AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21976, 10 June 1933, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE That nothing succeeds like success is demonstrated by the second triumph which gay and charming Kenate Muller achieves in “ Marry Me,” which delighted a large audience at the Grand Theatre last evening. She was successful in making a wide appeal in " Sunshine Susie,” and just the appearance of her name on the bill boards this week has been enough to raise the highest hopes in the hearts of the picture goers. “ Marry Me ” fulfils the most extravagant expectations which this popular star's first appearance in Dunedin built up for her here. Personality is the keynote of her success in this Gainsborough production, and those who see it during the coming week will agree with the enthusiastically favourable verdict ,which wag expressed with regard to it by audiences yesterday. There is an infectious gaiety and _ sportive abandon about this actress’s frolics on the screen and her attractive voice makes the very fullest use of the many delightful musical numbers which are sprinkled throughout the production. She plays on this occasion at the head of a distinguished cast, but nevertheless she appears to have no real difficulty in maintaining her prominence throughout the entire piece. She is personable to a degree, but not ravishingly beautiful; she is a competent and finished actress but not superlatively good, and she has a pleasing voice though it is by no means artistically perfect. She is an all-round performer who has been blessed with a charm of manner and an engagingly striking personality which brings out the best in all her other qualities and traits, and because she has such excellent backing she makes a superlatively good job ot whatever she undertakes. “ Marry Me is a film which is deserving of every bit as much praise and enthusiasm as that which characterised the screenings ot “ Sunshine Susie,” and if audiences during the coming week react to its gaiety, its swift tempo and its endless variety in the manner in which yesterday’s audiences did, then the management of the theatre need not expect to be allowed to bring the season to a close at the end of the usual six days. Principal among the supporting players in “ Marry Me are George Robey, the famous London music hall star and Harry Green, a comedian of the first quality, who makes an excellent partner and foil for the inimitable Robey. Three others worthy of special mention are lan Hunter, Charles Hawtrey, jun., and Maurice Evans, players whose names will be new to Dunedin audiences, but whose performances will be certain to please. Two of the best of the musical gems which the production contains, are “ Early Bird ” and Will Somebody, Somebody, Marry Me, ’ while “You’re So Wonderful to Me” and “A Little Sunshine ” will also attract a lot of attention. Renate Muller has the role of the recordist in a gramophone factory and George Robey appears as Aloysius Novak, a beetle-browed Hungarian farmer, possessed of a variety of humorous characteristics which suit the particular genius for nonsense of the great London favourite. Harry Green appears as an excitable but very shrewd Jewish “ marriage broker,” and contrives to introduce into the story a great ..deal of very acceptable merriment and comedy. The entire cast works well together and the result is an entirely satisfactory production. There is no time _ for anyone to be dull or uninterested while the thousands of feet of this entertaining film pass across the screen. The picture has been excellently directed and moves freely and easily from first to last. The musical score is delightful and the reproduction of the various melodies and airs has been strikingly done. “Marry Me” will be remembered as one of the really good British films that the present year has brought to Dunedin. In addition to the main feature there is a supporting programme including “Northern Lights,” an absorbingly interesting and graphic pictorial record of the activities and operations of _ the British Arctic Air Expedition, which recently carried out such important scientific and meteorological work in Greenland. The photography is outstandingly good, and deals with the frozen north in a most picturesque and satisfying manner, ‘ This feature proved very popular at yesterday’s sessions and should be one of the attractions during the next few days. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s.

REGENT THEATRE An attractive picture presented in an attractive fashion is " Madame Butterfly ” which opened at the Regent Theatre yes* terday. The theatre was decorated in a suitable manner, and the atmosphere was further enhanced by the presentation of a musical interlude, Miss Evelyn Shepard singing " One Fine Day,” from Puccini’s opera, with her usual artistry. Sylvia Sydney makes a ' bewitching Cho-Cho-San in this new presentation of the famous play, and Gary Grant makes the part of Lieutenant Pinkerton one which will long be remembered. An important part is also played by Charles Buggies. Madame Butterfly ” is one of the prettiest tale s of Japan, with its happiness and laughter in the early part, its delightfully quaint characters and its tragic ending. In the hands of ■ Miss Sydney the title role is made to Jive, and the audience may well laugh with her in her happiness and weep with her in her days of sadness. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol EMPIRE THEATRE Those inimitable comedians George Sidney and Charlie Murray are, if anything, more amusing than ever in their latest production, “The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble,” which commenced its season at the Empire Theatre yesterday. Once again they become involved in a series of hilarious misunderstandings, this time -with a revenue officer, two tenacious women, and a party of rum-runners, to mention but a few. In addition to the rollicking comedy in which it abounds, “The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble ” is notable for some breathlessly exciting scenes, particularly those showing patrol craft pursuing rum-runners off "the San Pedro coast.' A scene in which the two principals are seen in a high-powered speed-boat careering wildly across a harbour dotted with scores of boats, while they endeavour frantically to find a means of stopping their runaway craft, is a masterpiece of comedy allied with action. Sidney and Murray have the assistance of an exceptionally strong cast, foremost among which are Jobyna Howland, Maude Fulton, Andy Devine, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Frank Albertson. The supporting programme rs an exceptionally interesting one, and includes two news reels and a Silly Symphony cartoon. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. OCTAGON THEATRE

<\fle r a very successful week at the Regent Theatre, "The Sign of the Gross’ ha« been transferred to the Octagon Theatre, where it attracted a large audience last evening. The cast which has been selected for this picture may truly be described as one of the most notable seen in .one production for a long time. Frederic March has the role of Marcus Superbus, Ellssa Laudi is seen as Mercia, .Claudette Colbert as Poppaca, Charles Laughton ae Nero, and other players, almost equally well known, are cast in supporting parts. In addition to the principal players, there arc 7500 extras who make the crowd scenes really memorable. The picture deals for the most part with the persecution of the Christians by the Romans in the time of Nero. There is at no time anything that may be regarded as wanting in taste, and at the same time the manners and customs of the period are faithfully depicted. The picture can be recommended a s entertainment of the sort that is seen all too seldom. There is an interesting news reel. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE Those who retain pleasant recollections of "The Face at the Window” when it appeared on the stage in this city, will welcome its return as a talking picture at the Strand Theatre. The screen- affords the producer opportunities for the introduction of thrills which were not possible to the stage manager, and every advantage has been taken of this fact. The picture is excellently cast, the leading role being taken by Raymond Massey, who has the support of, among others, Claude Hulbert and A. Bromley Davenport. The atmosphere of tense expectancy which charac-

terised the play has been recaptured i* the film version, with the result that the audience is kept keyed up until the final fade-out. Relief from what might be otherwise rather too grim a story is provided by Claude Hulbert, who is' seen in some of his enjoyable fooling and contributes materially to the success of the picture. “The Face at the Window” is a film that will be appreciated by all those who' like to he thrilled as well as entertained. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

ST. JAMES THEATRE A picture of a decidedly unusual type had its initial presentation at the St. James Theatre yesterday, when “Men of Steel” was shown for the first time. Although from time to time producers have attempted the task of interesting audiences in films of an educational nature, the success which has attended their efforts has not been entirely encouraging, owing to the fact that the theme of the picture has been of the slenderest. In “Men of Steel,” however, an interesting story is played against a background of one of the great British steel works in such a way that the members of the audience are introduced to a pageant of the wanders of large scale iron and steel production. This is not to say that “ Men of Steel ” is merely a glorified tour of the works, for every scene is introduced naturally, and the ' unfolding of the story provides the opportunity for intimate glimpses of the lives of the men whose technical skill has placed Britain in the "forefront of the manufacturing countries of the world. Those who enjoy a good story and those who like to extend their general knowledge will alike find “ Men. of Steel ” well worth seeing. A good supporting programme is shown. The box plans are afc the theatre, the Bristol, and Jacobs’s. KING \EDWARD THEATRE Joe E. Brown, the comedian, has a very congenial role in “ The . Tenderfoot,” which will be the chief attraction at the King Edward Theatre today. In the title role, Joe appears as a “ tenderfoot ” who comes to New York from his Texas ranch looking for a safe investment which will enable him to - lf?t, the, mortgage on his ranch. He falls in' with a theatrical producer and the fireworks begin when Joe buys a bad show. Immediately upon bis arrival in New York, Joe is engulfed in a whirl of exciting incidents of genuine laugh-provoking nature. Eventually he disengages himself from his humorous difficulties and is enabled to save his ranch and marry the girl he has fallen in love with. The large supporting cast has Ginger Rogers in the feminine lead, Lew Cody and Robert Greig in comedy roles, and Vivian Oakland, Wilfred Lucas, Spencer Charters, Ralph Ince, Marion Byron, and Mae Madison in prominent parts. The other film is “Bachelor’s Affairs,” in which Adolphe Menjou, Minna Gombell, Joan Marsh, and Allan Dinehart appear. ■ MOSGIEL PICTURES George Arliss in “/The King’s Vacation" will be shown in Mosgiel to-night in perhaps the finest role of his remarkable career. In the role of King Philip, Arliss > •makes a genial sovereign, a man who, moves easily amid the pomp and dignity of life in a palace. The scenes in the picture show the brilliance of the Court and give' a hint of seething discontent among the people. In these circumstances the king’s sympathies are with the people. He abdicates, and his marriage to the queen being annulled, he returns to his former wife and child, whom he has' not seen since he ascended the throne. It is a change which fills him with joyous anticipation of return to the simple life, but the king finds happiness elusive. Thers are good supporting attractions.

SKATING MURRAY’S RINK. Young and old alike continue to fre* quent Murray’s Rink in Moray place. That the weather has been most suitable in' shown by the attendances at each session. The floor is in perfect order and skates to suit all patrons are provided.? Novelties and special events are arranged at various intervals for the enjoyment of the patrons. Latest music is provided which helps to make skating very pleasant. Hockey matches on skates will soon be commenced. This is the most thrilling of indoor sports, and those who attended these matches last season can be sure of witnessing games equally as brilliant as those in the past. v; ■ REGAL RINK. ■ As the weather gets colder the attendances at the Regal Skating Rink increases. Last Monday’s Old Timers’ Club night was very successful and the second night of the club will be held next Tuesday, when it is hoped that those who were not able to attend on the opening-night will be present. Further particulars will be found in the advertising columns.