AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22369, 17 September 1934, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE After several months' absence from the screen Grade Fields makes an impressive return in "Love, Life, and Laughter," which is attracting large audiences to the Empire Theatre. Singing and joking her way through a hopelessly improbable story, Miss Fields adds another laurel to her crown of triumphs. She is first seen masquerading as Nell Gwynn in a hospital pageant. She achieves sudden notoriety by throwing an orange at a Kuritarian prince and scoring a direct hit. Her repartee while bickering with the magistrate in the Police Court keeps the audience rocking with laughter, this scene being one of the funniest produced on the screen for some time. The prince falls in love with Cinderella, and in the absence of any ugly sisters to bother them, the happy couple enter " the movies." Their film career is cut short by the recall of the prince to his country on the death of his father. Gracie, complete with mother and father, follows. However, she realises that it would be in the interests of her lover and Ins country if he married the princess of a neighbouring State, and she decides to leave for England. In the final scenes Gracie is seen, back in London, entertaining a crowd of happy hospital children. One of the most hilarious scenes of the production occurs when Gracie is invited to the grand ball at the Granau Legation. After 6inging "Out in the Cold, Cold Snow," to a chorus supplied by delighted footmen, and throwing the whole solemn occasion into disorder, she is requested to withdraw by no less a personage than the king himself. Fleeing by the nearest way, she cannons mto cooks and waiters, brings down showers of kitchen gear, and in the midst of a veritable hail of plaster can be {( seen but not heard, mouthing the words Out in the Cold, Cold Snow." John Loder is splendid as the prince, while Horace Kenney and Veronica Brady are most amusing as Grade's father and mother. Acting honours in a most entertainiug film-must go to Miss, Fields, whose robust personality makes things go with such a swing. The supporting programme, is an exceptionally interesting and varied one, and includes a delightful coloured symphony, "The Little Red Hen." The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. " ON SECRET SERVICE." " On Secret Service," the brilliant British International espionage drama which will come to the Empire Theatre on Friday, is said to be a thriller whicn will hold audiences in suspense from beginning to end. It is a story of two young lovers caught up in the inhumanly cruel and relentless network of international intrigue. One is Herr Hombergk, an Austrian officer; the other Marcella, a beautiful blonde spy in the Italian Secret Service. They meet in Vienna, gay city of romance, and their happiness is shattered by the declaration of war. They meet again in Italy, when Hombergk is at work on a dangerous secret service mission for his country, and Marcella's love is put to a terrible test. Although at times disguised as an Italian soldier and at others masquerading as an Italian gentleman armed with passports that withstood the most searching inquiry, Hombergk was " under suspicion," and twice in the course of Jier duties Marcella is called upon to identify this " enemy spy," and twice she shields the man she loves, although sworn bv oath to serve Italy at all times. She pleads with him to leave the country, but the Austrian pursues his plans almost to completion before Marcella stirs herself, on behalf of her country. Racing by car at breakneck speed, she reaches Hombergk's plane, in which he, disguised as a trusted Italian," ace," is about to ' take off" on a flight that would deliver a great blow to the Italian Secret Service. She pleads with him to stay with her in safety, else she will give the alarm, and hold on to the plane so that he cannot leave without killing her. Then it is that Hombergk must also make a terrible decision—love or duty—and the decision must be instantaneous. This dramatic picturisation i s presented by a selected east headed by Greta Nissen, Carl Diehl, Don Alv.arado, / Lester Matthews, and a fine supporting cast. REGENT THEATRE The current attraction at the Regent Theatre is " Happy," a gay and inconsequential farce with Stanley Lupiuo, Will Fvffe, Gus M'Naughton, Jimmy Godden, Harry Tate and other notable players leading the fun. Two musicians, one fighting for musical advancement, the other for patent rights for an invention, a Hebrew intent ou making money out of geese, an insurance magnate who never lets business interfere with his pleasure among the ladies, and several girls who are well endowed with beauty aud what the Americans call " it," form a delightful combination in the feature. While the comedy is sparkling, the highlight of the picture is the excellent playing of the dance orchestra, which supplies a variety of bright and catchy musical numbers. The story, which is highly amusing and full of complications, opens with Frank, George and- Simmy (Lupino, Cliff and Fyffe respectively) planning ways and means of earning a square meal. Frank decides there is a fortune in his invention, only he can't make it work. Simmy is satisfied there is big money in geese, only he can't make them lay, the reason possibly being that they are ganders. At last luck comes to Frank and George, who get a job playing iu a cafe. It is there that both fall in love with charmiug women. Then the trouble really starts, for one of them is the daughter of the millionaire to whom Frank had tried to sell his invention, and to whom Frank had conveyed the impression that he was one of the idle rich and not the conductor of a jazz band. When the daughter tells her father she is in love with the musician he is horrified, not knowing, of course, that the conductor and the inventor are the same person. After embarrassing situations the millionaire is convinced of the value of the invention and he goes to Frank eager to buy it. He learns then who the man is with whom his daughter is in lovfe, and, fortunately for the pair, they receive the millionaire's blessing and wish for a happy married life. That is the beginning of a general change of luck, for George becomes famous as a musician, while Simmy changes his ganders for geese, with an improved result. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE " Whoopee," which is now showing at the St. James Theatre, is a picture that should be enjoyed by those who like bright entertainment. In the first place the film has been done in technicolour, and it is this fact that gives to the dancing scenes of the production so much of their charm. There are a number of surpassingly beautiful shots of this nature, and the backgrounds, mostly out of doors, are themselves a feature of the picture. In this respect the picture works up to a magnificent climax in the final- scenes in which are shown some gorgeous spectacles in an Indian encampment, where, against a background of sunlit rocks and blue skies, fan dances in natural colour are performed by a ballet of perfectly-trained and remarkably beautiful girls. The story concerns the adventures of no less a person than Eddie Cantor, who is cast as a confirmed invalid. Unfortunately for him, and much against his wishes, he becomes a party to an elopement in which the other member is the intended bride of the county sheriff. Cantor has a hectic time dodging the two-gun sheriff and hie men, and his antics keep the audience in the best of humours. There is much of the inimitable fooling of the best Cantor variety, and the laughs come thick.and fast. The supporting programme this week is a good one, providing instruction as well as entertainment. The box plans for the season are at the theatre, the D.I.C, M'Cracken aud Walls's, and Jacobs's. " QUEEN CHRISTINA." The third of the series of regal historical presentations on the screen, and perhaps the least historic of the three, "Queen Christina," which will come to the St. James Theatre on Friday, loses nothing by its departure from fact. The story woven into the life of a royal personage of three' centuries ago carries conviction to the audience and reveals a glamorous character in so many phases that one does not wish to recall the fact that the queen of history was not entirely like this. History and romance have been judiciously blended, with the

result that " Christina" contains much more of intriguing story than did either " Henry VIII " or " Catherine." It is highly emotional, ends on a note of tragedy, shows the regal dignity of a Swedish court, and gives peeps into the life of a nation that played an heroic part in the Thirty Years' War which scourged Europe. The story of the love affair ot the daughter of Gustavus Adolphus— the woman brought up from childhood to live as a man, and who declared she would die not an old maid but a bachelor—has already been told. As presented by Greta Garbo, Queen Christina most faithfully portrays all the mannish attributes attributed to the ruler of Sweden. _ No other woman of the screen, it ig claimed, is so eminently fitted for the character as is Garbo. Her deep voice, impressive personality and mannerisms give her a natural equipment for 'the part; and then one sees, from this mannishness, the development of the woman as love leads a queen to abdicate from all for which a lifelong training has moulded her. The picture ha s been hailed as Garbo's greatest triumph. In her boyish moods, with laughter and prank, in her regal bearing, in her light loves and throughout the events with the Spanish ambassador that lead to tragedy, her artistry 19 unfailing, and "Christina" will live as a wonderful character study. The picture contains some wonderful scenes. The adventures in the country inn, where the queen, imagined to be a young country 6quire, meets Spain's ambassador, is most realistically presented, and her participation in the tavern dispute over the number of the queen's lovers is splendid acting, as is also the simple, whole-souled abdication. Other personages are equally faithful. Lewis Stone, a splendid character delineator, gives a fine presentation of the chancellor who has served three generations with unswerving loyalty; John Gilbert comes back to stardom convincingly as the Spanish don, courteous, fiery, and a true Castilian lover; lan Keith, lover of the queen, is the villain of the piece, to whose sword the lover falls. GRAND THEATRE Will Rogers, the famous American humorist, has the leading role in "Handy Andy," which is the main attraction on a double-feature programme at the Grand Theatre. The quiet, natural manner ot the comedian, apart from his witty speech, has made him as warm a favourife in New Zealand as" in his home country, and his performance in his latest picture will satisfy all his admirers and will provide any who may not yet have made his acquaintance with a very pleasurable experience. He is cast in " Handy Andy as a chemist, who. by virtue of his constant application to his work, has built up a moderate fortune. While he is content to carry on in his store indefinitely, his wife believes that the time has arrived, when he should retire and enjoy the benefits of his money. Eventually he yields to her persuasion, and the audience follows with sympathy and interest his efforts to accustom himself to a new mode of life. While he .is worried by the goading of his wife, he has the consolation of his daughter's understanding of his nature. The best part of the story conies, however, when Andy decides to "play" in earnest, the upshot being that he settles down:once more to work contentedly in his own store. The second picture is "Wild Gold," a fast-moving and dramatic story of two people who have had more than their share of unhappiness and who, among the bustle of an American gold rush, meet and become the partners in a romance which reaches a happy ending after a series of exciting incidents. The principal players are John Boles and Claire Trevor. The box plans are at the theatre and Messrs Charles Begg and Co.'s. OCTAGON THEATRE The operations of a gang_ of daring thieves and the manner in which they are outwitted form the theme of " Four Masked Men," which is at.present being shown at the Octagon Theatre. Opening in London, where four men are having a dinner on the eve of the departure of one of them for South America to take up a position as a mining engineer, the scene shifts to the palace of the President of Peruvia. where a ball is in progress. Among the guests is the engineer, and during the course of the festivities the palace is raided by four masked men. Just before they leave with all the ladies' jewels, however, the leader's mask slips, and the engineer catches a momentary glimpse of his face, which is enough to ensure that ho wjll recognise him if he sees him iu the future. The young man returns to London shortly afterwards, and is at present with his brother at a card party. . During the course of the evening he is about to reveal to his brother the identity of the leader of the gang, but they are interrupted, and immediately afterwards the house is raided by the masked gang, who have transferred their operations from South America. During the excitement that ensues the engineer is fatally shot. His brother swears that he will avenge his death, and the next day is fortunate enough to strike a clue that enables him to discover the whereabouts of the headquarters of the gang. He resolves on a bold plan of action in order to achieve his end, and, although it seems for a time that he must surely fail, he makes use of a clever ruse and brings his enemies to justice. The acting honours go to John Stuart, who carries off a difficult role with great credit, while the principal feminine role is admirably acted by Judy Kelly, the.young Australian actress. Others in the cast are Miles Mander, Athole Stewart, and Richard Cooper. There is a good supporting programme, including a particularly interesting film depicting the highlights of Derby Day at Epsom. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C M'Cracken and Walls's, and Begg's. "LILY OF KILLARNEY.'* Beautiful Irish settings are a notable feature of "Lily of Killarney," the Twickenham romance of the Emerald Isle, which will come to the Octagon Theatre on Friday. H. Fowler Mear wrote the story of this musical romance, in which have been interpolated some of the best tunes from Sir Julius Benedict's opera, in addition to many of Moore's Irish melodies. • The popular ballad, " Father O'Flynn," and several original melodies by W. L. Trytel, composer and musical arranger to the Twickenham Studios, are also effectively introduced into " Lily of Killarney," and the production was directed by Maurice Elvey. " Lily of Killarney," which puts real Ireland on the screen, contains many elaborate scenes, one of which depicts a most realistic _ replica of a lakeside cavern. The title role is played by pretty Gina Malo, who is of Irish nationality, and therefore ideally suited to the part of the pretty but irresponsible heroine. John Garrick, who is the possessor of a very fine baritone voice, is seen opposite Gina Malo, and Stanley Holloway, the former Co-optimist comedian, provides some delightful comedy in the part of Father O'Flynn, most famous of Irish preachers. Other parts are played by Leslie Perrins, Dennis Hoey, A. Bromley Davenport, Sarah AHgood, and Dorothy Boyd. STATE THEATRE Janet Gaynor and Charles FarrelJ are the featured players in the current attraction, " Change of Heart," at the State Theatre. This pair made a name for themselves early in the days of the sound screen when they became very popular as exponents of sentimental drama of the sugary sweet kind. For a long lime the partnership was broken, but now, after two years, they appear in double harness again in a film admirably suited to their particular talents and absorbingly interesting in itself. It is a product of the Fox Studios, and is distinguished by a cast which includes several well-known and able players in supporting roles. " Change of Heart" is not simply another of the usual GaynorFarrell productions. Greater demands than usual are made on botli players, and in responding successfully each sets a new standard of quality which means added laurels in the screen world. The story of the film comes from the pen ot one of America's romantic best sellers, Katherine Norris, and appeared originally under the title of " Manhattan Love Song." It is a curious mixture of love, jealousy, hate, and the innumerable difficulties which beset young lovers in a great city when there is not too much money in the treasury. The film is remarkable for a highly effective and ex-cellently-acted romantic climax in which Janet Gaynor shows that there is depth and vigour in her acting as well as wistful beauty and appeal. James Dunne and Ginger Rogers head the supporting cast, and others who have prominent parts include Beryl Mercer, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Irene Frankiyn, Shirley

Temple, Drue Leyton, and Fiske O'Hara. The main burden of the theme concerns four young people just fresh from college—two youths and two girls. Undaunted by handicaps and difficulties they set about winning for themselves the happiness to which they consider themselves entitled. How they achieve their end is strikingly displayel in an interesting and appealing story. Notwithstanding a high standard of performance on the part of all four, Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell succeed iu standing head and shoulders above the rest of the cast for life-like nad convincing delineations worthy of the central figures in the story. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects, among which might be mentioned exciting glimpses of play in the fourth cricket test, at Leeds between England and Australia, with Bradman and Ponsford. making their world's record partnership score. There is also an interesting film of the Rugby test at Sydney between New Zealand and Australia. "Byways of Bangkok and "Joe's Lunch Wagon," a diverting cartoon, are also features of the supporting programme. Box plans for the season will be found at the theatre and at Begg's. STRAND THEATRE "The Countess of Monte Cristo" is proving an excellent attraction at the Strand Theatre at the present time. Fay Wray is the leading player, and she gives every satisfaction in a role that is specially suited to her vivid style, and which gains a lot of colour from her strong personality. Paul Lukas fills the chief male role more than cleverly, and proves an excellent partner for Fay Wray. Patsy Kelly is at the head ot the suppporting cast. The story opens on a studio set with the heroine quarrelling with a film director because she has not put on the performance that was expected of her. The quarrel waxes more.and more severe, and finally in a towering rage the temperamental star rushes off into the night in a powerful sports car. The scene shifts next morning to an hotel in the Austrian mountains, where the runaway actress, with her friend, has gone to hide. Her luggage, by some means, has been labelled Countess of Monte Cristo," and many complications and misunderstandings follow with dramatic nad amusing swiftness. The star attracts a fellow guest at the hotel, and finally he falls in love with her. Together they enjoy the winter sports in connection with the hotel, and everything is going swimmingly until the police find that her companion is a. notorious criminal who has been evading them for 10 years. The affair almost ends in disaster for the girl, but she extricates herseif from a ticklish situation, and in so doing provides her first love with a newspaper scoop which reinstates him in the job from which he was fired at the opening of the story. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects, and the box plans for the season will be found at the theatre and at the D.I.C.