PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 19

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES;

EDWARD RDBINSDN'S BEST BRILLIANT AS ‘DR GLITTERHOUSE' Once again Edward G. Robinson, star, of ‘ Confessions of a Nazi Soy,’ scores a triumph as the amazing Dr Clitter- : house in a film of the same name, which began its Dunedin screening at. the Empire yesterday. Robinson is unique as far as his style of acting is concerned. In thjs film he deserves high credit, as he gives a remarkaole performance. There is comedy and melodrama mingled in exactly the right proportions, and it is interesting to note that the stage play of this film had an eminently successful run. . The picture throws a new light on the science: of criminology, and diverges • from the usual theme in an interesting manner. Robinson is ably assisted by Claire Trevor, who may be remembered for her dramatic performance in ‘ Stage Coach.’ Robinson comes to the screen in what he has described as the most fascinating role of his career—the truly extraordinary title character of ‘ The Amazing Dr Clitterhouse.’ It is the tale, of a distinguished neurological surgeon who embarks upon a career of crime in order, so he says, to study the mental and physical reactions of criminals during those moments when they are perpetrating their crimes. Re becomes as successful a criminal in the course of his allegedly scientific dual existence as he is a surgeon. In fact, his facile brain soon enables him to become the leader of a bigtime band of robbers previously dominated/ by Humphrey Bogart and for whom Claire Trevor is the stylishly garbed “fence.” Leading his band in one big robbery after ' another, the doctor seems -to manifest a strange zest for his illegal enterprises until he is suddenly brought; up short by arrest for the murder of .Bogart, who threatened blackmail. Placed on trial for his life, the doctor escapes'the penalty for tho murder he has undoubtedly committed by a shrewd manipulation of the psychology of the jurors.. It is one of the strangest denouements ever related in any film, but convincing nevertheless and highly amusing.

While this unusual picture, based on. the .London stage success of the_ same name, is not actually a gangster film in the true sense, mobsters come intodt as a .result of the research of Dr Clitterliouse into the cause of criminality. The “mob” is headed by that most deadly of all film gangsters, Humphrey Bogart.' No Hollywood _ gang is complete'without Allen - Jenkins, the frozen- . faced comedian, and so he is one of Bogart’s right-hand men. Maxie Rosenbloom, the prize fighter, is another member. But the most artistic touch of all to this “ gang ” is the addition of two such players as Vladimir Sokoloff and Curt Bois, two of Europe’s foremost stage and screen favourites. Sokoloff, schooled in the Moscow Art Theatre, has the role of a jewel expert who passes on all the loot stolen by the gang, while Bois is a meek-looking little gangster, who is really the most vicious of the truly remarkable collection of thug-types. $ '• . 7! i The filmdast night held'-tho undivided interest of the audience throughout, and is as entertaining as it is thrilling.' Other players worthy of mention are Allen Jenkins, who has recently been seen in ‘ Heart of the North ’; Gale Page, another member of the cast of the above film, and Donald Crisp. Henry O’Neill and John Litel are also included in the cast. The picture was directed by Anatole Litvak. _ ! Included in an excellent supporting programme are * Vitaphone Capers ’ (vaudeville); a ‘Vitaphone Revue’: ‘Porky’s Super Service’ and ‘Tale of Pingo Pongo ’ (cartoons); overseas and Cinesound newsreels; and another ‘ Buck (Rogers ’ serial episode.

KINGS DF SWING

ORIGNAL MUSICAL-COMEDY FILM Joo Veuuti, who plays the part of a member of the orchestra in Warner Bros.’ production of ‘ Garden ■of the Moon,’ which is screening at tho St. James with ‘ Numbered Lady ’ (a drama of a nurse), is tho most famous jazz or swing violinist of tho decade, according to no less an authority than Hugucs Panassie, author of 1 Lo Jazz Hot,’ definitive French work on that typo of popular music! Swing music is given full play in this film. Compounded of equal parts of comedy, romance, and music—the best formula ever devised for thoroughly enjoyable screen entertainment — 1 Garden of the Moon,’ based on tho 1 Saturday Evening Post ’ story of the same nanio. is presented by an impressive list of entertainers, whose joint efforts are guaranteed to make the film one ! of tho most diverting to come from Hollywood in many months. Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay, and John Payne are tho most important figures in tho story—and this is a musical with a real story. From tho musical standpoint the most .important personages in the cast are Payne, Johnnie Davis, Joe Venuti, Jerry Colonna, and Ray Mayer, and one of tho best dance bands ever assembled to work in a. motion picture. The comedy enlists tho efforts of all those already mentioned, and, in addition, such comedians as Melville Cooper, Isabel Jeans, Curt Bois, Mabel Todd, and Penny Singleton, and then, as a matter of special interest, tho film displays Jimmie Fidler, famous radio chatterer, playing himself. In the faco of all this impressive array of talent one name takes precedence above all tho others, and that name is John Payne. The film marks the first real opportunity given that tall and handsome youth to display the full extent of his talents, and as a result he has emerged as a brilliant new star. Said to be especially attractive to the feminine portion of audiences, young Payne is a virile chap whose engaging , manner and unforced style of acting cannot help finding favour with the males as well, and to top it all ho has one of tho pleasantest voices that has been heard on the screen in many years.

Insinuated gracefully into the story without any distortion of the plot structure are five song numbers written by Harry Warren, A 1 Dubin, and Johnny Mercer, a trio with a multitude of past hits to their credit. Three of the songs, ‘ Confidentially,’ ‘ Love is Where You Find It,’ and ‘ Garden of,-the Moon,’ are “sweet” numbers, all of them, however, with a lilting, swingy rhythm, while the other two are novelty num- , hers entitled ‘ The Girl Friend of the Whirling Dervish ’ and ‘ The Lady on .the Two-cent Stamp.’ The private life of a private nurse is revealed in Monogram’s exciting | Numbered Woman,’ with Sally Blano in the starring role. A story of medical science entering the war against crime, ‘ Numbered Woman ’ concerns Linda Morgan, who takes an outside job as attending nurse to Adams, n racketeer, so that she can clear her brother of false charges which sent him to prison for a crime Adams and his partner, Blake, had_ committed. Linda, playing detective, is successful in her job, because Adams falls in love with her, but with the end in sight he discovers her identity, and a thrilling climax ensues as the racketeer informs Linda that, although he loves her, he must- Ily Blano ideally suits the role of Linda, and she plays with ease and colour a character demanding more than the usual “ leading lady *’ interpretation. -Miss Plane proves that she is an excellent actress. Lloyd Hughes, an old favourite, scores in the role of Dr Russell, Linda’s fiancee, and Monogram's discovery, Mary Lou Lender, contributes a delightful portrait of a lovesick young hospital nurse.

A DRAMATIC MASTERPIECE

(SCENT SCREENS ‘ THE OUTSIDER 1 English stage plays, if well written and wieldly enough to meet the demands of the motion picture, can be masterpieces in their particular field. Typical successes arc ‘ Pygmalion ’ and ‘ The Scoundrel,’ by Noel Coward, which was at the Regent a considerable time ago. Ljke these two successes, shining examples of the eminence of the English studio when something dramatically provocative is adapted, ‘ The Outsider ’ is a profound and moving piece. It is well known as a stage play, and scored a success when produced last year by a repertory society in the north. ‘ The Outsider ’ opened its season at the Regent last night, and it immediately impressed by its sincerity and also by its freshness. This picture should have an excellent run here, for it certainly is one that deserves to bo seen. . The theme of ‘ The ’Outsider ’ has a wide appeal—the ethics of the medical profession. In this case, however, there is none of the sickly sentimental scenes that spoil so many American

productions tliat have a similar motif. George Sanders and Mary Maguire are co-starred in this brilliant drama of medical life. Sanders is seen as Ragatzy, the extraordinary man who cures cripples when they have given up all hope of walking again. But lie is unqualified. All he knows about bone structure is gained from the stockyards of: Chicago. Harley Street ■threatens to break him,- but he brings under his influence the crippled daughter of a famous surgeon. For a year ho struggles with her for a cure, and tragedy and disillusionment is often near before the ultimate triumph is reached in a gripping climax. Miss Maguire, as the crippled girl, is outstanding, while others in the cast are Peter Murray Hill and P. Kynaston • Reeves. _ Perhaps the best scene in the picture is when this crippled girl places her fate in his keeping. As the day when she is to be allowed to take her first steps draws nearer and nearer, she bears with calm and loving forbearance all the trying moods to which she is subjected. At last the great day arrives. Half Harley street is present to sec Lalago Sturdee get up and walk. The little cripple girl lifts up her head in prayer, then she rises and throws away her crutches; with all the confidence in tho world she steps out on her good foot. Her joy increases. She boldly steps opt with her other foot; it holds up. and her thrill hits tho heights, hut as her good foot goes out and the other takes the weight she crumples to tho ground. As one man, tho doctors turn onßagatzy and upbraid him,' proclaiming that she is worse than ‘ she was before. Triumphantly they leave to convey tho news of his failure to Joseph Sturdee. Left alone, Ragatzy gathers Lalage into_ his arms. He is in a frenzy of determination, at : this moment a. truly dynamic man. He promises her that ho has not failed, that he has cured her. All she wants is faith, faith, and_ willpower. Believing in him again, she gets up, ! trembling and uncertain. _He gazes down at her, and she up at him. The first half of the programnie is of snecial inte,rest in that Dunedin audiences are_ accorded their first opportunity of viewing what are now historic naval events of the_ war. Graphic in detail are the sidelights of tho cononest by Germany of Poland. Other scenes show the landing of the sdrvivors of the torpedoed Atheni.a after they had been rescued by the City of Flint. A German U-boat is seen_ in action. This particular “ shot ” gives an excellent idea of the tremendous havoc that could he caused by these submarines were not special precautions taken to make them comparatively harmless to shipping that is properly convoyed.

SHERLOCK HOLMES THRILLER

‘ HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES * AT STATE Richard Greene, (Basil Rathbouo, and Wendy Barrie head the largo cast 'of well-known players in' ‘ The Hound ,of the Baskervilles,’ which opened yesterday at the State. ■ Most people know the story of this famous hook. Briefly, it is as follows: On a bleak, forbidding moor in Devonshire, England, lies Baskerville Hall, ancestral home of a famous English family. Eerie events have led people to wonder if there can be some basis to the 'weird legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles which holds that a fearsome, ghostly hound haunts tho family, killing its members for a dreadful crime committed centuries before by one of their forbears. ■ When word comes that Sir Henry Baskerville, youthful Canadian heir to the estate, intends to take up residence in the hall, one of the moor’s residents, fearing for Sir Henry’s life, goes to London and acquaints Sherlock *Holmes (and his assistant, Dr Watson) with the, legend, enlisting their aid. Sir Henry arrives and receives a message to stay away from the moor if he values his life. He goes to the hall, however, meets and falls in love with the stepsister of a naturalist who is pursuing his studies on the moor. In the meantime Holmes works under cover and discovers that a diabolical plotter has taken advantage of local superstition and has actually set loose on the moor a huge, bloodthirsty hound—a hound of whom the master plans that Sir Henry shall be the next victim. To allay the suspicion of the plotter, Holmes and Watson announce that they are returning to London. They know this will offer an opportunity to strike at Sir Henry, This is what happens and in the midst of a ghostly fog is heard the shrill, blood-curdling howl of tho hound, now pursuing Sir Henry. The savage beast attacks him. In the thrilling climax_ Holmes discloses the murderer and his motive. For the role of the famous Sherlock Holmes, Basil_ Rathbouo proves himself to be an ideal choice, while Nigel Bruce brings Dr Watson to life most convincingly. Richard Greene appears as Sir Henry Baskerville, who is preoccupied in conducting a whirlwind romance with his pretty neighbour (Wendy Barrio). Dr Mortimer is played by Lionel Atwill, and his Spiritualist wife by Beryl Mercer. Others in the cast are John Carradine, Barlowe Borland, Morton Lowry, and Ralph Forbes.

BROADWAY DRAMA

LEADS DOUBLE FEATURE FARE AT STRAND There are four heroines in ‘Broadway Musketeers,’ which opened yesterday at the Strand, but this proves to be no embarrassment of riches. A uniquely dramatic story, packed with those precious ingredients of entertain-ment-comedy, romance, and pathos—it is first-rate movie faro for everyone. The “ musketeers ” of the title are Margaret Lindsay, Marie Wilson, Ann Sheridan, and Janet Chapman, a six-year-old trouper with a wistful grin. And there is no scrap for acting honours. The girls share them equally—and charmingly. The male members of the cast of ‘ Broadway Musketeers ’ are headed by John Li tel, and they include as sinister a group of villains as have ever been gathered for one picture, notable among them being the darkly handsome Anthony Averill, as well as Dick Purcell, Richard Bond, Horace MacMahon, and Dewey Robinson.

The girls portrayed by the Misses Lindsay, Sheridan, and Wilson were children together at an orphanage, became separated, and then meet again as adults at the outset of the film story. Margaret is prosperously married and the mother of Janet. Ann is an entertainer at cheap night clubs, and Marie is a stenographer. Their lives are strangely intertwined then, and the exciting climax of the picture comes after the man with whom Margaret is infatuated has been slain by gangsters, who then kidnap both Margaret and her child. Demonstrating;tliat big-city slum life can breed juvenile heroism as well as hoodlums, Universal’s unusual dramatic film, ‘ Code of the Streets,’ is tho, supporting attraction. Harry Carey,

star of countless screen thrillers, tops the list of familiar names in the cast; He is seen as a practical-minded metropolitan police lieutenant responsible for tho approaching electrocution of an alleged murderer. Tho story tells how the brother, of. the convicted man, his former'asso-' ciates, and tho police lieutenant’s son work fearlessly to thwart the execution. Tlicy.ure convinced that the man is innocent. Plotted ingeniously, the strategy devised to accomplish their purpose develops into high-tension dramatic substance. Slum and tenement backgrounds have been duplicated with great fidelity to emphasise tho_ conflict between convention and the misguided hoodlum element which audaciously takes the law into its own hands.

" SAINT "—MODERN ROBIN HOOD

THRILLNG JUNGLE DRAMA SUPPORTS The adroit methods by which a modem Robin Hood aids a beautiful young woman establish her dead father’s innocence of a crime, and how his mission uncovers the identity of a, mysterious underworld figure, form the dual themes of RKO Radio’s newest dramatic mystery, ‘ The Saint Strikes Back,’ now screening at the .Grand. With. Georg© Sanders and Wendy Barrie heading the cast this exciting story deals with tho exploits -of a resourceful adventurer who has dedicated his life to the cause of justice. His swift and ruthless methods in. dealing with previous criminal cases have won him the name of “ The Saint.” When a murder is accredited to a mysterious Jekyll-Hydo underworld personality wanted by the police in two States “ The Saint ” interests himself in nabbing the criminal. The jealousy of a native girl who seeks to poison her whit© rival for the affections of an oil prospector in the jungles of Central America provides drama in ‘ Panama Lady,’ RKO Radio’s newest film, starring Lucille Ball, the second attraction at tho Grand. Miss Ball plays a penniless chorus girl ..adrift in tho tropics, with Allan Lane as the prospector and Steffi Duna as the vindictive Indian girl and Donald Briggs, Abner Biberman, Evelyn Brent, and other favourites in important roles.

THREE SMART GIRLS'RETURN

WITH •* DRUMMOND " MYSTERY Those admirers of Deanna Durbin who missed that bright musical ‘ Three Smart Girls Grow Up,’ are afforded a chance of seeing it at tho Mayfair. Bracketed with ’ Bulldog Drummond’s Secret Police,’ this appealing New Universal picture forms the new programme. In previous 11 three smart girls ” films Penny (Deanna Durbin) has been portrayed as a “ little ” girl, but in this effort she has reached the staggering ago of 15. As usual, she invokes tho displeasure of her elder sisters when she attempts to solve their romantic difficulties. Into such a tangle does she get at her first attempt in this picture that she is forced to. do a thing for which she shows her dislike in a very amusing manner—sjie has to “ throw ” herself at one boy friend in .an effort to scare him away from one sister. The, situation becomes more involved and amusing when one prospective swain is introduced into the household, only to be attracted by the wrong girl. When Penny stages a “ scene,” she is accused of personal jealousy. Charles Winninger, whose portrayal of a man entirely submerged in Stock Exchange figures is a minor masterpiece, comes to his daughter’s rescue during a mournful double wedding.' He gives what appears to be the wrong bride away to the wrong groom, and all ends on a happy note. The support, ‘ Bulldog Drummond’s Secret Police,’ stars John Howard as “ Sapper’s ” famous hero and Heather Angel as his wife. Drummond’s adventures provide much excitement, which is well relieved by Algy Longworth’s ineffectualities.

HOLIDAY TARIFFS REDUCED

Holiday-makers may visit Mount Cook and Queenstown at cheaper rates this year, owing to the decision of the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Company to make its tarrif and fare schedules lower by one-quarter than previously. For instance, tourists and holiday-makers .may spend a full week at the Hermitage, “ thousands of feet above worry level,” for £8 3s 2d, this amount including fares to and . from Dunedin. A holiday for a similar length may be spent at Queenstown for a total cost of £6 11s sd, while a 10-day tour to the Southern Lakes and the Hermitage is possible for only £ll Cs 9d, Reductions in tariff have been made at the Hermitage and tvyo Queenstown hotels, and fares from Timaru to Mount Cook and Queenstown have also been substantially reduced. Further particulars of the company’s latest offer to tourists and holiday-makers are advertised in this issue.