PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23527, 16 March 1940, Page 21

PICTURE THEATRES

THE NEW PROGRAMMES CLEVER, UNUSUAL THEME BTQRY ABOUT BLACKMAIL .In ‘ Dead Man’s Shoes,' the Empires latest ■ 'picture, there is an entirely novel twist of mistaken identity that raises the film into a category all its own.- , The chief protagonists are Leslie Banks and Wilfrid Lawson, both of them players from the top night. Banks, amnesia victim of the war, has keen .reconstructed by friends who recognise him from news photos. He is a successful, respected, happily married citizen when members of the Paris underworld claim' him as an old confederate. The blacked-out memory of his former life begins to stir, and ho is assailed by the most horrible doubts as to his real identity. He knows who he is only because he has been told. Wilfrid- Lawson, latest British pilgrim to Hollywood, is the smooth blackmailer who brings _ Bank’s doubts to the all-important crisis. The story resolves itself in a logical but still surprising manner.

There are some really excellent court scenes, in which Leslie Banks, as the respected manufacturer bringing a lawsuit against a newspaper, finds to his dismay that the paper in its defence alleges that he is a muchwanted criminal. There are sonic piquant sequences, among them that in which this man is only certain of his identity because of what ho has been told. Other witnesses give conflicting evidence, and in the first scenes the real action arouses the deepest interest in the strange yet credible story that follows. Those who imagine the theme is outworn will bo agreeably surprised—it is one of the most unique that has been presented on the screen for a number of years, Wilfrid Lawson makes one of his rare screen appearances as a blackmailer. With little apparent effort he gives a chillingly sinister picture of an unsavoury character, Judy Kelly enters a new phase of a steadily progressive screen career with a tellingly dramatic study of a night chib proprietress. Joan Marion is the only other woman in the piece, her part being that of the manufacturer's wife—an interesting study. These two typify the struggle of two very different worlds to claim an unhappy man. Leslie Banks, well known for his masterly characterisation in Jamaica Inn,’ gives another sterling portrayal as the amnesia victim. _ With all its opportunities for a gripping role, the part is one that suits him to perfection, and he undoubtedly develops its opportunities to the utmost. Happily married, when the blacked-out memory of his former life begins to stir and he is assailed bv horrible doubts as to his real

identity, he rises to magnificent heights of dramatic acting. Luckily, there is a climax that makes the film ‘ all the more delightful, and patrons can rest assured that ‘ Dead Man’s Shoes ’ is something quite out of the ordinary run of screen offerings. The supporting bill maintains the high standard of the principal attraction. There is a Pathe news, and a newsreel showing the first echelon in Egypt; ‘The Nasty Newsreel’ with the famed “ Lord Haw Haw ” ; ‘ London on Parade.’ ‘ Romance of England,’ ‘ Pathe Pictorial.’ and another episode in the ‘ Lone Ranger ’ serial. ROMANTIC COMEDY ‘ BRIDAL SUITE ’ SCORES AT REGEHT There is plenty of fun in ‘ Bridal Suite,’ the new attraction at the Regent, but the producer has been careful not to overdo it at the expense of something more vital. Popular Robert Young and the beautiful Annabella are starred. In additiorp-to this very amusing picture, there is an associate programme that is first class. Young plays the part of an American playboy, Neil M'Gill, whose mother is anxious that he should marry into Eng-, lish aristocracy. But her plans go woefully awry, for twice the.son overlooks the wedding date. On the second occasion he is a day late when he remembers the wedding. The girl’s father, somewhat financially embarrassed but nevertheless having the all-important title, is infuriated, and Mrs M'Gill, in an endeavour to smoothe things over, hits upon the idea of consulting Dr Grauer, a psychiatrist, who happens to be on holiday in Switzerland. Thither Mrs M'Gill and son go, and there he falls in love with Luiso Anzengruber (Annabella)- However, they quarrel, and one morning early Luiso goes with the doctor on a'mountainttrip. They have a fall, and young M'Gill is a mem-

ber of the search party which finds them, and ho does so in a most fortuitous and romantic way. The story docs not end at this point. Neil M'Gill is just about to marry the English aristocrat’s daughter aboard ship when Luiso turns up. For a third time ho docs not go through with the arranged wedding, but when he returns to New York ho lias a bride, and the bride is Luiso. The supporting cast includes Walter Connolly, Reginald Owen. Artrnh Treacher, and Billie Burke.

The first half of the programme com--2 prises a Cinesound 'Review, a musical ‘ Rumba Rhythm,’ an Our Gang comedy. ‘ Auto Antics.’ a James Fitzi Patrick travelogue in technicolour, | showing the sceirc attractions of Wash- , iugton. and a miniature, ' A I‘ailnro at i Fifty.’ based on the struggle of Ahra- _ ham Lincoln. • BRILLIANT GINGER ROGERS I ; COMPLICATED ROMANTIC COMEDY 1 1 ‘ Bachelor Mother ’ is irresistible cn- • tertainmont. It is the featured film 1 on the programme at the Octagon, • where it has already been an unqnali--1 tied success for a week. From the wel--1 ter of sophisticated, whirlwind Anieri- ■ can comedy something really bright 1 and appealing such as ‘ Bachelor 1 Mother ’ emerges every now and then • to entrance picture audiences. Perhaps it is as well they are not as numerous [ as most people might desire, since they ' comprise a form of diversion that is all 1 the better for being taken in small 1 doses. Actually the type of film reI presented by * this production and ‘ Merrily We Live,’ ‘ Theodora Goes Wild,’ and half a dozen others that have been sprinkled through the years, 1 is one of the few that has not been spoiled by the Hollywood habit of over- ' doing things that are successful. _ 1 The character work throughout is ex--1 cellent,. and the dialogue literally | sparkles. In addition to the featured pair, Ginger Rogers and David Niven, there are some outstanding supporting ■portraits. There is E. E. Clive, for example. Mr Clive has endeared himself to the multitude as the perfect butler. He can leap and even run, on occasion, but he performs these actions always with a butler-like stateliness. So, when the father of the rich young man has to demand an explanation about a mysterious child, and events look as though they are about to take a hitter turn, Mr Clive saves the situation. Wandering in and out of the kitchen to give table service, he notices that th& irate old man has no spoon before him. Ho places another down, and retires. The old man, raging like a hull, seizes it and flings it away. Mr Clive reappears. Ho looks mistrustful of his own memory and places another spoon, then retires. The second spoon is flung afar. _ Mr Clive’s agitation and wonder at this last vanishing are a joy to behold. By such devices does ‘ Bachelor Mother ’ appeal with singular felicity to the large audiences which have attended the Octagon to see those reigning _ favourites, Ginger Rogers and David Niven. Miss Rogers has never had a happier part. Her style grows progressively quieter as she gains more and more experience, and she can point a line with anvgpparant casualness which makes it seem completely untheatrical. Nor has she ever looked more charming. The film, moreover, gives her one or two fleeting opportunities to dance. t The supporting programme is a good one, including a newsreel of the New Zealanders in Egypt, and an outstanding Disney cartoon of the three pigs. EARLY PIONEERING DAYS BAFFLING MURDER MYSTERY SUPPORTS With Claire Trevor and John Wayne playing the top roles, Walter Wanger’s new frontier drama, ‘ Stagecoach,’ . which will be shown at the Mayfair tonight, unfolds a story of pioneer cour- , age l —of the brilliant heritage that has descended to young generations from j men who fought and hewed a nation out of a wilderness. It is a saga of ■ brave women who went with thein to , bring comfort and lovo to lonely out- 1 posts. Tho story tells of a strange J group of passengers thrown together with the coach as it proceeds from ] Tonto, Arizona, to Lordsburgh, New < Mexico. John Wayne portrays the role ] of Kid llingo, who has been driven to 1 outlawry by perjurors and is deter- * mined to kill them. Claire Trevor impersonates Dallas, a woman of easy vir- s tue, who has been forced out of town i by the indignant citizenry. ■, Motion picture enthusiasts who like $ their murder mysteries baffling will i have something to outwit them in ‘ So- t ciety Lawyer,’ featuring Walter Pid- R geon, Virginia Bruce, and Leo Carillo. j It is doubtful if in any picture Walter * Piclgeon has been seen to better ad- n vantage than in his role of lawyerdetective in this film. ]

CRIME DETECTION THRILLER With Western adventure at stNakd Two thrillers ale on tin* bill at tlbe Su'aiw, .luui-.i no.. y»er, in l\|K. I 1 rum ..IC, |OIiIO i.uj.i , jLiU>.rUU la me ms. |i'.<;u.re, ',oiu; ixunr to i,n o, to tne now, augie uii ueSLcrus portrayed in, ‘ nine um, Loivgoy,' is n tar cry, out mo ui..\li,iv muiwo lor goou 'ciicvrtaii'jtiiont. I*ciuunug t ii.iiids Bickford as tho detective ii no i.m-si's uo/in .IAAeI, crime H.iiuiiuiiO icajir. ,<ino. 111uoi marries

nuns iAulnii. m; k iitiiu 7 lulluei uullcee, ' yiiui tioar to lave ' is a su.asliilig indictment ot crooned o.tnciais who oetruy positions ol trust lor illicit personal gum. bamual is. Hinds, veteran character . star,_ has -the role, of the police commissioner. Uol/crt I'.'ninictt Keano is seen us the unscrupulous attorney who can spring a client Irom a murder charge as easily ns Ironi a purkiug ticket.'’ Paul tiudfdy.e pen rays releiuless gangland executioner., Others m llie cast lire John Gallaudot, Emory Parnell, aiul Jack Carr, noted negro star, who portrays an unusual dual role. Written as an original screen paly by Roy Chanslor, former “ ace ” crime reporter for newspapers in New York, Washington, and San Francisco, 1 One-Hour to Live ’ is a vivid document filled with rapid-fire action and an “ ungucsSable ” ending. , Filmed against the background of New York night life, and directed by Harold Schuster, the picture was. produced by George Yohalem and photographed by George Robinson. “ Give a man a horse he can ridel’* is the way the song runs, but it needs a slight change in lines to meet the requirements of Ruck Jones in his latest screen offering. The new lino might read: “ Give him a car that he can guide.” Buck Jones, in the associate adventure film, ‘ Ride ’Em, Cowboy,’ provides a varied assortment of thrills and fun that gives “ zip ” to this week’s movie fare. Buck can always be depended upon to dp something liriiisual, ahd he lives up to his reputation in this entertaining film.

1 Buck Jones, as the central character, ! is a mischief-loving cowboy who has a 1 habit of getting himself into trouble. While trying to get out of one of his ' escapades, he is induced to substitute | for a racing driver to pilot a car in a race, Tho catch is that the racing car is the first he has Over driven. When [ he attempts to drive it, the resultant fun and thrills reach a new high. Through it all mils a thread of intrigue, with Buck attempting to beat his enemies and performing unusual daredevil feats astride his horse Silver. An excellent cast includes Luana Walters as leading lady, George Cooper, WilHani Lawrence. Joseph Girard, J. n , M’Gowan, Donald Kirke, and Charles Lemoyne. , LESLIE ftDWAftB AGAIN ‘ intermezzo; unusual fare A notable event in motion pictures took place at the State yesterday, when David O. Selznick’s latest production, ‘ intermezzo, A Love' Story,’ had its initial screening. ‘ ’ must be put down as one of the hits of the year. Directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Leslie Howard and Edna Best, the production also introduces a new Continental star, Ingrid Bergman. Miss Bergman is a young' and, beautiful actress. ‘ Intermezzo ’ introduces her as “'the other woman ” in n vehicle which demands real abiljty and real talent, and the new star proves that she has both. Miss Bergman is a Swedish girl who possesses captivating loveliness, tempting youth, and charming naturalness. In addition to the starring trio, tho new Selznick picture has a supporting cast which numbers John Halliday, Cecil Kellaway, Enid Bennett, and Eleanor Wesselhoeft, all of whose performances leave nothing to be desired. Ann Todd, aged six, and Douglas Scott, aged 13, are the juvenile actors who portray the children of Leslie Howard and Edna Best in the picture, and they round out an exceptionally fine cast. As well as starring in ‘ Intermezzo.’ Howard is listed as associate producer on the film, so he deserves an extra laurel for contributing his skill and knowledge towards making a fine picture. ’

In these days when guns, gangsters, and the underworld figure so prominently in pictures, it is refreshing to view a picture so well presented, and a story so well told and acted as supplied in ‘ Intermezzo.’ While there is nothing of the nature of street battles or shrieking police sirens in the story, it is not without its exciting incidents, and is certainly a story that grips early and holds on to the end.

Unfolded is a real love story. Holger Brandt (Leslie Howard) is a worldfamous concert violinist, who lives for his home, his wife, and children—at least until another woman comes into his life. He falls madly in love with her and deserts his family. to go on tour through Europe with his new companion, a young (and beautiful pianiste. It is then that exciting situations arise one upon another, and difficult problems have to be solved. It is only when tragedy almost brings about the death of his beloved daughter that Brandt awakens to his domestic responsibilities. and all his troubles are solved. ‘ Intermezzo ’ is a first class story, providing excellent entertainment. The associated programme is a splendid one, embracing many interesting subjects. THRILLS WITH COAST GUARDS DRAMA OF OUTDOORS Telling a thrilling story of life in the United States coastguard service, ‘ Coastguard,’ which is the principal attraction on the current double bill at the Grand, has three particularly popular players in Randolph Scott, Frances Dee, and Ralph Bellamy in the leading roles. The plot centres on two young_ officers in the service who are both in love with the same woman, and from the resulting triangle arises a series of misunderstandings which nearly end in tragedy. As might be expected from a film with such a background, the story abounds in exciting incidents, and some of the sequences are spectacular to a degree. The supporting feature is ‘ Konga, the Wild Stallion,’ in which Fred Stone and Rochelle Hudson are the leading players. The story is an interesting one in that it deals with the march of progress in the Western States of America.

CAD AND DAVE RUDD FAMILY RETURN TO ST. JAMES | Tim Itudd family goes a step lurther I in its latest, suecc-s. ‘ Had and Have Come to Town,’ which opened its Hun- , edit) season yesterday at the St. James. I The pioneer days of 1 Hu Our Selection,’ with their droughts and difficulties are but dim memories for the lamoiis 1 Rudd family, who now enjoy a wcllj earned measure of prosperity won from the rich Australian soil. The family have all grown up and must of I “ Dad s ’’ difficulties there days arc i f Ids own creation. For instance, lie cannot resist a daily “ light ’ witli Ryan sen., who wants to buy the paddock down by the creels. He still readily accepts every opportunity of “ bullying ” Dave, and every time young Ryan asks for Sarah’s hand in marriage, tho old man promptly kicks him out. Rut beneath all hi£ outward aggression beats a heart of gold, ami that merry twinkle is seldom absent from bis deep bine eyes. Life is good, .Australia is the grainiest place on earth, and “ Dad ” Rudd is well content with his lot. Suddenly from out of a clear sky comes the news that his brother has died, and left him a ladies’ lingerie salon. “ A frock shop!” says Dad in disgust, “What will Ryan say? ” “Sell it,” advises Dave, but Jill, Dad’s eldest daughter, has other ideas. Here is the opportunity she has been waiting for —a chance to make good in the city, and Jill knows how to persuade Dad. So off to the city go the Rudds— Dad and Dave, Mum and Jill—to show those city folks how a modern frock shop should be run. And while Dad applies his farm methods to his city store and Dave makes love to the mannequins, Jill sets to work to put things on a proper business basis. She soon discovers that their manager, Rawlings, is in the pay of Pierre, proprietor of a rival store; whoplans to ruin them. Jill dismisses Rawlings and Dad throws him out. Much of Pierre’s success has been due to the efforts of his efficient young publicity agent, Jim Bradley, and when Jim learns of his employer’s treacherous _ methods he walks out and offers his services to Dad and his heart to Jill. The true fighting spirit of old man Rudd has now been thoroughly roused, and the “ Farmer dressmaker ” goes into action to show this fellow Pierre what he really can do. And when Dad starts, nothing will stop him. The _ whole place is rebuilt, and the publicity is the talk of the town. Latest creations are offered at revolutionary prices to suit every purse. Dad and Dave go “ on the air ” to boost the store, and what matter if they forget their lines. Bert Bailey, the originial “ Dad,” is starred with Fred MacDonald. Shirley Ann Richards. Alec, Kellaway, Sidney AVheeler. Billy Rayes, and Leila Sheppe all play leading parts. The focus of attention in the associate picture ‘ Black Eyes ’ will rest on Mary Maguire and Otto Kruger, players whose past work sets them a very high standard to live up to. As father and daughter in a drama that hinges on his desire to shelter her from a sometimes ugly world, they present a sensitively handled story that runs on unusual lines and l does both players full justice. Walter Rilla_ is > the man _ whose mature sophistication and polish attracts the young girl when she first finds how to escape seclusion, overlooking the adoration of’ a younger man nearer home. John Wood gives a convincing picture of the gawky young miisic teacher’ who straightens out the tangle of small deceptions that build to a near tragedy.