jealousy endangers the lives, of all three. With its realistic background of aviation training and its gripping story, ‘ Sky Giant ’ is a notable piqee of screen entertainment. Dix has an ideal role as the easy-going pilot, while the performances of Morris, Miss Fontaine, Carey, and Guilfoyle are brilliantly turned. Edwin Styles and Judy Gunn costar in the supporting comedy-drama, ‘ The £5 Man.’ When a man determines to prove to the world that he has been unjustly sentenced and imprisoned things are bound to happen, and in ‘ The £5 Man ’ things happen with such a vengeance, and events move with such breath-taking rapidity that the audience is left gasping. The average story has a little of everything to suit the public’s taste, but in ‘ The £5 Man,’ the story of which was written by Jack Celestin and Paul White and adapted for the screen by David Evans, there is everything and more beside. One of the incidents from which the title is derived is that of a man, down-and-out, offering himself for auction at a horse sale. The locale changes from the sombre atmosphere of a London prison to the rural surroundings of a quiet English village, thence to an English country house, the quiet walls of which harbour many secrets. OUTLAWS AND REPORTERS VARIETY OFFERING AT THE STRAND Excitement is the keynote of this ■week’s programme at the Stiand, two first-class Warner Brothers films bem„ uroseuted. The principal of these is ‘ Devil’s Saddle Legion,’ a stirring Western romance, with the popular sm„i cowboy, Dick Foran, heading the cast, while the supporting picture is the third of the series of adventures to befall “Torchy” Blanc, lady newspaper* reporter, and entitled, Adventurous Blonde.’ , • ‘ Devil’s Saddle Legion tells how, m the Indian Territory, Bed I‘ravna (George Chesebro) is building a dam across the Red River with prison labour. To get prisoners for the building ot the dam he has Sheriff Duke Gorman ((Raphael Bennett) picking up anybody who looks husky on trumped-up charges. Unjustly charged with murder, ta* Hollnday (Dick Foran) is sentenced to spend 10 years at hard labour. flrora other prisoners he learns that one qt the projects, when, aiul if the dam i.s completed, is to throw, his fathers ranch into the Indian Territory by diverting the wandering bod ot the Red. River, and he also learns that his lather has been murdered. Meanwhile he falls In love with Karan Grdley (Anne. Nagel) and she with him, although he thinks her father (Gordon Hart) is trying to gain control of his father s property. Neither Karan nor her father realises why Tal, who goes under the name of Smith, seems hostile toward them, but the girl has him assigned to help her “gentle” a horse. This enables him to steal pistols and smuggle them into the prison, and later stage a revolt. With five comrades he escapes, and these become known as the “ Devil’s Saddle Legion,” branded outlaws with prices on every head. The band dedicates its efforts to finding the murderer of Tal’s father, saving the ranch, and preventing the completion of the dam which would rob Texas and many property owners of their land by butting it officially into the lawless “self-governed” territory. John W. Logan (Walter Young), Secretary of the Interior, comes to establish the boundary officially in the name of the U.S. Government, intending to make the decision in favour of the crooks, whom he thinks honest and upright citizens. Tal tries to explain to Logan the crookedness of the situation, but is caught and a “ lynching bee” is started. Meanwhile a new member of his band turns out to be United States Marshal, who has been working under cover. He reports in favour of Tal. The gang of crooks try to escape over

the dam, but they are caught there by qn explosion which wrecks the structure. Logan establishes the boundary where it rightfully belongs, Ta'l gets his ranch, which is now officially in Texas, together with Karan and the friendship of her father. His “ Devil s Saddle Legion,” instead of being hung for outlaws, are honoured as upholders of the law in a lawless land. ' ‘ Adventurous Blonde ’ is a tale about how a quartet of male reporters, irked by Torchy’s scoring of so many “scoops” over them, try to get vengeance. They hire an out-of-work actor to give Torchy misinformation about a supposed murder. She hustles to her paper and writes a big story about the crime, and the “framers” chuckle when Torchy’s sheet appears on the street. But the gag boomerangs on the boys, because the fake murder turns out to be an actual murder, which Torchy and Steve solve, and the conspirators are the ones that prove out of luck. Glenda Darrell again plays “Torchy,” while Barton Machine,: Anne Nagel, and Tom Kennedy support. EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT GINGER ROGERS DELIGHTS AT THE STATE Most theatre-goers are aware that periodically there comes along a picture which has had practically no advance publicity, and which, from its title, might not seem to be anything in the nature of real entertainment, and which yet remains a lasting memory as one of the most delightful films seen over a long period. One such picture is being screened at the State this week, R.K.O. Radio’s ‘ Vivacious Lady,’ and those who witnessed its initial screening at this theatre yesterday went homo happy. For ‘ Vivacious Lady ’is a happy picture, a good-natured, genial production made for purposes of entertainment and laughter only. It is a picture that can be recommended without reservations of any typo. Heading the cast is Ginger Rogers, who has made a name for herself over a long period of years due to her appearances with Fred Astaire. Astaire does not support her in this, her latest film, but she is teamed with a wellknown and popular young man, James Stewart. In brief, the theme of the story is based on the conflict between old-fashioned theories and modern actualities in wedlock. In itself the theme cannot be said to he now, but in the treatment accorded it it is to all intents and purposes original. And it is this treatment which provides such delightful entertainment. Miss Rogers depicts a Broadway ilight club entertainer, and she is loved by two cousins, vastly different personalities in every respect. First there is James Stewart, who lias the role oi a studious teacher of botany at a small inland college, while the other is James Ellison (also well known on the local screen), who has the role of a carefree, most irresponsible, and friendly playboy. Both the cousins meet the girl at the same time, and that is ' when Stewart pays a visit to New York because he wishes to see his pleasureloving cousin. By chance they meet Miss Rogers, and Cupid, seeing an opportunity for amusement, shoots two men with one of his fatal love arrows. For a time the contrast between the two is a source of worry to Ginger, who eventually is attracted more to Stewart by his serious-mindedness. Before Ellison has the opportunity of assuming a more steady outlook on life Ginger and Stewart get married. The trio (Edison doesn’t mind playing “ gooseberry ”) return to the little college town, but here Stewart’s nerve fails him. His father is the president of the college, and Stewart suddenly realises he cannot tell his father what he has clone. He remains silent—and then arises a series of hilarious incidents that must he witnessed to be enjoyed. It may he said that Stewart’s position is none the easier when Ginger, anxious to bo near the husband from whom she has to be estranged through the circumstances ruling, enrols as a student for a botany course. Clever acting performances help materially to enhance tho high entertainment value the picture possesses. Ginger Rogers, who is given less opportunity for dancing than for a long time past, is charming as the unfortunate heroine, while Stewart and Ellison give convincing studies of the differently-constituted cousins. Francos Mercer and Beulah Bondi are also in the cast. Tho supporting programme is an excellent overture to the main presentation. A Walt Disney colour cartoon, based on the familiar legend ‘ Wynken, Blynkcn, and Nod,’ is one of the best efforts that has come from this genius of late. Newsreels and scenics round off a thoroughly worthwhile programme. THIRTY YEARS OF MUSIC ‘ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND' Irving Berlin is now regarded as the old maestro of jazz music, and the inquiring devotee or swing has seen in his earlier work an example of the best kind of swing music. And if Berlin has been writing for a generation, and writing well in his field, a film including a survey of the songs he has turned out might be expected to be a conspectus of the state of tho jazz world in the memory of many filmgoers. Such, it seems, was the idea of Twentieth Century-Fox Films and such was the genesis of ‘ Alexander’s Ragtime Band.’ This picture, which has at tho head of its cast Tyrone Bower, Alice Faye, and Don Arnecho, and whs well received when it opened at the Octagon Theatre yesterday, takes its title, of course, from the song which swept America 25 years ago. It shows the success which attends a hand of ardent amateurs who establish themselves by means of tho song, have a singer thrust upon them, and set out on the road to success—that is. New York and Charles Dillingham—before the World War. It shows the breaking up of the combination by tho desertion of the singer and temporary interruption of music and the good things of life by -the European conflict. After that there is misunderstanding, misalliance, and a dual musical pilgrimage by the two jirincipals, one on his way up to radio stardom, the concert platform, and such pressure on his time that producers like Mr Dillingham can be told that he has no opportunity to serve them; the other, just as evidently, on her way down.

This part of the story is most ingeniously told, with the blare and brightness of tho music which makes the reputation of “ Alexander’s ’’ (the name is one which has been given him by a blatant proprietor of the Barbary Coast and conies from tho hit tune) contrasted with the plaintive melodies sung by the one-time star of Broadway who is now working in night clubs and restaurants under an assumed name. Ami this helps to establish the versatility of Mr Berlin. Tho end is reached in a, blaze of glory at .New

fork’s Carnegie Hall, home of the best music, where the leader ot a swing band sets out to prove to tne uninitiated that there is something to bo admired in swing music. The radio,_ the theme song, and a peculiar taxi driver all play their part in a reconciliation, and the film ends on tne strong notes of ‘ Alexander s Ragtime Band.’ In the course of the picture Tyrone Power and Alice t aye manoeuvre themselves into a large number of misunderstandings, but they behave like human beings and make creditable musicians, and as a conductor Power has a most protes-sional-looking boat. Don Ameche has another of his good-hearted roles, with everyone happy at the end of it, amt the sprightly Ethel Merman is tin* singer who gives most of Berlin s later snappy melodies. STIRRING DRAMA FEATURE AT EMPIRE The screen story of ‘ Spawn of the North.’ now showing at the Empire, tells the dramatic tale of a lifelong friendship existing between two men, which is broken by an Arctic feud, to be finally reunited, if only spiritually, through' the sacrifice of one of them. The locality is centred off the Ketchikan Archipelago, where fishing is one of the territory’s principal industries and has yielded more wealth to the United States than all the _ precious metals ever mined in Ameiuca s last frontier region. This industry, which is as packed with drama, action, and romance as any gold strike, is made the subject for this epic motion Picture, co-starring George Raft, Henry Fonda, and Dorothy Lamour. The story itself is a fascinating one. It commences with the opening of the Alaska salmon fishing season, which brings Tyler Dawson, a rugged Arctic fisherman, back to his native village of Metalaqua, where he immediately looks up his closest friend, Jim Kimmcrlee. Tyler is bursting with enthusiasm for a new proposition; having saved up enough money to buy half of a sealing schooner, he wants Jim to be his partner. Jim, -who is now in a small canning business, refuses. He must remain close to his traps this season, and help his fellow fishermen defend their interests against the fish pirates who have been raiding the district. The friendship of the two men is cooled further by the arrival in the village of Diane Turlbn, the lovely daughter of the local newspaper publisher. When Tyler and Jim both sfiower her with attentions, she'makes her preference for Jim dear, and Tyler turns for consolation to the owner of the hotel, Nicky Duval. In his determination to get the schooner one way or another, Tylei listens to the plan of Red Skain; leader of the notorious Alaska fish pirates. Red invites Tyler to join forces with him. Ho convinces him that if they work fast they can soon get money to set themselves up. The fishermen are “tipped off” that Skain and his gang are going to rob the rich Green Bear traps, and Jim gets word to Nidky that she is to warn Tyler of his danger, Although the girl does everything in her power to keep Tyler in port that night, he breaks away and sails with Skain to the battleground. A fight between fishermen and pirates ensues, during which Jim has to shoot Tyler. When Tyler is left deserted by Skain, Jim carries him back to Metalaqua. Enraged by his defeat by the fishermen, Skain swears revenge on Jim and makes it clear to everyone in the settlement that he will kill the young man the first chance he gets. Realising that his pirate partner ran out on him when he was wounded in battle, Tyler-deter- . mines to prevent the murder. Still posing as Skain’s friend, he gets the pirate to carry him on to his boat, explaining that they will hire Jim into a trap. After getting Skain to let him take the wheel, he locks him in his cabin. With the boat completely under his control, Tyler makes a last gesture of farewell to Jim and Diane in a pursuing boat and crashes his craft into a mass of icebergs, grinding it to powder. The associate programme is an ideal one, and patrons can be assured of an excellent entertainment. ATTRACTIVE NEW PROGRAMME MAYFAIR BILL Vocal coaches were busy during the filming of Everybody Sing,’ the new film which commenced at the Mayfair to-day, for in tho picure everybody actually sings. Allan Jones, Judy Garland, Fanny Brice, andi Lynne Carver did not mind singing as it was nothing new to them. But in the case of Billie Burke, Reginald Owen, and Reginald Gardiner it was something else again, for it marked their debut as singers. Nine songs are featured in the new musical. Norman Taurog says that his engagement to direct David 0. Selzniek’s technicolour production, ‘ The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ the second film, realised one of his fondest ambitions—to bring to the screen a cast of children in colour. “To have photographed the flashing blue eyes of Tommy Kelly, the 12-year-old discovery from the Bronx, who has the role of Tom Sawyer, in charcoal would have been a chromatic tragedy,’’ he said. GREEN ISLAND THEATRE An entertaining picture will be the attraction at the Gx'een Island Theatre to-night. In ‘ Little Miss Somebody,’ captivating little Binlde Stuart, who won a great deal of admiration for her performance in ‘ Rose of Tralee,’ scores a distinct success. She receives full support from John Longdcn, Kathleen Kelly, and Margaret Emden The story is that of Jim Trevor, whose life in a small English village with his foster child (Binlde Stuart) is interrupted when his charge is recognised as an heiress to a fortune. The schem ing squire hears of the news first and obtains the legal guardianship of the child so as to get his hands on her inheritance. Longden’s fight for pos session of his little friend is simplified by a fact that provides the drama of the story.