AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21986, 22 June 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Renate Muller, George Robey, and Harry Green are the stars in “ Marry Me,” the latest product of the Gainsborough Studios, which will receive its final presentation at the Grand Theatre this evening. The film is a joyous combination of melody, comedy, and romance, and has exercised a great appeal on audiences during the past fortnight. Renate Muller has earned a wide and general popularity which makes her one of the best box-office draws of the moment, and in “Marry Me” she excels herself, surpassing even her: outstanding performance in “ Sunshine Susie.” George Robie, the famous and universally popular London music hall star, has a part of varied and generous opportunity in “Marry Me,” and makes a very effective and successful seteen debut. He appears as a beetlebrowed Hungarian farmer, and in the portrayal of the numerous curious and humorous characteristics of the part he demonstrates his polish and skill in no uncertain manner. There is no lack of lilting, catchy music in “Marry Me,” and all the song numbers are excellently rendered. “Will Somebody, Somebody Marry Me?” and “Early Bird” are two of the best numbers, but there are plenty of other attractive musical fea-. tures. “A Little Sunshine,” and “You’re So Good to Me ’’ are very appealing numbers. The film has been excellently directed, and moves freely and easily through its charming story, maintaining always a suitably brisk tempo, and neycr descending to dullness. The supporting programme is composed of the British film “ Northern Lights,” an enthralling pictorial narrative of the activities of the British Arctic air expedition, which carried out valuable scientific and meteorological research in Greenland and the Arctic circle. The box plans are at the theatre and Messrs Charles Begg and CO.’S. ' OCTAGON THEATRE The main attraction at the Octagon Theatre at present is “ Paris,” in which Jack Buchanan, Irene Bordoni, and Louise Glosser Hale occupy the principal parts. “ Paris ” is a story of a staid society lady who goes to the gay city for the purpose of rescuing her erring son from the clutches of a designing woman. Once there, she finds things not just as she expected, and some very amusing complications ensue. The happy ending comes when things look at their worst. The supporting programme is one of unusual excellence. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. '“FACE IN THE SKY” AND “ SECOND HAND WIFE.” The leading attraction at the Octagon Theatre, commencing to-morrow, will be “ Face in the Sky,” which revolves around a whimsical romance between two dreamers—one a little country girl, the other a swaggering young signboard artist w'ho meets her on a Vermont farm. Airy and at times almost fantastic, the story has been handled in an utterly flawless manner that immediately places Harry Lachman in his first American screen effort, among the foremost directors. Spencer Tracy turns in what, is possibly his finest performance as the self-assured “artist,” with Marion Nixon, the sweet little lady of “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.” is a perfect contrast -as the heroine. The story of a j man, successful in business but a failure in his domestic relations and a young secretary who falls in love with her employer, is revealed in “ Second Hand Wife,” the second Fox picture, co-featuring Sally Eilers and Ralph Bellamy in the leading roles. Miss Eilers appears as the secretary who realises, that the man is not happy in bis fashionable marriage, and that only his daughter holds their home together. She realises, too, that he loves her and cannot conceal the fact. _How she becomes his wife by sacrificing her happiness for the child makes a story that is said to run the gamut of human emotions. i ' 'X ]- ST. JAMES THEATRE A film that is decidedly out of, the usual run is being screened at the St. James Theatre this week, the title being “In the Wake of the Bounty.” This is a graphic reconstruction of the ojd story of the Bounty on which the historical mutiny took place. The photography is a feature of the picture, some of the South Sea Island scenes being remarkably beautiful. A travelogue and a romance in one, the picture is one well worthy of more than passing notice. The supports ate all , of a high standard. The box plaps are at tbe theatre, the Bristol, and Jacobs’s. “ DIGGERS IN BLIGHTY.” The title of “ Diggers in Blighty," the Australian talking picture which comes to the St. James Theatre to-morrow (.Friday), may give the impression that it is a war pictured but it is something more —a wholesome, human comedy against a war background. The appeal of pictures of this kind is natural to New Zealanders, for the sentiment is wholly British, and it is a comedy first and last. “ Diggers in Blighty ” is a Pat Hanna production, and he appears as Chic Williams, an Australian private. His friends are Lancecorporal M’Tavish (Joe Valli) and Private Joe Mulga (George Moon). The three, although they have a reputation for gallantry in the field, get up to much trouble behind the lines, and a good deal of fun is provided with the proverbial war-time sergeants-major. Their commanding officer is Captain Jack Fisher (John D’Arcy), and the love interest of the film is sustained by him and the nurse at the hospital (Iza Crossley). In the opening portions of the picture there is considerable .drama, dealing with the work of the Secret Service, and Norman French stars in this. Thelma Scott ie cast as his secretary. The supporting programme will include “A Night a , n hilarious comedy featuring George Wallace, the popular Australian comedian, and more fun with Downie and Henderson, radio entertainers, in addition to interesting newsreels. STRAND THEATRE In their familiar roles of Flagg and Quirt, Victor M’Laglen and Edmund Lowe are seen in “ Hot Pepper,” which will have its final screening at the Strand theatre to-day. The production is ot course, pure comedy, mid those who have seen previous pictures in which these two have been starred will know exactly what to expect. Flagg is shown on This occasion as a rum-runner, while Quirt is a gambler who finds in Flagg a profitable victim. In addition to the two stars, Lupe Velez and El Brendel carry a good deal of the burden of the acting in a manner fully in keeping with their reputations. A good supporting programme is also shown. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “ PEACH O’ RENO.” 1 Mirth-provoking in the extreme are the adventures and misadventures ot the tno clowns of “ Rio Rita.” “Half Shot at Sunrise,” “The Cucleoos and Hold ’Em, Jail!” Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, who will make their reappearance in Dunedin in “ Pencil o Reno, which will open its season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. An eminent overseas critic- says:—“This is a Wheeler and Woolsey comedy which • is really a skit on the quick divorces obtainable at Reno, with Wheeler and Woolsey as the two most famous lawyers m the town. There-are many genuinely tunny scenes when Crosby, a gambler trojn Aiizoidj arrives to shoot the lawyer who obtained a divorce for his wife: when the large offices ot the two are turned, by the touch ot a button, into a huge casino, complete with gaming tables and band, when Wheeler dons the robes aud tole ot a professional co-respondent; and, lastly, the court scenes—which are typieal ot how Hollywood can provide really tunny backgrounds. The film has a red-hot pace and is full of jokes which are not chestnuts.” ’REGENT THEATRE Constance Bennett, who has given many outstanding performances in films in the past few' years, ,is cast in the leading role of “ Rockabye,” which is at present being shown at the Regent Theatre. 1 he story round which the film is built up has to do with the manner in which a woman, whose life has apparently been ruined as the result of a sensational trial in which she is involved, eventually finds happiness

in the love of a man, whom she meets while travelling. A second issue is introduced by the struggle which the woman is called on to face as the result of her love for an adopted child, which threatens to clash with her new found happiness. Other interesting parts are played by Paul Lukes and Joel M'Crea. The box plans are at the theatre and the Bristol. “ TO-DAY WE LIVE.” The combined appearance of Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper in a story written bv the brilliant American William Faulkner are the factors which give ‘ To-day We Live,” which will open tomorrow at the Regent Theatre, the reputation of being the most anticipated motion picture of the current Idnema, season. Miss Crawford, who won superlatives from critics and public alike for her outstanding, work in “ Grand Hotel ” (coming next month) and “ Letty Lynton,” is cast as a member of a British ambulance unit in tbe present picture, which is described as the experiences of a woman and three men during the World War. Cooper appears as an American aviator, and the other members ;of the male triangle are played by Robert Young, recently seen in “ Wet Parade,” and Franchot Tone, a newcomer. An added attraction to the programme will be the appearance on the stage of the Roland Sextet, a family of talented young New Zealand musicians who,have studied for five years in England and the Continent, and who are now on a tour of the Dominion. They comprise five girls and a boy, their ages ranging from 11 to IS). Under the leadership of young Max Roland they play several numbers with piano, violins, and ’celjos, including the well-known “ Skaters ” and “ Blue Danube” waltzes. Skilfully synchronised with the music is some very dainty and graceful dancing by Patricia and Joan. EMPIRE THEATRE Probably many wireless enthusiasts have heard some of the American radio stars, and now they have an opportunity of seeing those who have amused them on the air at the Empire Theatre, where “ The Big Broadcast ” is proving to be attractive entertainment this week. Bing Crosby, the Boswell sisters, Leila Hyams, and Stuart Erwin arc amoug the principal players, and Gab Galloway and hisorchestra also play au important part in the production. The supporting programme which is being presented includes several films of outstanding interest. 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 Films drew upon the finest talent of Hollywood to bring Phil Stong’s Literary Guild prize novel, “ State Fair,” to the screen. It opens to-morrow at the Empire Theatre. Tni> cast chosen to portray the characters of the best-selling novel includes Janet Gaynor, Will Rogers, Lew Ayres, Sally Eilers, 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 precedent 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 which in romance aud 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. Miss Gaynor is seen as a demure and lovely farm girl who learns about love from a young newspaper reporter. It is said to be her most appealing characterisation since her unforgettable Diane of “ Seventh Heaven.” Rogers plays Abel Frake, the hog-rais-ing farmer. He specifically asked for the part, stating that he did not care about being the star of the picture, but he did want to play that farmer. Ayres portrays the reporter who wins Miss Gaynor’s heart, and Miss Eilers has her best role _as a beautiful trapeze artist, who intrigues the fancy of Norman Foster, a farm boy of the story. Miss Dresser appears as Rogers’s wife. Craven plays a philosophical country storekeeper, and Jory is seen as a carnival stand “ barker.” Blue Boy, of course, plays himself KING EDWARD THEATRE “ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” a picture which should make a considerable appeal to audiences is now being shown at the King Edward Theatre. The leading role is taken by Marian Nixon, who gives a charming performance as an im-, pulsive country girl who comes to stay with her somewhat straight-laced aunt. Playing opposite to her Ralph Bellamy, as , the . young doctor to whom Rebecca goes in her trouble, and who eventually wins her affections aftef breaking through her aunt’s prejudices, gives a thoroughly natural characterisation which contributes very considerably to the appeal of the picture. Mae Marsh and Louise Glosser Hale, as the aged spinster aunts of, Rebecca, give completely satisfying performances. There is a diversified and entertaining programme of short subjects, including, an amusing comedy, and several news reels.