AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE A story of unusual timeliness is unfolded in “ Tile Man who Reclaimed his Head,” the Universal drama which will be shown at the Empire to-day. The picture exposes the activities of the international munitions _ manufacturers in fomenting war, subject of recent senatorial investigation in Washington, and lays much of the blame for the Great War squarely at the door of those professional moulders of public opinion. Claude Rains, Joan Bennett and Lionel Atwill head the players, and all are excellent in their roles. Other members of an exceptionally fine cast arc three-year-old Baby Jane, Wallace Ford, Lloyd Hughes and Lawrence Grant. The fasciiiating story presents Rains a plodding writer, content to live in virtual poverty with his wife Adele (Joan Bennett). "He finally achieves prosperity when he enters the service of Henri Dumont (Lionel Atwill), a publisher, and writes articles against war which appear under Dumont’s name in his “Pacifist Journal.” But to ensure his political future, Dumont secretly works with the munitions makers, and on the declaration of war Rains is sent to the front. The publisher’s influence keeps the war-hating soldier in the trenches, while he himself proceeds to a conquest of the writer’s wife. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Warner Baxter is said to score a decided hit with his portrayal of the young doctor and scientist in “ Grand Canary, which opens to-day at the State Theatre. Under the supervision of Jesse L. Lasky, the picture has captured the spirit of A. J. Cronin’s best seller novel of the same name. It develops both a magnificent love story and a gripping theme of regeneration. In this, his second starring vehicle, Baxter has one of the finest roles of his career. He is convincing as the doctor, called “murderer’ by the world because his new serum has apparently failed, who stars on a voyage of oblivion to scatter the wreckage of his life. On the voyage he meets Madge Evans, who has the role of Lady Mary Fielding. His romance with her after they land in the beautiful Canary Islands inspires Baxter to fight back through a devastating plague of yellow fever menacing Lady Mary. And he vindicates himself by putting an end to the epidemic with his serum. Inevitably, the picture is said to remind one of “Arrowsmith. “Grand Canary” has a theme with all the dramatic intensity of the earlier picture, plus the gripping dramatic element of regeneration. In addition to the splendid portrayals by the romantic principals, picturesque characterisations are contributed by the other members of the cast. Marjorie Rambeau is amusing as the proprietress of a questionable hotel in the islands. Zita Johann has a role worthy of her histrionic skill as the girl in love with Baxter who figures dramatically in hi« romance with Madge Evans. H. B. Warner gives a finished performance ns Baxter’s staunch friend. It is to Mr Lasky’s credit that he has not ■ only assembled an unusually strong east, blit he has held to the theme with fidelity. Ernest Pascal prepared .the screen play, and Irvitijx Cummings directed, both with sensitive sincerity. The box plans arc at the theatre and Begg’s.

ST. JAMES THEATRE “ Student Tour,” the new Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer musical film, will be presented at the St. James Theatre to-day. It is essentially youthful, sparkling with comedy, vibrant with now music, deeply romantic, and spectacular. While Jimmy Durante and Charles Butterworth cany the principal comedy roles the pictiire serves a more important purpose. It introduces a pair of screen lovers who are destined to go far. Maxine Doyle, the feminine half of the team, is as rougish a lass as the screen has put forth in many years. She sings well—especially the new hit number, “ From Now On ” dances delightfully, and is charming. The other half of the team is Phil Regan, a handsome lad with a fine tenor voice.and an ability to act convincingly. Music plays an important part in “ Student lour, especially since the picture serves to introduce a new dance rhythm in the form of the “ Carlo.” Staged in . a casino in Monte Carlo, this number is danced to five-four time, something said to be absolutely new in popular music. It is the product of the song-writing team ol Brown and Freed wiio gave the world “Singing in the Rain” and many other hits. “Student Tour” is the story ot an American college rowing team winch wins the national championship and the right to race a team in England. But the oarsmen all have failed in philosophy, and cannot go. The coach, Monte Blue, arranges lor Butterworth, the professor of philosophy, to accompany the crew and tutor them. Hilarious happenings take place on the boat, in China, Java, Monte Carlo, at the Taj Mahal in India, and at other points visited. During the proceedings Miss Doyle blossoms out as tlio loveliest co-ed of all and wins the heart of Regan, the stroke oar of the crew and tiie captain of the team. Tbe story, while light, has a believable ring, and is definitely entertainment of the better sort. The supporting subjects include Laurel and Hardy in their latest comedy, “ Midnight Patrol,” Metrotone News, a travel talk, “ Cruising in the South Seas, ’ and a cartoon, “ Insultin’ the Sultan.” The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., Jacobs’s, and M'Cracken and Walls s. REGENT THEATRE

To-day more than ever before, filmgoers are demanding pictures which provide entertainment, and for this reason good musical comedy is now in great demand. One of the best pictures of this class for some time is “Mr Cinders,” the 8.1. P. screen adaptation of the phenomenally successful play, which opens at the Regent Theatre to-day. Its main ingredients are mirth and melody, and they exist in joyful abundance. There are four particularly tuneful and snappy numbers, “ Where’s Jim,” “ I Could Get Used to You,” “Just a Blue Sky,” and the popular “ Spread a Little Happiness,” from the original stage show. Thu stars, Clifford Mollison and Zelma O’Neal, sing these numbers in great, style, and, in addition, the Western Brothers do their famous “ Delightful People, Aren’t We All?” The climax to the whole picture is a magnificent party, given by an American millionaire, in honour of his daughter’s coming of age. The fun starts with the arrival, in armour, of the Earl of Ditclnnan, alias Jim Lancaster, the poor relation of the Lancaster house, all the rest of whom had been invited to the party. The earl, a great explorer, turned out to be an extraordinary personage, and talked perfect nonsense about his knowledge of South America, all of which was put down to his fine sense of humour. An amazing performance of “ The Midsummer Night’s Dream ” was also a big feature of tlie evening, but it was hardly one that would have been appreciated by the great William Shakespeare himself. The real excitement of the evening, however, came with the discovery that the presents had been stolen, and this, coinciding with the revelation that the Earl of Ditclnnan was an impostor, led to the arrest of the latter. But P. C. Merks was better .at arresting people than holding them, and the armoured earl effected his escape and proceeded to capture the real culprits. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre.

STRAND THEATRE The comical adventures of Nobby Green form the main theme of the hilarious comedy, “ Letting in the Sunshine,” which will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-day in addition to another hit, “ Bighearted Herbert.” Nobby is a window cleaner, and a most unfortunate one. The final blow to his fortunes comes when be is recognised by a maidservant during the execution of his duties, who is under the impression he is a detective. But as Nobby discovers in Jane his lady friend who has hitherto posed as an actress, the scores are even, and they settle down to a romantic interlude over the window-sill. But the course of true love never runs smooth, and an irate housekeeper sends them about their business. This rollicking comedy romance features Albert Burden and Renee Gadd. Guy Kibbee. star of many famous melody films, plays the leading role in “ Bighearted Herbert.” a sprightly comedy. This picture is one of those which, lacking in the appeal of big names, makes up for that with something to spare by a full-blooded, ingenious, and highly entertaining plot. The film reveals- the

manner in which a self-made man tries his family with his tales of how he built up bis business and how his family takes its revenge upon him for the humiliation to which he subjects it. The plot is extremely well handled by tbe large cast. Kibbee, remembered for his portrayals of cheerful and amorous old men, strikes out in a new direction with this portrait of a choleric and opinionated bathtub manufacturer, and is supported by the accomplished actress, Aline MacMahon, Patricia Ellis, and Phillip Reed. The box plans are at the theatre and D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE One of the most spectacular films of its type that has been seen for a long time is “Gold Diggers of 1933,” which is at present attracting large audiences to the Mayfair Theatre. Those who have seen previous “ Golddiggers ” productions will be well aware of the lavish manner in which Warner Bros, deck out their pictures, and they will have no reason to regret seeing the present show, which maintains to the full all the traditions set bv its predecessors. Joan Blondell and Warren William have the leading roles, for there is a connected story in addition to a large number of magnificently produced scenes. One of the most striking of the scenes is the shadow waltz, in which 200 dancers perform on a stairway, playing on illuminated violins whirling about a glistening pool. The picture is also notable for a number of catchy songs, which are already well known. Other players who have prominent parts are Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Aline M'Mahon and Ginger Rogers. There is an interesting supporting programme. 'The box plans are at the theatre.

DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. Out of tbe pages of history has come another great motion picture theme to thrill theatre audiences with one of the finest romances seen upon the screen in recent years. It is “Operator 13,” the exciting Robert W. Chambers story which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents as Marion Davies’s latest starring vehicle. It will he screened to-morrow at the Mayfair Theatre with “ We’re Not Dressing.” As Gail Loveless, the Federal spy who is sent into the Southern linos to destroy the most dangerous spy of the Confederacy, Miss Davies contributes her finest dramatic performance of her eventful screen career. Gary Cooper equally surpasses all his former screen roles as the man whom Miss Davies sets out to destroy—and with whom she falls in love. The story throws a new historical light upon the most of all America’s conflicts —the Civil War. The Mills brothers sing old-fashioned plantation songs. Bing Crosby sings five song hits in “ We’re Not Dressing.” Crosby is a sailor aboard the yacht of Miss Lombard. Her guests are Miss Merman, Leon Errol, and the fortune-hunting princes. Jay Henry and Ray Millancl. Shipwrecked, this band finds haven on a South Sea island, where George Burns and Grace Allen are hunting big game. How Crosby puts his “ guests ” to work and how George and Grade get involved in the situation create a climax of love, song and laughs. GRAND THEATRE Probably the most attractive musical film produced for several years past, “ One Night of Love,” featuring the New York Metropolitan Opera star, Grace Moore, is now enjoying a return season at the Grand Theatre. The high lights of the production are the beautifully-controlled voice and excellent sympathetic acting of the principal player, Tullio Carminati’s highly individual portrayal of Monteverdi, Europe’s greatest teacher, of music, and humour from half a dozen sources, not the least of which is provided by Luis Alberni, as the pianist whose every gesture is a subtle caricature of the temperamental artist. In addition, one of the prime features of the picture is the Wending of these elements into a unity. There is nothing in this picture which does not appear as being exactly right and marked by supremely good taste and judgment. Tribute, therefore, must be paid to the producer, Victor Schertzinger. and to the joint authors of the story. On only a slightly lower grade than Miss Moore stands Carminati, who imparts the distinctive touch to his acting which is the mark of all good actors. As the teacher who has renounced his job because he finds love continually interferes with it, but who is moved to take on just one more pupil, on the understanding that nothing except that which is strictly business marks their relationship; as the martinet who trains his pupil as a wrestler is trained before permitting her to sing a note, and orders and commands and bullies in an attractively heartless fashion, Carminati is little short of excellent. There is a misunderstanding between teacher and pupil, and the latter, now a famous operatic star, departs for America. Billed to appear in “ Madame Butterfly ” at the Metropolitan Opera House, she finds herself as nervous as when she made her stage debut years before. And then she sees, in tbe old familiar concealed place on the stage Carminati himself, who has followed her from Italy, and is here to conduct for her alone, as she makes the greatest effort of her life. There is a good programme of supporting short subjects. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’e. OCTAGON THEATRE “ The Green Pack,” which will receive its initial screening at the Octagon Theatre to-day. brings to the screen the last story written by that master of mysteries, the late Edgar Wallace. This film, setting, as it does, John Stuart in a new background, offers patrons an opportunity to see him at his best. He plays his part with his usual thoroughness and full attention to detail. Aileen Marson, who plays the lead with him, has to play a most difficult part, and her performance is admirable. Other members of tlie cast are Hugh Millar, Garry Marsh. ' Michael Shepley, and I. M. Roberta, all of whom are excellently cast. The story deals with three friends, who are robbed of a gold mine by a, ruthless financier. They decide that he shall he murdered, and arrange that they will draw a card from a pack, the one drawing the ace of spades to commit the crime. They agree that they will not disclose which draws the fatal card. The audience is kept in keen suspense until the denouement is reached. The supporting picture, “ Without You,” is a well acted comedy, the leading players being Henry Kendall, Wendy Barrie, and Margot Grahame.