AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21979, 14 June 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE "Marry Me,” with its tuneful melodies, its gay variety, and its fast-moving and humorous story, is proving a great draw at the Grand Theatre. Renate Muller, the popular star of “ Sunshine Susie,” registers an even greater success in this her second production to be screened in Dunedin. Her charming personality and highly attractive voice, added to a fine stage presence and finished acting, make her a player of more than usual merit, and, since in this case she is blessed with a role that suits her special capabalities to perfection, she makes a profound impression. As the young and charming recordist in a gramophone factory, she is given ample opportunities for the display of her undeniable talent, and she leads the rest of the cast through the entertaining story very creditably. Associated with her in the leading roles in this picture is no less a character than George Robey, the famous and universally popular London music hall star, who has been given a part of generous and varied opportunity in “Marry Me.” He is asked to depict the amusing and unusual character of a rough-and-ready, beetlebrowed Hungarian farmer, whose innumerable peculiarities and idiosyncrasies afford endless openings for the celebrated comedian. Harry Green is another prominent player, and as the shrewd but exceedingly excitable Jewish marriage broker he keeps his audience in the very best frame of mind from start to finish. The musical numbers in “ Marry Me” are among the gems of the evening’s entertainment, and they include “ Early Bird,” " Will Somebody, Somebody Marry Me? ” “ You’re So Wonderful to Me,” and "A Little Sunshine.” These song hits are all excellently recorded and effectively reproduced, and it may be said that in every respect the Gainsborough studios have turned out a production which may be expected to accomplish a lot. for the reputation of British films. A second feature appears on the programme in the form of “ Northern Lights,’ an outstanding educational production, which takes as * its subject the British Arctic air expedition, which carried out special scientific and meteorological work in the Arctic circle just’ recently. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. | STRAND THEATRE, “ The Face at the Window,” which is the feature of the present programme at the Strand Theatre, is a thriller of the most unashamed and courageous type, and as such will be thoroughly enjoyed. It is an adaptation of a successful stage production which carried the same name, and already it has proved an outstanding box office success. 'The featured artists in its unusually strong cast are Raymond Massey, Claude Hu'bert, and A. Bromley Davenport, all of whom have been very suitably cast, and, therefore, give a very good account of themselves. An interesting and.varied supporting programme adds to the enjoyment of' the evening’s entertainment. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. “HOT PEPPER.” • Action, comedy, beauty, romance, music, and surprises are deftly blended in the new comedy, “ Hot Peppex-,”' the Strand Theatre’s next attraction, which depicts the most recent adventures of Quirt and Flagg, those roystering Romeos who scored so sensationally in “ What Price Glory? ” (considered the best picture of 1925) j “ The Cock-eyed World,” and “ Women of all Nations;” Edmund Lowe and Victor M’Laglen, who have made Quirt and Flag world-famous, appear as the lovable scallywags. They discard their marine uniforms and, in evening clothes, preside merrily over gay night clubs. The exotic Lupe Velez portrays the leading feminine role, and a feature of the production is her singing and her alluring dancing in onC of the night clubs. El Brendel’s delightful comedy adds much to the entertainment of the production, Lilian Bond, Gloria Roy, and Boothe Howard appear in important roles. ST. JAMES THEATRE An unusual picture in a unique setting —“Men of Steel”—forms the principal attraction of this week’s programme at the St. James Theatre. Not only is the picture capably acted and founded on a strong stox-y, but it is rendered doubly interesting by the fact that it. is presented against the background of a great British steelworks, and thus gives come graphic impressions of the great machines in use, and the men who tend them. Included .in the cast are such well-known players as John Stuart, Frank Dyall, Benita Hume, and Heathe" Angel. A stx-ong supporting programme, is screened. The box plans are at the theatre, at Jacobs’s, and at the Bristol... “ IN THE WAKE OF THE BOUNTY.” Travelogues and dramas have drenched the screen with the spray of South Sea beaches until the filmgoer imagines that he knows every angle from which a palm can be photographed. Then an Australian, Charles Chauvel, makes “In the Wake of the Bounty,” and presents the Pacific under a strange and cloudy beauty such as has never before been filmed. This picture will begin at the St. James Theatre on Friday. Chauvel is most coxxcerned with the savage langour of the tropics; he masses the brillance of wild dances and, flowers to show the pathetic contrast between the islands which link that famous mutiny—Tahiti and, Pitcairn. Tlxe first part of the film is a glamorous reconstruction of history, with young Errol Flynn playing the part of Fletcher Christian, Mayne Lynton that of Bligh, and Victor Gouriet that of the blind .fiddler wlxo tells the tale. Drama as well as beauty has been caught by the film; human romances, swift, tragedies, interludes ms exciting as any fiction enthrall the audience. REGENT THEATRE The. sound screen version of “Madame Butterfly,” Puccini’s delightful opera, is attracting good audiences to 1 the Regent Theatre. It has been produced with a sure and sympathetic touch, and the result is a fit fix that everyone will enjoy. Sylvia Sidney appears in the attractive role of the over-trustful Cho-Cho-San, and registers one of the most outstanding successes of her career. Playing opposite her in the principal male role is Cary Grant, who acquits himself with quiet but very noticeable distinction, and among the others who are prominent in the presentation of this delightful love story is Charles Ruggles. The film tells the stoxy of Cho-Cho-San and her American husband, who never returned as her husband. There is an excellent supporting programme, and the box plans tor tlxe season will be . found at the theatre and at the Bristol. v EMPIRE THEATRE The inimitable comedy team, George Sidney and Charlie Murray, are: seen at their best in their latest farce, “The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble,” which is the featxired picture on this week’s bill at tlxe Empire Theatre. As is usual with px-oductions featuring this pair, the action ■ is built on the slenderest of plots, but the picture, nevertheless, provides tlxoroughly entertaining fare, and can be commended to those who enjoy a hearty laugh. A varied and .entertaining programme of short subjects is shown. The box plans arc at the theatre and at the Bristol. “THE BIG BROADCAST.” A, rollicking, laughing, musical roxxxance of radioland is incorporated in the plot of “The Big Broadcast,” which forms the basis of Friday’s change of programme at the Empire Theatre. Primarily a ro- I mance, although generously studded 'with comedy .moments and musical attractions, the picture features some of America’s—indeed, the world’s—best-known radio stars, headed by Bing Crosby. This popular “crooner” and singer has often pleased Dunedin filmgoers with his all-too-short appearances in newsreels, while his many gramophone records have _ found ready markets in this country. He is seen in “The Big Broadcast” as an irresponsible radio broadcaster who finds it entirely impossible to arrive on time for his turn “over the air.” The other radio stars included in the cast —many of whose names and performances are known in this Dominion —are Burns and Allen, Kate Smith, Mills brothers, Boswell sisters, Arthur Tracy (“The Street Singer”), Cab Calloway and his orchestra, and Vincent Lopez and his band.

OCTAGON THEATRE .. The spectacular and magnificently staged “The Sign of the Cross,” which proved so, popular during its initial local screening, is now enjoying a successful repeat season at the Octagon Theatre. Founded on the trials and martyrdom of the early Christians during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, the picture tells a thrilling and graphic story which is capably interpreted by a strong cast, headed by Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, and Charles Laughton. The box plans are at the theatre and at the Bristol. “ PARIS.” The cast of “ Paris,” which stars Irene Bordoni, and will be seen at the Octagon Theatre on Friday, is made up entirely of etage favourites, or those who were formerly on the stage. Miss Bordoni, of course, has been a musical comedy star for a number of years. Her leading man, Jack Buchanan, is a star ,in his own right, and is famous on the New York and London stage. Jason Robards was a member of the original cast of “ Lightning” and Louise Glosser Hale played with Miss Bordoni in the stage' version of “ Paris.” Margaret Fielding, the ingenue of the picture, was also formerly on the stage. “Paris” is'the screen version of Miss Bordoni’s Broadway success, and is a Warner Bros.’ First National picture, directed by Clarence Badger. KING EDWARD THEATRE Ruth Ghattcrton has.the leading role in “The Rich Are Always With Us,” the new film for presentation at the King Edward Theatre to-night. The story concerns one of the wealthiest women in the country, her marriage, the subsequent loss of her husband to a debutante love pirate, and the ultimate happiness she finds with a handsome young author who had long been in love with her. The young author is portrayed by George Brent. The background of the story is one of the smartest and wealthiest against which any screen story has be6n set. Gowns and settings are extremely elaborate and in the best of taste. The large cast -also includes Bette Davis, who appeared opposite George Arliss in “The Man Who Played God,” Adrienne Dorc, Jphn Miljan, Mae Madison,' John Wray, Robert Warwick, Virginia Hammond, Walter Walker, and Burton Churchill. Alfred E. Green, director of “ Disraeli ” and “ Smart Money,” directed.