PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

GRAND

'i’lic greatest tuba Hero of (hem nil, the Cisco Kid, in the handsome person of Cesar Romero, is adventuring again! Romero plays the dashing 0. Henry outlaw for the second time in ‘ Viva, Cisco Kid,’ the Twentieth Century-Fox picture which will be shown to-day at the Grand. Cisco can outride, out-shoot, and outwit any hombre on either side of the border, but the laughing, dashing caballero is just a softy when he sees a beautiful damsel like Jean Rogers in distress. Aided again by his plump “ little ”• pal, Gordilo, played by Chris-Pin Martin, Romero meets his most exciting adventures. Will FyfTe is again seen as J. G. Reeder in ‘ The Missing People,’ which is the second attraction.

' STATE

'Ho Married His Wife,’ which is now being shown at the State, is one of those polished, sophisticated comedies, the acting and gay moods of which carry it along more than docs the actual story behind the light nonsense. Joel M'Croa and Nancy Kelly give excellent character studies as the Randalls, whose year-old divorce is made the occasion for a remarriage when Tommy Randall suddenly discovers that his affection for his ex-wife has been reawakened. APPEALING THEME. ‘ Anne of Windy Poplars ’ is an appealing down-to-earth drama that catches all Lho charm that characterised the novel by L. M. Montgomery from which the film is taken. Its Dunedin season opens at the State to-morrow. Playing the part of Anne is beautiful Anne Shirley, who was boomed to stardom by her portrayal, of Anne in ‘ Anne of Green Gables,’ and from whom she took what is now her own name. The story deals with the efforts of Anne to win the friendship of the town where sho is stationed as school teacher against the hostility of a powerful family, after whom the town is named, who had attempted to get the job for one of their clan. How sho finally succeeds in overcoming this enmity and prejudice is- charmingly told in this heart-warming story. The supporting cast includes James Ellison, Putric Knowles, and Louise Campbell.

OCTAGON

An unforgettable story, brilliant performances, outstanding direction, and a beautiful production make Edward Small’s film version of Howard Spring’s ‘ My Son, My Son!’ one of the finest pictures of the year. This new film drama, which is released by United Artists, is now being screened at the Octagon. 'My Son, My Son!’ has a brilliant array of stars ! in Madeleine Carroll, Brian Abernc, and Louis Hayward, TECHNICOLOUR TRIUMPH. Tho Octagon will present to-morrow ‘ Swanee River,’ Twentieth Century-Fox’s story of Stephen C. Foster, the great American troubadour, filmed in technieolour. What Robert Burns was to Scotland and Thomas Moore to Ireland, Stephen Foster is to America. His songs embody the very soul of his country and spring inspirationally from its rich earth. Who is there who at some time has not hummed, sung, or whistled ‘The Old Folks At Homo’ (Swanee River), ‘ Old Black Joe,’ ■ My Old Kentucky Home,’ ‘ Camptown Races,’ ‘ Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair,’ ‘ Oh! Susanna!’ or ‘Ring, Ring de Banjo’? ‘ Swanee River ’ is said to be a magnificent picture because it combines the immortal melodies of Foster with the romantic drama of his life, so that it is more than a glorious musical cavalcade of one of the most romantic periods in American history. Darryl Z. Zanuck, in charge of production for Twentieth Century-Fox, selected Don Ameche to portray the great American troubadour, with Andrea Leeds as his sweetheart and wife, Jane M'Dowell, for whom Foster wrote * Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair.’

STRAND

There is a mad sort of plot underlying the antics in ‘ Buck Benny Rides Again,’ which is being presented at the Strand. Jack Benny, in love up to the eyebrows with Ellen Drew, drags his gang out to the primitive West in a vain effort to impress this little lady with his virility. LOVE AND LAUGHTER. Music, laughter, and a gay romantic story are the pleasing elements found in Universal’s ‘ Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love,’ which will bo screened at the Strand to-morrow. The neatly-contrived screenplay highlights the song from which the picture derives its title, and features Tom Brown and Peggy Moran. Moving at fast tempo, the story reveals surprising experiences of a travelling salesman and a runaway heiress. The two get mixed up with a band of bank robbers who try to turn an elopement into a kidnapping. Brown, as the young salesman who conies to the rescue of the girl, proves himself thoroughly familiar with the handling of both comedy and dramatic scenes. Miss Moran, a promising screen newcomer, plays her role with the zest and skill of a real trouper. A young lady who finds lies so. much more fun than dull truth is the cause of a great deal of trouble in ‘ She Couldn’t Say No,’ which is the associate feature, and Tommy Trinder, radio and variety star, is one of those on whoin the trouble falls.

REGENT

Connoisseurs of really clever light entertainment will find much to enthuse over in ‘ French Without Tears,’ which is now showing at the Regent. The scenario is pro-

seated against a background of a private cultural centre where budding English and American diplomats are given a veneer of Continental polish by a French professor. 'RACKETEERING ARISTOCRAT. Robert Montgomery has starred in many fine pictures and given outstanding performances, but it is doubtful if ever lie has reached tlie heights in acting that he does in ‘ The Earl of Chicago,’ a splendid vehicle for dramatic art, which will be screened at tho Regent to-morrow. Silky Kilmonnt (Montgomery) is a Chicago gangster who inherits the titlo and estate of an uncle. At the lime Silky operates a d ; stiHery with tho assistance of other gangsters, but the only person he has real faith in is his lawyer, “ Doc.” Ramsey (Edward Arnold). Ramsey has served three years’ gaol, and believes that Silky framed him, and when Silky inherits his uncle’s wealth “ Dnc.” secs a chance to work off a grudge. The pair go to England to collect a mere matter of £2,000,000, 'and Silky lakes up his new standing as a nobleman, but is completely out of his atmosphere.

EMPIRE

Thrills and chills are packed into the latest screen version of an Edgar Wallace novel, ‘ Dark Eyes of London,’ which is now being screened at the Empire. The main character is portrayed by .lie!a Lugosi. Lugosi is seen as a. Jckyll-and-Hyde type of person who runs a home for the aged blind under one name and make-up, and an insurance racket aided by murder and forgery under another. He has an imbecile monster as his assistant, who drowns his victims for him in a convenient tank. DANGEROUS DAYS IN THE WEST. It’s nice work if they can get it—and they do—for the Hollywood glamour girls these days. In just about every one of the big romantic pictures tho lucky leading lady has two, three, sometimes even four of the cinematic list of Lotharios vieing for her favours, lu ‘ Virginia City,’ tho new Warner Bros.’ epic of the West at its most interesting time, Miriam Hopkins is surrounded by a veritable galaxy c.f male virility headed by Errol Flynn, Randolph Scott, and Humphrey Bogart. The picture will be screened at the Empire tomorrow. Not only doei Miss Hopkins have two of the screen's handsomest, men trying to lead her into cinematic marriage, but she lias what amounts to a dual role as well. As a lovely and loyal Southern belle sho is working as a spy for the Confederate Government near the close of the Civil War. In order to carry on her spying activities she poses as a singing, dancing, flirting dance hall, queen in the wide-open Eazerac saloon in Virginia City. '

ST. JAMES

■ Rhapsodied in scores of books and lusty soldier songs, the steep, carved sides of India’s historic Khyber Bass have at last been used as motion picture background. ‘ The Lives of a Bengal Lancer ’ has materialised from Francis Yeats-Brown’s adventurous novel. The elaborate Paramount, film spectacle is at present enjoying a return season at the St. James, with Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, Sir Guy Standing, C. Aubrey Smith, Monte Blue, and Kathleen Burke in important roles. ■ ‘ SCATTERBRAIN.’ . George Washington gave Alan Mowbray his first chance in pictures. So said Mowbray himself while he was being interviewed on the set of ‘ Scatterbrain,’ which will ha screened at the St. James to-morrow. What sounded like a sample of the Mowbray wit turned out.to he the truth. Nine years ago he was given his first part because of his resemblance to George Washington. In ‘ Scatterbrain,’ his first picture for Republic, he plays the role of an egocentric movie picture director, whose hat evidently keeps his head togther, because he never removes it throughout the picture. What happens when Hollywood tries to make a lady out of. a hillbilly .is the. Theme of the picture, which .features/ Jud.y Can.ova in her/: first, starring picture. The original screen play of ‘Scatterbrain ’ is by Jack Townley and Val Burton. ‘ Tundra ’ is the associate feature.

MAYFAIR

*5. Basil Rathbone and Victor M’Laglen arc co-starred at the Mayfair in ‘ Rio,’ a story of love and adventure that moves from the boulevards of Paris to the treacherous swamps of Brazil. The. second attraction is an hilarious Will Hay vehicle, 1 Ask a Policeman,’ probably the funniest and best of his films.