AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Powerful modern drama, spiced with two distinct love stories running at the same time, "Times. Square Lady," Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer's fast - moving comedy drama, comes to the St. James Theatre to-day.- The 'cast includes a group. of Hollywood's new stars—" discoveries " who are expected to contribute much to making screen history. They include Virginia Bruce, the statuesque beauty who recently scored in " Society Doctor" and " Shadow of Doubt"; Robert Taylor, the_ young man who-leaped to fame with his portrayal of the young interne in "Society Doctor";J.Pinky Tomlin, Isabel Jewell, Nat Pendleton and, others. Also, there is Helen Twelvetrees, lovely star of many successful photoplays, and such other established favourites as Raymond Hatton, Henry Kolker, Jack La Rue, Robert Elliott, Russell Hoptorf and Fred Kohler. "Times Square Lady" is a " different". story of New York night life, telling of the adventures of an loAva. girl who outwits a group of highpowered characters of the sporting world. It was directed by George B. Seitz, who has been responsible for many of the screen's outstanding hits. The story moves with express train speed. It tells of the adventures of a girl who, upon the sudden death of ( her father, tries to take over his big-time sporting interests in the night life of New. York. How she matches wits with her father's rebellious henchmen makes a fast and fascinating hour of entertainment. In the splendid supporting programme there is a beautiful coloured cartoon, "Calico Dragon," "Mama's Little Pirate," one of those delightful Our Gang comedies, "Madcap Movies," and two interesting Movietone news reels/ The box plans are at the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls's and Jacobs's. REGENT THEATRE Early in 1932, when ho was organising London Film Productions with the declared intention of putting English customs, scenery, history and habits on the screen, Alexander Korda said: "As a Hungarian who has travelled in many lands, I can assure you that the British characteristic which most completely compels the admiration of the world is the genius of British men for governing native races of all creeds and colours'. Some day I shall make a film about it." He did. He produced that sensationally successful film of life in Central Africa, "Sanders'of the River." In 1933 Alexander Korda assigned his brother Zoltan to direct the film, and sent him to Africa, where he travelled thousands of miles and secured 20,000 feet of film, mostly of people _nd places never before seen on the screen. These facts refute any suggestion that " Sanders of the River " was filmed in a studio. No previous film of life in Africa has been made on such a spectacular scale. Over 20,000 natives appear in some of the scenes. The Sanders stories are generally regarded as the best of all the writings of the late Edgar Wallace. He put into them far more time and trouble than into his countless detective thrillers. The characters of Commissioner Sanders, Bosambo, and " Bones " are very dramatic creations who rank with some of the finest in all fiction. The title part in the film is' played by Leslie Banks, who gives an inspiring portrayal of a white man ruling millions of untamed blacks by sheer force of personality. Of exceptional interest is the appearance of Paul Robeson as "Bosambo," who, with his, splendid physique and magnificent singing, is an outstanding figure in this brilliant production, and Paul Robeson proves once again that he is a great actor. Nina Mae M'Kinney, the well-known coloured stage actress, is charming in her role as Bosambo's wife. The story tells of the chaos which follows when the respected Sanders departs on his year's leave and the tribes rise in an orgy of fighting; of his return, his saving of the courageous Bosambo, who has gone into the enemy country alone to rescue his wife; and the restoration of law and order, with Bosambo as king of the river tribes. Thousands of native warriors in full war dress, dancing their various native dance 3 of war; the advent of King Mofolaba to hold a parley with Sanders; his threat to Bosambo, who has stopped his slave raid, that Bosambo shall provide the skin for his tenth drum—he has nine already supplied by other kings who have come against him—the magnificent scenes of the canoes on the river, as 50 paddlers bend their backs in tune to Bosambo's time; Sanders's flight by aeroplane back from the coast in a futile attempt to save from disaster the man who has replaced him; the rescue of Bosambo; these are but few of the notable scenes in a notable film. " Sanders of the River" opens at the Regent Theatre to-day. ' « STATE THEATRE. So popular has " Roberta" proved with Dunedin theatre-goers that "the management of the State Theatre has decided to extend its season to a third week. " Roberta" is the type of production that can be seen several times without its losing any of its attraction. It is a gay and colourful romance starring Irene Dunne, Ginger Rogers, and Fred Astaire. The film offers sparkling entertainment with the charming singing of Miss Dunne, and the singhis iind b" Iliant dancing of Astaire and Miss Rogers and the display of feminine fashions by beautiful manikins. All these features are woven into a strong, fast-moving story which combines romance with gay ccmedy. Love interest centres round Miss Donne and Randolph Scott. The latter is seen as the nephew of a fashion shop proprietress, Roberta, and Miss Dunne is ca.st as Stephanie, Roberta's attractive assistant. The romance develops in an entertaining manner, but is greatly complicated when Roberta dies and leaves her famous shop to her nephew. Many amusing situations ensue when Scott is compelled to direct the affairs of the shop, assisted by his friend Astafre. A misunderstanding between Stephanie and Scott takes the plot to a brilliant climax when, at the height of a comprehensive display of the latest, in feminine fashions, the lovers are once more united. A bright episode in the story is the culmination of a romance between Astaire and Miss Rogers, who have been carrying on an amusing battle of wits throughout the film. Astaire is undoubtedly the genius of the production, for, while dancing is his forte, he has an effectively humorous manner, a pleasing singing voice, and he conducts an efficient orchestra and plays the piano. Miss Rogers is also a vocalist, and, in a role which gives her abundant opportunities, she contributes largely to the humour in a manner which gives spice to the story. The wizardry of the pair's 'dancing alone makes " Roberta" a film that should not be missed. When it is said that in " Roberta " their dancing surpasses their exhibitions in " The Gay Divorcee" theatre-goers will be given some idea of the brilliance of their work. Miss Dunne contributes greatly to the success of the film with her pleasing singing voice, and she is heard in the original songs from the stage show as well as in new numbers by Jerome Kern. Two songs that make a special r-ppeal are " Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Lovely to Look At." A very good orchestra under the leadership of the versatile Astaire also adds to the success of the film, and the display of feminine fashions should be a distinct attraction. The supporting programme is a strong one. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's.

OCTAGON THEATRE "The Count of Monte Cristo," the United Artists release which will be screened at the Octago Theatre to-day for a return season which should prove popular. For those to whom the story is not familiar a short resume is given. The hero, Edmond D antes, is the victim of political persecution in the intrigue following Napoleon's banishment to Elba. After years of unjust imprisonment in the Chateau d'lf, an island fortress, /luring which time his only consolation is the friendship of a fellow-prisoner, the j Abbe Faria, he makes a sensational escape, recovers untold treasure bequeathed to him by the Abbe, and sets out to track down his three great enemies. One by one he despatches them, and the onlooker experiences exultation iii seeing three tremendous scoundrels brought to justice. The concluding scene in which Dantes, as the Count of Monte Cristo, dramatically turns the tables, on his third and greatest enemy will hold the audience spellbound. In this, as iii countless other scenes, Robert Donat is the commanding figure. The range and variety of his characterisation is astounding. From the boyish Dantes of the opening of the story he passes easily to the bearded, embittered prisoner of the Chateau d'lf episodes, and from that to a confident, stylish portrait of the mature Count of Monte Cristo. It is a grand piece of romantic 'acting. Comparatively limited in scope, O, P. Heggie's performance as the aged Abbe Dante's one friend in the Chateau d'lf; is nevertheless an equally memorable characterisation of great subtlety. The three, villains of the play provide colour and are competently played by Louis Calhern, Sydney Blackmer, and Raymond Walburn. Elissa Landi supplies the romantic interest in the story, and. as usual, is thoroughly satisfying in her portrayal. The varied settings are well done. The photography is magnificent. The producers have not shirked such difficult incidents i as Dante's escape from prison in a sack supposed to contain the, body of the Abbe, and the realism of the film gains in consequence. Entertainment emerges as naturally from " The CoufJ; of Monte Cristo" as from the pages of an enthralling book; in fact, Dumas's immortal hero comes to life on the screen in a manner which has enthralled the pictusp-going world. 'The box plans are at the theatre. STRAND THEATRE ■'■ Humour, is . the keynote of the film " MacFadden's Flats," which is to commence its season at the Strand Theatre, with "Hell and High Water," to-day. The picture deals with the lifelong feud between Dan MacFadden, played by Walter C. Kelly, and Jock M''Tavish, played by Andy Clyde. While appearing to be most antagonistic to each other, the two characters have at heart a genuine mutual affection and are eventually.'brought together by the romance of their two children. It is written and directed with insight int 6 the lives of the people portrayed, and for this reason alone should attract attention. Irish and Scotch natures are set in opposition, and this popular theme never palls. Supplying the romantie side to the film are Richard Cromwell and Betty Furness, who act in a very skilful and pleasing manner. Richard Arlen, one of the screen's favourite leading men, has topped the cast in almost 00 famous pictures from "Wings," his first big role, on to "Hell and High Water," his most recent Paramount picture, which will be the other feature. He is cast with Judith Allen. The story is full of good family entertainment. It was written by Max Miller, the newspaper man who wrote " I Cover the Waterfront." Briefly, the story tells the romance between Captain Jericho (Richard Arlen), the waterfront boatman, and Sally (Judith Allen), an orphan, the one a professional woman hater and the other a confirmed man hater. Their romance is as funny as it is poignant. GRAND THEATRE Bright, satirical, and humorous entertainment is provided by " Oh, Daddy," the principal picture on the doublefeature programme at present being shown at the Grand Theatre. The story describes the visit of two officials of a local branch of a Purity League to London, and what befell them at a cabaret in a big London hotel. The two officials are Lord Pye and his sanctimonious henchman, Rupert Boddy, who meet Benita de Lys at the cabaret, and,are at once fascinated by her glamorous personality. Benita happens to be Pye's stepdaughter, whom he has never met, and she and Lady Pye determine to teach his lordship a lesson. Humour scored at the expense of the puritanical humbug rarely fails, and in this rich farce it is dispensed with skill and experience. That world-renowned English comedian, Leslie Henson, who was the idol of New Zealand soldiers in London during the war years, is at his best as the pious humbug. His facial gymnastics, no less than the expression he gives every point in his satisfying large share of the amusing dialogue, had the audience in a continuous ripple of laughter last night. Beautiful Frances Day, as the cabaret syren, sings catchy songs with charm, and her personality in the dances is one of the outstanding attractions that strikes a new note in British productions. The cabaret scenes ai'e lavish and spectacular, and the many rural scenes picturesque. The cast is a particularly strong one, as Barry Mackay, Marie Lohr, Tony de Lungo, and Daphne Courtney all contribute toward the merriment. The supporting picture is a fast-moving comedy in which James Dunn is cast as an impetuous young man who does not hesitate to risk his life, his liberty and the affection of his fiancee to gain his ends. The story is interesting and introduces many hilarious situations as well as a sequence of thrilling incidents which holds the interest till the end. Mae Clark is always fascinating in the principal feminine part, and there are a large number of supporting players. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE More and more science tends to corroborate the old chimney-corner tales which until recent years were disbelieved by educated people. This was true of the vampire, long considered a mere folkstory invention of Central Europe, but now recognised as a definite case in psycho-pathology. The same is true of the werewolf, the legendary monster which Henry Hull interprets in Universal 's thrilling film, " Werewolf of London," which will open a season at the Empire Theatre to-day. What is a werewolf? Some of the greatest writers in history, including De Maupassant, have written stories about this ereatm*e. In the Middle Ages and in the still more distant past people believed that the changing into a wolf was accomplished by magic spells. Modern scientists hold that this change may be a very real and terrible psychopathic one called lycanthrophobia, acquired from the bite of a mad wolf which causes men to think they are wolves and act like wolves, preying murderously on mankind in their blood lust, when the periodic seizures occur. In some cases the change from man to wolf has no outward manifestation. Sometimes it may be horrible, accompanied by the growth of long, coarse wolf hair on the face and hands. The hands stiffen into wolfish paws, the finger nails lengthen into claws. Long, sharp fangs jut from the jaws. This is the sort of change, celebrated in the ageless stories of all countries, that takes place in the character of Dr Glen-

don, played by Henry Hull. Dr Glendon has been in Tibefseeking a rare flower which blooms only once a year in the light of the full moon, and when he returns to London to his beautiful young wife it is to find that there is another werewolf at large and seeking to steal the moon-flower for himself. With the antidote to his affliction threatened, the doctor faces a grim struggle, and the film unveils tense drama. In support of Henry Hull is an all-British cast, including Warner Oland, Valerie Hobson, Lester Matthews, Spring Bynington, and Lawrence Grant. The box plans are now open at the D.I.C. and the theatre* MAYFAIR THEATRE George Arlias is seen in a novel and extremely human characterisation *in " The Last Gentleman," which is now being shown for a return season at the Mayfair Theatre. He is cast as a wealthy, eccentric old American who despises the members of his family for their greed for the Cabot millions, and his superb portrayal completely dominates the production. In the closing sequences of the film, in which he adopts an entirely original method of disclosing his leal feelings for the members of the family, he rises to remarkable heights of artistry in which comedy and drama are admirably blended. His is a brilliant study of a gentleman of the old school whose queer but subtle behaviour makes him a tyrant in the eyes of the family. There is an excellent supporting cast, which includes Edna May Oliver, Charlotte Henry, Janet Beecher and Donald Meek. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C-DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. Followers of the sport of kings will find much to satisfy them in "Broadway Bill," one of the finest sporting pictures ever shown in Dunedin, and a worthy successor to that famous production on this theme, " Sporting Blood." " Broadway Bill," which will commence its season at the Mayfair Theatre tomorrow, with " Society Doctor," embodies something new in the way of horse racing stories. The principal roles are taken by Warner Baxter, who appears as Dan Brooks, racehorse enthusiast and rebel, Myrna Loy, as Alice, who sympathises with Dan, Walter Connolly, as J. L. Higgins, Dan's father-in-law, who violently opposes his Avishes to enter the horse racing sport, Helen Vinson, Charles Muse and Douglas Dumbrille. The title of the production is taken from the name of a racehorse owned by Dan Brooks, which he is confident 1 will win him high honours on the track. However, he is comfortably established in his father-iii-law's business and his slightest suggestion that he should leave the security of the business and make his money at racing is 'met with the strongest disapproval by the other members of the family. Eventually, after a violent scene, Dan leaves the bosom of his family and takes his horse Broadway Bill with him, but agrees to return if his venture is a failure. From that stage the picture works up to an exciting climax. A fast-moving story of modern life, set in a large city hospital, is told in "Society Doctor." It has all the ingredieijts for ideal entertainment. There is romance in the love of two young doctors for a charming nurse, drama in a scene in an operating theatre when one of the young doctors saves the life of his rival, and comedy in the comments of the young lady at the information bureau, and in the antics of two brisk newspaper reporters waiting to "see the news happen." Chester Morris gives a "fine performance as an ambitious young doctor whose outspokenness earns for him the disfavour of his superiors. Virginia Bruce acts charmingly as the nurse, and Robert Taylor, a handsome newcomer to the screen, gives a promising performance as the other young doctor.