AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21985, 21 June 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE “Marry Me,” with its turieful nolodies, its gay variety, and its fast-movuig and bumoroiis story, is proving a strong attraction during the second week of its season at the Grand Theatre. Kenatc 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 graceful 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 capabilities 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 role 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, bettle-browed Hungarian farmer, whose innumerable peculiarities and idiosyncracies 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 ‘.hrougnout the production. The musical numbers in “ Marry Me ” are among the gema 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 British films The supporting programme comprises one film, an interesting and extremely educational, porduction dealing with the Arctic Circle. It covers a full range of the aevtivities and operations of the British Arctic Air Expedition, which recently carried out such valuable scientific and mqteoorlogical research in various parts of the Arctic Circle, and notably in Greenland. The box plans are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s, "THE LOVE CONTRACT.” Owen Nares and Winifred Shotter have the leading roles in “ The Love Contract,” which will be commenced at the Grand Theatre on Friday. " The Love Contract” tells how Antoinette (Winifred Shotter) loses all her money in a Stock Exchange crash. The man unwittingly responsible for her ruin, Neville Carrington (Owen Nares), conies with his friend, Mrs Savage (Sunday Wilshin) to take possession of Antoinette’s house. Antoinette shows him the house, and he falls in love with her. They make a bargain. Antoinette has no money, so she will accept the position of chauffeur to Carrington. If she can hold the job for three months, she gets her house back. It not, she accepts Carrington’s proposal of marriage. Her appointment is greeted at first with disfavour by Hodge, Carrington’s regular chauffeur (Gibb M'Laughlin), and by the butler, Peters (Miles Malleson), but she wins them over. Mrs Savage is also displeased, since she has planned an elopement with Carrington, whose enthusiasm for it wanes quickly after his meeting with Antoinette. Nevertheless, Mrs Savage holds him to his half-promise and the elopement begins—but Antoinette, at the wheel of the eloping car, soon finds a way to spoil Mrs Savage’s plans. Carrington tries his utmost to prevent Antoinette from winning her bet, for every time he orders her to clean the car she makes him late for his appointments. His last grand effort fails, and Antoinette wins the wager. Then she accepts his proposal. For the first time, Winifred Shotter appears in a star part. The story of her’rise to fame is an interesting one. When it was decided to present “Rookery Nook”' at the Aldwych Theatre, the second farce by Ben Travers to be presented there, a search was made for a girl who would be able to express the innocence and naivete of Ben Travers’s heroine. 1 The search ended at the Winter Garden Theatre, when Leslie Henson introduced to the Aldwych pianagement a girl who -was in the chorus of the show he was presenting. The girl's name was Winifred Shotter. She made a successful debut in “ Rookery Nook.” apd then appeared in an unbrokep succession of Aldwych farces from that time onwards. When “Rookery Nook” was'brought to the screen by British and Dominions, Winifred Shotter appeared with the rest of the Aldwych cast. Once again she was a success, abd she was seen in further,B. and D. pictures, including “Plunder,” “On Approval” “The Chance of.a Night Time.” “Mischief,” and “A Night Like This.” Soon after the completion of “ A Night Like This” Miss Shotter was offered a contract with British and Dominions. She accepted, and “The Love Contract” is her first film under the new arrangement. ■

EMPIRE THEATRE “The Big Broadcast” is the feature of tlie current programme at the Empire Theatre, and it is proving very popular. It deals in a most amusing and exhaustive way with life behind the scenes in a large broadcasting station, and it serves to introduce to Dunedin audiences some of the radio stars of the United States. Bing Crosby singing “Pleive” is one of the features of the product\>n. and among the other star turns are the Boswell Sisters, Cab Galloway with his oiwhestra, and the appearance of Leila Hyai\s and Stuart Erwin in the leading roles of the story that has been written rouiiij the production. It is a novel type of aomg and dance production in which music is the predominating factor. The features include many very striking dance scVnas, and a lot of excellent vaudeville enU vtainraent. The supporting programme is .Made up of a very interesting and careL-'Jy selected series of Paramount shorts which cover a wide range of subjects. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at the Bristol. “STATE FAIR.” ■ ' Writing a new chapter in the brief history of real all-star : pictures, Fox Films drew upon the finest talent available to bring Phil Stong’s Literary Guild prize novel, “ State Fair,” to the screen. It will open on Friday at the EinjTTre Theatre. More than 100,000 people, among them eight of the screen's leading stars, appear in the picture. The Mars of the mammoth production are Janet Gay nor, Lew Ayres, Will Rogers, Sally Filers, Norman Foster, Louise Dresser, Frank Craven, and Victor Jory. Miss Gaynor, Rogers, Foster, and Mies Dresser are seen as members 01 a Mid-West farm family enjoying their' annual outing at the agricultural show. Ayres plays a newspaper reporter who covers the show 1 for his paper. Miss Eilers portrays a carnival trapeze performer, Craven characterises a country storekeeper, and Jory appears as $ side-showman, King, who directed “ State Fair,”_ asserts that every man, woman, and child_ who sees the picture will recognise a friend in it. “ The characters of ‘ State Fair are without exception the most human I ve seen in a picture,” declared King. They are the sort of people we meet and talk with every day. Furthermore, there is at least one in the group that eveiy person will understand particularly well. It may be the pretty farm girl played bv Janet Gaynor, the farmer portrayed by Will Rogers, or the carnival girl that Sally Filers characterises. Or perhaps it will be the newspaper reporter Lew Ayres plays, the matron played by Louise Dresser, or the country storekeeper portrayed by Frank Craven. Somewhere along the line every person who sees the picture will recognise an especially kindred spirit. It is characterisation ot this type,” continued the director, that makes a story an ideal screen vehicle. ■' State Fair ’ is the screen version ot Phil Stong’s Literary Guild prize novel, and it was adapted for the screen by Sonya'Levicn and Paul Green. The completion of “State Fair” brought to a close continuous activity which extended over a period exceeding six months. I reparatory work included a visit by the director, Henry King, and a technical staff to the leading fairs of the MidWest. Phil Stong also was called to Hollywood for conferences concerning the screen treatment of his book. While the lannan cast for the picture was assembled from the ranking stars of Hollywood, Fox brought a pride of the Mid-West to the picture capital to portray the prize hog of the story. He is Blue Boy 9001 b

grand champion Hampshire boar. The story of “ State Fair ” concerns the loves and adventures of a farm family at a big exposition. Double romance and comedy are its outstanding features. The supporting items will be of excellent quality.

OCTAGON THEATRE “Paris,” featuring Jack Buchanan and Irene Bordoni, is the attraction at the Octagon Theatre at the present time. It is a bright and entertaining production which will be generally enjoyed. Buchanan is a versatile and accomplished comedian who has made himself very popular with his appearances in British pictures, and on this occasion he registers one of his best performances. The story is woven around the adventures of a staid society lady who goes to Paris to rescue her son from the clutches of a designing woman. The complications which ensue make up a very diverting story which is _ excellently told by the principals. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects, and the box plans will be found at the theatre and at the Bristol. “FACE IN THE SKY” AND “ SECOND-HAND WIFE.” “Face in the Sky,” the Spencer Tracj;Marian Nison-Stuart Erwin feature from Fox Films, which opens at the Octagon Theatre on Friday, is said to be one of the most delightful screen productions seen for some time. Whimsical, always charming, ’this tale of a travelling signboard artist’s .romance with a wistful little country girl offers a brand-new form of entertainment to local picture patrons, and one that will be widely appreciated. Tracy reveals a hitherto unsuspected flair, for delicate and sincere love-making: and add to this his boisterous teaming with Erwin in the comedy scenes. Miss Nixon is compelling in her part, and Sarah Padden and Sam Hardy furnish notable support. A dispassionate and vindictive wife, who prefers society to home life, plays an-important part in the plot of “Seqohd-hand Wife,” the other film on the programme. This role is enacted by Helen Vinson, which is secondary only to the leading roles portrayed by Sally Filers and Ralph Bellamy. “ Second-hancl Wife” is based on a novel by Kathleen Norris and tells the story of a beautiful girl who becomes the second wife of the neglected husband. ST. JAMES THEATRE “ In the Wake of the Bounty,” a graphic modern reconstruction iof that amazing drama of the high seas which commenced with thq mutiny of the crew of the Bounty and had its sequel in the settlement of the tiny’ colony of Pitcairn Island, is the feature of the programme at the St. James Theatre this week. The old story is told in a picturesque and convincing manner and audiences are given a close insight into the life of the Pitcairn Islanders, who are nearly all descendants of the mutineers- who set Captain Bligh adrift in an open boat on the high seas and set off to make a home for themselves somewhere in the South Seas. The views of the South Sea Islands, which have been interpolated into the - film, are excellent examples of modern photography, and altogether the producers have contrived to present a' Very unusual and entertaining film. , In addition to the main film there is an excellent supporting programme of news gazettes and other features, and the box. plans for the season are at the theatre, at Jacobs’s, and at the Bristol. STRAND THEATRE . Victor M'Laglen and Edmund Lowe, fid the leading male roles in “Hot Pepper," the current: attraction at the Strand Theatre. .In this production they assume tlie familiar •parts of Flagg and Qnirtjdn which they made themselves so popular in “ What Price Glory? ” and “ The Cocks eyed World,” but on’ this occasion they are surrounded by an atmosphere of great wealth, occasioned by- the rum-ruifniug activities of Flagg, Quirt’s part in the story being that of a wily gambler whose efforts are confined to enriching himself at the expense of others. In Flagg he finds a profitable victim, and the pair, resume their boisterous wrangling as Quirt, with infinite guile, relieves Flagg of much of his ill-gotten gams. Hot Pepper ” is a vigorous and entertaining film in which there is much that is amusing. The presence of Lupe Velez, who takes the part of a South dancer who, smuggles herself into New York on one of Flagg’s rum-running snips, provides the necessary feminine appeal, while El Brendel is as whimsical as ever as Flagg’s chauffeur. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol, v “PEACH O’ RENO.” Reno’s divorce farce becomes the subject for farcical antics by Wheeler and Woolsey in their latest comedy, ‘ Peach o’ Reno,” which will commence on Tn-i day at the Strand Theatre. It is considerably the best of the recent productions featuring these comics, having some: moments which are positively uproarious. Cast in the roles of Reno’s leading bargain rate divorce lawyers, the two are given opportunities to poke of tun at Reno’s marital mill, its gambling; and its nonsense. Dorothy Lee plays opposite Wheeler as in the days of Rio Rita,” “The Cuckoos,” “Caught Plasitered,” and other laugh hits filmed by the comedians. This time Woolsey’s tic partner, . is Zelma O’Neal, the pretty comedian of the stage and film success, “ Follow Through,” while the mature romance of the picture is evolved—-and developed in the divorce '✓mrt—between Joseph; Caw.thorn and Cera Witherspoon, the latter of stage fame. Other favourites such as Mitchell Harris, Sara Hardy, and Arthur Hoyt are prominent in the cast. REGENT THEATRE '■ , • ’ i An intensely human and appealing story of a womans’ 16Ve for children is unfolded in “Rockabye,” the present featured attraction at the Regent Theatre. The principal roles are played by Constance Bennett. Paul Lukas, and Joel M’Crca, all of whom give thoroughly convincing and attractive performances. Miss ■ Bennett plays the part of Judy Carroll, a successful actress whose great love for children eventuality stands between heri self and happiness. Whilst at. the height of her career she adopts a small girl, but her participation in a sensational case causes the orphanage authorities to take tlm child away from her. She goes to Europe, where she meets a young author, with whom she falls in love, but on her return to New York she finds that the jealous disposition of her lover will not permit her to keep the child she bas adopted, and it is only the unselfish devotion of her manager, who also loves her, that eventually smooths out the path of the two young people. There is an cellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “TO-DAY WE LIVE.” “Trios”, of men or women have brought success to many a talking and silent picture. Who will forget Douglas Fairbanks and “The Three Musketeers' ? Memory of Gilbert, Dane, and OBnen in “ The Big Parade ” will always remain fresh in the minds of filmgoers. The trio of men in “Beau Geste ” is unforgettable. The same is true of The three girls in *' The Greeks Had a V7ord for Them.” The latest trio to arise ' in pictures comprises Gary Cooper, Robert Young, and Franchot Tone, who are seen with Joan Crawford in “To-day We Live,” which opens on Friday at the Regent Theatre. It is a Metro-Goldwyn-Maver picture directed by Howard Hawks from an original story by William Faulkner. author of “Light in August” and “ Sanctuary.” A charming and really unique stage presentation will also be part of the Regent’s next entertainment. In this act six talented juvenile musicians and two dainty dancers known as the Roland Sextet have received remarkable receptions in the north. KING EDWARD THEATRE The adventures and romance of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” as portrayed in the Fox production featuring Marian Nixon and Ralph Bellamy, will occupy the screen at the King Edward Theatre beginning to-day. The choice of dainty, wistful, appealing Miss Nixon, and tall, handsome Bellamy to enact the leading roles in this important feature picture came, it is said, as a reward for splendid work ih recent successes. Miss Nixon, it will be recalled, scored individually opposite Charles Farrell in “ After To-mor-row.” then repeated her success in her brilliant performance with Warner Baxter in “ Amateur Daddy.” Bellamy, who until now has the up-hill struggle of

establishing himself in unsympathetic or “ heavy ” roles, was given the romantic part of Dr Adam Ladd because of the capable manier in which he portrayed the German officer in “Surrender.” Briefly, the film story recounts the main adventures of Rebecca, a a immortalised in the book, revolving around her intense desire to win the regard of her spinster aunts; her interest in obtaining a wedding ring for the unwed mother of Jack-O-Lantern, and her romance with Dr Adam Ladd. Mae Marsh, as Aunt Jane, and Louise Glosser Hale, as Aunt Miranda, portray the aged spinster aunts of Rebecca.