PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23237, 10 April 1939, Page 1

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Robert Taylor, the man who was mobbed by women when he visited England, and who replied to the danger of being called a “cissy” by his performance in ‘ A Yank at Oxford,’ Further disposes of the idea that he might be just a handsome, innocuous Valentino in ‘The Crowd Roars,’ which is having a season at the Empire. Taylor entered, pictures on his looks, and because the box office had turned towards the more rugged Gable type of masculine beauty no great hopes were held out for his being an attraction of more than passing interest. Robert Taylor has just ripped through the undercurrent of good-humoured abuse, and in ‘ The Crowd Roars,’ gives a red-blooded performance, which, plus his good looks, makes the production one of great entertainment, for both sexes. ‘As a slum boy in New York who fights his way in “tough” surroundings to the first flight of The fistic tree, he is most convincing. Unhappily fight films in the past, where the hero has to win, have more often than not been blatant in their “ framing,” but there is none of that in ‘ The Crowd Roars.’ The fights are hard, and the plot well founded. Taylor adds another feather to a cap that must now look like a peacock on show. Frank Morgan, as his drunkard father, gives an excellent contribution to film characterisation, and Maureen O’Sullivan is bewitching. The supporting programme is really excellent.

ST. JAMES Once again Tom Walls has turned to Ben Travers for Iris story, and the eminent author has, in return, written a modern version of ‘ The Taming of the Shrew ’ in ‘ Second Bes’b Bed,’ the hilarious comedy which is at the St. James. Even the title has been' borrowed from Shakespeare—from his will. The clause reads: “. . . and I leave unto my . wife my second best bed.” The literal translation provides Tom Walls with an ideal role. Jane Baxter is his .new leading lady, and his ignoring of her charms to the detriment of her chances of winning a local tennis tournament eventually leads them both—to the altar! The fieryspirited girl, however, does not settle down into the meek little wife he had hoped, and he is forced to resort to many tactics other than those of a caveman before he is_ eventually able to tame her. Complications set in, when, in his role of sheriff of the county, he takes; under his wing a pretty young girl .. who is bringing an action for assault against the local football : hero. It is the unanimous npinipn of the townsfolk that the girl in question is not as innocent as she. looks, -.but Tom Walls refutes the idea, and it is this, staunch support of attractive femininity that arouses Jane Baxter to jealous rage. After a series, of- hilariously awkward predicaments the couple settle down to marital bliss. Veronica Rose plays the part of the girl who is responsible for bringing the couple together, and Greta Gynt, Edward Lexy, and Carl Jaffe head the supporting cast.

. REGENT 1 The Adventures of Robin. Hood,’ which is screening at'the Regent, has received- the highest, tributes from lovers of lusty adventure. This rollicking tale of the Normans of Nottingham and the Saxons of Sherwood Forest could not have been produced more entertainingly than it is_ in the brilliant Warner Brothers offering. In the construction of this outstanding him the best of the Robin Hood legends have been woven into a well-rounded story, with many original touches, and all previous stage and screen versions of the famous outlaw’s life have been far surpassed. Sherwood Forest, Not- : tingham Castle, and all the other spots I so familiar in Robin Hood tales have ! been beautifully recreated for this | screen epic, an'd thousands of costumes and props are authentic twelfth century, the result of long months of research, No better choice than Errol Flynn could have been made for the role of the outlaw chief. With several magnificent performances to his credit, Flynn achieves new heights of excellence in his Robin Hood part, playing it with all the zest and heartiness” that might be expected of such a “ devil-may-care,” character. In keeping with the whole tone of the production, the supporting cast is the best that could be procured from among the leading members of filmdom. Charming Olivia de Havilland is the' lovely Maid Marian, Claude Rains is a really villainous Prince John, and Sir Guy of Gisbourne is finely portrayed by Basil Rathbone. Handsome lan Hunter is an ideal choice fog the part of King Richard the Lion Hearted,; rotund Eugene Pallette is Friar Tuck to the life, and lovable Littlejohn is found in the person of Alan Hale.

GRAND Some years ago Walt Disney revolutionised the cartoon form of moving picture with his Micky Mouse and Silly Symphony series, and although they were all little masterpieces in their way they have been placed entirely in the background by his latest fulllength picture, ‘Snow Khite and the Seven Dwarfs.’ It is a tribute to his artistry that this outstanding symphony, after a record season in Dunedin about two months ago, is in its second week at the Grand, where it still-continues to draw crowded houses. It is difficult to believe that the delightful characters which flit so freely across the screen are really inanimate drawings, so life-like are they in their actions. They are to all intents and purposes living creatures and animals, each with its own character. JONES FAMILY AGAIN. Twentieth Century-Fox’s famous Jones family are now as well known to film-goers as the folks next door. And lately audiences are beginning to recognise the folks next door to the Joneses. The original production policy of maintaining the family intact throughout each picture of the series has been extended to include almost tlie entire town of Maryville. Jones family enthusiasts remember from picture to picture the faces and personalities of the chief of police, of Mayor

Jones’s councilman, of the locat butcher, banker, and baker, Even the drug store cowboys in dad’s establishment are becoming as familiar as Maryville’s main street and the Joneses’ front porch. ‘ Safety in Numbers,’ the latest of the Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox series, the next; film for - the Grand, introduces . a new section of Maryville to Jonesites. Barton Springs, a suburb of the town, is discovered to be a spa of medicinal importance, and the entire' populace is aroused over, this resort possibilities of the place; Mrs Jones is given a 13-week broadcast hour for a domestic -advice programme by the Springs’ sponsors, and , JDad Jones heads the citizens’ investment committee. When the spring’ turns out to be a “fake,” the Joneses get .a chance to prove—in an hilarious and exciting climax—that there is, indeed, 1 Safety in Numbers.’ •

STRAND The story of ‘Tenth Avenue Kid.' Republican picture which is at, the 'Strand, is one.’of the most compelling dramas to come from Hollywood‘during the current season. Pathos, comedy, action^ 1- heart interest,' and stark realism are interwoven in such a way that suspense and interest are held! to' the final fade out. Bruce Cabot i» starred as a “ hard-boiled ” police de- 1 tective. Beverly Roberts played opposite him in the role - of a - newspaper woman. . Tommy ®ya, a newcomer to the screen, - is'excellent in the part of a young boy who is saved from a life of crime by Cabot. Horace MacMahoa plays a punch-drunk, ex-prizefighter, and turns in a performance ■ that will not soon be forgotten. Playing ! together for the'first time as co-stars, - Beverly Roberts and .Patrjc Knowles will be seen in , a romantic: comedy called 1 Expensive Husbands.’ Both, are well known - in their own rights/ and as a team they are - said to be altogether excellent.- The story is about a moyie actress who, through no fault of their own, .is .sliding . downward into the has-been class.. She thinks that the best possible publicity she cpuld obtain to bring her back into the limelight and the affections of, her fans would bo to get a titled husband. This is Beverly’s part. So she .. goes’ to Europe, brazenly offers to bay a titled! husband for £2,000, - and thereupon, gets into-a . series, of amusing, though romantic episodes with a young prince disguised as a waiter,- This, of course, is Patric Knowles. With the - title, she returns to Hollywood and resumes her rightful' place as a great screen star.

STATE Three times voted the nation’s favourite screen ■ star, Shirley, Temple may he said to have several ufual Hollywood futneps. -already behind her. Vet to'“-potent observers arenas'one in agreeing that 'triumphs are still to come—that-as she goes on she will be even more amazing than ever, and that-her career will set a mark never attained on stage opscreen before. J. P. M‘Evoy—newspaperman, humourist, and scenarist—. crystallised the opinion of most moviegoers when he predicted new 'marvels of_ achievement for the “ number one star in a widely-discussed article in the ‘ Saturday . Evening Post.’' M'Evoy Soints to Shirley’s 'latest Twentieth ehtury-Fox picture, ‘. J list Around the Corner,’ to illustrate his conviction, set forth in the ‘ Post ’ article, that, Shirley is an actress ■ with a definite: lovs for the art of acting and a talent that amazingly increases as she gets older. M'Evoy speaks on good authority. 'Always .close to . the theatre, and. -the screen, he collaborated with Ethel Hill and Darrell Ware in writing the screen, play for ‘ J net Around the Corner.’ Now at the State, and announced .as having the most original scenario thus far conceived for a Shirley Temple picture, the . film concerns the 'consequences which arise when Shirley confuses a wealthy old banker. /whose name is “ Uncle Sam ” Henshaw). with the lean and bewhiskered gentleman who is ' the symbol of America’s national character. ‘ (

OCTAION When Sonja Henie first .brought her marvellous ice ballets ■to the screen technical difficulties arose that almost equalled those on the advent of sound. Much experimenting had to be carried out before her first film, * Girl id a Million,’ could be released, .and that experimenting formed the basis for this evolution- of a new method of filming fast-moving sequences. _ In the old days were stationary or moved on the end of a ponderous, boom! For Sonja’s films, however, a special sled device was fitted with a camera, contrivance to travel at 45 miles ad hour. The wonderful effect achieved by this invention is shown. to ' best advantage in ‘My Lucky Star,’ Sonja’s latest and most' successful; filar to date, which is the - current at the Octagon. The show piece of this is an ice ballet based on the ‘ Alice in Wonderland ’ theme, in which all the characters are portrayed on - skates. Richard Greene plays opposite the star i in the story of romance at an American college, and others in the cast ar* Buddy Ebsen, Cesar Romero, and Joan Davis. , Advance reports for Miss Henie’s film are enthusiastic. For qua , thing, _ ‘My Lucky Star’ pxesente Sonja in an entirely new setting, fab removed from Switzerland’s alpina peaks and Norway’s remote ■ peasant villages. A modern girl, having » food time on a co-ed campus—that ia : onja Henie’s latest setting.

MAYFAIR ‘ Alexander’s Ragtime Band,’ a delightful excursion through 30 years of dance music in America, opened a brief repeat season at the Mayfair on-Satur--day. The film fakes its name from Irving Berlin’s first song hit of the same name, a melody that even noir exercises a definite appeal by its tunefulnessl and rhythm. The associate feature is r< Adventurous Blonde,’ with Glenda Farrell and Barton Maclane in the leading, roles. > •