AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22721, 6 November 1935, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE " M'Fadden's Flats," the chief offering at the Strand Theatre this week, has Walter C. Kelly and Andy Clyde in two excellent comedy roles. The two neighbours quarrel continuously, but under their rough exteriors are firm friends. A large audience laughed heartily last night at the bickerings of the two cronies, who at last are brought together by a romance between their children. Kelly sen.ls his daughter to a finishing school, and the lassie's successful efforts to educate her father and mother, in the ways of polite society provide some delicious comedy. The scene in which M'Fadden and the milionaire from Chicago discover that they were bricklayers together in their youth, and start a brick-laying contest against each other with the books in the library, sends the audience almost into hysterics. Jane Darwell makes a motherly Mrs M'Fadden, and the clever manner in which mother and daughter twist the domineering M'Fadden round their little fingers is one of the highlights of the film. The other feature is " Hell and High Water," with Richard ArJen and Judith Allen. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. " Red Hot Tyres" and " The Secret Bride " are the titles of the films which will comprise the riew programme at the Strand Theatre on Friday, and both promise exciting entertainments, A strong cast, thrills, romance, and good dialogue are said to make " Red Hot Tyres " one of the finest stories of its type ever brought to the screen. Lyle Talbot, as a crack racing driver, has one of the best roles of his career. Mary Astor, in the leading feminine role, gives a stirring performance us the girl for whose love two daredevil riders battle to the death. Gavin Gordon, Roscoe Karns, Frankie Darro, Mary Treen, and Henry Kolker are others in an exceptionally good cast. " The Secret Bride" ha 9 Barbara Stanwyck as the star, and it is said to bo one of her most dramatic roles. It is a story of political intrigue which includes not only a thrilling romance, but two mysterious murders and the impeachment; of a governor on bribery charges. Warren William has the leading masculine role, and the director, William Dieterie, has gathered a remarkable cast of supporting players, including Glenda Farrell. Grant Mitchell, Douglas Dunibrille, Arthur Byron and Henry O'Neill. GRAND THEATRE Another merry farce, " Fighting Stock," is coming to the Grand Theatre to-day. It is Ben Travers's tale of misadventure in quite hia best vein, with the customary trio —Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and Robertson Hare—disentangling the complications. Ben Travers has provided the necessary ingredients for a whole-hearted farce, and under Tom Walls's astute and experienced direction no single point of mirth-making, no single "spot of bother" has been overlooked. The result is that " Fighting Stock " is a film full of laughable incident and sustained merriment. Also showing on the programme is a film adaptation of the Ethel M. Dell novel, " Rocks of Valpre," starring John Garrick, Winifred Shotter,' and Leslie Perrine. The story tells of Captain Louis de Monteville, a French cavalry officer, who is in love with Christine Wyndham, a demure English girl, and she with him. The smooth course of their romance is irrevocably checked by Captain Rodolphe, an unscrupulous rival for Christine's hand. He has Louis arrested on a false charge of selling an invention to an enemy agent, convicted and sent to Devil's Island. While he is incarcerated, Christine marries, and when he is released on the grounds of ill-health 10 years later, he learns that Rodolphe, having come into possession of letters written by Christine to him before her marriage, is attempting blackmail. He meets him in mortal combat, retrieves the letters before Rodolphe is sent to his death, and then peacefully passes out himself in Christine's arms.

EMPIRE THEATRE For thrills it is doubtful if any picture seen in Dunedin recently can come up to the latest attraction at the Empire Theatre, " Werewolf of London.' which continues to draw large houses. Based on the old tradition of the werewolf, the theme deals with the transition undergone by an affilicted person through the influence of the moon. At certain times the sufferer is transformed from a rational man to an inhuman monster, half man, half wolf, whose one purpose is to kill a human being. The film shows Henry Hull as a famous botanist, who is bitten by a werewolf while searching for a rare flower in an isolated valley in Tibet. The flower, it is reputed, is the only known specimen of plant life which depends for existence on the light of the moon. Hull finds the flower and returns to London, where he discovers, to 'his horror, he is afflicted with the curse of the werewolf. It is then that the thrills start, and the story develops in such a manner as to hold the interest to the final fade out. Most of the success of the picture is due to the wonderful acting of. Henry Hull, who is a brilliant artist, but Warner Oland. whose ability is well known, also puts in some'fine work. The supporting cast has been chosen with the greatest care. Supporting "Werewolf of London is a good programme of "shorts." , •'GO INTO YOUR DANCE." " Go Into Your Dance," First National's latest musical spectacle, will be - shown at the Empire Theatre on Friday. This is the first time Jolson, the famous Broadway singer who introduced talking pictures to the public, and Miss Keeler, onetime musical comedy star, who rose to fame in two years on the screen, have ever played together. Their team work is said to be remarkable. The picture is based on a story by Bradford Ropes, author of " 42nd Street." It is intensely dramatic in spots, with comedy situa tions and a glowing romance. Spectacular dance numbers in which scores of Hollywood's beautiful chorus girls take part were created and staged by Bobby Connolly, noted Broadway musical comedy director who recently has turned his talents to the screen. There are seven song""hits in the picture, written by the team of Warren and Dubin. These ai> sung by Jolson. Miss Keeler, and Helen Morgan, famous torch singer. Jolson and Miss Keeler have the romantic leads, with Miss Morgan as the other woman who nearly spoils the life of Miss Keeler. a little dancing girl, as well as doing her best to wreck a show being staged, through her jealous rage. Glenda Farrell. as Jolson's sister, finally straightens matters in a sensational climax. The story concerns a Broadway entertainer, who .is barred from playing in New York because of his fondness for wine, women, and the "ponies." The staging of his comeback leads through love tangles, thrilling situations, and a dramatic denouement. There is a talented supporting cast which includes Barton Mae Lane, Sharon Lynne. Patsy Kelly. Benny Rubin. Gordon Wcsfrott, and Joyce Compton. ST. JAMES THEATRE An unusually attractive film in "Times Square Lady " is the featured production on the current programme at the tst. James Theatre. Some old film favourites and a host of new ones parade in " Times Square Lady." Robert Taylor as the hero and Virginia Bruce as the heroine head a large cast which includes Helen Twelvetrees. Isabel Jewell, Nat Pendleton, Pinky Tomlin. Henry Kolker and Raymond Hatton. The story, almost incomprehensible in its kaleidoscopic sequences, tells of the coming to Broadway of a simple country girl, albeit a dazzling blonde, to inherit half a dozen sporting enterprises which her lately dead father had run at a handsome profit. The managers of the various concerns, which include an ice hockey rink, a dog-racing track, a night club, and a horse-racing stable, plan to trick the girl into selling her holdings to them for next to nothing by making it appear to her that with a woman as owner they cannot possibly pay. But the lowa miss is not so simple as her racketeer opponents imagine her to be. The supporting programme is full of good things, and comprises the coloured cartoon. " The Calico. Dragon." " Mama's Little Pirates." an exciting aii'l amusing " Our Gang " comedy. " Goofy Movies." and a brace of newsreels. The box plans are at the theatre, at the D.1.C.. at Jacobs's. and at M'Crackcn and Walls's. "MR DYNAMITE." Thrills, baffling mystery, murders, and an abundance of really humorous " wise

cracks " is said to make " Mr Dynamite," which will be the feature film at the St. James Theatre on Friday, one of the most entertaining pictures of the year. Edmund Lowe, as the criminal-gone-detective, finds himself in a role which fits him like a glove, and his breezy flow of repartee should keep the audience in a simmer of laughter. The first murder occurs in the grounds of a famous gambling casino in a big city. A young boy of 21 or thereabouts, who has just won £2OOO in the casino, is sh6t down as he gets into his car. The motive could not have been robbery, because his wallet with all his money was on his person. Several days later, while this mystery was 'still unsolved, Jarl Dvorjak, noted composer and concert pianist, is found murdered in his home, while playing the console organ. Again there is no clue, except evidence that points to a mysterious woman who was .in the room with the dead man when the crime occurred. While the police are racking their nimble brains, a third murder takes place. "This time it is Dvorjak's trusted business manager, Williams. He is killed ■ in his own apartment as he is telephoning the police to give them information. Dynamite, crack detective, who was thrown out of the force for his scapegoat antics, is called in on the first murder, but told to lay off the others. But when he solves the first one. the solution to the others follow. " Mr Dynamite is one of the most dynamic murder mystery stories ever written by its noted author. Dashiell Hammett, who wrote " The Thin Man" and other books. Lowe is ably supported by Esther Ralston, Jean Dixou, Victor Varconi. Robert Glecker, and Verna Hillie, a little blonde newcomer to the screen who shows plenty of talent and personality. REGENT THEATRE " Sanders of the River.", which is now being shown, at the Regent Theatre, is a tribute to the brave men in distant places who, v.ith unfaltering courage, in the face of gravest dangers, work %vith loyal persistence to uphold British traditions.. Iti its conception and creation it establishes a new standard of screen entertainment in this particular, class, and must be ranked as one of the most arresting films of the year. Commissioner Sanders (Leslie Banks), one of those natural rulers, has by skill and ingenuity established the law on the river somewhere in Nigeria. When Bosambo calls on Sanders with an allegedly important message, Sanders recognises him not as a chief but a petty thief who has broken gaol. But aware of the death of the real chief of the Ochoris, and perceiving strength and cunning in Bosambo, Sanders creates him a chief in the name of King George. So when "the old king's warriors go slave-hunting, it is the Ochoris who check them, and among the slave girls Bosambo finds the beautiful Lilongo (Nina Mae M'Kinney), an incident which supplies the necessary touch of romance to the story. All is peace on the river until Sanders leaves on furlough for the coast and England. Then, two mean whites trading in gin. and arms, whisper the news that Sanders is dead, and there is no law on the river. This poisonous news is accompanied by an uprising of. the old king's tribe, who kill Sanders's successor, and in order to get Bosambo, steal the. lovely Lilongo. Bosambo goes in pursuit and is caught in the trap. Both are about to be slaughtered when Sanders reappears like magic from the river, and with a machine gun quickly reasserts his authority, while the drums spread the news over Africa that the "killer of kings" has returned. The acting of Mr Banks as Sanders is. admirable. Paul Robeson i« theatrically splendid as Bosambo, aud Miss M'Kinney makes a charming Lilongo. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Now nearing the end of a long season at the State Theatre, "Roberta" is still attracting good houses. The picture is one which appeals to all classes. It is novel, in that it has a story that is much more substantia] and entertaining than that which the usual musical comefly provides, a story that would give the picture sound value as entertainment even without the embellishments of music, dancing. and lavish staging. It affords, too, many opportunities for the introduction of th? bright and original humour that appeals so strongly to modern audiences, but the greatest attraction lies in the cast, which is headed by Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers. All have enviable reputations, and although sometimes producers build a light and flimsy picture, trusting to the reputation of the players to redeem it from the failure it would be

with less talented actors, no such criticisim I can be aimed at this film. All these leading playei's are given plenty to • do; and they certainly show that they know how to do it. The supports are all of a high standard, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. ;, ''THE DICTATOR." Give Brook and Madeleine Carroll are the leading players in "The Dictator," a stirring historical drama which will be shown at the State Theatre for a season commencing on Friday. Give Brook, who enacts the title role, invests his performance with many delicate lights and shades, and, in the key scenes, strongly dominates, getting every atom of effect from his lilies, while the tragic finale is treated witn fine restraint. Miss Carroll as the queen, with whom Brook falls in love, portrays an essentially lovable personality. Her study of the character discloses great understanding of the complex influences at work, and never has this accomplished actress appeared more sweetly seductive or more beautifully costumed. Helen Hayes is effective in the role of the domineering, cunning queen mother, and Emlyn Williams's interpretation of the king, a consistently unpleasant, almost repulsive, character, is brilliantly clever. In. directing "The Dictator," Victor Saville has handled his material with that sureness of touch which could only- be made manifest bv a close : study of every angle of his subject. He has not permitted one touch of superficial sentimentality to mar the dignity of theme and story. To the man in the street royal personages seem to be a race arart, and Mr Saville has preserved this seeming aloofness, but without hiding the capacity of, those born to the purple to suffer, even as the humblest of their subjects may suffer. OCTAGON THEATRE It is seldom that such an excellent production as " The 'Count of Monte Cristo," which is now showing at the Octagon Theatre, is brought to the notice of theatregoers. The film is> good from all standards, and one experiences something ot the atmosphere that Alexandre Dumas instilled into his immortal, story. The success of the production is largely due to the clever leading artists, Robert Donat and Elissa Landi, who play the roles of Edmond Dantes and Mercedes. The story has been so well adapted to the screen that it carries the audience with it from the first exciting incidents. It is excellently photographed, and the work of the producer has skilfully blended and compressed the romance and adventures of more than 20 years into a comparatively short piece. Including in its action the time that Napoleon was in banishment at Elba and Louis VIII held sway in France, the work to life again some of the important historical occurrences that deeply affected Europe at that time. The film represents the period in costume and scenery with accuracy and taste, and one obtains a true perspective of the life of about 10,0 years ago. There is an adequate supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, M'Crackcn and Walls's and Begg's. MAYFAIR THEATRE P. T. Barnum comes back to a hearty life to-day at the Mayfair Theatre in the person of Wallace Beery, who plays the matchless showman in Darryl F." Zanuck's production of "The Mighty Barnum," for Twentieth Century Pictures. The story opens with Baruum's entrance into the side-show business exactly 100 years ago. when, having acquired a few reptile- monstrosities and an aged negress named Joice Heth, purported to be 100 years old and erstwhile nurse of the infant George Washington, he left his failing Bowcrv grocery, rented a livery stable and onened Barnum's American Museum. The famous midget. General Tom Thumb, and his bride. Lavinia, the Cardiff Giant, the Bearded Lady, the Fiji Mermaid, the woolly horse, and all the rest of' the " natural oddities" with which Barnum staggered New York a century ago. are also represented. His climb from the grotefjjie to the sublime with the.sponsoring of the American debut of Jenny Lind. the iovely Swedish nightingale, at Castle Garden, nlays a big part in the picture, with Virginia Bruce charmingly interpreting the golden-voiced Jenny. Adolphe Menjou. Bochelle Hudson and Janet Beecher are also importantly cast in this Joseph M. Schenck presentation which Walter Lang directed.