PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 6

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON

Thorne Smith has provided a great deal of fim for a great many people with his amusingly fantastic novels, and he is adding rapidly to his followers with the film version of ‘ Turnabout,’ which is enjoying a successful season at tho Octagon. John Hubbard and Carolo Landis play the leading parts as the attractive but quarrelsome Willows couple, with Donald Meek and Margaret Roach as the main parts of their luxurious household. The story is explained in its title. Mr Willows, energetic and capable, devoted to physical exercise almost to the point of frenzy, is just a shade disappointed in the seemingly languid life led by his beautiful wife. She, for her part, is so bored with the almost compulsory friendship with the wives of Mr Willovvs’s business partner, so irritated by his excessive heartiness, and <o frightened of his huge dog, that she often wishes that she could change places with him. After a specially quarrelsome day both of them wisli that they could change places, and to their consternation their wishes arc granted.

STRAND

Tho Machiavellian attempts of an international couple to block the completion of a foreign loan inimical to tho nationalistic programme of a European Power forms the plot of ‘ International Crime,’ which heads the programme at tho Strand. Rod La Rocque shows suave gifts and a sprightly senso of comedy as an amateur criminologist who satirises the police for failing to do what ho accomplishes in solving crimes. He becomes involved in this international intrigue with dangerous results. This is an excellently-sustained mystery. On the same programme is ‘ Love Takes Flight,' which stars Bruce Cabot. It is a dramatic story of the airways, with a strong leavening of romance. CRIME DOES NOT PAY. On the basis of crime does not pay, with the interest and excitement kept going from the start till the eminently satisfactory finish, 1 Gambling On (he High Seas ’ will provide fine entertainment to-morrow at tho Strand. Gilbert Roland runs a gambling ship just outside the three-mile limit. Wayne Morris is a newspaper reporter, and, together* with Jane Wyman, they finally give aid to the United States Federal men who are out to get Roland and his brood. The associate film will be ‘ King of the Sierras,’ a Western feature.

REGENT

A mother who is forced to watch her own child being brought up to regard her as an aunt, hiding the pain in her heart even though it is well-nigh unbearable — such is the poignant story of ‘ The Old Maid,’ current attraction at the Regent. That great character actress of the screen, Bette Davis, is provided with still another triumph in this powerful story from Edith Wharton’s famous best-seller of the same name, while ample support from other talented artists m Miriam Hopkins and George Brent rounds oft the presentation. SCREEN’S GREATEST DANCERS. When the two greatest dancers of the contemporary stage and screen arc teamed together in a single production it’s news. Such news is verified in ‘Broadway Melody of 1940,’ which will bo screened to-morrow at the Regent, with Fred Astairo and Eleanor Powell in the starring roles. Spectacular in all departments, these two stars are given a suitable send-off for their first co-starring feature. ' Nino dances, rangirfg in typo from tap to ballet,, six Cole Porter song hits, gigantic sets, and a notable cast all add up to the prediction that ‘ Broadway Melody of 1940 ’ is due to take its place as the year’s most entertaining film. The cast, in addition to the two dance stars, features another brilliant dancer in George Murphy, and Frank Morgan, lan Hunter, Florence Rice, and Lynne Carver.

EMPIRE

Delightful comedy, leavened with ro-* manco, music, and dancing, makes 1 The Boys From Syracuse,’ which heads the current programme at the Empire, exceedingly enjoyable entertainment. The cast includes such excellent comedy players as Eric Blore, Joe Benner, Alan Mowbray, Charles Butterworth, and Martha Rave, while the principal parts, played by Alan Jones, Rosemary Lane, and Irene Hervey, are also skilfully interpreted. PRETTY GIRLS AND CATCHY TUNES. Acclaimed as one of the happiest pictures ever to come out of Hollywood is Paramopnt’s ‘ The Road to Singapore,’ which will be shown at the Empire to-morrow. It is a bright and breezy story of two gay sailors who find adventure, romance, and loads of fun jn tropical waters.’ Featured in a grand cast arc Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, who emerge as one of the finest comedy teams the screen has known. Individually they are excellent, together they are hilarious. A -word of praise, too, must go to the script writers, who no doubt wore responsible for much of the sparkling patter and dialogue which is an outstanding feature of the film. The lady of the piece is Dorothy Lamour, who is already well and favourably known for her portrayals of beautiful tropical maidens. Of equal iinportance is {lie supporting programme of Paramount featurettes, which include ‘ Onion Pacific,’ a Popcye cartoon, ’ Playmates from the Wild,’ a Ted Husing animal sportlight, all about oilers, ‘ Blue Barron and His Orchestra,’ ‘ The Stop-press of the Screen,' and a Cinesound News.

ST. JAMES

The incomparable bass, Paul Robeson, has a brilliant role to display both his singing and acting capabilities in ‘ The Proud Valley,’ which heads the programme at the St. James. This is a strongly emotional, dramatic tale of the coal mines of Wales, with Robeson playing one of the miners. In support is another of tho Bnmstead Family comedies, ‘ Blondie Has Servant Trouble,’ starring Penny Singleton. HOMELY FAMILY STORY. Because he believes that he is at his best in playing homely, small town characters, Frank Craven will be seen in the role of a small town drbggist for the second time in the past two years when ‘ Our Neighbours tho Carters ’ is shown to-morrow at the St. James. Before appearing in the picture Craven scored a sensational success on the stage in the Pulitzer prize play, ‘ Our Town,’ in which he was the narrator, a small town druggist. Featured with Craven v in ‘ Our Neighbours tho Carters ’ are Fay Baintor, Edmund Lowe, and Genevieve Tobin. The picture is a poignant, lender and humorous study of small town family life. Ralph Murphy directed. Tho story of how a crooked boxing racket is smashed is told in Paramount’s ‘ Golden Gloves,’ which will be the associate film. J. Carrol Naish appears in the role of a boxing promoter who cxploils (he talents of young, up-and-coming fighters to his own advantage and to the" youngster’s detriment.

EXCITING GUN JUSTICE

GRAND'S NEW PROGRAMME Quo of llio mo-l' unusual dramas of I ho current season, Columbia’s ‘ My Son is Guilty,’ opened nt (ho Grand yesterday. F’.rnoo Cabo*. JaoriuoHno Well-, Harry (V.*ov, and Wynne Gib>on are featured in the story of a policeman's son turned killer,

1 who tries to get to the top the ’’ easy way." Charles llart in directed the film, and others in the cast include Glenn Ford, Uon Bcddoo, Bruce Bennett, and Dick Curtis. Harold . Shumate and Joseph Carole wrote the screen play from an original story by Karl Brown. This is a particularly powerful drama of father against sou, and should prove to be one of the most, vivid human-interest films of the year. Tho story revolves round New York’s notorious slum district, Hell’s Kitchen, which is too small to hold Ritzy Kerry (Bruce Cabot). Sou of big Tim Kerry (Harry Carey), best-loved and most feared patrolman in the neighbourhood, Ritzy’s two years in gaol have clone nothing more than instill in him tho desire to get to the top in one jump. Tim, passionately eager for the hoy to go straight, welcomes him home. Pretty Julia Allen (Jacqueline Wells) adds her greetings. Only Barney (Glenn Ford), who has gone with Julia during Ritzy’s absence, suspects that the returned prodigal’s promise of reform is empty. Whitey Morris (John Tyrrell), an underworld character, meets Ritzy and suggests that ho drop in at a certain apartment. That night at the dance to which Ritzy takes Julia, Duke Mason (Don Beddoe), another gangster, repeats the suggestion. Ritzy learns that the invitation conies from his former mob, now presided over by tho chief gangster’s widow. Claire Morclli (Wynne Gibson). Ritzy sends Julia borne with Barney and goes to tho apartment. Ho sees the police are surrounding the place and warns the gang. They escape to a country hideout, and Ritzy learns of Claire’s plans. Ritzy and his father get him a job at the police broadcasting station. Tho clever plan boars fruit when the transmitting apparatus goes dead during a spectacular payroll robbery, at the very moment when police cars should bo summoned to the scene. Tbe elder Kerry, on whose beat tbe robbery occurred, is wounded. Ritzy is immediately suspected. He is trailed by two detectives to the country hideout where he was supposed to meet tho gang. They do not turn up, and Ritzy is forced to shoot it out with the officers, killing one and escaping. Tim Kerry is heartbroken. He resolves to bring his boy to justice, and almost succeeds, when Ritzy slips through a police cordon to beg Julia to flee with him. Ritzy learns of the gang’s whereabouts from Whitey. While committing a hold-up, Ritzy kills Barney’s mother. Also working through Whitey, Tim, closely followed by the vengeful Barney, surprises the gang in their hideout. Ritzy pretends to surrender, then, as lie attempts to slay his father, is himself killed.

1 Cafe Hostess ’ is the supporting feature. As the title implies, the film deals with girls who work as entertainers in modern night clubs. Ann Dvorak and Preston Foster head the cast, which also includes Wynne Gibson, Peggy Shannon, and Bradley Page.

STATE

Featuring Loretta Young in her first crazy comedy role, ‘ The Doctor Takes a Wife,’ which is the present attraction at the State, presents outstanding entertainment. Ray Midland plays opposite her, and Edmund Gwenn has a prominent part. LAUGHS A-PLENTY. Said to be Sandy Powell’s funniest film to date, tlie G.B.D. production, ‘ All at Sea,’ will be the attraction at the State to-morrow. ‘ All at Sea ’ was produced with the full co-operation of the Admiralty. It is a rare distinction for a British film company to be given permission to take films of the Fleet at sea—and the'strength of the Navy makes an imposing background for the comedy antics of Sandy Powell, who plays the part of an ordinary A.B. seaman, always in some kind of troublo. The story concerns the efforts of a pair of enemy agents who are trying to steal a new explosive from Sandy Powell—but Sandy is more than a match for them, and although they threaten to blow up the ship, he adroitly captures them, and is congratulated by the captain. Apart from the wonderful scenes of the Navy and the hilarious antics of Sandy Powell, one of the first great naval wartime songs, ‘ Oh. Ain’t it Grand, to be in the Navy,’ sung by Sandy Powell, is featured in 4 All at Sea,’ and another aspect of the entertainment qualities of the film is the ball and cabaret hold aboard ship. 4 All at Sea ’ was directed by Herbert Smith, and supporting Sandy Powell are Kay Walsh, John Warwick, Gus M'Naughton, Leslie Perrins, and George Merritt.

MAYFAIR

The new programme at the Mayfair features ’ Blackmail,* starring Edward G.. Robinson as a wrongly-convicted criminal seeking revenge. This is a particularly powerful and thrilling tale, and the climax is most dramatic. Ruth Hussey, who recently scored brilliantly in ‘ The Women,’ and ‘ Masio ’ enacts the wife in this gripping production. Geno Lockhart is cast in a rare villainous role, while little Bob Watson, of ‘ Borrowed Time ’ fame, plays Robinson’s son. ‘ Old Bones of the River,’ the supporting attraction, is a new Will Hay comedy, and has for its locale a West African village surrounded by warlike natives ready to start a rising at the slightest provocation.