AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21984, 20 June 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Renate Muller, who has the leading role in “ Marry Me,” which is at present being shown at the Grand Theatre, haa experienced one of the most remarkable rises to popularity which the talking screen has seen. Until the appearance of that highly successful picture, “Sunshine Susie,” she "was unknown to theatre audiences in thia country, but her performance ill that first starring vehicle reached a standard which ensured for her a place among the first flight of film players, and her next picture has been eagerly awaited. In “Marry Me” Miss Muller proves that her initial success was no mere accident of chance. Her acting, singing, and the general air of joyousness “which she manages to impart to the picture make her work in “Marry Me” reach a level to be expected of the star of “ Sunshine Susie.” She sings a variety of pleasing songs, among which might be mentioned “Will Somebody, Somebody Marry Me,” “ The Early Bird,” “ A Little Sunshine,” and “You’re So Wonderful to Me.” in a manner that is bound to appeal , to 1 audiences. In fact, “ Marry Me ” fully sustains the high reputation of its star, and offers promise of other pictures quite as successful as their predecessors.- ' The story itself is a comedy which affords excellent opportunities for two actors of more than usual abilities to give Outstanding characterisations. As a rough and ready Hungarian farmer, George Robey is particularly amusing, and he contrives to make much more of the part than would be anticipated. He is responsible for a great deal of the swing with which the story moves from start to finish, but he is assisted by a remarkably capable colleague in the person of Harry Green, who is east as a Jewish marriage broker. The latter in the course of his calling finds himself face to face with a series of complications, from all of which the maximum of entertainment is extracted. Among the supporting players are Tan Hunter and Charles Hawtrey, jun., who are seen to advantage in roles that appear to have been especially chosen for them. “Marry Me,” following on a number of films of high quality from the British studios, constitutes a challenge to the American producers which they cannot afford to ignore. Included on the same programme is a picture dealing with the operation’s of the British Arctic Air Expedition, which ■ recently conducted an extensive survey of a large section of the territory lying within” the Arctic Circle. In the course, of the screening of this the audience is given the opportunity of realising some of the difficulties which were encountered and overcome by these explorers in, the cause, of science. The whole entertainment is well balanced, and is one that can confidently be recommended to theatre patrons. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. REGENT THEATRE Constance Bennett, Paul Lukas, and Joel M’Crea play the leading roles in “ Rockabye,” an intensely human and appealing story, which is at present being shown at the Regent Theatre. As the successful actress and the foster-mother of a delightful child, and also as the victim of her lover’s jealousy, Miss Bennett gives a finely etched and extremely convincing performance, whilst high praise must also be given to Lukas and M'Crea, whose handling of the subsidiary roles is charac'terised by unusual competence. The story tells how Judy Carroll, after adopting: a little girl, is involved in. a sensational case, with the result that the orphanage officials refuse to let her have the girl; Judy goes to Europe, •where she falls in love with an author, but finds that the child stands between herself and happiness, and it is only the unselfish devotion of. her manager which, brings ■ the two lovers together. There is an excellent supporting programme, The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “ TO-DAY WE LIVE.” The first joint appearance in a.film plav of Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper will be made at the Regent Theatre on Friday next. “To-day We Live” is a happy event for movie-goers, for here is a picture which combines romance of a stirring order "with a clean-cut, forceful story of the war with the emphasis laid on the part played by the commanders of the dangerous British two-man torpedo boats, known as the “ skeeter fleet.” Miss Crawford, who seems, to grow more exciting in appearance with each succeeding vehicle, has a striking role as the aristocratic English girl who cannot stand remaining at home while her brother and the two men who love her are at the front, Franchot Tone, the brother, and Robert Young, the childhood sweetheart, are members of the torpedo squad, while Gary Cooper, who is closest to her heart, enrols in the flying forces. In order, to be near these three, Miss Crawford becomes a member of a British ambulance unit, and some stirring, adventures ensue before the, story is brought to a climax. . s 11..,-, EMPIRE THEATRE Those interested in wireless broadcasting, and to-day, this includes the majority; of the phblic, will find a, subject that should appeal to them in the theme .of the picture which is this week being shown at the Empire Theatre. In “The Big Broadcast ” the audience is introduced to the life that goes on behind the scenes at a great broadcasting station. The picture is more than a glimpse of the lives of the men and women who control the radio entertainment of a country, however, and in the course of the screening a good deal of variety is introduced in much the manner of a revue. Included in the cast are some of the best-known radio performers in the United States, among whom mighty be mentioned Bing Crosby and the Boswell Sisters. Leila Hyams and Stuart Erwin also have important roles in the production. A number of spectacular dance scenes are shown, and music plays an important part in the picture. The supporting programme includes a well-chosen series of short subjects from the Paramount studios. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “ STATE FAIR.” Writing a new chapter in the brief history of real all-star pictures, Fox I Urns drew upon the finest talent of Hollywood to bring Phil Stong’s Literary Guild prize novel, “State Fair,” to the screen. It opens on Friday at the Empire Theatre. The cast chosen to portray the characters of the best-selling novel includes Janet Gayuor, Will Rogers, Lew Ayres, Sally Filers, Norman Foster, Frank Craven, Louise Dresser, and Victor Jory. There is also Blue Boy, 9001 b of grand champion Hampshire boar. In assembling this imposing array of star talent, Fox upset nrecedent in two ways. It went beyond its own studio contract roster to secure Ayres as Miss Gaynor’s sweetheart, and it chose all of the stars to fit roles, rather than building parts to suit player personalities. “ State Fair,” a story rich in romance and comedy, deals with the loves and adventures of, a Middle Western farm family. Abel Frake. his wife,.his daughter and son go to the state fair. There the children become involved in romances while the parents are competing for prizes. OCTAGON THEATRE “Paris,” a bright and entertaining revue, featuring Jack Buchanan and Irene Bordoui, is experiencing a successful return season at the Octagon Theatre, where it heads the current programme. The plot is of the slenderest, but it is sufficient basis for the wealth of humour and variety which constitute the principal features of the film. The theme of the production is woven round the adventures of a staid society matron who travels to Paris with the fixed intention of rescuing her son from the wiles of a beautiful actress, but when she-has been in the gay capital for a short period she rapidly forgets her responsibilities in this connection and joins in the merry whirl of life with such abandon as to scandalise her friends and cause her son to attempt a bit of rescuing on his own account. Jack Buchanan’s performance as the devoted admirer of the actress is remarkable for its polish and competence, and it is probably one of his best efforts. There is a strong programme of supporting short subjects. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol.

“FACE IN THE SKY” AND “ SECOND-HAND WIFE.” Every so often in the parade of screen offerings there comes a, picture that is a sheer delight to see, a picture that tells its story so charmingly and entertainingly that •the reviewer is tempted to stand up and shout about it to the world. “Face in the Sky,” which opens on Friday at the Octagon Theatre, is said to be such a picture. With a worth-while cast, one of the most appealing stories, Lee Garmes’a photography, and the novel direction and treatment of Harry Lachman, this Fox film presents very satisfying entertainment. The other picture will be “ Second-hand Wife,” based on Kathleen Norris’s remarkable 1 story of love, divorce, and intrigue. Sally Ellers and Ralph Bellamy are co-featured, and both give performances that deserve to be called the best of their careers. Not since she triumphed in “Bad Girl” has Miss Eiiers enjoyed a role so well fitted to her personality. The role of the selfish wife who neglects her husband for her daughter’s music teacher, is well played by Helen Vinson. Victor Jory, as her paramour, contributes a fine performance. ST. JAMES THEATRE , One of the most remarkable stories in the annals of the sea forms the theme of In the Wake of the Bounty,” which is the current attraction at the St. James Theatre. _ The producers have realised the opportunities which were afforded by such a picture for the introduction of some effective photography, with the result that those who see the picture will long remember the views of the South Sea Isles that are unfolded. But this is not the only feature which makes the picture one worth seeing. The story of the mutiny of the crew of the ship Bounty under the excessive harshness of their commander, Bligh, is told in a thoroughly capable way by a well-chosen east. The audience is then shown the manner in which the mutineers managed to make good their escape and disappear for many years from the knowledge of their countrymen. Some striking scenes are included of the life of the descendants of these men on the remote Pitcairn Island, and altogether the picture is a decided change from the usual run of films. In addition, there is a good supporting programme of short subjects. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s, and the Bristol. ‘ “DIGGERS IN BLIGHTY.” Pat Hanna's latest film,.’“ Diggers in Blighty,” to be screened on Friday next at the St. James Theatre, is a military comedy. Therefore, great arttention had to be paid to the details of uniform, discipline, etiquette, etc., Pat is so . wellknown and well ! liked that people are ’ usually willing to give him any assistance, but the Defence Department and military authorities went out of the way to help him during the making of. his' latest film. One well-known general went so far as to loan his own.uniforms, decorations, and markings. Many of the permanent and voluntary forces appear, in the various big. crowd scenes, and the R.S.S.I.L.A. Military Band also plays in the big troopship sequence. Some of the interior sets constructed for this picture include those of a chateau, a troopship, an English country home, a luxury hotel, dugouts and trenches, a hospital, and a London street scene. : Prominent in the brilliant east are Pat Hanna himself, George Moon, Joe Vali, Alfred Frith (so well known in musical comedy). Field Fisher, John D’Arcy, Thelma Scott, Nellie Mortyne, Rec Wykeham, John Dobbie, Guy Hastings, and Prudence Irving. STRAND THEATRE ‘ , • The familiar and boisterous figures of “What Price Glory and “The Cock-Eyed World,” Quirt and Flagg, return to the screen in another riotous story, “Hot; Pepper,” which is at present being shown at the Strand Theatre. On this occasion they spend their time wrangling their way through an orgy of wealth in_ New York, Flagg having established himself as a rum-runner, a fact which Quirt loses no time jto making capital out of, at Flagg’s expense. Throughout the story Quirt is the carefree gambler who uses his wits to relieve others of their worldly wealth, and he and Flagg are at daggers drawn as of old. Victor M'Laglen is as entertaining and as vigorous as .ever in his role as Flagg, whilst Edmund Lowe is just as effective as Quirt in a dress shirt as he was in a uniform. Dupe Valez gives a charming performance in the role Of a South American dancer who smuggles Herself into New York on Flagg’s mm-running ship, and El Brcndel is his customary whimsical self {is Flagg's chauffeur. There is an entertaining programme of supporting pictures. The box plans are at the theatre and, the Bristol. “PEACH O’ RENO.” Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolscy, that inimitable pair of comedians,, have characterised many types, including funeral directors, gamblers, etc., hut it remained for their latest picture, “Peach o’. Reno,” 5 to show what they could do as lawyers. In this film, which will be the next attraction at the Strand Theatre, the celebrated comedy team appears as Reno’s most popular pair of divorce lawyers, and from start tp finish Reno,; its divorces and divorcees and gambling and night life, are colourfully depicted—and satirised. Th e fun is hilarious and ridiculous, but just real enough to give one who hasn’t seen Reno a very good idea of “America’s bright spot.” KING EDWARD THEATRE Winnie Lightner and Charles Butterworth are associated in’the leading roles in “ Sideshow,” a novel and entertaining story of circus life, which constitutes the current attraction at the King Edward Theatre. The humour of the production is as diversified as the individual characteristics of the two principals can make it. while a charming romance provides the story with an emotional appeal of a strikingly effective character. Between her momenta of clowning, in which she substitutes her humorous, side-show freaks—such as hula girl, fire diver, and" cannibal —Winnie Lightner demonstrates her remarkable versatility, while the supporting players carry out their parts in such a manner as to enhance the value of. the production considerably. The second film on the programme is “ Igloo,” a story of the Eskimos, in which there are some wonderful exhibitions of snow photography.