AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22654, 20 August 1935, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Vienna, renowned for romance and melody, has been the scene for many musical films," the latest of which is “The Night is Young,” which is the current attraction at the St. James Theatre. The picture would be notable, even if it were for its mdlic only. Creators of ‘The Desert Song” and “ New Moon,” Oscar Hammerstein II and Sigmund Romberg, have given more music with the same light and lilting quality that made those films so popular. The principal _ roles are ably filled by Evelyn Lays, a singing star from London, who won outstanding success in “ One Heavenly Night ” and “Evensong,” and Eanion Novarro, remembered for his portrayals in “The Pagan,” “The Barbarian,” “The Cat and the Fiddle, 1 ' and other hits. Evelyn Laye gives an outstanding performance. Her charming personality _ and beautiful singing voice, combined with her acting, make her the central figure of the film from beginning to end. Ramon Novarro, as the irresponsible young archduke, displays versatility in his portrayal, and makes just as big an appeal as ever. Una Merkel, Edward Everett Horton, and Charles Buttcrworth have the chief minor roles. Among the supporting pictures is “ Tales of the Vienna Wood,” an attractive technicolour production. The box Slans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., I'Cracken and Walls’s, and Jacobs e. “DAVID COPPERFIELD.” Coming to the screen of the St. James Theatre on Friday is the kinema version ©f a book which for 84 years has been among the best loved of" the classics “ David Copperfield.” Produced by Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer, this production is claimed to be among the best pictures of the year. When David 0. Selznick and his associates decided to make a picture of “David Copperfield,” their first step was to go to England, where with Mr Walter ■ Dexter, internationally known as a Dickens authority, they visited the scenes made famous by the original story. They photographed the house where David “lived” when he was “articled” to Mr Spendlow, the Hungerford stairs leading down to the Thames near where the Micawbers lodged—Higate where David and Dora had their cottage—and Windsor terrace where David lived with the Micawbers after his mother’s death. Then they went down to Putney where David and Dora were married, and out to Gravesend, where David saw old Peggotty off to Australia, thence to Yarmouth, the scene of little Emily’s tragedy. They photographed Blunderstone, Rookery, the little country lane, Mrs Copperfield’s room and David's little room next to it. Then they went to Dover where Aunt Betsey Trotwood lived and where poor Mr Dick flew his kite. Throughout the past century one romance has lived to fascinate each new generation —“ David Copperfield.” Here, it is said, seems to be a ■ motion picture which justifies the producer’s prediction that it will rank among the great, as it is a faithful adaptation of one of the great classics of all time. Produced after two years of painstaking research work from an adaptation supervised by Hugh Walpole, the noted English novelist, directed by George Cukor, who transferred “Little Women’ from the pages of Louisa M. Alcott’s novel, this it'is given, it is claimed, life and realism by a cost of 65 players, including Lewis Stone, Lionel Barrymore, Frank Lawton, W. C. Fields, Ronald Young, Edna May Olliver, Elizabeth Allen, Freddie Bartholomew. Basil _ Rathbpne, Madge Evaps, Maureen O’Sullivan. - v .REGENT THEATRE A special attraction is to be fdund at the Regent Theatre this week in the form of “All the King’s Horses,” an outstanding musical, film that has already proved more than usually popular. It haa been perfectly ..cast. Carl Brisson is ideally suited to his dual part, which allows him full scope to demonstrate the richness of his excellent voice. Some delightful singing is contributed also by Mis® Mary Ellis, the original “Rose Marie, and a member of the, Metropolitan Opera, New York, who at present ■is appearing in'an Ivor Novello play in London. In addition to her splendid voice Miss Ellis possesses a charming personality, which endows Her acting with an appeal which instantly won over yesterday’s audiences. The music of the piece is a judicious blend of the immortal waltzes of Strauss and specially-written i song successes, including “The Little White Gardenia, “Be-Careful, Young Lady,” and ‘Dancing the Viennese.” All three are certain to become popular favourites, and Dancing the Viennese ” is notable. for the original and imaginative ballet which accompanies it. This scene gives further proof, of Mr Brisson’s versatility, for it enables him to demonstrate his skill as a dancer. He also has a voice of wonderful timbre and range, although it is at once evident that this has not been the sole recommendation for the very onerous and exacting role for which be has been chosen: Playing opposite Carl Bnsson is Mary Ellis, whose entrancing singing is equalled only by her vivacious personality and cultured artistry. Mr Bnsson aa a dancer is unsurpassed, and the ballet is also of outstanding merit. The lighter side of the comedy work is splendidly sustained by Eugene Pallette, as the adventuresome manager for the stage star, and Edward Everett Horton also causes no little amusement as a nobleman whose sun has set. The abilities of the entire cast have been put to-the maximum of effect, producing a picture that is most satisfying and entertaining. The entire production has been skilfully directed by Frank Tuttle. The supporting programme is of the usual high standard consistently maintained by the Regent management, and includes a stage presentation by Mr Kevin Dun and Miss Helen Abraham, who demonstrate the ballroom interpretation of the Viennese and the 1930 quickstep. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. “LORNA DOONE.” Victoria Hopper, the delightful little leading lady in the A.T.P. production, “Lorna Doone,” which will come to the Regent Theatre on Friday, is a new screen star. In.real life she is Mrs Basil Dean, wife of the famous producer and director. They were married not so long ago, after what the press termed an ideal romance. Mr Dean first saw Miss Hopper on the stage, and straight away engaged her for the starring rola in his next production, which, incidentally, was a great success. The culmination of this happy partnership was the marriage ceremony. It was shortly after the honeymoon, spent abroad, that Mr Dean secured for AJ,’.P. the screen rights of E. D. Blackmores immortal romance, “Lorna Doone. Naturally he was desirous of obtaining the best possible artist to play the title role. Accordingly an army of scouts were sent out with this aim. Weeks passed and the subject was ready for production but for one detail —a “Lorna Doone” had not yet been found. More scouts were sent, stage and studios were combed for somebody capable of playing the difficult role. Then suddenly the harassed producer realised that the girl he was looking for was his own wife. - ' STATE THEATRE George Arliss’s most recent production, and probably bis most ■ successful, “ The Iron Duke,” is the current attraction at the State Theatre. ' Six months after Napoleon had been given Elba to rule as an independent principality, a great congress was held at Vienna to settle the affairs of Europe. While this is still in session the Story opens, and one is taken through intrigue, battle, and spectacular incident, with no abating of interest to the thrilling conclusion. The picture is remarkable for its accuracy of detail, of which there is more than usual, for the scenes include four different countries of Europe. One sees the Paris Opera House during the attendance of three crowned heads of Europe; the Scbonbrunn in Vienna, in which the concress was hclcU the palace of the Tuileries, where the Duke, wins his victory of wits against the power of Louis XVIII; the House of Lords, where the Duke of Wellington is called on to defend himself against the vindictive attacks of political enemies; the ball of the Duchess of Richmond at Brussels on the night of June 15, 1815; and the battle of Waterloo on the following day. Arhss has the support of a talented cast, including Gladvs Cooper, Allan Aynesworth, Ellaline Terriss, and several others. There are <r ootl supporting pictures. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

OCTAGON THEATRE An amusing story of a rough and ready sailor who finds his way into society and succeeds in marrying to heiress to a great many million dollars is told in “Let’s Talk it Over,” which heads the double-feature programme at present being shown at the Octagon Theatre. Chester Morris makes an ideal American sailor, and is later transformed into a presentable husband for the heiress. He begins by rescuing her when, for the sake of overcoming boredom, she feigns to be drowning. With equal ease he proceeds to force his attentions upon the heiress until she makes a wager that she will civilise him within a certain time. So successfully does she do so, and with such interesting, although sometimes alarming, results, that she eventually falls in love with him. The second picture is “Rendezvous at Midnight,” a mystery story with a novel plot. A jmung girl jokingly tells her fiance, a police commissioner, that she has murdered a prominent man. Her joke comes home to roost when to her horror she learng that the man had actually been murdered a few hours before by an unknown assailant. After a period fo suspense, however, the real murderer is discovered, and a satisfactory conclusion is reached. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE There is an excellent double-feature programme at the Strand Theatre this week. The featured films are “ The Man With Two Faces,” a murder story, and “The Narrow Corner.” It is uot for nothing that Edward G. Robinson is in the first flight of dramatic and character actors. Broad American m most of hie roles, in “The Man With Two Paces” he not only has what might be called his usual part, but also the playing of a difficult foreign character; and his performance is impeccable. “Narrow Corner,” featuring Douglas Fairbanks, jun., is a strange tale, full of the colour and interest of little-known places and unusual people—and yet, fundamentally, these people in common with all the characters of a Somerset Maugham story, are vibrant with life and realism. The tale opens in Sydney, with a wealthy man sending his son away, secretly m the night, aboard an old ketch, with an outlaw skipper, bound for nowhere, and with orders only to keep moving and away from the haunts of civilisation. It winds up in a picturesque island of the Malay Archipelago among as strange an assortment of human beings as it would be possible to imagine, including a retired sea captain, wealthy from heaven knows what lawlessness on the high seas, his son-in-law and granddaughter, an innocent girl of primitive passions, and a Dutch trader. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE "Ten Minute Alibi," one of the greatest of recent stage successes, is the current attraction at the Grand Theatre. Closely following the original, the producers have made the most of the material at their disposal, and the result is a story which grips the attention of the audience and holds it until the exciting climax is reached. The central event is the murder of an objectionable seducer by a young man whose sweethe&t has responded to the advances of the villain. In order to concea Ins guilt the young man alters a clock in the room as part of a scheme _ which promises to give him a perfect alibi. i.he etory is skilfully built round this action. A further attraction is His Majesty and Co." which tells in amusing fashion the story of a royal family exiled m London. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH.” The film to commence a season at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” is said to be strong melodrama, and unlike many films of this type, has a'really credible story. This, though rather unusual, is simple, and is founded to some extent on fact. It deals with attempts to assassinate a famous European statesman while on a visit to London, and concerns a young man who, with his wife and small daughter, are" drawn into the net of international intrigue while in Switzerland. They make the acquaintance of a man who turns out to be _ a secret service agent, and when after his murder they find a message he left, the daughter is kidnapped as a hostage. Then ensues a startling chain of events leading up to a climax involving the screen version of one of the strangest events in London’s history, the “Sidney street siege,” when police and anarchists staged a pitched battle. The dramatic intensity is reported to be always great, and heightened by the stark realism imparted to certain scenes. The leading roles are taken by Leslie Banks, Edna Best, Peter Lorre, and Frank Vosper, while a promising juvenile, Nova Pilbeam, and George Curzon head the supporting cast. EMPIRE THEATRE A thrilling entertainment is offered at the Empire Theatre this week in “ Car 99.” It is a story of the Edgar Wallace type, with a thrilling battle between the forces of law and order and the desperadoes of the underworld. An interesting glimpse of modern police methods is given, yet eminently effiecient as these are they are shown to be only second to those of organised crime, till the human factor comes into count. Radio figures prominently and messages are_ sent out to all police ears regarding crimes committed and dispositions of the force are shown on an illuminated map at headquarters, but all directions sent out are intercepted by the fugitives from justice and a great battle of wits ensues. A young police recruit is anxious to succeed, not only because he is keen on police work, but because promotion will mean for him life partnership of a particularly winsome young lady. But he is outwitted at a critical juncture by extremely clever crooks, and is dismissed the force. However, a sensational robbery very cunningly organised results in a great haul and the kidnapping of his fiancee. Gangster methods triumph for a time, till he. is driven by desperation to take up the pursuit unauthorised. Motor chases follow which almost cause outbreaks of cold .sweat in the spectator by the daring driving and thrilling adventures that follow as the criminals dash to a waiting plane at a distant paddock. Fred M'Murray scores a great success in the wain part. The characterisation of a professor deeply interested in the fight against crime, but who is really the leader of the gang, is a masterpiece for which Sir Guy Standing, will be long remembered. Ann Sheridan and Marina Schubert are also responsible for clever acting. There are several excellent short films on the same programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. / « LONDON SPEAKS.” The humorous angle, without which no film is complete, is very prevalent in “ London Speaks,” the Greater Australasian Films’ production, which is the first feature length film ever produced in London by Australian enterprise and capital. One of the funniest portions of the film is said to be a visit to that one touch of the East in London on a Sunday morning—Petticoat lane. It is a well-known fact that the holders of the stalls which line both sides of the lane are considered to be amongst the finest salesmen in the world. Dealing with their multifariouus wares, they are called upon to sell everything, from a herring to the most intimate portionsof ladies’ apparel, and" in the film Mike Stern, the pride of the lane, is heard to deliver,a first-class sales address. . “ London Speaks” will be released at the Empire Theatre next Friday. " London Speaks” is the story of a traveller in London who makes a trip that is ever in the dreams of all people. With musical backgrounds, distinctive commentary, and photographic gems this picture is claimed to be one of genuine entertainment. Screening on the same programme will be the British comedy, “ Keep It Quiet,” starring Frank Pettingell, Jane Carr, and Dave Burnaby. MAYFAIR THEATRE Two excellent pictures are being screened at the Mayfair Theatre at present in “ Madame Dubarry ” and “ Student Tour.” The brilliant pageantry and glamorous spectacle of the <rj»v '"it <<■ <«:m» French court towards the latter years of the reign of Louis XI ami llu; superb quality of the acting give an impression of reality which serves to transport the audience from everyday life to be closer

followers of the colourful and piquant adventures of this famous figure in history. Though the period is a little than that on which the stage production of the same name was based, this phase lends itself admirably to the screen. Dolores Del Rio, than whom no better choice of leading 1 lady could have been made, gives a performance leaving little to be.desired. In “ Student Tour,” Jimmy Durante and Charles Butterworth, each r. comic star in hie own right, hold the centre of the stage. For youth, the producers scoured the colleges and universities of the west seeking the most beautiful co-eds. Twenty of the loveliest girls in America take part in the picture. For music, Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed have contributed seven new numbers, notably the “ Carlo,” a new" dance rhythm, sung by Nelson Eddy. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre. “ BLOSSOM TIME.” “ Blossom Time,” British International Pictures’ musical romance of Franz Schubert, starring Richard Tauber, will come to the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow for a season of three days. It tells the story of Schubert’s love —and renunciation of his beloved Vicki. She inspired the most beautiful music the centuries have recorded —and surely there has never been anything more pathetically lovely than tne spectacle of Schubert, lifting up his magnificent voice to tell of his love to the glorious strains of “ Thine Is My Heart. Yet she was not for him. Heartbroken, yet the girl’s happiness was still 1 all 'that mattered” to Schubert, and he helped forward her romance to fruition — and in the brilliant finale—midst the peaceful settings of the vast cathedral —at the wedding of Vicki and Rudi, the man of her choice —the great composer sings the glorious strains of “Love Lost Forever More.” Richard Tauber is said to «live ” the role of Franz Schubert, and, apart from the fact that his resemblance to the great composer is remarkable, be invests the character with sympathy, and his singing is magnificent. Paul Stem, the director, is claimed to have welded delightfully all tl)e elements of the production, the charming story, the lovely settings, the splendid cast and the marvellous singing. Jane Baxter plays the part of Vicki, and Carl Esmond is Rudi. Two members of the cast who also merit praise arc Athene Sevier, as the Archduchess, and Paul Graetz as Wimpassmger, the eccentric dancing master, Vicki’s father. In “ Blossom Time ” every song, every spoken word, is in English.