AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22629, 22 July 1935, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Featuring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the leading roles, "Naughty Marietta," which occupies pride of place on the current bill at the St. James Theatre, is a spectacular and novel production, which marks an entirely new departure in ecreencraft. Laid against the glamorous background of old Louisiana in the days when the French settlers were endeavouring to protect their holdings and their families from the raids of the Indians and the onslaughts of marauding pirates, the picture, besides telling a very definite and well-connected story, gives a vivid and cleverly conceived idea of the life and customs of those stirring times, and the directors, besides choosing a cast that interprets the narrative in a thoroughly convincing manner, have a left no stone unturned to preserve the old-time atmosphere. Some of the settings are marvels of staging, and one has only to witness the huge replica of early New Orleans with its curious old buildings, convent, gardens, market place, the levee pn the Mississippi, and the forts and their cannon, to realise the meticulous attention that hae been paid to every detail. Another magnificent set is the huge ballroom in the residence of the (.governor of New Orleans, which is an amazing example ot the producer's art. The story, which is woven into a light and tuneful operetta, tells of the daughter ot a royal house, who, as a protest agayist a forced marriage with a decadent Spanish nobleman, changes identities with her maid, and ships herself to the colony of Louisiana on a ship that is carrying prospective brides to the settlers. , She is captured by pirates, and to the rescue comes the debonair commander of a party ot irregular troops, who, after first treating her just as an ordinary immigrant girl, falls /in love with her. The story comes to a happy and entirely satisfactory climax, but not before the audience has been treated to some of the finest musical incidentals that have ever been heard from a local screen. Gorgeously o-owned, the star sings her way through her onerous part with a verve and vivacious artistry that make everything she does a sheer delight. _As always, her work is marked by an intelligent understanding of the requirements of her part, and her rendering of the numerous vocal numbers that are included in her role leaves nothing to be desired, kelson Eddy, as the hero, has a part that suits him to perfection, and, although he is a comparative newcomer to Dunedm audiences, his performance in haughty Marietta" will assure him of a wholehearted welcome in any pictures in which he may subsequently appear. Among the more attractive musical numbers included in the film are such melodious song hits as "Oh Sweet Mystery .of Life, 1 m Palling in Love with Someone." Tramp, Tramp. Tramp." all of which are presented artistically and well. An unusually entertaining programme ot short subjects includes an hilarious Laurel and Haidy comedy and a very fine travelogue entitled " Rainbow Canyon." The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., Jacobs s, and M'Cracken and Walls's. REGENT THEATRE

Eddie Cantor's latest film to reach Dunedin. "Kid Millions," is now showing at the Regent Theatre. The film, is well in keeping with the Cantor tradition in film fare, and presents entertainment which is varied and amusing. In the more receni of his productions the comedian has been seen adventuring among the cowhoys of the American west and in the. Rome of the Caesars. In "Kid Millions the scene is Egypt, where lies a huee treasure to which Eddie is the rightful heir. Early in the proceedings, however, two other claimants for the fortune are disclosed. All three meet on board a liner bound for the land of the rharaohs, and in the plottings that ensue Eddie appears 1 to be getting the worst of it. How he changes things after they all reach Egvpt makes a hilarious tale. The story' of the film is really only a thread upon which are hung a series of entertainments within the main picture. Thus a concert on board the liner gives the opportunity for introducing some spectacular ballets, and advantage is taken of

a similar chance in a sheik's palace in Alexandria to stage some very beautiful dancing. These things have been splendidly nroduced, and the settings for them are in keeping with the best Hollywood tradition. At the close of the picture, when Eddie has arrived back in/America with his fortune, there is another series of "spectacular scenes, when he provides free ice-cream for all his old friends among the waterfront children of New York. There is, of course, plenty of comedy in such a picture, with Cantor 'as the chief fun-maker. He has the support of a cast which includes Ann Sothern, George Murphy, Ethel Merman and Eve Sully. The supporting programme includes a brilliant silly symphony in colour depicting the race between the hare and the tortoise. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE " Living on Velvet," which is being screened at the Empire Theatre, not only brings together three such notable players as Kay Francis, Warren William, and George Brent, but it also is distinctive in that one of its chief features is the brilliant succession of gowns worn by the beautiful leading lady. The story has as its basis the eternal triangle, which Hollywood producers have succeeded in presenting in yet another new way. Miss Francis, whose personality is suggestive of mystery, was the obvious choice for the role which she has beerh given, and she presents in the most effective manner the young society beauty who is torn between affection for one man and a mad infatuation for another. The finished performances which Warren William has given in earlier productions have scarcely reached the standard of his portrayal in this film in which he is the friend of George Brent, an aviator whose sense of proportion has been affected by a'terrific crash in which he has been involved. When the two men fall in love with the same woman the story takes many unexpected twists, for the lady acts less in accordance with her own desires than might have been expected, since she is prompted to do the best she can in consideration of the men concerned. The film is not without exciting interludes, and throughout its length the audience is constantly encountering the unexpected as well as being stirred by something spectacular. The producers also have been bold enough to break many of the rules which are followed in the moving picture studios to ensure that the story that is told is one that will please. The success of the entertainment proves, that the tastes of audiences may not be so clearly defined as even the experts may believe, and the appreciation which the intelligent theatregoer feels of novel and original methods, provided they are cleverly employed, is amply demonstrated. On Saturday night the management opened the doors early for. another of the community singing sessions which it is making a weekly feature. Mr F. H. Lampen was the leader. Interesting supports complete the regular programme. The box pfaus are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE The double-feature programme at the Grand Theatre includes two strangely contrasted productions, which make up a well-balanced evening's entertainment. Those who still retain the memory of some school teacher who has helped them on the way to success will be particularly interested in the new May Robson starring feature, "Grand Old Girl," which is said to pay a striking tribute to the teaching profession. With Miss Robson in the role of an elderly high school principal, the story centres about a theme of unselfish devotion to duty and gallant courage. Knowing that to do so may ccst her both her job and her retirement pension, the aged principal conducts a spirited one-woman campaign to rid the town of a secret drinking and gambling piace which threatens the moral welfare of her students. This struggle, which has its highly amusing aspects as well as its serious side, builds to a highly dramatic and poignant climax, featured by the appearance of the President of the United States to pay a tribute to the teacher of his youth. Hostile headhunters, villainous seamen, pestilence and fever are among the tropical hazards which lead to

the exciting sequences in Red Morning, which will be the other feature. Steffi Duna, Regis Toomey, and Raymond Hatton head the cast. Steffi. Duna, as second mate of her father's boat, is drawn into dangerous- conflict with a treacherous crew, which scuttles the ship. Her lover, portrayed by Toomey, enters the scuttle, and together they experience many thrilling adventures. The background of "_Red Morning " was filmed at the scenes of the story—New Guinea and the Fiji Islands. The plans will be found at the theatre and Begg's. • OCTAGON THEATRE A pact made between four soldiers in a shell hole in No Man's Land during the latter half of 1918 forms the theme of "Lest We Forget," which heads the current bill at the Octagon Theatre this week. The film is not, however, a war picture in the accepted sense of the word, ,nor does it rely on swift action or a "ripping story to hold the attention of the audience. Yet its very simplicity is its chief charm and this, combined with the outstanding portrayals of the four principal characters makes it a production that is worthy of a British studio and one that should be seen by everybody. Four soldiers—an Englishman, a Scotsman, a.Welshman, and an Irishman—take refuge in a shell hole on Empire Day. Before leaving on a dash to gain . their lines thev make a pact to gather at the house of the English captain on the same day 16 years later. Only three of them are able to be present on the auspicious occasion. The fourth had died as the result of war wounds, but he has ordered his son to take his place. The rest of the production deals with the happy reunionthat is held in the old country house of the English captain. Stewart Rome in the leading role gives a vivid portrayal, bust much of the success of the film is due to George Carney as the Scottish sergeant, who in civil life has become a wealthy employer. His quiet humour is excellent and he may easily be accused of stealing the picture. The strong supporting programme includes an interesting scenic, "Cornwall and the Scilly Isles/ The box. plans are at the theatre and Begg's. STATE THEATRE "Brewster's Millions" is the featured production on the current programme at the State Theatre. It is a bright and gay musical production of a kind that cannot fail to appeal to all tastes, and its popularity since its season commenced more than a week ago has been such that the management must feel more than justified ,in extending its season. Of course, most of the success of "Brewster's Millions can be attributed to the versatile Jack Buchanan, the pleasant fellow with the long legs, who can dance, sing, and burlesque rather better than any other popular British screen celebrity. His charming personality dominates the whole film, and the influence of his bright ideas and clean humour can be traced in every person in the cast. The settings have been built up with no sparing of expense, the music is brighter and more catchy than is generally expected in musical comedy, the ballet dancing is superbly conceived and executed, and the plot claims interest ar.d excitement to the very end. Brewstei is a penniless young man about town who finds himself suddenly in possession o' half a million pounds through the cleat 1 ' of a grandfather. Another huge legacy promised on . the condition Brewster spends the half-million within six months, without dissipation and without giving money away. This leads to innumerable hilarious situations which are excellently presented. There is a good supporting programme. Tlie box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. STRAND THEATRE Situations as impossible as they arc ludicrous are to be found aplenty in Jo E. Brown's latest comedy. "You Said ; Mouthful," which is now being shown a! the Strand Theatre. Really good comedie are as rare as precious gems, but "Yoi Said a Mouthful " must be regarded a one of the outstandingly funniest film of the year. Joe E. Brown, of course. 1 the show, and he is seen in the very difii cult predicament of having to compete in a marathon swimming contest, in order to

justify himself in the eyes of a very beautiful young lady, but, unfortunately ■ for him, he is unable to swim a (stroke. He decides, in the end to'swim or sink to please his, lady love, and the situation that develops in the closing; stages of the race is amusing.in the extreme.' "You Said a Mouthful" presents American, humour at its- cleverest,s and at-its best. The number and variety of new gags and wisecracks "put'across" is little short of amazing, while the story, although simple, moves with plenty of punch. -Ginger Rogers, an actress of x rare charm, who played in "The Tenderfoot," plays opposite Joe as Alice Brandon, daughter of a Catalina Island marathon swim manager. The- second film on the programme is "A Night at the Ritz," with William Gargan and Patricia Ellis in the leading roles.' Gargan has;'the role of a highpressure salesman who meets a young man, avho fancies he can cook. A contract m 'made for the latter to become director of cuisine at the Ritz Hotel, but complications ensue when it is disclosed-that the young man's knowledge is,neither practical nor theoretical, as far as cooking is concerned. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR, THEATRE Ben Travers's famous farce "A Cuckoo in the Nest" is now being shown for a short season at the Mayfair Theatre, where it is proving that its popularity remains undiminished. Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn are associated in the principal male roles in this excellent support being given by Yvonne Arnaud, Mary Brough. and Robertson Hare. The fast-moving story, with its myriad amusing complications, is carried along in exhilarating style by the players, all of whom give exceedingly good accounts of themselves. The second feature ,on _ the programme is "Belle of the Nineties," featuring Mae West. The plot is set. in the colourful atmosphere of the nineties, and in a theme studded with the subtlety of modern jest that is associated with her name and glamour, Mae West succeeds in presenting a character as clear cut and vital as any of her previous efforts. From first to last the film is one which reveals the very essence of polished drama, tinctured with just that essence of smart and harmless talk that seems to make the average story interesting. It is an original picture in many ways, and is. entirely free from any suspicion of vulgarity. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

On Thursday afternoon a pleasant function took place at the Macandrew Road School, when the members of the Social Committee visited the school to participate in the ceremony of switching on the wireless set which has recently been installed for the benefit of the pupils by the Social Committee. On behalf of the committee, Mrs Grey (chairwoman) switched on the power to enable the pupils to listen in to a geography lesson. Mr A. M. Davidson (headmaster) suitably thanked the committee.