AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22609, 28 June 1935, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE "The First World War," which will be screened to-day at the State Theatre, is based on Laurence Stalling's sensational book of the same name, and the author edited it. It is probably the most terrifying and awe-inspiring war picture yet made, and that is frankly what it is intended to be. There is no human story in it, and there is no pretence that there is. It is intended to illustrate the criminal waste of life caused by the dreams of European war lords, and in this it succeeds to a remarkable extent. It starts with the birth and development of war feeling in Europe, a scene of the King and the Kaiser in Berlin, each dressed in the uniform of an otneer oi the other's army, and shots of the main European capitals, all busy with war preparations. Then comes war, with all its brutality—the desolation of Belgium, the first winter campaign, and the widening of the struggle on the ditlerent fronts. There are scenes from the battle of Jutland, depicting the work of the German TT-boats, of the sinking of ships .in the Adriatic, of the Gallipoli offensive, of horrible campaigns in the frozen north, and then of the last desperate German offensive and repulse. There is fierce fighting and death, and it all leaves a terrific impression. One leaves the theatre with a fresh wonder that those whose influence can move nations can contemplate throwing the world into another such struggle. The box plans will be found at the theatre and Begg a. EMPIRE THEATRE There is enough thrilling action, suspense, laughter and romance in Hie White Cockatoo," which will commence at the Empire Theatre to-day, to supply, it I claimed, the plots for half .a dozen ordinary film melodramas. \et in spite of the fact that it contains three murders, a kidnapping, a robbery and the counter plotting of two rival gangs of criminals, this latest Warner. Bros, thriller should not fail to be both convincing and awesome, which is exceedingly unusual in screen mystery plays. Jean Muir, who has the leading feminine role, is said. to be particularly good in a role that m less capable hands might have rung false, and Ricardo Cortcz, for once a hero rather than a villain, gives one. of his best performances, which is saying a great aeai for an actor who, for 16; years, has consistently given fine and finished portrayals. The plot centrea around the efforts of two gangs of criminals to obtain a fortune left to Jean Muir, an orphan with one brother whom she has never seen. Jiacn of the two has a slip of paper to serve to identify them to each other. Three murders are committed, Jean is kidnapped, attempts are made on the lives of several other people, and Cortez. in the role ot an American engineer, is in danger OI being convicted of the crimes, when, with the aid of a white cockatoo, he solves the various mysteries. The romance between Miss Muir and Cortez is beautifully acted, and Ruth Donnelly, in the role of a spinster school teacher who muddles in and out of the action, applies the comedy relief Minna Gombell and Walter Kingsford do excellent work, and others in the cast include John Eldredge Gordon Westcott, Addison llichards. Pauline Garon, Armand de Bordes, Bentley Hewlett, Andre Cheron, and Georges Revavent. Ihe picture is based on the thrilling novel by Mignon G. Eberhart, which has been a masterly dramatisation by Ben Markson and Lillie Hayward. Alan Crosland has handled the picture with fine directorial skill, balancing the comedy elements with the tense drama and holding the suspense to the climax. Tim box plans are at the theatre and the D. 1.0. REGENT THEATRE "The Private Life of Don Juan," the London Films production, which will commence at the Regent Theatre to-day, was produced in London by Alexander Korda, who gave two of the outstanding triumphs of screen history, " The Private Life of Henry VIII " and " Catherine the Great, and it is said that "Don Juan" is the most pretentious offering of these producers. Lavishly mounted and produced with infinite care, the film is a feast of beauty and colour. Every foot is chock full of entertainment. Don Juan, the matchless lover, loses his name and reputation when a young gallant who has been successfully impersonating him is killed by a jealous husband. Enormously amused at the idea that all feminine Spain has gone into mourning for him, Don Juan enjoys the unique experience of attending his own funeral and then takes advantage of this opportunity to go into retirement incognito and eat and sleep to his heart's content with no thought of his looks or his figure. However, when he attempts to use his old wiles on a pretty barmaid, and she demands a pair of earrings, he quickly calls in his masseur and trains down to his old weight. But still he cannot succeed with the ladies, who laugh at the very, idea of his being Don Juan. Returning to Seville, the scence of his earlier conquests, he approaches Pepilla, a beautiful dancer, whose fame depends on the fact that he had loved her, but even she fails to recognise him and turns from him to a younger man. Utterly disillusioned, he admits defeat and returns to his wife. "The Private Life of Don Juan" is Douglas Fairbanks's first picture in two years, and offers him one of his typical swashbuckling, daredevil roles, and is replete with vigorous swordplay and breathtaking stunts. Merle Oberon, who is described as one of the most interesting personalities on the screen to-day, is cast as the galmorous Spanish dancer, and heads a large cast of supporting players, including beautiful Benita Hume, as Don Juan's wife, Binnie Barnes, who played the role of Kathryn Howard in "The Private Life of Henry VIII," and Patricia Hilliard. Frederick Lonsdale and Lajos Biro are responsible for the story from which this most spectacular eliort of London Films to date is evolved. Ihe supporting programme includes a Medbury Travelogue, an organlogue, and cartoon. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE Myrna Loy and William Powell, two of the most polished actors of the day, will make another appearance in Evelyn Prentice," the long-awaited comedy-mys-tery drama, which will open its Dunedin season at James Theatre to-day. The new picture has all the qualities that contribute to the phenomenal success of " The Thin Man "—fast-moving action, delightful comedy, witty dialogue, superb acting, and well-sustained mystery. Powell has abandoned the rolo of detective, adopted in "The Thin Man," and becomes a clever counsellor at law in " Evelyn Prentice." Myrna Loy is again seen as his wife, while Una Merkel gives a delightful performance as her guest. Always a clever comedienne, Miss Merkel rises to new heights in this picture. Also deserving of mention is the diminutive actress, Cora Sue Collins, appearing as the baby daughter of Mr and Mrs Prentice. The story deals with the domestic life of Prentice, whose practice keeps him continually away from his wife and home. On the eve of a second honeymoon to Europe, the lawyer's wife becomes enmeshed in a scandalous _ murder case. There is a dramatic scene in the crowded courtroom as the district attorney appeals to the jury to convict a young woman, defended by Powell, charged with the murder of a notorious wastreh As the attorney makes his final impassioned outburst the wife of the defending counsel stands up and says that she shot the man. The ensuing scenes, in which Powell lias the dual task of trying to save both his wife and his client from conviction, are probably the finest and most dramatic seen for many a day. An exceptionally lino supporting programme will bo shown, including Melrotoiie News, cartoon, Charlie Chase comedy, and a beautiful coloured featuretto, " Tulip Time in Holland." The box plans are at the D.I.C, M'Cracken and Walls's, Jacobs's, and the theatre. OCTAGON THEATRE "Crime Without Passion," a vivid, fascinating film drama from the pens of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, will open at the Octagon Theatre to-day. Released by Paramount, the picture tells the story of a perfect crime that almost succeeded, and features Claude Rains, remembered for his work in "The Invisible Man"; Margo, a Spanish dancer; and Whitney Bourne. The production opens with a Vivid courtroom scene and quickly establishes Raius, who plays the part of Lee Gentry, as a ruthless, unscrupulous' lawyer. His love affairs cause him

trouble, and when he wants to leave a little Spanish dancer for a stately blonde he finds that she will not give him up. He feigns jealousy, pretends to discover a hidden lover, and quarrels with the dancer. During the argument a shot is fired, and the girl falls to the floor. Thinking he has killed her, the lawyer is about to flee in panic, but his shrewdness asserts itself, and he prepares to create what he thinks is a fool-proof alibi. An accidental meeting leads him to believe that he will be detected, and it is only when he has committed another murder to cover the first crime that he makes the astounding discovery that shows him that his own shrewdness has been his pitfall. The supporting picture, "One Sunday Afternoon," is a whimsical story of love and romance interw r oven with plenty of humour and song, featuring Gary Cooper, Fay Wray, and Neil Hamilton. The box plans are at Begg's, M'Cracken and Walls's, and the theatre. STRAND THEATRE At the Strand Theatre to-day Robert Hale, the stage favourite or Gaiety Theatre days and star of many a London musical comedy hit, will make his screen debut in the Warner Bros. First National production of " What Happened to Harkness," and he should prove that he has just as delightful a personality on the silver sheet as before the footlights. In " What Happened to Harkness " he is coteamed with the screen comedian, Jimmy Finlayson, and the two appear as membra of a village constabulary who are called upon to aid in the solution of an alleged murder mystery that has arisen —with riotously amusing results. There are mystery dramas and romantic dramas, but usually one element is almost completely subordinated to the other. In "Fog Over Frisco," the melodramatic mystery thriller which will be shown in support of "What Happened to Harkness," thrills and suspense are blended with love and romance with such a nicety as to form a most unusually entertaining picture. Bette Davis heads an impressive cast of players, in a new role tor •her, that of a society girl who joins the band of crooks partly for love of the master mind, partly for money, but mostly for the thrill and excitement of the game. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE Robert Montgomery, the star of many successful films, gives another noteworthy performance in " Hide-out," which is at present :being screened at the Maytair Theatre. " Hide-Out" is one of the cleanest and most entertaining films seen in this city for many a month. Montgomery has a part that suits him admirably, and one of the type in which the. public likes to see him. He is seen as a jovial playboy racketeer," who, finding it necessary to leave town, seeks refuge in the country, both to escape arrest and to recover from a skirmish with an alien bullet. He is cared for by a farmer and his family, and, while staying with them, falls in love with the farmer's daughter. What happens after that leads up to a somewhat unusual climax. Playing opposite the star is the beautiful and vivacious Moureen O'Sullivan. ihe excellent supporting cast is headed by_ Ldward Arnold, Elizabeth Patterson, Whitford Kane, and Mickey Rooncy. The fann scenes in the picture are absolutely delightful, and are among the most entertaining features of this excellent show. In addition, there is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre. "NOW AND FOREVER." Shirley Temple, the sensational star of " Little Miss Marker," returns in another picture which affords even more scope for her ample talents. It is "Now and Forever " coming to-morrow to the Maytair Theatre in which the five-year-old actress is starred with Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard. The picture not only permits Shirley Temple to exhibit her talents as an actress, but also gives her opportunity to display her unusual gifts for singing and dancing. In "Now and Forever, Shirley Temple plays the daughter of Cooper, an amiable, ingratiating confidence man. How his love for the child reforms him, and at last impels him to do one brave act for her sake, furnishes the material for a human and sympathetic story. Special matinees will be held to-morrow at 10 a.m. and 2.15 p.m., and the programme at these sessions will include the Laurel and Hardy comedy, " Dirty Work," as well as a " Popeye" cartoon. GRAND THEATRE Delightful songs, colourful and spectacular settings, and irreproachable acting are the outstanding features of "D've Ken John Peel?" the excellent British picture, which is now being screened at the Grand Theatre. A rollicking story is made all the more enjoyable by the clever work of the principals, John Garrick, Winifred Shotter, Stanley

Holloway, and John Stuart. "D'ye Ken John Peel? " is really bright screen fare, and can be classed as one of the finest productions to come out of England. The action opens in Brussels, where Wellington's men are awaiting their orders after the battle of Waterloo. Major John Peel (John Garrick) plays a large part in bringing about the marriage of Poinette (Mary Lawson) and Mr Craven, a crooked civilian gambler, in order to save the girl's reputation. The scene swiftly changes to England, where Peel finds that Craven has been up to his knavish work again, and has married Lucy Merrall (Winifred Shotter), the daughter of a country gentleman. The action then quickens until an unexpected but satisfactory climax is reached. John Stuart, as the celebrated highway man, Captain Moonlight, adds considerably to the interest of the story, while Stanley Holloway, as Sam Small, batman to Major Peel, treats the audience to many fine comedy sketches, among the best being his world-famous monologue, " Sam, Pick Up Thy Musket." The hunting scenes are magnificent, and must be among finest of this type ever filmed. "A Soldier s Toast," "The Twenty-third Regiment, "Vivandiere," "The Wine is Flowing Strong," and " Drink to Me Only are but a few of the songs; There are excellent supporting films. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs.