FILM AND STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 193, 16 July 1937, Page 10

FILM AND STAGE

Lively Love Theme. Beautiful Carole Lombard sings and dances for the first time in “Swing High, Swing Low,” a lively love story witn music, which opens on Saturday at the State Theatre. The vivacious blonde plays the part of a night-club entertainer in Panama, who falls in love with Fred Mac Murray, an exsoldier, and the role calls lor the singing -ot several new “torch” melodies. Mae Murray. long-recognised as an outstanding saxophonist, proves that he can also play the trumpet. Charles Butterworth, the screen’s funny man, also gets on opportunity to displaytalents no one knew he possessed. As “Harry, the hottest pianist in Panama,” lie plays a number of songs in what is known as “trick finger” rhythm. The impressive east includes Dorothy Lamour, late of the radio, who made her first screen appearance in the title role of “The Jungle Princess.” Miss Lamour also sings and dances. “Swing High, Swing Low” contains original music by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin, and San Coslow and A 1 Siegel.

Thrilling Drama. At last, a thrilling spy drama that really thrills. Variations of the spy and counter-spy scheme .have served as the plot for countless films, but never have these familiar ingredients been served up so skilfully and so entertainingly as in “Dark Journey,” Sebacb-Lon-don Films production which will he seen at the Regent Theatre soon. Most of the action of the film takes place in Stockholm during the wai years, and provides Conrad Veidt, who costars with Vivien Leigh, with the type of role- in which he revel 3 as a suave slightly sinister - von Marwitz, spy in the pay of Germany". He runs counter to Miss Leigh, as Madeleine, who under the cloak of running a modiste shop, is deeply involved in international espionage. Madeleine and von Marwtiz are drawn together, but their liap-

pi ness is continually overcast by a shadow of suspicion. Events move swiftly to a. climax. Madeleine knows too much for German safety, so von Marwitz puts aside his personal feelings and attempts a sensational coup. This is worked out in a highly ingem oils and thrilling climax which would be unfair to reveal. Conrad Veidt, cast to perfection, gives one of the most brilliant performances of his distinguished career. He received magnificent support from beautiful Miss Leigh, who reveals unusual talent and a delightful personality.

Hugh Herbert has been assigned to a comedy role in “Ever Since Eve,” a new picture which will star Marion Davies with Robert Montgomery.

Errol Flynn will probably be starred in a screen version of Samuel Hopkins Adams’s popular novel, “The Perfect Specimen,” a comedy romance. Anita Louise has been east in the ingenue lead opposite Kay Francis in “First Lady” film adaption oi the notable stage success.

A Great Actress. Miss Elizabeth Bergner, who will be seen in “Dreaming Lips,” which comes to the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday, dances a rumba, composed by one of the most serious of modern composers, William Walton. The scene is a faithful reconstruction of famous London night club, “The 400.” She had as stand-in an aristocratic Russian refugee, Aksana. Zvegintzov, a granddaughter of the Dowager Princess Obolensky. She was first acclaimed as a great actress when she appeared in Berlin, playing the lead in a Chinese drama. She lived the role on and off the stage. At one time Miss Bergner attended the same dramatic school as Louise llainer, who has made for herself in Hollywood as great a name as Miss Bergner has on the Continent and in England. Miss Bergner finished her course at the school with the of a scholarship originated by the Emperor Eranz Joseph for tho first-year scholar who showed the greatest promise ot a great gift for the world of art.

Beautiful Dresses

From “sarong” to some of tho most gorgeous evening gowns ever designed in Hollywood is the screen history of glamorous Dorothy Lamour, dark-eyed beauty who was recently recruited to the films from the radio networks. A “sarong” is a loose, single cloth wrapping worn by Malay women, and Miss Lamour wore one in her first film, “The Jungle Princess.” Now she comes to the screen as a night club entertainer in “Swing High, Swing Low,” in which Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray are co-starred and which begins on Saturday at the State Theatre. The “Swing High, Swing Low” gowns were designed for her by Travis Banton, and in them Miss Lamour almost succeeds in eclipsing the dazzling beauty of Miss Lombard. She’s supposed to do this, however, since both women fight

for the love of Mac Murray in the picture, which is set amid the night club life of Panama and New York; and the beautifully clad Miss Lamour almost wins. “Swing High, -Swing Low” includes in its cast Charlie Butterworth, Jean Dixon, Harvey Stephens, Cecil Cunningham and many others. Canadian Epic. A complete Indian village was erected in tho Kicking Pass, near Golden, Canada, for the braves of the Stoney tribe who took part in the film “The Great Barrier.” Fifteen braves of this and the Alberta tribe were given contracts to take part in the scenes taken on the somewhat treacherous river. While the Indians were being “shot” while shooting the rapids of Kicking Horse River in old-type bateaux and dug-out canoes, their squaws and the children were busy with berry picking. The unusual equipment caused much interest among the Indians, but they proved to he most responsive to the directions of the director, and not in the least camera-shy. Players and cameramen, headed by Richard Arlcn, Lilli Palmer, Barry Mackay, and J. Farrell MacDonald, took advantage of a big forest fire on Mount Seven and Jubilee Mountain to shoot the forest fire scenes of the film. Coming to the State Theatre soon.

Larr.v Adler, mouth-organ wizard and for years a vaudeville and variety headliner. has been signed for a part in “The Singing Marine,” a new musical romance in which Dick Powell will be starred.

Alexander Korda, on returning to London from Hollywood, is reported to have announced a plan to spend £2,000,000 on the production of 28 British films before tho end of 1938.

Willem Mengelherg, the distinguished leader of the orchestra at the Amsterdam Concert House, Holland, will visit Australia to conduct several concerts.

The famous pianist, lion no Moiseiwitseh, fresh from Australian triumphs, commences bis New Zealand tour at Christchurch on July 20. The popular artist, who is again under the aegis of Messrs J. and N. Tait, will then go to Dunedin, for two recitals arid later Auckland and Wellington.

Famous Story. A brilliant cast headed by Joan Crawford, William Powell and Robert Montgomery appears at 'the Regent Theatre on Saturday in “The Last of Mrs Cheyney,” based on the stage play by Frederic Lonsdale. An exceptional supporting cast includes Frank Morgan, Jessie Ralph, Nigel Bruce, Colleen Clare, Benito Hume, Ralph Forbes, Aileen Pringle and Melville Cooper. The story, ultra-modern as a stage play, lias been advanced to the current minute in dialogue and atmosphere so that it is more than ever smart and sophisticated. Miss Crawford portrays the charming American widow in London society with finesse, and William Powell is excellent as the suave butler who is in reality a crook. Robert Montgomery portrays the young English lord who falls in love with the American girl, only to find

her under suspicion of jewel theft. However, when it is discovered that the gay lady has bravely destroyed a love letter which might have created untold trouble, and furthermore that her butler is the thief, all is well. Obviously, as she becomes Lady Dilling in response to the young lord’s plea, it is happily “The Last of Mrs Cheyney.” Miss Crawford, in the gowns designed for her by Adrian, gives a fresh vivacity and sparkle to the role ol the glamorous Mrs Cheyney. Powell lias never been better than as the crook with a sense of humour, and Montgomery as Lord Dilling once .again proves his flair for sophistication and ja.untiness. Jungle Thrills.

All of the mystery, intrigue and adventure for which Africa is famous has been embodied in the screen version cf Alex Raymond’s widely-read newspaper feature strip, “Jungle

Jim,” showing at the Kosy Theatre. The picture snows a man, armed with only a knife, in dose combat with a lion. It shows elephants in stampede, before whom both man and wild animals flee in terror. It gives an authentic view of the natives of Africa, how they live and, when aroused, how they go into battle. Through the story runs an absorbing plot centring about a white girl who, raised in the jungle, is worshipped by the natives as a goddess because of her extraordinary power to rule lions. The title role of “Jungle Jim” is played by the star, Grant Withers. Opposite him as Joan, the Lion Goddess, is talented Betty Jane Rhodes, remembered l>y screen patrons for her fine performances in “Forgotten Faces” and “Arizona Raiders.” Other feature roles are played by such top performers as Raymond Hatton, Evelyn Brent, and Bryant Washburn.

Tamara Desni, who made an excellent impression in “Fire Over England,” has been assigned the role of the gangster’s girl-friend in Edgar Wallace’s “The Squeaker.” The gangster is played by Hobert Newton. There is extraordinary interest in the forthcoming visit to New Zealand of the Platoff Don Cossack Choir which will commence a Dominion tour at Wellington on July 31. This famous company of 25 singers and dancers presents programmes that are a revelation in choral perfection.

Art Of Suspense. • Give Lloyd Corrigan, the film director, a good suspense situation and lie will turn out a picture calculated to send audiences home singing its praises. The director is a .suspense specialist, one of the Hollywood directors who can put moviegoers on the edge of their seats and then deliver a punch climax. In his latest picture, dramatic “Night Key,” starring Boris Karloff at the Kosy Theatre on Saturday, Mr Corrigan demonstrates his talent. One of the suspense high points is when the life of Karloff’s daughter, who is held as a hostage by a ruthless gangster, depends upon the successful working of a.n instrument which Karloff has invented. Another is when Karloff and his daughter are being raced to oblivion by a gangster who prefers death to capture. The skilful manner in which the director handles these dra-

matic situations makes an interesting study in screen technique. Mr Corrigan’s first experience in putting suspense into his pictures was gained during the filming of the “Dr. Fu Manelm” series. His other work includes “Daughter of the Dragon,” “Great Impersonation” and “Dancing Pirate.” Among those supporting Karloff in “Night Key” are J. "Warren Hull. Jean Rogers, Alan Baxter, Hobart Cavanaugh and Samuel Hinds.

Turf Excitement. A drama of the turf with Southern California’s famous Santa Anita as the setting, provides a thrilling hour, of entertainment for those who appreciate an exciting story and warm romance, “Racing Lady,” which opens on Wednesday at the State Theatre. The story is from a novel by Damon Runyon, who has contributed many hits to the screen in the last few years. It has

Smith Ballew and Ann Dvorak for the featured leads. Ballew, as a wealthy automobile manufacturer, uses his string of thoroughbred horses and his girl trainer, Ann Dvorak, solely as a publicity aid to his business. However, an interesting slant on turf sportsmanship is given when, after Ballew has won Miss Dvorak over to his philosophy that winning a race is tho only thing worth while, her innate principles of fair play which Harry Carey, her father, lias instilled in her from childhood. bring about rebellion and the climax of the picture. Miss Dvorak’s performance is appealingly human and warm and not without delightful flashes of humour. Tall, athletic Smith Ballew is seen to excellent advantage. Harry Carey, veteran character actor, gives another of the sterling characterisations which have become associated with him throughout his long, successful career.

Advice lias been received by Mr H. Stringer, New Zealand representative for Messrs J. C. Williamson, Ltd., of the commencement of a revue season in Auckland on August 2 by a Frank Neil Revue Company. Luiso Rainer and William Powell will be co-starred in “Tho Empeorr’s Candlesticks,” based on Baroness Orczy’s novel.

Claire Trevor is to be starred in “One Mile from Heaven,” the others in the cast being Bill Robinson, Fredi Washington, and Eddie Anderson.