AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22328, 31 July 1934, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

:, REGENT THEATRE -; One of the most distinguished actresses! in Hollywood in the person of Kay Francis has the leading role, in ".The. House, on 56th Street," which is now being shown at the Regent- Theatre. Miss .Francis .has shown her skill in. the portrayal of difficult character parts, and in her. latest production she is the. opportunity for the'display of her real ability in three distinct types of roles. This, is the class of work that frequently reveals weaknesses in the average player, but Miss Francis can certainly not be .classed as an average actress. First, she is seen as a: chorus, girl of 1905, twirling a parasol and shining gaily across .the footlights. ■■:; Then,- as; the,! -./ife-of-an influential American aristocrat, happy in her marriage;, and'later as a broken, disillusioned woman, who. has served 20 years behind prison bars for a crime of which circumstantial evidence only proved her guilty. On leaving prison she becomes a card sharper, and as Jate will Lave it she'meets her.own daughter, and in a scene that is powerful in its intensity she prevents her child from becoming a gambler. The-plot, is a stirring one and sympathetically one travels with the lovely, heroine through her stormy passages, and smiles with her at.her clever repartees. Margaret Lindsay, in whose work.there is insight .and.charm,. takes the Dart of the daughter who has the spirit of a gambler. As the husband-who ;s killed in-the war* Gene Raymond is excellent'.": He is attractive and acts with strength. Taking the part of the rival who loved her both before and after, her marriage,-, and. who, through taking; Ins own ljfe, sends her to gaol, John Hallway , eives an exceptionally :fine performance, and Ricardd Cortez. brings, charm . and clever acting-into' the-part of a'happy-go-lucky' card-sharper ; ! ; The. producers --oi .the picture "have accomplished-'a : difficult .tasK with credit, for, they have ;Btlcceeded, in providing backgrounds; for Lthe' story that ate, in detail.,while they: have caught the general: atmosphere-ot the various phases' of 'the, story. wjtlv.;remarkable fidelity:; This week.'s gramme includes a well-varied selection of short, subjects, antdng them, being J Jack -Denny and his" band, a musical extravaganza, "Around the Chock," a dn.esound News,, a musical review, and another, ot the- absorbing "Strange ; As It Seems series. The box plans for/the. season will be found at the theatre and at the D.I.U

■ ""THE SILENCE OF;, DEAN,:/. .-.;; ■ MAITLAND." =~, _ Not'only' must "The ; Silence; of; Dean Maitlancl." which' will, open- a:season at the Regent Theatre'.: on Friday definitely stand as the best- production -yet showpin New• Zealand from tbe r ;Ahs-tralianstudioß, but also- it is one of the -most dramatic films screened in -Dunediiv-tor a considerable time. "The film Is said tuijy to justify the clairii ; that' it. compares favourably with productions- from ~the English and American studios, and its,appeal should not be restricted to .Australia and New Zealand. • Brilliant acting, and casting are outstanding features ot the- production, even the smallest' parts being faultlessly played. John Longden, the talented English actor, ,a triumph in the exceptionally difficult role of Dean Maitland. The part of»"the ; yb.ung clergyman, who returns to: his native village with-a life of promise.bcfore.him, only to endanger the prospects 1 of successful' career by succumbing to;the charms of a village' girl who,-declares her'love for him, is'one that,'calls: for very exacting acting, but he is equal to'every situation. Interest is never allowed;to slacken for a moment, and the story of how. the clergyman goes to a. doctor friend: tor 'assistance, how he accidentally kills the girl's father in a.brawl, and the. gradual unfolding of big-cowardice, when.he tails to -admit his guilt arid allows the doctor to be sentenced to 20 years', imprisonment; for the crime, is very skilfully handled, while the' conclusion is a- fitting climax .to a powerful"film. Charlotte Francis, who takes the part of Alma Lee. the village girl, is said'to give a brilliant performance,- and reveals acting ability of a high order, arid she'-uhdotibtedly wtll.be an asset to future Australian, productions. As the doctor who. undergoes'2o years in prison rather than betray his friend, John Warwick is excellently cast, and Ins performance at the close of the film,, after he emerges from prison an' embittered man, but still with greater strength;of ■character than-his erstwhile friend, is an excellent piece of restrained acting, ihe minor -parts are equally well taken by an exceptionallv large cast of supporting players, including Jooelyn HowartJi. ■Patricia Minchm. Les Wharton.- Claude Turton, John Pickard, Audrey Nicholson, George Lloyd, Fred MacDonald, and Billy Kerr" The film has been excellently directed .by Ken. G. Hall, while Captam Frank Hurley's photography is a feature of the production. ' . '.'''. j LINTON—the quality coal. More heat for your money. All merchants.—Advt.

GRAND THEATRE To-day will provide the final opportunity of witnessing "I Believed in You,'' which for the past: week has proved a popular attraction at the Grand Theatre. The picture is well-produced and capably acted, .but it is? noteworthy principally for the outstanding portrayal of the'; leading role given by the brilliant young actress Rosemary- Ames.' Beautiful and unsophisticated, a young.girl'in the company of a labour agitator sets'forth for Greenwich- Village, where he introduces her to a number of- his : artistic but poverty-stricken friends. While there, she meets and makes the acquaintance' of a wealthy gentleman. He becomes impressed with Cher desire to,raise sufficient funds .to foster the ambitions of-her friends,and he- agrees to back; them .for. six/months. If none of them.makes good, the girl must consider the obligation. as hers. Her friends squander the money foolishly, and she realises: that they are all fakers. Thoroughly disillusioned, she is about to call: quits, when she receives word that the book she has been writing has been' accepted by a publisher. With the small cheque she -had received, she goes to make, her first payment on her obligation to her wealthy friend.' He pleads with her to let him sec her,. but she insists on going on alone, though she permits him to feel that : perhaps some day they may meet again. In the leading- part ..Miss Ames is cast' in a role which she. interprets with all the ease and polish of a veteran actress, and she receives good support from, Jobri Boles. Jed Pronty,. and other well-known players.; The supporting feature is a dramatic'arid engrossing picture- entitled ''Sleepers East," which provides a striking .commentary on the. corruption that exists).in American municipal politics. Wynne Gibson is the'featured player, and the minor parts are in the hands of a capable cast. The , box, plans',are' at the theatre' and Messrs Chas." B.egg an<L Co.'s... ' '• ■;■[ EMPIRE THEATRE'; / _' Hollywood outdoes itself in' lavlshness of> spectacle in: its latest musical extravaganza, "Footlight Parade," the "current attraction : at the Empire-Theatre. Like the memorable "Gold Diggers" it depends oil the endless colour of 'the backstage to provide its theme, which is by no means the weakest point of the production, as the aspect is rather, a novel one. James Cagney;'.. plays the part of a theatrical agent. who - arranges the programmes of various companies which perform ihtro-. ductory acts at picture theatres. He plays the part to perfection, maintaining a flow of .activity,'and surmounting, ajl obstacles, not the least of which are matrimouialdifficulties. Joan Blondell, 'as- his secretary, plays the heroine role very attractivelyRuby Keeler and Dick Powell are the star entertainers of the shows which Cagney puts on, and their combined and solo singing-is 'most enjoyable. ;; ."Honeymoon Hotel" is likely to become as popular as "We're in'the Money," and all the other "Gold Digger" songs in the near future. They are the. central figures in most of, the. spectacular displays'of dancing talent in rhythmic action. Busby Berkeley, the brilliant young director, who was responsible .for creating the ensembles, has allowed his imagination full play, and the camera has been, operated from all conceivable angles to make the most of the effects. "BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD."' The recent vogue, for. musical films, has resulted in many such productions'with ; a theatrical setting; but although the setting of. "Broadway to Hollywood," which will be presented at the Empire'Theatre on Friday, cannot be said to be original, the clever manner in which it has been; produced has imbued.vit with -a breath of freshness. The story shows the theatre of the nineties in contrast with Hollywood to-day, and one scene, in colour, " The March of Time," is said.' to be particularly brilliant. The cast is headed by Alice Brady, who appeared recently in "'When Ladies Meet, Madge Evans, of "Hell Below," and- other films, Frank Morgan, and. May Robson. In addition, the' Albertina Rasch ballet appears in several numbers. The picture, is notable for its gorgeous costumes, which are seen to advantage in teehnicolour. ST. JAMES THEATRE "Madame Spy," the current attraction at the St. James Theatre, is a thrilling drama of international complications, and, appropriately enough, an internati6nal cast was gathered for its production,.the leading,players including Fay Wray, Nile .Aether," Edward .Arnold, .John Miljari, Noah Beery, David Torrance, and Oscar; Apfel.- The film wns directed by Karl F.reund, whose familiarity with European cities, was invaluable, in.the scenes in Vienna, Berlin, and Leningrad and in the wnr scenes the -settings are most realistic, and form a most interesting background for. the activities of the pliivei*. The events which the story relate* ai be from the military operations

on the Russo-German frontier in 1915, the hostilities of; the -. me >forming a contrast with ther of. wits between the espionage agents of Russia and Austria. The central figure of the story is Maria - (Fay Wray), who falls in love with -Captain Franck (Nils Asther), a wounded officer, and marries him. Unfortunately the confidences ot the two were not complete, and the matrimonial alliance,also united active agents in the Austrian and Russian secret services; This fact gives rise \ to series of : events which will be , followed with breathless interest. Eventually.; love triumphs over duty, and. the pair are united! vA strong: supporting programme includes a comedy.and another-of the interesting "Strange. As It. Seems .series. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs's, M'Cracken and Walls s, and the D.1.C." ■' '__. '; • -'I "SIX OF A KIND." ' ' "Six of a Kind," the' hilarious Paramount film coming to the St. James Theatre, on Friday next, is said > to be a real screen comedy, played by, real come.dians • and directed by.. one -'■ ot 'the ~best comedy-directors in the picture industry. Therefore, it is needless to say, it is an outstanding, production. ~ The featured cast is composed of famous comedians-r-Charlie Ruggles, MarV Bolans, W. C. Fields, George Burns, Gr.acie AHen, and Allison Skipworth. : The■ story takes ,the first four on. a n automobile trip 'across ;the country-' They get as far as Nuggetville, Nevada, pursued by detectives who suspect Ruggles, a,bank clerk, of the theft of 50,000 dollars. Here they meet Miss Skipworth in the role of hotelkeeper, and W.'C. Fields as the, sheriff. The arrival of two detectives, and the seal thief causes more complications, -and- adds to the furious pace-'of the- comedy. .. v ;.' ; ; , STATE .THEATRE : : ; ' Patrons of the moving picture, whose, taste lies in' the direction of, intelligent entertainment cleverly presented will find much to' their liking -in. "Friday, the 13th," the engrossing film which is having a successful season at the' State Theatre. The producers of this British-'film have struck a novel note with the most satislyihg results, and have worked an'".all star" cast into' an'uriusual picture without' allowing it to become merely a succession of-.faces. There is a general superstitution'that Friday, the, thirteenth, is an unlucky-day; and for the greater part, of its length this picture appears.-to bear-out that belief," but in'■ a'-' chmax Which mu'st'rank as one of the most -startiirig seen'for a long, time one is' inclined to the'conclusion that it is not such an unlucky day after all. The audience sees first of all a number of people'preparing to go- about their day's work; Oyer a fretful breakfast, the business man chides hiß wife for her absent-mindedness, a chorus girl rises to make her way tp the theatre, a young bank clerk tries to summon sufficient, courage to ■■propose, to: hW typist sweetheart (unaware that the hand of the blackmailer is waiting to descend on hini), and the,. driver and conductor of a bus arrange their bets for the attefnoon's races. Next the man is making a bad speculation on the stock market, the chorus girl and her lover have quarrelled; the bank clerk has. decided that he had better pay out to the blackmailer, and the punters have had a win,: despite an early suspicion that the day was riot-going,to be a lucky one. The lives of these and several other persons arc followed throughout the day, ■ and towards midnight all of the characters concerned meet in a bus each unaware ofthe identity of the others. A. flash qt lightning, topples over a huge crane, which falls on the'bus. and in this accident everything is solved. The cast'of "l<ridav'the I3th" is an unusually imposing one.' containing the names of Jessie Matthews and Edmund Gwenn. in addition to Gordon Harher, Robertson Hare, Sonnie Hale Muriel Aked, I'rsula Jeans, and Frank Lawton. The standard or the supporting programme is'well in keeping with that .of the featured film, the ■principal, item' being a further episode of the life of the Prince of Wales, who accompanies the film with a running description of the events depicted on- the screen. ■ The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at Messrs Chas. Begg and Co.v ,: ■ . .. .- STRAND THEATRE That there ;is' still a large public .for Minis dealing with the Western-States of America is shown by thlpopularity which such pictures attain at the Strand,Theatre. The latest to he shown there je " The Last Round-Up," the story of which has been i adapted from a novel by Zaiie.Grey, j has probably excelled'all others in the 1

air of versimilitude to actual. life which he ; Rives to his tales, of stirring action in the out-of-doors. Dealing with the old coaching days in Arizona, when the country was still infested -with bands .of laws whose deeds of crime kept the land in a state of continual unrest, the film has a ; theme that ; can hardly fail- to appeal to lovers of pictures of this sort. Randolph Scott, who is one of the most popular of western actors to-day, has the leading role, and playing opposite him. is Barbara Adams, who gives a charming portrayal. There is a thrilling gun fight during the course of the story, and the action throughout travels at a,, fast pace. The supporting programme this week » well up to the usual standard, and includes a:suitably varied selection of.short: subjects wliichhave been treated; in an interesting mariner. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. , / ; "HI, NELLIE! " ,; , "A newspaper story that is different," is the report preceding " Hi, Nellie! " starring Paul Muni, which will be shown at Strand. Theatre on Friday. One of the features of " Hi, Nellie!; 'Ms its star. No previous production with an editorial room background has featured a player of the theatrical importance - both on .stage and screen, of Muni. .For, Muni himself, "Hi, Nellie! " is a departure too. Following the powerfully dramatic but sombre characterisations he- has contributed- to the screen in "I Am a' Fugitive ■ and "Scarface," his, role in this fast-movihg, lightly handled and breezy story is said to represent an' amazing contrast. For the first time .in his .screen career,- the star essays' coihedy, in a fast action , picture that combines thrills and hilarious laughter. As the hardhitting managing editor of a big .'daily paper, he' finds himself suddenly.in disgrace. He has. failed to handle a sensationaL story as his publisher commarids, and-is assigned to the Throbs" colurim. of. the newspaper.. He has to turn out daily reams of "lovelorn." copy—and the cruellest cut of all is'.• his by-line: "Nellie Nelson." But the .newspaperman holds to his creed. While, he writes balriv for broken, hearts, he still keeps' working "on the story that has brought disgrace, that is, on his theory of the story—which has to. do with: the sensational disappearance . of a public figure. His resolution of the case and his restoration to the publisher's esteem provide i the swift and- dramatic, climax. Glenda:. Farrell,. in her first assignment as a. > leading lady, is seen opposite the star. She plays a girl'reporter whose long feud with, the ace newspaperman ends in romance. Other well-known players in.the cast-are. Ned Sparks, playing aJugubrious reporter: Donald- Meek, as, a 50ryear-pl4 office boy; Edward ■ Ellis, .Kathryn , Sergava, Berton Churchill, Dorothy,Le Balre, Douglas Dumbrille, Robert Barrat.Hobart Cavanaugh.'and George Meeker. , : OCTAGON THEATRE Although iu-the second week of its Duuedin:season, " Sorrel] and Soti" continues to attract crowded houses, to (the, Octagon Theatre, and from the interest that has been displayed in this picture since its initial screening, it Would seem that this " talkie " version of. one of the world's best-known stories is proving even more popular than the silent. presentation. Everyone knows the story of hoy/ Sorrell, back from the war and jobless, is deserted by his wife and endeavours to find work suitable for his social standing. He fails, and : starts' as a porter in a riecond-clase hotel. It is. a slight enough theme,.,but, built.up so cleverly by phases of life, becomes a human document? As Sorrell, H. B. Warner brings \ to the part his full experience in the 'earlier role with ample opportunity for his expressive voice to give an even deeper interpretation. If Sorrell overacted it would be fatal. The part requires such a delicate balance that the merest stress would reduce what should be exquisite pathos to mere sentimentality. The whole picture is one of superb acting, which will make it remain long in the minds of audiences, i It"would be a very, stony-hearted, indi- ■ vidiial indeed who did not feel moved as . Sorrell makes his noble struggle,for existencie. The boy Kit is played, by Peter Penrose, who makes Kit a delightful little chap. Kit; the man, is played by Hugh Williams,. who brings experience and a definite; and • strong charm to the part. As Molly, the girl who loved;Kit, Winifred- Shotter is shown in a hew type of role which.suits her'admirably, and will add to her' "reputation. Sorrell's ek-wife is played by Maigot Grahame, who acts with skill, bringing a metallic note into her role most suitably. The part of Mrs Palfrey, the proprietress of the hotel, is taken by Ruby l\liller, and here is a little eameo of acting. ' Her appearance ,is all too short,, and, although she takes a part that will not bring her much sympathy, it must certainly bring her admiration. As .Dp Orange. Donald Calthrop. is excellent in a straightcr role than his usual

character ones, while as the bullying porter Wa'lly Patch adds his contribution. Others in the play ate Evelyn'.. Boberte, Arthur Chesney; Louis Hey wood, and Hope Davy. The supporting programme is short, but excellent. The box plans are at the theatre,'the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls's, and B'egg's. ' KING EDWARD THEATRE "Penthouse," with Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, and " His Grace Gives Notice," with. Arthur Margetson, O. ■»• Clarence, and "Viola Keats,, are-, the attractions of the double-feature programme which is at present .beinsr ;shawn at the Kins Edward .Theatre. The.- two films, as their titles, indicative of American and English origins, suggest, are in.str.Qng-con-trast,' and .the.. Result > is., a•■•Very, wellbalanced' entertainment... In " Penthouse, Warner- Baxter plays the role of avlawyer defending, in a racketeering case,-the .man who has stolen his; sweetheart.: Pressure is':Brought■■to-.be'ajr oh him to .retire, but h"» refuses and wins his case, and aiSO emerges successful in love. Myrna Loy is a charming, unconventional heroine. The other film i s a comedy, of a butler who eventually, turns out to be a duke. Arthur Margetson,- a 'well-known English stage favourite, is the butler. ' . •■'