AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22058, 14 September 1933, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE The audiences at the Grand Theatre this week have been enjoying more of the gay nonsense that Wheeler and Woolsey are so well qualified to provide. In this picture, “ Girl Crazy," they have the best opportunities that have yet been provided for them on the screen, and the result is entertainment of the most spirited kind. The comedy is of more than ordinary length, and 'into it are packed innumerable scenes that are full of sparkling humour. The dialogue is witty in the extreme, and no expense has been spared in making the settings pleasing to the eye. In addition there is a pronounced musical side to the production, and some of the choruses are excellent. Woolsey, one of the wittiest of screen players, makes the greatest contribution to the fund. He is cast as a gambler whose luck deserts him until he is lu ‘ vited to a Western town, into which a young friend has decided to introduce some of the gay life of the cities. Wheeler is the dull-witted taxi-driver who takes him on the long journey to Arizona, a journey that is packed with adventures of the most humorous type. The_ town in which they eventually arrive is inhabited by a band of lawless cowboys. Events lead to the election of Wheeler as sheriff, but he has a rival in a ferocious Westerner. The pair then have some remarkable adventures, which are bubbling over with typical Wheeler and Woolsey comedy. Though the bulk of the humour is provided by the two principals there are several other members of the cast who contribute to the brightness of the entertainment. Mitzi Green, a clever child of 11, has an important, part, and gives some line imitations of prominent screen stars. The chief item on the supporting programme is a comedy which describes what happens when two men are hired to end the romance that has sprung up between a business man’s daughter and a prize-fighter. The box plane are at the theatre and Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. “WHAT PRICE HOLLYWOOD?” The next attraction at the Grand Theatre will be “What Price Hollywood?” in which Constance Bennett has the leading role. With a galaxy of celebrities in support, Miss Bennett unfolds the intricacies and intimacies of the inner and more notable circles of the film capital. Lowell Sherman, Neil Hamilton. Gregory Ilatoff, Louise Beavers, and others aid the star to present an authentic characterisation of Hollywood life. The action traverses the thoroughfare of social life coupled with a delightful tale. Malibu Beach, the Brown Derby Restaurant, glittering Hollywood boulevard, Agua Caliente, a Chinese Theatre premiere, and the princely estates of Beverley Hills partake of the film footage to enhance the story. Moreover, every phase of the talking picture making is frankly revealed. The story of “What Price Hollywood? ’ was written by Adela Rogers Hyland, one of the city’s own residents, who was enabled to cull the most familiar angles of Hollywood. Concerning itself with an ambitious girl who “ crashes ” the studio gate, the plot depicts the spectacular rise of a waitress who enchants a famed director and producer to gain rank on the screen. Interivoven is an ultra-modern note of romance and whimsical comedy. Lowell Sherman has the unusual experience in depicting his own seif in “ What Price Hollywood?” Sherman, a director of note, portrays Maximilian Carey, a famed director who gives Miss Bennett, a waitress, a chance in one of his pictures, subsequently elevating her to stardom’s ranks. Under contract to RKO, Sherman is directorially responsible for that company’s “Lawful Larceny,’ “Ladies of the Jury,” “Bachelor Apartment," “High Stakes,” and “The Royal Bed." As an actor he appeared in each of these productions, excepting “ Ladies of the Jury." ' ST, JAMES THEATRE Lovers of good, wholesome comedy should not fail to see “The Midship Maid ” at .the St. James Theatre. From the English studios which in the past have produced so many outstanding comedies, the picture is bound to appeal to the tastes of the average audience. The story, which is from the pens of lan Hay and Commander Stephen King-Hail, centres round a concert which is given on board H.M.S. Dreadnought for the entertainment of Sir Percy Newbiggin, who has come on a commission of inquiry to ascertain means of introducing further economies into the Mediterranean fleet. Unfortunately for a good many of those concerned. Sir Percy has brought with him his daughter Celia, who is more interested in sailors thay in economies, and in the course of a very, brief visit she succeeds in disturbing the ordinary life of routine. The climax comes when the indignant father finds that she has taken a prominent part in the concert programme. and ho demands that an inquiry should be held into the conduct of the commanding officer. However, things straighten themselves out, and the story ends happily. The cast which has been selected for the picture is a strong one, and includes such accomplished players as Jessie Matthews, Nigel Bruce, bred Kerr, Edwin Lawrence, and A. W. Baskcomb. The supporting programme tins week is welL Tip to the standard which has been set by the management of this theatre. The box plans are at the theatre. Jacobs’s, and the D.I.C. “ HER FIRST AFFAIR.” “Her First Affair," which has just arrived from England, via Australia where it is credited with having “set all Sydney laughing,” will be screened for the first time in Dunedin at the St. Janies iheatre 10-morrow. Concerning it the American journal Variety wrote: “Britain has a happy knack of springing a surprise now and again, and it has done this with Her First Affair,’ an unusual comedy. It tells a quaint story of how an ultra-modern miss starts out to defy the conventions. Just how the story develops and the delightful little lady becomes sadly disillusioned when she discovers nerself flirting with a much-married man. makes excellent fun. ' After her first affair she returns crestfallen to her waiting lover. Much comedy is supplied by the principals of the plav, Ida Lupino, George Curzon, Harry Tate the favourite London stage comedian Muriel Aked, and beautiful Diana Napier. The whole of the production is Sn a lavish scale, the scenic settings and dressing being particularly so. Ihe presentation is bright, gay, and colourf , from first to last, and the result is; brilliant entertainment. Special added at tractions will form the first part of the programme. REGENT THEATRE -The Son-Daughter," featuring Helen Haves and Ramon Noyarro which is being shown at the Regent Theatre, tells of the days when the revolutionaries in China were fighting for the overthrow of the Manchu dynasty. The story is cast m the Chinese quarter of San Srancisco, and the action centres round the sacrifice of a Chinese girl for her country. Novarro is cast as a young: Chinese prince who falls in love with Helen Hayes, cast ns the daughter of a Chinese doctor. Tragedy enters when the girl, at the bidof her father, sells herself as a wife to the highest' bidder in order to raise money for the purchase of arms for the Chinese army of rebellion. Tl je fi toiJ ends on a sombre note, with the P ul broken-hearted, but content in the knowledge that she has done her duty. Lh® supporting programme is well varied. Tim box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “CHRISTOPHER STRONG.” •\ combination of freckles, showmanship and diffidence should be an incongniitv but in Katharine Hepburn it is not. This popular player will be seen m “Christopher Strong, ’ coming to the Regent Theatre with Colin Clive Bi he Bui ko Helen Chandler, and Ralph Forbes to-morrow. Clashing qualities constitute (ho secret of Katharine Hepburns immense vitality and refreshing naturalness on the screen. While other children grow rrracefully, without attracting undue attention. Katharine, because she was sensitive and shy. forced herself into a spotlirrht It was an instinct for self-preser* ration which led her to demand attention even though she dreaded it and got it m her success. Her quick and dazzling stage career is well known. And now - 1,1 •« Christopher Strong,” she plays another screen role, and has already the leading featured part.

OCTAGON THEATRE Richard Dix. who in the past has plaved many leading robs in pictures which have achieved considerable success, is seen in the principal part of , “ The Great Jasper,” which occupies pride ot place on the programme which is being shown this week at the Octagon Theatre. Dix is cast as a driver of horse cars at a time when they were being displaced by the more modern electric vehicle, and the picture is mainly concerned with problems which confront the employees in such a business when so many radical changes, to which they are slow to accustom themselves, take place. The other picture is entitled “The Vagabond,"’ in which the leading role is taken by Charlie Chaplin, who gives a performance in keeping with the reputation which he has gamed on the screen during many years of association with it. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ ZOO IN BUDAPEST.” That working with animals is no job for a nervous actor, is the opinion ot Gene Raymond, who, with Loretta Young, is starred in “ Zoo in Budapest, ’ which will be screened at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. He has the" role of an orphan boy, born and reared in the zoo, whq has associated with animals all his life. A love affair develops between him and Miss Young, a young love-starved girl from a neighbouring orphanage; who is marched to the zoo once a week with the other girls for an “educational lecture. . the whimsical romance between the boy and girl is lightly etched against an animal background. The other picture will be “A Taxi to Paradise.” EMPIRE THEATRE Based on a theme which resembles very closely that of “ Grand Hotel,” the current attraction at the Empire Theatre, “Luxury Liner,” has aroused a good deal of comment during its Dunedin season. The story tells of a series of incidents in the lives of a number of passengers on board a liner during a six days’ voyage from Bremen to New York. In the course of the picture the audience is afforded a remarkably keen insight into the livej of people of widely different types and shown the manner in which they react to varying sets of circumstances. The main feature of the supporting programme is a display of spring fashions by a group of manikins, in which special attention has been given to the staging, with the result that the gowns themselves are shown off with additional effect. Mr Knight Barnett also provides a selection of attractive items at the Christie organ. « the CRIME OF THE CENTURY.” Commenting on “ The Crime of 'the Century,” which will be shown for the first time at the Empire Theatre to-mor-row, an overseas critic writes: —‘ This is a film which no connoisseur of the detective story can afford to miss. Better detective stories have been translated into moving pictures, but never, perhaps, has a story in this category been presented with such conscientious clarity. Jean Hersholt is seen as a prominent doctor who walks into a police station and begs to be locked up before he commits a murder he has planned. He w accompanied by the police to his home, ■where the murder takes place under their eyes. There will be an excellent programme of shorter films. STRAND THEATRE Heading the .programme at the Strand Theatre is “Wild Horse Mesa,- an exciting Western picture adapted from the novel by Zane Grey. It is a highly, entertaining production, with all the rapid action and clever turns of plot that are characteristic of the screen versions of the novelist’s works. The background for the story is provided by the herds of wild horses that are found in parts ot Western America, and the plot deals with the efforts of a band of horse thieves to capture and sell the animals. The principal part is taken by Randolph Scott, who achieves great success as a friend of the Indians who brings to justice the leader of the outlaw gang. The whole story is graphically presented, the photography and general production being excellent. The story also has romantic interest, Sally Blane having the leading feminine role. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE CABIN IN THE COTTON.” In “The Cabin in the Cotton,” which will be shown at the Strand Theatre tomorrow, Richard Bal'thelmees is said to .five one of the greatest performances of his remarkable career-for this surely, compares favourably with, his work in the immortal “ Tol’able David “ Way Down East,” and “The Dawn Patrol. in a small part, Dorothy Jordan, impresses with her remarkable ability to make much : of a simple action. Her sweetness simplicity, and charm summarise a that is meant when one speaks ,of southern .women. Bette Davis, too, is smwn . excellent advantage in a role as Barthel mess’s sweetheart The g unpse of Hem y B Walthall, the famous Little Colonel of “ The Birth of a Nation,” is worth much. , for he has lost none of _old time magic. The story is b . v , H . rison Kroll, the screen play by the Pubt zer Prize winner Paul Green, whose play of the Mississippi country are known everywhere. KING EDWARD THEATRE “Nagana,” the new picture at the King Edward. Theatre, tells a remarkable, story, the background for which is P™ Vl “4 “X natives and wild animals of the Aaican iungle. The picture, which takes its title from the African equivalent of sleeping sickness,” tells bow a jmmig scientist wages war against the deadly tsetse fly. i h audience watches him conduetrng the experiments in the heart of the baioamc belt where the plague rages, and it also sees an intensely human situation develop and wonders whether the benefits of his discoveries will be given to mankind or whether they will be sacrificed as a result of his love for a woman. The wild animal scenes that are provided give the audience some thrilling moments. The picture, in fact, is full of startling ami unusual scenes. Tala Birrell in the ro e of a Woman of the world is responsible for some highly dramatic acting, and she is ably supported by Melyyn Douglas. The box plans are at the theatre.