PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23335, 3 August 1939, Page 8

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE Beautiful scenes taken in teclinicolour are important attractions of the cavalcade of air endeavour, ‘ Men With Wings.’ which is to be shown finally to-night at the Empire. It starts in the days of the Wright brothers, when safety in the air was still only a dream, and shows a pioneer airman losing his life in an attempt to add what little he can to the knowledge that is to conquer the air. ‘ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT.’ No greater indictment of war has ever been conceived than Erich Remarque's ‘ All Quiet on the Western Front,’ which first made a sensation as a book and which later received great popularity as a film. That its appeal is still ‘as great as it over was can be judged from the success of its reissue, and it will be the attraction to-morrOw at' the Empire. Though made some years ago, the film does not suffer by comparison technically with the latest productions, and new prints are provided for this reissue. It is, however, not so much by its technical qualities as by its message-more apparent in these days of wars and alarms o.f wars—that ‘ All _ Quiet on the Western Front ’ finds its special appeal. Its honesty of purpose, dramatic realism of action, and simple story convey in the dearest possible manner the folly of war and its attendant needless slaughter. The story tells of Paul Baunicr, a young German whose life is followed from his school desk to the barrack room and then on a wave of patriotism in the dirt, squalor, and terrors of the firing line. His fortunes and those of his companions are followed through the years of war, some of the young men falling maimed or killed in the struggle. r ST. JAMES . ‘ Fools for Scandal,’ the gay comedy of romantic adventure, is the main feature at the St. James this week. It tells of the pursuit of a wealthy American actress on tour of the Continent by a penniless, but charming, French baron, Carole Lombard and Fernand Gravet taking these roles. There is an exciting second film entitled ‘ Luck of the Navy.’ SHOWBOAT AND MYSTERY FILMS. A Mississippi lliver showboat of tho present day forms the romantic setting for Paramount’s new drama with music, ‘ St. Louis Blues,’ a story based ou one of the world’s best-loved songs, which will have its first local showing to-morrow at the St. Janies. With Dorothy Lani Our, Lloyd Nolan, Tito Guizur, Mary “ Punkina ” Parker, and Maxine Sullivan playing the top roles, ‘ St. Louis Blues ’ recounts the tale of an entertainer _ who rebels against Imr manager’s insistence that she always pose as a South Seas native and finds sanctuary—and love —on a picturesque showboat. Tho new hit songs featured in the picture include ‘ I Go For That,’ 1 Klnda Lonesome,’ ‘ Blue Nightfall,’ and 1 Let’s Dream In the Moonlight,’ upon which such famous songsraiths as Hoagy Carmichael, Prank Loesser, Leo Robin, and Burton Lane collaborated. The second feature is to be ‘The Gaunt Stranger,’ which is adapted from Edgar Wallace’s comedy mystery thriller, ‘ The Ringer.’ Suspense, murder, romance, and humour all play their part in the unfolding of its gripping story. Maurice Meister, a criminal lawyer, receives a message from a notorious killer, advising him of the elate and hour of his impending death. At the appointed hour Inspector Wembury and the divisional surgeon, Dr Lomond, are present at Meister’s house, but in spite of their caution the killer strikes the fatal blow. In an exciting climax the killer is revealed, and how he eludes the police and vanishes into thin air provides one of the most thrilling and amusing highlights of the film.

REGENT Sinking the latest glorious melodies of Victor Herbert, the popular combination of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy is again seefc in what many consider their best film, ‘ Sweethearts.’ which continues to draw large audiences to the Regent, where it will conclude to-night. Jeanette MacDonald’s beautiful titian hair is revealed for the first time on the screen in technicolour, _ the delicate use of which adds artistic merit to this entertaining film. CLIVE BROOK BRILLIANT. The initial A.T.P.-Capad production, ‘ The Ware Case,’ has proven to be an outstanding world success, inasmuch as it has been enthusiastically received in the four corners of the earth. Clive Brook stages a brilliant return to the screen with his carefully etched portrayal of the leading role in this dramatic film, which will be presented at the Regent to-morrow. Jane Baxter and Barry K. Barnes have featured roles and give the star splendid support. The picture, which has a poljsh of production, opens leisurely and gains in suspense and, momentum to its climax. It is the story of a spendthrift who loses his wife and his possessions through his own irresponsibility, and of his trial for the murder of his bro-ther-in-law. Thoughtful direction is apparent in every scene, and when the narrative reaches the court there is an apt timing of dramatic moments, a careful charging of atmosphere, and a mounting peak of tragedy resulting in excellent drama. It is a gripping production, and the effort has been borne equally by the director, Robert Stevenson, and the star, Clive Brook. With so many notable characterisations to his credit, this popular actor has never done a finer piece of acting. Among the supports to be shown in conjunction with ‘ The Ware Case,’ is a particularly interesting featurctte entitled 1 Royal Banners Over Canada.’ a complete record of the recent Royal tour of their Majesties the King and Queen. It is produced entirely in technicolour, and is, in fact, the onjy film in colour covering this historic event, the pageantry and splendour of which it has captured most realistically. STRAND Entertainment of a type that cannot help but appeal to all tastes is offered in the two attractions to conclude tonight at the Strand. The chief feature, ‘ Tom Sawyer, Detective.’ continues the adventures of Mark Twain’s lovable characters on the screen. As the title indicates, there is sleuthing to be done, and there are many thrilling scones. 1 The Frontiersmen.' the second picture, is rollicking Western drnniii with a strong infusion of sentiment.

DRAMA AND MUSICAL. ‘ Thanks for the Memory ' stars Bob Hope and Shirley Boss, it ho will sing 4 Two Sleepy People ’ at the Strand to-morrow. The picture tells of two re-cently-married people trying to pay their bills and get along in face of raids upon all their household facilities by frolicsome friends. The title of this new comedy was,inspired by the song of the same name, the one Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sang in 4 Big Broadcast of 19.‘W.’ in this one they sing a new number called 4 Two Sleepy People,’ written by Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser, ace song team responsible for the music in 1 Sing, You Sinners.’ George Archainbaud directed the Paramount picture. * Thanks for the Memory ’ is based on a Broadway bit of a few seasons back, 4 Up Pops the Devil.’ Handsome John Carroll has his first straight dramatic role in 1 I Am a Criminal,’ Monogram’s stirring story, which will support. Carroll, dashing, singing star, docs not sing a note in this thriller, but plays the part of Brad M‘Artluir, 41 bigtime ” gambler, who hires a Press agent to promote him into the good graces of the townsfolk. Opposing Brad and resolved to convict him on a manslaughter charge which is the result of an accident in which a prominent man is killed, stands George Lane, determined District Attorney, who grew up in the same tenement street as the gambler. Lane had gone into office on a platform that promised to convict Brad. How he finally keeps that promise provides exciting screen fare, and involves two women Brad loved, an orphan boy he adopted, and an old loyalty that defeated Brad in the end. SPY ADVENTURES THRILLING DRAMA AND FILM STAR COMEDY Among dramatic spy films the latest release at the Grand. 4 They Made Her a Spy ’ must shine for action, brilliance of characterisation, and a sound plot. Based on the activities of a spy ring in America, the picture features Sally Eilers and Allan Lane. In support on the new programme is 4 Annabel Takes a Tour.’ an amusing comedy of an impulsive film star. How a female Government agent becomes a member of a ruthless foreign spy ring operating in Washington and successfully exposes its activities is the theme of 4 They Made Her a Spy,’ RKO Radio picture feattiVing Sally Eilers and Allan Lane, which is the principal feature. The story presents Miss Eilers as a young lady whose brother, an army man, is killed while demonstrating his invention of a new field gun. When it is learned that saboteurs _ were responsible for his death the girl volunteers her services to the army intelligence division. Miss Eilers is immediately assigned to burrow into tho_ inner bounds of a ring of foreign spies and saboteurs with secret headquarters at the nation’s capital. Her perilous mission is dramatically traced in the picture, and the manner in which she eventually exposes the entire spy ring and its leader brings the story to its climax. Allan Lano plays opposite Miss Eilers as a newspaperman who also joins the well-or-ganised ring in order to obtain a story for his newspaper. Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball, who recently met with outstanding success in 4 The Affairs of, Annabel,’ repeat their Original roles in a sequel, ‘ Annabel Takes a Tour,’ which is the second film on the programme. Further depicting the adventures of an impulsive film star and her hare-brained Press agent, played by Miss Ball and Oakie respectively, the new picture depicts the adventures of these two while on a personal appearance tour in the East. The star is scheduled to appear at a Chicago theatre in conjunction with one of her pictures and to publicise the affair Oakie launches a backfire involving the pair in all kinds of trouble. 'Ruth Donnelly and Bradley Page, who created the roles of the cynical secretary and the nervous movie producer in the first “ Annabel ” picture, deftly re-enact their original parts, with other featured performances given by Ralph Forbes and Frances Mercer as a foreign writer and a rival actress; Alice White, as a movie-struck manicurist; and Pepito, famous clown, as an eccentric musician.

STATE Large audiences are attending the Dunedin screenings of ‘ Made For Each Other ’ at the State, where it is to conclude to-night. The leading roles in this dramatic David 0. Selzmdk production are taken by James Stewart and .Carole Lombard. 1 Made For Each Other ’ is the tense and thrilling story of Jane and John Mason, an average modern married couple, deeply in love, but hounded by opposing economic conditions. INDIAN DRAMA ABSORBS. An attack on a British patrol by worshippers of Kali, goddess of the murderous cult of Thuggee, in the vicinity of India’s historical Khyber Pass is the incident which stirs up trouble along the North-western Frontier, brings English troops into action, and marks the opening of hostilities in 4 Gunga Din,’ RKO Radio’s new big thrill melodrama starring Cary Grant. Victor M‘Laglan, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., which is the attraction to open to-morrow at the State. Between Afghanistan and India lies a country of mountains and rocks over 30,000 feet in height, where for centuries fierce, warlike tribesmen have carried on guerrilla warfare. Small villages, which are really forts, dominate the centre of the pass. Here dwell the nomadic tribesmen whose love of fighting is a hereditary passion derived from ancient ancestors who “lived by tho vnonl.” From their watch towers, and behind walls loop-holed for musketry, they are ever ready to open fire upon intruders. Only the highway is British, tho rest is tribal territory, and not too easily invaded. Peace along the border has never been a really permanent condition. It is only maintained by the constant vigilance of the soldiers that England keeps in readiness to conduct punitive operations. Probably no other spot in the world presents such obstacles to military manoeuvres, and certainly none calls for ns much hand-to-hand fighting as takes place when Tommy Atkins “goes in” with bayonet against the savage swordsmen of the hills. A charge executed with the cold steel by the kilted laddies of a Highland regiment is one of the most exciting episodes in ‘ Gunga Din.’ this being but one of many conflicts in the film. MAYFAIR Bringing the world-famous team of Fred. Astaire and Ginger Rogers together once more, RKO-lladio's ‘ Carefree.' which is at tho Mayfair, presents a new film romance embellished with Irving Berlin’s melodics, new routines, and a deftly handled story. Because Miss Rogers keeps off her wed-

ding date with Ralph Bellamy the latter asks Astaire, a psychiatrist, to fix up any lurking inhibitions the lady may have on the subject of marriage The pretty patient complicates matters by falling in love with Astairo instead of Bellamy. When the psychiatrist fails to respond tho actress starts a hectic series of madcap adventures, the doctor meantime falling in love with her himself only to find that he lias a new resistance to overcome. How the seemingly lost cause is won at the last moment makes for the uproarious climax of the picture, which is said to be both the funniest and most entertaining of all the Astaire-Rogers vehicles Tire two stars, with tho cleverly-drawn roles to enact as the psychiatrist and the actress, have unusual opportunities to display the talents that made them the world's premier dancing duo, and Ralph Bellamy, as the lawyer, forms the third corner of the tumultuous triangle in what is perhaps his finest role to date. ‘ The Black Doll ’ will lie screened in support. Taken from a Crime Club novel by William Edward Hayes, the picture oilers an excellent opportunity for theatregoers to try to solve the mystery on the screen before the detectives do. ‘ The Black Doll ’ features Nan Grey. C. Henry Gordon, Donald Woods, and Edgar Kennedy.