FILM and STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 304, 21 November 1935, Page 12

FILM and STAGE

A Spy Thriller. In the version of John Buchan’s spy thriller, “'Hie Thirty-Nine Steps,” coming to the State Theatre on Saturday next, Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat score another triumph. The story briefly is: A girl is murdered in Richard Hannay’s flat anil he becomes involved in the search for a master spy, rvho contrives to obtain vital air defence secrets. On the trail in Scotland he find himself wanted for murder, and in his efforts to escape meets the master criminal. Although left for dead, he gets away, only to he arrested, but again he escapes and, seeking sanctuary in a meeting-hall, is mistaken for the principal speaker. There he is betrayed to the gang byPamela, to whom he had previously made love as a shield from the police, and when the car is stopped on a lonely moor, li is captors handcuff him to Pamela, but he escapes with her, and after thrilling experience they spend a night at an inn under most awkward circumstances. Pamela succeeds

in releasing the handcuffs and during the night learns the truth. Hannay gets back to L/ondon in. time to frustrate the plans of the spy. So keen is interest in the picture that, it is now in its fourth week in Wellington. Sparkling Comedy. In a story that fairly bubbles with comedy, Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery are appearing at the Regent Theatre in “No More Ladies, the new production directed by Edward H. Griffith. Adapted from the Broadway stage hit, the film retains all the fine drama and sparkling humour of the original—with the addition of ono of the finest screen casts of the year. Prominently featured with the co-stars

are Charlie Buggies, Franchot Tone, Edna Alay Oliver, Gail Patrick, Reginald Denny and many others. Each gagaciously cast, these polished experts have created a beautiful photoplay from the rich material granted them. - John AVood, a newcomer to the Hollywood film studios, is ail Australian. Me was educated at the Sydney Church of England Grammar School, and tor five years-played a variety of roles in J. C. Williamson companies and f>"pea red in several plays with Mona Bairie. In 1933 he left for England, where he was discovered by an agent and ultimately given a contract. He plays secopd lead in “The Last Days of Pompeii,” from the novel by Lord Lvtton.

A Celebrated Man-Hunt. Fredric March and Charles Laughton play fugitive and pursuer-in the most celebrated of all fictional man-hunts in Darryl Zanuck’s 20th Century production of Victor Hugo’s “Los Miserables,” which begins at the Regent Theatre on Friday. March is seen as Hugo’s illstarred young'hero, Jean Valjean, who spends five bitter years on a French prison ship for stealing a loaf of bread and then becomes a fugitive from justice by violating his parole. Laughton is Javert, the fanatical detective, whoso devotion to the letter of the law drives him relentlessly along the reformed ex-convict’s trail. Sir Cedric Hnrcl-

wicke, the distinguished English stage and screen star, shares stellar honours with the pair as the benevolent Bishop Bicnvenu, whose faith starts the degraded galley slave on the road towards a better life. Rochelle Hudson, Frances Drake and John Beal are featured in the supporting cast which also includes such popular and distinguished players as Florence Eldridge, who is Mrs Fredric March in private life, Jessie Ralph, Ferdinand Gottscludk and little Manly nnc Knowlden, who played Madge Evans as a child in “David Copperfield.” “Oh, What’ a Night,” an amusing comedy, was staged bv the Gore ltepertory Society recently.

Charles Laughton has been offered the part of Bill Sykes in “Oliver Twist,” with Freddie Bartkoloniew in the title role. He is duo hack in England first to play the lead in “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Jan Kiepura, who lias just arrived in Hollywood for his first American picture, is to follow this up immediately with a musical film in Germany. He will be paid £30,000 in Polish currency for the Continental picture. It has been announced that Paul Robeson has been cast in “Show Boat” in the role he played in the original Ziegfeld production on the stage. The role of Alagnolia will be played bv Irene Dunne, who also played this role in the Ziegfeld production.

A Famous Detective. “The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes, which will be screened at the State Theatre commencing on Wednesday next is an adaptation of the late Conan Doyle’s “The Valley of Fear, under the name the film was produced with until its release, when the title was changed to “The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes.” The script was written by H. Fowler Mear, who was responsible for the screen version of “Bella Donna,” and other outstanding British pictures. In this particular story the famous detective is shown in retirement in Sussex, until a sensationally interesting murder case attracts his attention, and he emerges from his country retreat to solve the problem. This gives him the opportunity to once more cross swords with his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty, and the film shows the final triumph of Holmes over the Professor, who is killed. Arthur Wontner plays the central figure, lan Fleming has the role of Dr. Watson, and .Minnie Ravner is seen as Airs Hudson. Others in tlm east are Lyn Harding, Jane Carr, Leslie Perrins, Charles Mortimer, Michael Simpler. Ben Wei den. Boy Emerton and Conway Dixon. Riotous Entertainment,

The name of Grade Fields at the head of a cast is always a guarantee of a real entei tainnient treat and that is why filmgoers would be well advised not to miss the popular Lancashire comedienne’s latest merry musical comedy “Look Up and Laugh,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday, November 30. 'lt is Grade at the very top of her form. All remember how they screamed at her previous pictures: “Sally in our Alley,” “Looking on the Bright Side,” “This Week of Grace,” “Love, Life and Laughter,” and “Sing as we Go.” Well even those laughter-laden efforts pale into insignificance alongside the hilarity of this uproarious comedy. This time Grade is a theatrical star who returns to her home in Lancashire after a successful tour abroad to find her brother am. father in distressing circumstances. The big climax arrives when an old-print-seller shows Grade an old volume proving that the market lias a charter granted by the Crown. It is then necessary to get to London and place the document before the highest legal authorities. In order to do this Oracle sets off in a ’plane but her sole companion is the print-seller and not, as she supposes, the pilot. He knows as much about piloting a ’plane as Grade does and that is nothing. Thus the laughter lady of the land becomes the scream of the skies. It’s a riot of happiness. Of course, Grade is the laughter leader from beginning to end but she has some splendid support from a great cast of clever comedians including Harry Tate, Douglas Wakefield, Billy Nelson, Robb Wilton, Vivien Leigh, Alfred Drayton and Tommy Fields. Spectacular Entertainment. Said to be one of the most impressive spectacle pictures ever filmed, “She,” which comes to the State Theatre on Saturday, November 30, is a story of a man who must choose be ; tween the love of a mortal woman and of a deathless queen of fabulous beauty who offers him eternal youth. Randolph Scott, a young explorer who has discovered the fabulous kingdom of Ivor, where burns the flame of eternal life, has been accompanied by Helen Mack, who appeals to his heart. She is the typification of home, fireside, family aiid a normal lifetime with love. Helen Gnliagan, as the deathless queen of Kor, holds out to him power- and passion. What choice did Randolph Scott make? “She” is based upon the 11. Rider Haggard great novel. It was produced by Alerinn C. Cooper, and directed by Irving Picliel and Lansing C. Holden. 11. Rider Haggard, the author of the sTory, drew a word picture of fantastic beauty and grandeur that lias enthralled readers of fiction for the last fifty years. Now that “She” has finally come to the screen, great interest has been displayed in the work of the artists, artisans and technicians in creating the famous make-believe kingdom of Kor. One seeing the picture will leave the theatre firmly convinced that Air Haggard’s fertile imagination conceived nothing more spectacular in the way of architecture, settings, costumes and rituals than the producers of his novel have hr Plight to the screen. For sheer drama, excitement, adventure, mystery and suspense the photoplay outstrips the book. Sprightly New Photoplay. Teamed in the leading roles of “Calm Yourself,” the sprightly new photoplay of a “confidential services” operator, which comes to the Ivosy Theatre on Wednesday next are Robert Young and Aladge Evans, distinguished as co-play-ers in such recent pictures as “Death on the Diamond” aiid “Paris InterI lude.” Besides these, Aliss Evans rci cently appeared in “David Copper- _ field,” and Young in the sky epic, | “West Point of the Air.” The able supporting cast includes Betty Furness in the role of Alary-Elizabcth, Aliss 1 Evans’s runner-up; Ralph Alorgan, as \ the tempestuous;father ; Nat Pendleton, as a not-too-bright gangster; .Shirley ’ Ross as an understanding young wife; Hardie Albright, as a hapless suitor, . Claude Gillingwater, Raymond Hatton and Herman Bing. Adapted by Arthur [ lvober from an original story by Ed- ' ward Hope, “Calm Yourself” is a rol mantic comedy-drama dealing with the i exploits of a young advertising man who, bounced out of his fiancee’s father's business, starts a “confidential service” agency which promises to handle any problem for the subscriber who is admonished to calm himself.

Hex, the once-famous wild horse of the screen, is making a come back in a picture, “supported by” Raymond Hatton and Noah Beery,, junr. Four performances of “The Circle,” l>v TV. Somerset Maugham, were given last week by the Dunedin Repertory Society. “The White Chateau,” a no-more-war play that drew an audience of 1300 recently, was repeated by the Dunedin Little Theatre Society. . Mr H. G. Wells is back in London supervising “Things to Come,” after the severe facia] bruises he suffered when a ladder fell on him at his new home, in Regent’s Park, London. John Gielgud, the famous English actor-producer, who made hip film debut as Inigo Jollifant in “The Good Companions,” is to play the leading role in Alfred Hitchcock’s next picture, “Secret Agent.” “Secret Agent” has been freely adapted from a play, which was in turn an adaptation of Somerset Maugham’s secret service stories entitled “Ashcnden,” published in 1928. The scene is Switzerland. The liner Aquitania was borrowed recently for shooting the final scenes of Jack Buchanan’s latest comedy, “Come Out of the Pantry,” which is l>eing directed by Jack Raymond. The sequence shows Buchanan saying goodbye to his mother and brother and leaving for America. Through the cooperation of the Cunard-Wliite Star officials, it was possible to stage a mock departure with the famous liner, while the Southern Railway, in addition, placed the dockyard at the service of the company for filming.

NOTES AND JOTTINGS.

Romantic Comedy. Joe E. Brown, the comedian, comes to the Ivosy Theatre on Saturday next in what is heralded as his most uproarious comedy romance. In addition to his laugh-provoking acts, there are four lively songs, for the picture is one of back-stage life and the singing comes in naturally. Joe Brown himself sings and dances and does acrobatic evolutions with the famous Alaxellos. Scores of pretty chorus and dancing girls appear in the theatrical sequences but “Bright Lights” is neither a musical or a farce, hut a stirring' romantic comedy. The story is by Lois Leeson and concerns Joe Brown’s quick jump from a burlesque comedy troupe to a big Broadway actor, playing with a madcap heiress, Patricia Ellis, out for adventure. . His wife and partner in the burlesque show is Ann Dvorak. Brown himself started, his theatrical life as a comedian in a burlesque show, and the burlesque sequences are made the more natural by the use of an entire troupe

which, was playing in Los Angeles when “Bright Lights” was being filmed. The cast includes William Gargun, Joseph Cawtiiorn, Henry' Q’Neill, Arthur Treacher, Gordon Westcott, Joseph Crclian and William Demurest. The production in New Zealand as a Christmas attraction of ‘ White Horse Inn” seems assured. _ This is an elaborate production requiring 120 artists, and equipment including two revolving stages, one of which is always sent forward for erection at the next centre to be played in. There will be a Gilbert and Sullivan season early in the New Year. The historical pageant, which is being presented by the Aiid and. South Canterbury Federations of .AVomen’s Institutes on December 7 will lie the first’ of its kind to be held in Tim-

aru, and promises to be a colourful and spectacular display. Alore than 200 performers will take part, and the main costumes have been imported from England. Intense interest in England and America lias been aroused by the announcement that Freddie Bartholomew, the English child film actor, who appeared as young “David Copperfield,” is to be the subject of litigation in the American Courts. He is now earning £250 a week in Hollywood. Aliss Alillicent Bartholomew,' the boy’s aunt, with whom he left England 18 months ago for New York, is applying for full guardianship. His parents, however, want him to return to his home in AVellerton Gardens, Barnes. It is understood that they will contest the action.

Russian production units plan to produce three hundred feature-length films during the coming year. . Richard Boleslavsky is to direct 1' emmore Cooper’s well-known ■ adventure slnrv “The Last of the Mohicans.. The University of California has invited Francis Lederer to produce and star in "Romeo and Juliet ana “Hamlet” this summer. ~ , “Thp Wind and the Rain* tne simple comedy of student life by the New Zealander, Dr ATerton Hodge, is just entering its third year in LonCl °Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the famous Arctic and Antarctic explorer is now in Hollywood assisting m the final editing of “Little America the official record of the recent By id Antarctic expedition. Charles Bickford will have flic, leading role in “East of Java, a pictuio which has been taken from the novel

entitled “Tiger Island.” The supporting cast includes Jxislio Fenton, Elizabeth Young, Frank Albertson, Edgar Norton, and many others. Kathleen Burke is to bo featured in the role of “Beauty’s Daughter,” a new production. The engagement of M iss Burke completes the list of players in the screen version of Kathleen Norris’s novel, the others including Claire Trevor, Ralph Bellamy, ' Ben Lyon, Jane Darwdl, and Warren Hymer. The English season has started ill real earnest, after a very quiet beginning. The list of new plays scheduled for London has assumed such proportions that it is difficult to think where they can all be accommodated. As a general rule, autumn productions find access to the West End an easy mater for the successes of the spring and

summer are waning and a new play is required to follow on. This year the successes of last season are still firmly entrenched. ~ “Sweet Aloes” is doing better than at any time in its career. “The AVind and the ltain” will probably run into the New Year. “Night Alust Fall” is another play destined to achieve a 12-months’ ruiij and the same may be said of “Tovaricli.” Yet room must he found ill the near future for “Short Story,” the new Marie Tempest-Sybil Thorndike piece, “Itoyal Exchange,” the Ramon Novarro vehicle, “To-Night at 8.30,” with Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, and a dozen other new productions. The greatest success of the season is “Nina,” the new comedy at the Criterion.