AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22064, 21 September 1933, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE

■ Constance Bennett is called on to play a somewhat unusual role for her in “ What Price Hollywood,” which is at present bein'; shown at the Grand Theatre. The American star, it -will be recalled, made a spectacular rise to fame in her motion picture career, and was saved from the drudgery so often associated with early attempts to secure employment in the Hollywood film production lots. In " What Price Hollywood,” however, she is cast as a waitress, who through perseverance and a determination to succeed at all costs wins her way to the top of the profession which she has chosen for herself, the making of motion pictures. The audience is shown something of the trials that beset the ambitious in the great film centre, and is given a glance of life behind the scenes where the world’s entertainment is produced. The principal interest of the picture, however, lies in the story which it tells of the romance of the heroine. The former waitress marries a millionaire, who is unable to sympathise with her desire to continue in her profession, and as a result of their inability to see eye to eye in this matter they part. The star is involved in a scandal which forces her to retire and live in temporary retirement in France. Here she meets her husband, and a reconciliation ig effected. Neil Hamilton is cast as the millionaire husband, and another prominent part is taken by Gregory Ratoff. The supporting programme is up to the standard which has been set by the management of the Grand Theatre. The box plans are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. "THE ROAR OF THE DRAGON.” " Roar of the Dragon,” a stirring spectacle of the Far East, reflecting a vivid panorama of the hazardous frontier with its stately parade of adventure-seekers, with Richard Dix at the head of the cast, will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. Appearing with Dix is Gwili Andre, famous Danish beauty from Copenhagen, who makes her screen debut in the film. Miss Andre is seen as a Russian noblewoman, one of the pathetic patricians who have haunted the frontier towns of Northern China since the Red RevoluA striking insight into the Manchurian situation is presented.in “Roar of the Dragon.” Unfolding a tale of the experiences of a group of Occidental refugees in a small town,, the picture is said to be as graphic as a newsreel in its details of the present chaotic condition in China. Dix depicts an American captain whose river boat is attacked near the village of Yoo Lu, necessitating port anchorage for repairs. Here he meets the Russian refugee, portrayed by Miss Andre, and assumes leadership of the boat’s passengers and the town’s inhabitants to combat the banditry of a frontier marauder who has been annoying them. The love story between Dix and the exotic newcomer, augmented by an appealing romance between Arline judge and Edward Everett Horton, who shares the comedy in the picture with Zasu Pitts, is set against a background of war-torn China aimed for the ultimate in a new variety of action thrills interspersed with tense drama. Others in the cast include Dudley Digges, C. Henry Gordon, William Orlamond, and Tasha Muri, Japanese dancer. To-day, Hollywood acclaims Richard Dix as the new maker of stars and- points to Gwili Andre as justification for the honour. A successful newcomer to the screen Gwili Andre was fortunate to win as her screen lover this same Dix who has been a consistent, unfailing developer of women stars. Superstitious Hollywood wags its knowing head and says: “Didn’t we tell, you; just another instance to prove that Dix is a maker of stars! ” The "starmaker” legend started back in the days of the silent films, when such favourites as Esther Ralston and Mary Brian got their first big chances as leading women with Dix. It grew through the years. It was “ Cimarron ” that introduced Irene Dunne to screen fame. A star to Broadway and the musical stage, she was unknown to millions before her matchless performance opposite Dix in Edna Ferber’s classic story.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

An original and highly diverting comedy is shown at the St. James Theatre this week in “Her First Affair,” featuring Ida Lupino, another member of that talented family. It deals with the infatuation of a young girl for a writer of sentimental novels, and reveals the surprising things that happen when she actually meets him. She imagines that he is deeply in love with her, and even approaches his wife with a proposal that the latter should forgo all right to her husband’s affections, but she is somewhat taken aback when she discovers that the great man’s interest in her has been of the most casual nature. It is a story with infinite possibilities, and these are thoroughly exploited, while a great deal of humour is also supplied by the minor characters. On the same programme is shown an entertaining mystery film, “A Night in Montmarte,” featuring Austin Trevor, Heather Angel, and Kay Hammond. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s. “UP FOR THE CUP." Sydney Howard is undoubtedly one of the greatest Comedians the talking picture screen possesses to-day, and, for sheer cleverness he ranks with Walls and Lynn, although his medium of expression is drollery rather than sophisticated comedy. Wearing always a “ frozen ” expression on his face, which is rarely displaced by a smile, the very appearance of Howard is enough to ensure laughs. His latest production is “ Up for the Cup,” the British Dominions comedy, which is due at the St. Janies Theatre to-morrow. Like all true Yorkshiremen, John Willie Enthwistle (Howard) decides to take his lady-love to Loudon to witness the celebrated Cup final. The adventures tha't beset him when he arrives-in London are described as “ enough to make even a cat laugh.” Pretty Joan Wyndham supplies the feminine charm without which no film is complete, and she renders her role in a very charming and capable manner. “ The Chinese Puzzle,” an absorbing mystery drama, will also be shown. _lt is reported to be one of the most gripping and enthralling mystery stories ever to be adapted to the needs of the sound films, and its cast is comprised of many stage and screen celebrities.

EMPIRE THEATRE

One of the most absorbing mystery films that has ever been shown in Dunedin is “ The Crime of the Century,” which is attracting large audiences to the Empire Theatre. For a brief minute a succession of clues is flashed on the screen, but even after that the audience is challenged to settle the guilt on the right person. An excellent cast has been chosen to interpret the plot, and is headed by Jean Hcrsholt, Wynne Clare, Stuart Erwin, and Frances Dee. There is also a good supporting programme, and several enjoyable selections are provided by Mr Knight Barnett at the organ. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

“WHAT! NO BEER?”.

The human eye is a more important factor in film comedy than the ear, says Edward Sedgwick, who directs the Buster Keaton-Jimmy Durante film comedies, the latest of which, “ What! No Beer? ’’ comes to'the Empire Theatre to-morrow. Sedgwick holds that talking pictures have imposed less change on the technique of comedy than of drama. “Audiences respond more readily to what they see than to what they hear,” he avers. “ That is why the ‘gag’ is still the most vital factor in screen comedy. It is what the players do, more than what they say, which provokes the deepest mirth. Actions still speak louder than words.” Sedgwick is a former newspaper man who came, to Hollywood after serving as war correspondent with General Funston’s punitive expedition into Mexico. Between newspaper jobs he had appeared as a comedian in vaudeville. His first screen work was acting in comedies, after which he wrote scenarios, and then was promoted to directing.

STRAND THEATRE "‘The Cabin in the Cotton,” which will be shown at the Strand Theatre for the last time to-day. reveals something of the struggles of the cotton growers in the southern States of America in their efforts to make both ends meet, and the difficulties which they encounter as the result of the oppressive policy adopted by their

landlords. The story itself is concerned with the tribulations of a young man, the son of a poor cotton grower, who is adopted by a wealthy mill owner, and is faced with the problem of whether he should place the interests of his benefactor or those, of his relatives in the foreground. The story is skilfully handled by a cast which includes Bette Davis, Dorothy Jordan, and Henry Walthall. The supporting programme is a good one. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “SILVER DOLLAR.” Edward G. Robinson, distinguished actor of ■" Letters of Fire ” and “ Tiger Shark,” heads a notable cast in “ Silver Dollar,” which will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Among the other artists who appear are Bebe Daniels, remembered for a long succession of dims, and Aline M'Mahon, who is steadily coming to the fore. . “Silver Dollar” deals with the daring days of the famous American silver rush. Robinson plays the colourful part of a' man who rises to giddy heights in finance. The film has been enthusiastically received by overseas critics, one of whom says: “It is a marvellous picture, which has everything.”-

REGENT THEATRE

In “ Christopher Strong,” which is it present being shown at the Regent Theatre, the leading role is taken by Katherine Hepburn, who is cast as _ a famous airwoman. She imagines that :Te has left love out of her life, only to find that she has become madly infatuated with Sir Christopher Strong, a man who has hitherto been noted for his marital fidelity. It is a complicated situation that arises, and the manner in which it is solved holds the close attention of the audience. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

“SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE.” Irene Dunne, who is recognised as one of the screen’s finest dramatic actresses, makes her latest appearance on the screen in “ The Secret of Madame Blanche,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The picture is said to encompass the life of a woman over a period of 30 years, giving Miss Dunne a role comparable to that played by Helen Hayes in " The Sin of Madelon Claude.” The story starts with Miss Dunne as a young chorus girl, and progresses through her love affair and marriage with a titled Englishman to 1 the tragic results of his suicide. Lionel Atwill, noted English stage star, has the strong role of the embittered father-in-law, and the part of the son is played by Phillips Holmes. The cast also includes Douglas Walton, the young English actor, and several other favourites.

OCTAGON THEATRE

The leading picture on the doublefeature programme which will be shown at the Octagon Theatre for the last time to-night is “Zoo in Budapest,” which tells a delightful tale of the romance and enthusiasm that are so characteristic of youth. Loretta Young, Gene Raymond, and Q. P. Heggie have the principal roles. The other feature is “A Taxi to Paradise,” a clever and sophisticated comedy of the most attractive kind. The leading players are Billie 1 Barnes, Garry Marsh, and Jane Carr. . The box plans are at the theatre and the D;I.C.

ACTION PLUS SCENIC VARIETY. The background of “The Blind Spot,” which will be screened at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow, changes, rapidly, and the pace |of the story maintains-an even tempo of action throughout. The scenes shift from a jeweller’s shop in Amsterdam to a cabin oh a passenger plane; thence by way of Croydon aerodrome, Lincoln’s Inn, the Inner Temple, the vaults of a bank, as well as many domestic interiors. These are, of course, only a few of the many scenic backgrounds of the picture, which has also many thrilling sequences, such as a bank hold-up and robbery and a motor smash. “The Blind Spot” is a British picture with a cast ot well-known British players and which has definite entertainment appeal for every British audience.

KING EDWARD THEATRE

"Sunshine Susie,” the film which attracted such a tremendous amount of comment in Dunedin when it was shown here at the beginning of the year arid which created something in the nature of a record for. attendances wherever it was screened, opened a season at the King Edward Theatre yesterday. It was in this picture that Rebate Muller leaped into screen fame by her portrayal of the part of the little typist in a bank who fell in lov e with the manager and eventually married him. The film is mainly notable for the number of catchy song numbers which it introduces and for the general air of happiness which pervades it. Such a number as "To-day I Feel So Happy” is one that immediately takes the fancy of the audience, and there are others almost as successful. The. leading male role opposite Miss Muller is taken by Owen Nares, who gives one of his usual forceful performances, and Jack Hulbert is also seen in a supporting part. The picture has been admirably produced, and the dialogue is well worth listening to. In short, “ Sunshine Susie ’’ is a film that can confidently be recommended to those in search of entertainment of the most enjoyable order. The supporting programme contains a variety of interesting subjects.