PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23725, 5 November 1940, Page 12

PICTURE THEATRES

EMPIRE

How showing at the Empire is the screen adaptation of the Edgar Wallace story, ‘ Dark Eyes of London.’ This film lias all the ingredients o£ the typical Wallace yarn —young police inspectors, pretty girls in distress, and very villainous villains—and these mix into an exciting and fast-moving melodrama of murder, detection, and a little Icve-making. AMERICAN EPIC. There will be thrills and excitement a-plenty at the Empire on Friday, when the stirring Warner Brothers’ film, ‘ Virginia City,’ will make its local debut. The picture co-stars Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins as two people whose conflicting missions lake them on a hazardous journey across the painted desert of the United States of America. ‘ Virginia City ’ is an intriguing story of gold-smuggling during the final stages of the American Civil War. The original screen story was written by Robert Buckner and directed by that popular director of many impressive films—Michael Curtiz.

ST. JAMES

One of the most delicate compliments to fcne British character is paid by Baramount’s treatment of ‘ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,’ tho magnificent saga of the life of tho soldier-police of the Northwest Frontier of India, which is being enthusiastically received at the St. James. BRILLIANT NEW COMEDIENNE. A rairthquake of humour is Republic’s ‘ Scatterbrain,’ which will commence a season at the St. James on Friday. Judy Canova is definitely the comedienne of the hour, her work in the starring role ranking her with the Mars brothers, Martha Raye, the Ritz brothers, and all others in whom tho gift of comedy rises to genius proportions. Judy is the hillbilly girl brought to Hollywood through error. But in her own winsomely dumb way she debunks the film colony and proves to her distraught employers that she is a gold mine in disguise. Eddy Foy, jun., plays opposite Miss Canova. The supporting film will be ‘ Tundra,’ a drama of the Flying Doctor in Alaska.

GRAND

Lloyd Nolan gives a masterly performance in the leading role in ‘ The Man Who Wouldn’t Talk,’ which is now being shown at the Grand. The second picture is ‘ City of Chance,’ which tells of a girl reporter’s efforts to secure the inside information about a gaming house. 0. HENRY HERO. Full of the adventure and romance that made O. Henry’s lovable outlaw the most dashing Caballero in the old West, ' Viva Cisco Kid ’ will be shown to-morrow at the Grand, with Cesar Romero again playing Cisco to perfection. Handsome Romero outdoes himself in his new Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox film when he escapes a posse, dodges a murder charge, and is left for dead in a cavcd-in mine—all in the name of romance The supporting film is ‘ The Missing People,’ with Will Fylfe’ as Mr Reeder, the detective.

STATE

The current film at the State. ‘ He Married His Wife,’ is one of those sophisticated comedies relying on the gaiety of the acting and dialogue rather than on the story. The main theme is •that of a divorced husband’s endeavours to “ marry off ” his ex-wife, the idea being

to make a saving by not having to pay alimony. Joel M’Crea and Nancy Kelly have- plenty of scope as a pair of scheming divorcees, but in ‘ He Married His Wife,’ all the leading players arc in great form. Mary Boland gives one of her best performances, and Lyle Talbot makes the dullwitted suitor from Persia an object of pity and derision. “GREEN GABLE” STORY. Coming to the State on Friday will bo ‘ Anno of Windy Poplars,’ a picture sparkling alive with the happiness of youth and handled with tho same sincerity that marked ‘ Little Women ’ and * Anne cf Green Gables.’ It is a story of a girl who has the courage to be herself, and comes with the happy human appeal which made the “ Anno ” books the favourites of millions. &

OCTAGON

* My Son, My Son,' the film version of Howard Spring’s novel, is now in the second week of its season at the Octagon. ’ My Son, My Son ’ has a brilliant array of stars in Madeleine Carroll, Brian A.herne, and Louis Hayward, a trio who enhance tho picture by unforgettable acting. Others who give excellent performances include Henry Hull, one of the best contemporary actors; Josephine Hutchinson, Laraiue Day, Sophie tSevvart, and Bruce Lester. DON AMECHE STARS. ’ Swanee River,’ the dramatic and melodious story of the greatest composer the United States has ever known, will be the next attraction at the Octagon. A fine cast is headed by Don Ameche, Andrea Leeds, and A 1 Jolson. Stephen C. Foster, the writer of many of the world’s _ bestknown songs, inspired the film, and his life story is told practically without alteration. Don Ameche plays the title_ role, while Andrea Leeds appears as his wife, tho inspiration of the song ‘ Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair.’

STRAND

What Paramount executives think c-f ‘ Buck Benny Rides Again,’ which heads the new double-feature bill at the Strand, can be judged from the fact that Mark Saudrich, who directed the film, immediately after completion received a new contract calling for two new pictures a year frofn him for the next three years. The story deals with complications on a dude ranch when Buck Benny falls in love with a ranch girl.

REGENT

The romantic ‘ French Without Tears,’ at present being shown at the Regent, is a delightful screen version of the famous play, and, with its spicy dialogue and sophisticated comedy, it should become one of the most successful humorous pictures for sonic time. Ray Milland and Ellen Drew give their best portrayals to date in leading roles, while a comparative newcomer to the screen, Ronald Culver, has already created a host of fans. UNUSUAL GANGSTER ROLE. Unusual entertainment is provided in ‘ The Earl of Chicago,’ starring Robert Montgomery, which is to be presented at the Regent on Friday. Montgomery plays Silky Kilmount, a gangster who operates a liquor enterprise, strictly legitimate, but uses the salesmanship methods of Prohibition days. Kilmount inherits an English estate and title, becoming the twelfth Earl of Corley.

MAYFAIR

‘ The ’ Under-Pup,' which is now being shown at the Mayfair, has in the loading role Gloria Jean." The second picture is ‘ Meet Dr Christian,’ in wliiAh Jean Hersholt gives a graphic and convincing portrayal. RATHBONE-M’LAGLEN ATTRACTION. Basil Rathbone and Victor M’Laglen will be co-starred at the Mayfair for the next three nights in ’’ Rio,’ story of love and adventure that moves from the boulevards of Paris to the treacherous swamps of Brazil. The second attraction will be an hilarious Will Hay vehicle, ‘ Ask a Policeman,’ probably the funniest and best of bis films.