AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22258, 10 May 1934, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE To-day will provide the final opportunity of witnessing “Design For Living,” .which, for the past week, has attracted crowded houses to the Regent Theatre; Adapted for the screen from Noel Coward’s well-known play, the production is a comedy of the best type, and the story icentres round a trio of artisticallyinclined folk who set up .housekeeping Tn Paris. To impersonate, these aipusingj characters; Lubitsch has assembled an out--standing cast, .Miriam Hopkins as Gilda plays her part in a, delightfully shrewd and charming manner, imbuing it with a .levity quite in keeping with highspirited humour of the piece. Fredric March, always an engaging actor, plays the part of the suave playwright with, understanding. He gives an amusing portrayal of a dramatist at work, and later makes the most of a scene where the author is depicted in, the theatre, listening to laughter at his own lines., Gary Cooper enhances the. show with his easy style, sly, sense of humour, and his sub-, stantial grasp of the character. He lends naturalness and vigour to the role of George, the rough, diamond.. Horton is splendid as the precise Plunkett. Noel Coward could hardly recognise some parts of the rewritten play, but the dialogue is fresh, entertaining, and witty. A strong supporting programme is shown. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU.” “You Made Me Love You,” the merry musical comedy version of the taming of a very modern and equally beautiful shrew, comes to the Regent Theatre tomorrow. The sparkling success of “You • Made Me Love You" is due to the refreshing absence of pretence; it sets out in a slapstick vein to make one laugh heartily, and remains in the same lively, boisterous, and exhilarating key throughout, cramming every foot with joyous laughter and romance. Stanley Lupiuo is seen at the top of his form as a comic Petruchio, and Thelma Todd brings all her wide Hollywood experience to bear in her happy and clever interpretation of a bewitching, if completely shrewish, Katherine. This riotous farce concerns a happy-go-lucky song-writer’s tribulations in endeavouring to win the love of his ravishing and turbulent wife. Bewitching in all but temper, the fair. Thelma made life impossible for her family, who welcome Stanley with “ open ■ arms ” as the solution of their and do all they can to further his schemes for marrying, her. They were eventually successful, but after the ceremony Thelma, bids her husband a frigid adieu. Lupino is prepared, and they set, off —handcuffed together—for their honeymoon. What happened on that honeymoon and its resultant .convulsing complications will keep one laughing,. Further enhancing the picture’s entertainment delights are . two merry musical “Gay” compositions, “ What’s Her Name? ” and “ Why Can't We? ” sung as only Stanley Lupino could sing them. “ONLY YESTERDAY." Coining to the Regent Theatre on Friday, May 18, is Universal’s “Only Yesterday.” The theme deals with the love of a young girl’ for an army officer who, when the war was finished, completely forgot that the girl even existed, and who. was unaware, that he had a son. The. story leads up to a climax that is both logical and satisfactory. The acting of Margaret Sullavan, a newcomer to the screen, is said to be as brilliant as it is convincing. John Boles is at his best in the role of the officer, who finally seeks happiness- with Ills son. Billie Burke gives a splendid interpretation of a worldly woman who has a flair lor exonisite clothes. Reginald Denny, Benita Hume, Edna May Oliver, and a cast of !)6 featured players are also seen in “ Only Yesterday.”, OCTAGON THEATRE “Above the Clouds," the current attraction at the Octagon Theatre, is an intriguing . and exciting story, Robert Armstrong has the role of “ Scoop ” Adams, a cameraman who can always be relied upon to secure the best pictures first. Richard Cromwell is the hero of the story as Adams's assistant, and the romantic side of the production is supplied by Dorothy Wilson. At the commencement of the story “ Scoop ” is covering an aviation display from the ground, but his assistant attempts to go one better by sitting'perilously on the wing of a

machine in order to prove himself worthy of the position of a regular photographer. “ Scoop,” however, gets all the credit. At a boxing championship the .promoter forbids the attendance of any cameramen, but Dick, smuggles a camera into Ihe stadium, and secures a record of the promoter’s move to save the champion boxer. “ Scoop ” later finds himself in such a state that he is unable to cover some naval manceuvres. Dick secures a good picture of air accident in which a submarine is rammed by a cruiser, but when the film is developed it-is found that the figure of “ Scoop’s ” lady friend is superimposed on the naval tragedy. The story works up to a stirring climax, and there is a satisfactory ending. A splendid supporting programme is also shown, including a “ Mickey Mouse ” cartoon ami a diverting comedy. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “LADY FOR A DAY.” The difficult feat of telling a fairy story in which the principal characters' are New York gangsters and beggars is accomplished with delightful artistry and humour in “ Lady for a Day,” which will come to the Octagon Theatre on Friday. The film, in effect, sets out to show that even in the heart of New York romance and chivalry are not dead, and that the, miraculous is as likely to happen as m the past. The story concerns an. old apple seller, “Apple Annie,” who has seen better days, but whose fondness for gin keeps her among the city’s outcasts. She has a daughter whom she sent as a child to a convent in Spain. Greatly to her alarm, the daughter writes to say she is coming to New York, bringing with her her fiance and his father, a Spanish count, who refuses to consent to a marriage until he has seen the girl s parents. A gangster, who has always experienced good luck through buying one of Annie’s apples engaging in nis nefarious projects, comes to the aid of the old woman. Through his good offices she is provided with beautiful clothes and transformed into the handsome and gracious lady her daughter, imagines her to be. Drama, patho.?, and humour are blended with excellent judgment. May Robson, the Australian actress, plays the part of Annie with great sympathy and understanding, and her 'acting b°th as the old apple woman and as the lady oi society is said to be of a high standard. Warren Williams is well cast as the ,’angster who becomes the equivalent oi a fairy god-mother, while a strong supporting cast includes Guy K'bbee as “ Judge Blake.” the professional billiards player, who is called on to play the role of Annie’s husband; Jean Parkei, who gives a charming performance as the daughter; Sparks as the £ a "f,®f laconic assistant, and Glenda Fan ell. EMPIRE THEATRE A, final opportunity to see “ Penthouse ” will be offered to-day when this picture will conclude its season at the Lmpire Theatre. Warner Baxter and Myrua Loy are the featured players in this story of American city life, the .former being cast a young society lawyer who brings about at the last minute the acquittal of Tony Gazotti, a notorious gangster. His action costs him his social prestige nhd his liaucee leaves him for another man. This man is later involved in a murder case and the lawyer is called upon to defend him. Before the trial commences, however, the lawyer is informed that his client has beeu " framed, and lie is threatened with death if he continues with the defence. Curiously enough the defence also asks him to retire, but he is intrigued by the case and continues ins investigations, and there are some very exciting moments as he steadily increases his knowledge of the situation. When he eventually tracks down the criminal there is a battle between the gangs of Tony Gazotti and another racketeer in which Tony meets his death. The supporting programme is one well worthy of accompanying a picture of the calibre of “Penthouse,” and Miss' Iris Mason contributes. enjoyable musical interludes at the organ. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “VOLTAIRE.” For many years George Arliss has searched for a satisfactory play based on the life of Voltaire, often called the father of the French Revolution. Now, after 20 years of gradual preparation, he brings this famous Frenchman to life ou the talking screen in “Voltaire,” which opens at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. It is a notable production, said to exceed in dramatic quality even the far-famed “Disraeli.” The picture “Voltaire features one spectacular incident in the life of the brilliant poet-philosopher who was a friend of royalty in Europe but a

champion of the common people in his native land. With the famous Galas case serving as the principal story about which the plot revolves, Arliss has evolved a character study set against a living picture of France in the extravagant times of King Louis XV. Mounted in sets of exceptional size and magnificence, “ Voltaire ” unfolds a gripping melodrama in an atmosphere of breath-taking beauty and grandeur. The story moves from Voltaire’s Paris apartment into the boudoir of Madame Pompadour, through the stately, gilded halls of the French King’s palace, and- on to the unrivalled elegance of Versailles.-The cast is claimed to be the largest', and most. impressive ever assembled for an Arliss production. Doris Kenyon plays the role of Madame Pompadour, lending her great beauty and charm to the role which a dozen other famous actresses wanted but did not get. Margaret Lindsay, who leaped to fame in “ Cavalcade,” and has since been featured in other pictures, plays the part of Nanette Galas, the innocent cause of the, uproar which almost brought on the Frenen Revolution 30 years sooner. GRAND THEATRE To-day’s screenings will provide the final opportunity of seeing “ Hips, Hips,. Hooray ” at the Grand Theatre, and those who have not yet witnessed this Wheeler and Woolsey farce should by no means fail to do so. It is without doubt one of the best things these two clever comedians have yet done, and when it is considered that they have the assistance of a large and competent supporting cast it can be readily seen that “ Hips, Hips, Hooray ” offers entertainment of the most sparkling kind. Although Wheeler and Woolsey naturally dominate the _ action, the film relies a good deal for its success on the efforts of Thelma Todd and Dorothy Lee, both of whom contribute valuable characterisations, while Ruth Ettiug’s singing is a feature, and the appearance of a smart ballet is an added attraction. At the commencement of the story Wheeler and Woolsey are seen as salesmen of flavoured lipsticks who enter into competition with the Maiden America Beauty Products, Inc., which conducts a modern beauty salon. After a time the manageress of the salon invites the salesmen into partnership, which they are only too pleased to accept, and in a short time they are merrily running the beauty salon. A complication occurs, however, when they unwittingly steal a bag containing a large sum of money, and with the detectives on their trail Wheeler and Woolsey find it necessary to leave town in a hurry. In order to do this as effectively as possible they commandeer a racing motor car, and join in a transcontinental race which is a scream from start to finish. In connection with “ Hips, Hips, Hooray” an unusually good supporting programme is shown. The box plans are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.’s. “ ORIENT EXPRESS.” “Orient Express,” Fox Film’s latest production with a cast that features seven stars, will make its appearance at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. Based upon Graham Greene’s best selling novel, the film is reported as being a tense, dramatic characterisation of seven people who are swept together from the far corners of the earth to find the course of their lives changed through their journey aboard the Orient Express as it speeds from Ostencl to Constantinople. Ihe story concerns itself with a dancer, hungry and looking for work; a wealthy young merchant, who falls in love with the dancer; a Cockney, under the thumb of his domineering wife; a thief, fleeing from justice; a beautiful girl, thirsting for love; and a woman reporter. seeking to uncover the plans of a powerful Communist leader. All are aboard the Orient Express, each heading for his own particular destination. As the train reaches the Jugoslavian border, and the Communist leader is about to be arrested, he gives an incriminating letter to the dancer. This leads to her arrest. The thief, the Communist leader, and the dancer are removed from the train and are held as prisoners. While in prison, the thief plans au escape, sends the other two out into the night, and remains behind with the hope of securing a pardon. The film is said to end in a climax of whirlwind action and tender romance. Heather Angel and Norman Foster play the romantic leads. The other members of the cast are Ralph Morgan. Herbert Mundin, Una O’Connor, Irene Ware, Dorothy Burgess, Lisa Gora, William Irving, Roy D’Arcy, Perry Ivins, Fredrik Vogeding, and Marc Lobell.

ST. JAMES THEATRE A delightful blend of music and comedy is “Going Gay,” which holds pride of place on *the present programme at the St. James Theatre, and the entertain-, ment that it offers ia of the most lighthearted and enjoyable nature possible, Magda Schneider, the charming little atar of “Tell Me To-night,” has the leading role in this production, and makes just as much a success of it as she did in the former picture, being assisted on this occasion by two English comedians, Arthur Riscoe and Naunton Wayne, The opening scene is set on board an air liner bound' from London to Vienna, carrying ae passengers two young men intent upon spending a holiday in the Austrian capital. Before they have been long in Vienna they meet a charming young girl, for whom both feel that they should do something. They find that she can sing and dance in the most engaging manner, and finally, as the result of a ruse, she obtains an audition with the director of the opera, who is greatly impressed with her voice. From that point the story works up to a triumphant conclusion in which Miss Schneider appears as the star in “ The Daughter of the Regiment,” a scene that brings the picture to an entirely satisfactory conclusion. A fine supporting programme is also shown. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s, M'Cracken, and Walls’s, and the D.I.C. “THIS IS THE LIFE.” By no means the least distinction of the British Dominions release “This is' the Life,” coming to the St. James tomorrow, is its discovery of Binnie Hale as a comedienne. After watching this artist’s versatile creation of a Cockney nouveau riche, one finds it hard to understand why‘ she should have been permitted for so long to hide her obvious screen talent under the stage bushel. Miss Hale has now definitely arrived as a first rate screen comedienne, and _ costarred with her is Gordon Harker, in a role ideally suited to his own inimitable drollery. They are seen as the Tuttles, proprietors of a country tea garden, who unexpectedly inherit a fortune, become the Tuttelles, and launch heartily into the social whirl. The adventures of the Tuttelles are such as one would expect of a pair doomed to a champagne diet while longing for the humble ale. Their main grievance is the attention of a couple of thugs who claim a share in their inheritance, wffiich leads to the hiring of a prize fighter as a personal escort. It is around this ludicrous faux pas, together with their amiable brawlings with the thugs and their tiltings with the pugilist, that most of the fun revolves.' In addition to the stars, who carry most of the show on their own capable shoulders, the comedy is garnished by the breezy humour of Jack Barty as the alcoholic prize fighter and the burlesque of Ben Weldon and Percy Parsons as the gangsters. On the romantic side Betty Asteil and Rav Milland present pleasing cameos of a delightfully constant pair of lovers, while Charles Heslop scores in the role of a fussy family lawyer. STATE THEATRE The programme which is now being screened at the State Theatre is one which will meet with general approval. The first half of the entertainment consists of a number of short films presenting a variety of subjects in an interesting manner. The second half is occupied with “Falling For You,” in which Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert, England’s premier comedy team, have the leading roles. Hulbert and Miss Courtneidge are cast as a pair of journalists on the same paper, both trying to track down the same story and each desiring to get the other the “sack.” In his various impersonations Hulbert is unable to refrain from a song to suit his part, to which the redoubtable Cicely also contributes her version. Hulbert’s efforts to learn ski-ing at a resort in the Swiss Alps start the film off with a laugh as hearty as any he has raised before. He shows himself to be as expert at skating, however, as he is incompetent at ski-ing and his old accomplishments of dancing and singing, to the familiar accompaniments of swivelling eyes and bright clowning, show that he is at the top of his form. Tamara Desni, as the heroine who is pursued by an unwelcome suitor, is demurely charming, and in addition displays an adept grace on skates. Gary Marsh and Alfred Drayton also handle good parts with success. The ghost scene in an old house is undoubtedly one of the funniest of its kind ever seen on the screen. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

STRAND THEATRE “From Headquarters,” which-.' has formed the leading attraction at the Strand Theatre during the'past week, will have its final local screening to-day. The production is constructed around an engrossing mystery story, which provides thrilling entertainment from beginning, to end, not the least interesting feature being a delightful romance, which forms an important part of, the plot. The picture tells of the search by a young .detective for the murderer of a well-known millionaire, whose love affairs are a byword among his acquaintances, and- of the complications that ensue when he finds that his sweetheart is suspected of the crime. The film illustrates in an interesting manner the latest methods 1 of scientific crime detection by which the police have in recent years been able to trace criminals from the slenderest of clues. An unusually varied and interesting programme of short subjects is shown. The box, plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "LOVE, HONOUR, AND OH, BABY! " "Love, Honour, and Oh; Baby! "which commences at the Strand Theatre tomorrow, is not only a humorous but an exceedingly . clever piece of work. Slim, Summerville, as an impecunious but latently brilliant lawyer, hedged . from illustrious fame by the tenets of honour, has been engaged to Zasu Pitts for six years, when all of a sudden Fate throws an illicit but wonderful oppportunity before the lovers of mulcting Ogden, the leading banker of seven States, of damages in a breach of promise case.. It is true that the opportunity is only in the agile brain of Summerville, but following a few tactful arrangements the result is a foregone conclusion. Flat life in New York is cleverly satirised to bring into the evidence all sorts of weird people. Discovered with his coat off emerging from the bathroom in Miss Pitts’s apartment, Ogden is denounced by a small army of lodgers who have been primed to arrive at the . right moment, but the crowning evidence which sways the jury to award the big damages is that of the Government meteorologist. Yeree Teasdale, the filing clerk, who has supplanted Miss Pitts pending the court case, and whose evidence is relied upon by Ogden, fails her side, and the end, is partly wedding bells and partly gnashing teeth, t KING EDWARD THEATRE A splendid variety of entertainment is offered patrons of the King Edward Theatre. Heading the new programme which had its initial screening yesterday is the swift-moving R.K.O. Radio Pictures’ production, “ Emergency Call.” The picture is notable for the splendid acting by Bill Boyd, Wynne Gibson, and William Gargan. In the story they are trapped in an abandoned warehouse, where they have been lured by a fake emergency call, and a hand-to-hand fight with murderous ruffians takes place. The police come to the aid of the trapped people, but not before one of them has been stabbed. An operation is necessary to save his life. The action reaches a sensational climax when Bradley, determined to avenge hia friend.

tracks down and corners the chief of the racketeers. The climax to this entertaining film is reached by'the death of. the gangster at the hands of a ,nurse, porr trayed by Wynne Gibson., Boyd gives a most convincing characterisation as a rugged, herb,, and gains fresh laurels , for hie acting in “Emergency Call.” Gargan gives a remarkable performance as a: gallant ambulance driver. An excellent supporting programme is also screened.