FILM AND STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 307, 26 November 1937, Page 10

FILM AND STAGE

Newspaper Drama. , Straight from his triumph in “Swing High, Swing Low,” coines handsome Fred Macmurray in another rugged portrayal of a. newspaperman of the type which lifted him to fame in “The Rride Comes Home.” He appears in the dramatic “Exclusive,” which opens to-day at tlie State Theatre. The cast also includes Frances Farmer, Charlie Haggles, ' Lloyd Nolan ■ and others. The role beautiful Frances Farmer plays is not a new one to her. Miss Farmer is cast as a woman reporter, a profession in which she worked before her advent into pictures. Miss Farmer toured Russia recently on a “roving assignment,” and wrote her observations for a large news agency. Her brother, AVesley, is editor of a Burbank, California, newspaper, and her sister is a member of the editorial staff of the San Francisco Chronicle. Charlie Ruggles, ..best known for liis comedy portrayals, plays the major dramatic role of his career. "He portrays the role of a broken-down newspaperman whose principles conflict with those of his modern daughter, Frances Farmer. Handsome Lloyd Nolan continues his march to stardom. He became a popular hero despite the fact that he played the “villain”, in “The Texas Rangers.” In the recent “Student Doctors Can’t Take Money” and “King of Gamblers” he added greatly to his stature as an actor.

Sir Harry Lauder Film. It is some time since we have seen Sir Harry Lauder on the screen, and it is a pleasure to record another appearance of the very well-beloved Scotch comedian. “The End of the Road” is a full-length film that is packed from beginning to end with dramatic, human interest, beautiful scenery and photography, fine acting and, above all, Sir Harry Lauder ; and Sir Harry, appearing in the made-to-measure role of John MacGreggor, has never shone brighter. This film, effectively and artistically directed, has plenty of “The Good Companions”

type of appeal; a simple tale of friendly travelling entertainers,, headed by veteran John MacGreggor, who faces life, with its pleasures and heartaches, as it comes, always with courage and a smile for all. Carefully woven in the story are Sir Harry’s popular songs and patter, which have never been seen and heard to such advantage. Here is an artist who will never age, and if anything, his numbers, which include “The End of the Road.” and “If Ever I marry Again” seem even more appealing or livelier, as the case may be. His acting performance, too, is outstanding and sincere; and no one could possibly forget the genial little Scotsman, John MacGreggor. Supporting the star is an excellent cast .of character players, amongst whom Margaret Moffat, Bruce Seaton (who also sing), and Campbell Gullan, figure prominently. “The End of the Road will be screened at the Kosy Theatre on Saturday. Love and Comedy. “If You Could Oply Cook,” the new romantic comedy which is scheduled to open on Saturday at the Mayfair Theatre, brings to the\6creen a new Jove team, Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur. And it also marks Miss Arthur’s initial appearance as a fullfledged star.' Marshall is seen as a disguised millionaire. Not disgusted because he doesn’t know what to do with his money, but because he is about to marry a girl he doesn’t love and who doesn’t love him. And fur T ther, -because his board of directors has been annoying him. He goes and sits in the park. Here he meets Miss Arthur who wants a job. She mistakes him for another unemployed member of society and invites him to g«f with her to answer an advertisement for a married couple, a butler land a maid. Marshall, on the spur of the moment, accepts, and off go the millionaire and the young lady and get the job. They find themselves working for a big-shot racketeer; Leo Carrillo plays this role. And when both Marshall and Carillo fall in love with Marshall’s “wife,” things happen. Erom this point on the tale is filled with complications that promise much in the way of merriment. In the supporting cast are Lionel Stander, t>ras3y-voiced poet of “The Scoundrel, Alan Edwards, Frieda Inescourt, Gene Morgan, Ralf Harolde, Matt McHugh and Richard Powell.

Australian Comic. The cast of “The Hayseeds,” which comes to' the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday is among the greatest yet assembled in any Australian picture. Lovable Cecil Kellaway is “Dad” Havseed; Katie Towers is “Mum”: while other leading roles are played by Shirely Dale, Arthur Clarke, John Moore, Tal Ordell, Molly Raynor and many others familiar to stage and screen enthusiasts. However, there are two names that will be new to picture audiences. They are Brian Kellaway and Roma Arrowsmith. The former is a bright little lad of just eight years, brimful of’ health and as brown as a berry; burnt in fact to the point of a few freckles on his chubby little nose. This cheery “little chip off the Kellaway block” is a typical Australian lad, armed to the teeth with a mischievous grin that would completely disarm even, a parent with motives of chastising. Brian is Cecil Kellaway’s son, and in the picture appears in a similar relationship, being Billy Hayseed. Roma is even younger; a sweet little lass with only five years to her credit; but she,

too. has histrionic ability in her blood, for her great-grandfather was William Arrowsmith, famous Shakespearean actor of the ’sixties and ’seventies. Roma has impressed critics most favourably with her naturalness and charm. Although this youthful pair had' shown more/ than ordinary ability and are already being compared with famous overseas youthful prodigies, they are, after all, perfectly normal Australian children, as is evidenced by tlicir simple love for oranges and comics. AVhenever a production scene was finished there was a wild rush for fruit and funny papers, which

were eagerly devoured, the former literally—the latter metaphorically. Comedy Farce. An exciting trip along the Atlantic City broadwalks is given audiences who view “Meet the Missus,” in which Helen Broderick and Victor Moore have the top spots. It ■is coming soon to the Meteor Theatre. The long expanse of beach, the army of wheel chairs, the miles of concessions and amusement booths and the steel pier with its score of attractions and a large hotel are the comedy’s backgrounds. “Meet the Missus” is a farce comedy revolving around a mid-West housewife who wins a contest to select the outstanding housekeeper of the country. .Finals of the contest are held at one of the larger Atlantic City hotels, and most of the action takes place at that noted resort. ,

Singing Star Returns. Just what the title indicates is the story of “The Singing Marine,” which, with Dick Powell as its star, is showing on Saturday at the Regent Theatre. Dick is a Marine, a modest private at the San Diego base, and lie can sing. So his comrades get up a purse to send him to New York to have a try at Major Bowes’s amateur hour. At the same time, on her own, Dick’s sweetheart essays to enter her voice into, the, competition. This is Doris AA'eston, a lovely and talented newcomer, to movies. She doesn’t get by; the'Major’s famous gong stops her. But Dick becomes a tremendous success. ' That was ■ just too bad ! It goes to Dick’s head. Spoiled by the adulation of innumerable women, and fawning of “hanger-ons” who surround him, the young marine forgets his comrades. But after all lie’s only on a leave of absence from the marines, and when, at the end .of his furlough he has shipped with the rest of his ;

company to China, he has a chance to redeem himself, which restores him to everyone’s good graces. A splendid cast surrounds Dick Powell in the gay song and dance feast, including Hugh Hertert, Allen Jenkins, Doc Rockwell from vaudeville, Jane AVyman and Veda Ann Borg. New Romanic Team. , A story .bristling with the traditional colour of the San Francisco waterfront revolving around the romance and adventure of a young schooner captain and a plucky girl is graphically unfolded in the thrill-crammed screen drama, “Night AVaitress,” co-

featuring Margot Grahanie and Gordon Jones, which conies to the Meteor Theatre soon. The girl a waitress in an embarcadero cafe, and the skipper find themselves matching wits with a desperate gang for the recovery of a shipment of gold bullion that has been hijacked and dumped into the watery confines of the Bay. The story is climaxed by a mad chase at sea after the girl has been kidnapped by the gang. This is the first time Miss Grahame, one of the most- popular -English actresses, and Gordon Jones, former football star from California, have been cast together as a romantic team. They are supported by Billy Gilbert, Vinton Haworth, Donald Barry, Arthur Loft, Marc Laurence, Otto Yamaoka and Paul Stanton.

Attractive Double Feature! The pages of history become vivid drama, as there is brought to tho screen in “The Prisoner of Shark Island,” coming to-day to the Meteor Theatre, the profound true story of a man who was martyred by his countrymen's frenzy. In telling the story of Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd who suffered a living death on America’s island hell because of his innocent connection with Lincoln’s assassin, the picture reveals a man who plumbs the depths of despair, and who is carried to the heights of self-sacrifice by a woman’s love. It takes up the story with a startling re-enactment of Lincoln’s assassination. John AA 7 ilkc3 Booth, the killer, flees to Maryland, where his broken leg is set by Dr Mudd, played by AVarner Baxter, the star. For his unwitting part in the plot, Baxter is sentenced to life imprisonment : but, instead of being sent to Albany, as his sentence indicated, he is transported to the desolate, sunbaked Fort Jefferson. A thriller of a new sort comes on the same programme, in “First Offence,” with John Mills and Lilli Palmer in the starring roles, and a supporting cast that features both British and French players with admirable cooperation. The story deals primarily

with car-bandits and their activities. Located on the Continent of Europe, a bunch of typically carefree rogues conduct one of the most, lucrative “rackets” of these racketeering times. They steal and otherwise illegally acquire cars of all descriptions, strip them bare in underworld garages, recondition them and sell them in the open second-hand market. New Leading Lady. AAJio said movie stars are blase ? Doris Weston, who is making'her debut as Dick Powell's leading' lady in “The Singing .Marine,” the musical comedy screening on Saturday at the

Regent Theatre, broke down and cried when she was asked for her first autographed picture - a couple of months ago. Miss Weston was so touched by the unexpected request for a signed photo that she had to wait until she got over her little cry before she put the pen to the still picture. “This is wonderful,” she said. “I never thought six months -ago that anybody would ask me for a picture. In “The Singing Marine” Miss Weston and Powell are supported by a splendid cast which includes Hugh Herbert, Alan Jenkins, Lee Dixon the eccentric dancer, Jane Danvell, Doc Rockwell of vaudeville fame, Marcia Ralston, Jane Wyman and Veda Ann Borg. “The Singing Marine” has plenty of comedy, a lot of big spectacles, and can be recommended to the whole family. Juvenile Favourite. When there’s that gleam in her eye, warn the neighbours. When “Angel” takes a day off it means an off-day for the rest of the town and a laugh for everyone else seeing “Ginger” Jane Withers , in her latest hit, “Angel’s Holiday,” coming soon • to the State Theatre. Filmland’s most mischievous miss loses no chance of indulging in her usual madcap mishaps in a new role as amateur sleuth and' newspaper reporter. Her best friends and severest critics in the new film venture are Robert Kent, Joan Davis and Sally Blane, featured in the cast supporting the young star. A long nose for news •and clues precipitates Jane into the faked disappearance, for publicity purposes, of a movie queen, played by Sally Blane, and she proceeds to gum up the works. Both Jane and her film star are considerably surprised, however, when a gang of real bandits 6teps in and conduct a genuine kidnapping, holding Sally for ransom and Jane and Robert as hostages. Charles Winninger ' has been suspended for refusing the part written for him in “Young Man’s Fancy.” He said he considered it just a “bit,” and would not play it under any circumstances. “Dead End” is a slice of life void of sugar-coated heroics, an excellent version of the sensational stage play. It presents a vivid picture of New York tenement life. Sylvia Sidney. Joel McCrea, Humphrey Bogart, and AVendy Barrie play the'principal roles.

Thrills In The Air. A few generations ago, writers of thrilling action stories used the sea and men who go down to the sea in ships for many of their tales. To-day the author’s medium is the air and the men who conquer the air in then winged craft. Interesting proof of this fact is found in the stirring mystery drama, “Reported Missing,” /which opens at the Ko.sy Theatre on Saturday, featuring AVilliam Cargan and J ean Rogers. The story has the rapid pace of liigh speed ’planes and deals with the adventures of a young inventor and aviation pilot who develops a device to aid blind flying. His discovery backfires on him when ’planes equipped with it crash with startling frequency. The inventor is blamed for the tragedies. To prove his device thoroughly sound, he sets forth to find the cause of the ’plane failures. That leans him to thrilling adventure in the skyways. It.nlso leads to romance between AA'illiam Gargan and Jean Rogers, ’plane hostess., Finally the inventor vindicates himself and uncovers u dangerous thief. Hobart Cavanaugh emerges from his former Caspar Milquetoast roles to portray a daring, swashbuckling test pilot of a continental airline. Dick Purcell is cast as the menace. Famous Star's Role. A foreign accent is by no means a handicap to an actress in motion pictures. On the contrary, several of the screen’s feminine stars have succeeded largely because of foreign pronunciation. It may seem strange, therefore, that Elizabeth Bergner, the famous European star, should have long ] denied herself the chance to portray | her favourite role in the original Eng- | lish because of the slightest trace of an j accent. The explanation, however, is that the role is that of Rosalind in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” the film version of which opens soon at the Stato Theatre. Miss Bergner, long a reigning Continental star and now immensely popular throughout the world for her inimitable screen roles, has played the part of Rosalind more than 600 times on the stage —but never in English. She vowed not to play the role until she “could speak the' lines as they >a.re meant to be spoken.” A short time ago, after several years spent in perfecting her English pronunciation, Miss Bergner announced that her accent had entirely disappeared and she was ready to play Rosalind on the . tallying screen.