AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE " Orient Express," Fox Film's latest production with a east that features seven stars, will make its appearance at the Grand Theatre to-day. 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 _ journeyaboard the Orient Express as it speeds from Ostend to Constantinople. The 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 uncovr 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, lie 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 an 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 Vogedjng, and Mare Lobell. STATE THEATRE That uproarious story of romance and high spirits, " Falling for You," which has been delighting audiences at the State Theatre for the past week, is still attracting a lot of attention. The two principal performers, Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge, comprise a special attraction in themselves, but the manner of the film's presentation and the diverting tale it tells are also qualities which meet with general approval. Both Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge are comedy experts of a kind that is always popular. There is such a robust enthusiasm and air of enjoying themselves about the work of both that the audience is compelled, almost against it s will to join in the riot of merriment which they always create. In this production the popular pair are featured as journalists, both engaged on the same paper and searching for the same type of news. The rivalry that exists between them reaches such a pitch that each forgets the actual hunt for new g in the endeavour to encompass the dismissal of the other. The numerous complications, misunderstandings, and misadventures which restilt from such a relationship can readily be imagined, and the two principals' make the most of the maiiy ludicrously funny situations which arise. Among the other members of the cast who are noticeable for good characterisations may be mentioned Garry Marsh and Alfred Drayton. There is much good photography in the production and one or two exceptional instances of outstanding filmcraft. The supporting programme i 9 suitably varied, and covers a wide* range of interesting subjects. From beginning to end the programme is a distinctly enjoyable one. and should meet with general approval. The box plans for the season will be found at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.'s. OCTAGON THEATRE "Lady for a Day," a film with a story of unusual piquancy and gripping power, and a cast of stars who give of their best, will head to-day's new bill at the Octagon Theatre. The picture attempts nothing but pure entertainment, and from that point of view it is claimed to be easily the best released in New Zealand for many months. May Robson, the veteran Australian actress, is said to be at her best in this excellent production. It is safe to say that she has never appealed so greatly to an audience as she does as "Apple Annie" in " Lady for a Day," her part in its story fitting in splendidly with her inimitable brand of humour, and her_ never-heavy drama. The plot is most originally treated. " Apple Annie " (sometimes called Madame La Gimp) lives among the gamblers and racketeers of old Broadway, albeit she is not'strictly of them. She lives with a deep secret; she has a lovely young daughter in Spain being educated at a convent. When the mother writes letters to her she' pretends in them that she is a widow no longer, but has married money and is in high society. Later the girl, who is about to marry "a Spanish grandee, accompanies him in a liner to New York, there to meet her mother. Annie becomes desperate on learning this, and her friends of the underworld come to her rescue. But the story does not end without a great deal of fuss and bother, and a great deal of excitement for the audience. REGENT THEATRE " 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 today. The sparkling success of "You Made. Me Love You is clue 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 Lupiho 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 problems, .and do all they can to further his schemes for marrying her. They are eventually successful, but after the ceremony Thelma bids her husband a frigid adieu. Lupino is prepared, and they set oft'—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." Coming 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 bbtli 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 his son. Billie Burke gives a splendid interpretation of a worldly woman who has a flair for exquisite clothes. Reginald Denny, Benita Hume, Edna May Oliver, and a cast of 96 featured players are also seen in " Only Yesterday." ST. JAMES THEATRE Amusing Cockney studios by Gordon Barker, the talented British character acter of " Rome Express," and .Binnie Hale, are features of " This is the Life," which commences at the St. James Theatre to-day. The bulk of the humour is supplied by them, and they prove an excellent comedy team. The story is the familiar one of the experiences of a couple living in modest, circumstances who are left an enormous fortune, and deals with their efforts to enter society. Complications arise when two confederates of the uncle who left the fortune appear and reveal that the money was gained by far from honest means. Binnie Hale, making her debut on the screen, reveals a distinctive personality, while Gordon Harker makes the most of the opportunities that arise to display his own delightful form of humour. The supporting cast includes Betty Astell, Ben Wnlden, and Jack Barty. A film of absorbing interest to all mountaineers and anyone with a love for adventure, " Kamet Conquered." is being shown on the same programme.

The picture is a photographic record of Mr F. S. Smythe's Himalayan expedition, which climbed the highest peak yet reached by man, and is accompanied by a commentary by the leader of the expedition. The enterprise is followed from its inception, and one is shown the journey from India into the foothills of the Himalayas, and then along the pilgrim route near the source of the sacred river Ganges. This portion of the film includes some magnificent glimpses of the distant mountains, and remarkable views of the expedition wending its way like a tiny black thread along the face of great slopes thousands of feet in height. Later, the scene changes to the upper reaches of the mountain torrents, beyond the last signs of civilisation, where the crossing of a stream was often a perilous process in which the lives of the members of the expedition and their yaks were endangered. The scenes of the final assault on the mountain are marked by remarkable photographs of the great snow slopes and the huge mountain peaks towering above the clouds as far as the eye can see, while the record of the last climb to the summit is most skilfully handled, so that one can almost feel the climbers gasping for breath in the rarefied atmosphere. EMPIRE THEATRE " Voltaire," coming to the Empire Theatre to-day, is claimed to be the greatest contribution to the screen George Arliss has made since " Disraeli," which it most resembles, not, excepting "The Milionaire" or "The Working Man." Here is one' of the most skilful performances this greatest of living actors has yet contributed to either stage or screen. It is said that Arliss has waited 20 years to find the suitable dramatisation of the life of Voltaire, called the father of the French Revolution. If so, it .hag been time well spent, for the,intervening years have ripened his artistry toward the memorable day when he put "Voltaire" on film. A single incident in the long and singularly exciting career of the great French poet-philosopher is used as a dramatic background for this remarkable film. In this Arliss has followed the method he found so successful in " Disraeli." About this one incident has been drawn all the gorgeous panoply and extravagance of the court of Louis XV, all the exciting intrigue centred in the boudoir of Madame Pompadour. It is thrilling, reckless, beautifully mannered melodrama, the like of which it is said, has seldom come out of Hollywood before. The excellence of the supporting cast ■ matches the production values. Margaret Lindsay, who was seen first in "Cavalcade," plays the role of Nanette Calas. Theodore Newton, another newcomer who ! won his spurs in "The Working Man," plays the part of Nanette's lover. David Torrence, Alan Mowbray, Doris Lloyd, Helena Phillips, and Murray Kinnell, more than competent all of them, are others in the cast. ' : STRAND THEATRE ~< In contrast with his usual roles, that of an easy-going, bashful comedian, the appearance of Slim Summerville in " Love, Honour, and Oh, Baby," which opens at the Strand Theatre to-day, as an exceedingly dominating young man, is a feature that adds considerably to the enjoyment of the production. Zasu Pitts, w'ho is co-starred with Summerville, requires no introduction, and as is usual gives a finished performance. The plot, which has as its climax the extortion of a considerable sum of money from a wealthy banker who has a leaning toward women, is carefully laid, and the humour well developed. As a lawyer,'Summerville is successful only in securing a term of imprisonment for his clients rather than obtaining their freedom; his one redeeming quality is his earnestness. He is deeply in love with Zasu Pitts, and sets out to provide the wherewithal by which he may keep her when married. A girl, who has been a victim to a wealthy banker, however, gives Connie, his sweetheart, an idea upon which she acts. Accordingly, she accepts a position as a filing clerk to Ogden, the banker, with the object of compromising him and then handing over the evidence to Mark. She is partly successful, but is unable to conceal her departure for Rochester from the latter. At first he is enraged, but eventually he agrees to act in co-opera-tion. With the assistance of the inquisitive family, both he and Connie succeed in getting Ogden up to the apartment, and there procure evidence sufficient for a court case. An action _for a breach of promise is filed and a farcical trial takes place, in which Mark, in the role of a perfect liar, succeeds in convincing the jury that his opponents have fabricated their evidence. KING EDWARD THEATRE A splendid variety of entertainment is offered patrons of the King Edward Theatre. Heading the new programme is the swift-moving R.K.O. Radio Pictures' production, "Emergency Call." The picture is notable for the splendid actiug 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 ruffiaus takes place. The police come to the. aid of the trapped Eeople, but not before one of them has een stabbed. The action reaches a sensational climax when Bradley, determined to avenge his 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, portrayed by Wynne Gibson. Boyd gives a most convincing characterisation as a rugged hero, and gains fresh laurels for his acting in "Emergency Call." Gargan gives a remarkable performance as a gallant a-mbulance driver. An excellent supporting programme is also screened.