AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22723, 8 November 1935, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE Mammoth dance scenes, many tuneful song numbers, and some exceedingly bright comedy acting cleverly blended, and leavened with dramatic incident, distinguish “ Go Into Your Dance,” the musical comedy entertainment which commences at the- Empire Theatre to-day. A 1 Jolson and Ruby Keeler, his wife, are the stars of this breezy film, and they form a first-class team in what is said to be one of the snappiest and brightest musical shows for eome time. Jolson won wide public admiration in the early days of talking films when he introduced crooning musical entertainment to the screen. As he won success then, it is not too much to expect that with “ Go Into Your Dance,” a better all-round film than he has previously produced, his success now will be commensurately greater. Many will remember that “ Sonny Boy,” one. of Joleoii’s early films, which took America by storm, did not win such wide English acclamation, but English audiences have always appreciated that Jolson is a magnificent entertainer. Comparing Jolson s early films with “Go Into Your Dance, it is stated that he has improved his technique and his acting and undoubtedly will now take high place in the public regard ns a musical star. The song numbers are exceptionally good, and include what will probably be one of the hits of the year—“ About a Quarter to Nine. With this number is combined a dance spectacle using a chorus of 60 men that has not been excelled in any musical show. It has been claimed time and time again that in a musical comedy film popularity is increased if the film has an absorbing story running through it, and also that dancing spectacles on the screen are more popular if they can go one better than anything of the type that can be done on a stage. Judged on that basis, this film is said to be complete. The story is connected, provides a wealth of opportunity for music and comedy, and includes dramatic. incident which, towards the climax, develops a tenseness that is most absorbing. The dance spectacles are excellent. The producer has obviously aimed to overcome the limitations of the stage, and has succeeded in that aitrf. On the face of this performance it would appear that it will not be long before producers find even the limitations of the film studio rather irksome. Ruby Keeler, taking the part of Jolson’s stage partner, appears in some outstanding dance numbers, and none cleverer than in one in which she gives an impromptu exhibition of tap and eccentric dancing in an apartment, There will be n varied supporting programme.

ST. JAMES THEATRE One of the most thrilling murder mystery stories of the year is claimed to be “Mr Dynamite,” starring Edmund Lowe, one of America’s most famous screen stars. The picture will have its Dunedin premiere at the St. James Theatre this afternoon. The story, by Dashiell Hammett, who will be remembered for his “ Thin Man,” offers a most neatly-con-structed plot, involving no less than three murders, ana at no time is there a lapse in audience interest. Lowe plays the role of Dynamite, a reckless black-sheep detective, who is given a police escort out of every town he enters. He is called in by private interests to solve the mysterious murder of a young boy who is shot down as he is leaving the grounds of the Casino, gambling resort. While Lowe endeavours to pick up the threads of a clue around this murder, two more murders take place, to which the police refuse to give him access. How Lowe eventually sets round these difficulties makes one of the most absorbing pictures seen in a long time. Lowe is excellent in a role made to order for him, while Jean Dixon as his “ wise-cracking ” secretary does nobly by herself and the part. Miss Dixon is a product of the. stage who bids fair to increase her popularity on the screen. Others in 'the cast who distinfuish themselves are Esther Ralston, lobert Glecker, Victor Varconi, Matt M'Hugh, Verna Hillie, and Greta Meyer. The supports include two newsreels, an animated cartoon featuring Oswald the Rabbit, a musical revue, and a travelogue of beautiful Hawaii. Box plans are at the D.1.C., M’Cracken and Walls’s, and Jacobs’s. v

REGENT THEATRE Many have enjoyed the story of “ of the River,” as told in Edgar Wallace’s novel, and in its film version, which is now entering upon the second week of its season at the Regent Theatre, this stirring story is given an inspired and elevated For its success much praise must be given to the director, Zoltan Korda, and to the producer, Alexander Korda, whose use of the native material available in Africa has resulted in a production which is not over-weighted with negro atmosphere to the point of artificiality, but which maintains the even balance of natural coldur with the essential atmosphere of the story. Leslie Banks as Sanders, the resident British commissioner, gives a performance that is remarkable indeed. He is supposted to cast a spell over the natives, so that they come to love him and respect him. Banks easts the same spell over his audience, by a perfect presentation of the character. It is not that he commands a variety of the tricks of the trade of acting; intelligent casting has chosen in him a man, whose personality fits the part. Paul Robeson as Bosambo, former convict and later king of all the river tribes, is in magnificent form throughout. The pact between him and “ Saudi” has the appearance of reality. Robeson’s magnificent bass voice, with a hundred warriors chanting as a chorus, dominates the film from time to time, hia river song, on the final note of which the film ends, being a haunting and gripping melody. Cochrane, as Tibbets, has little to do, but does it well; Nina Mae M'Kinney, as Lilongo, wife of Bosambo, has also a corn? paratively small part, which her charm elevates. The story is 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 the king of the river tribes. The underlying theme is the quality of British rule in Africa. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

STATE THEATRE •“ The Dictator,” a colourful story of Denmark in the eighteenth century, is to open at the State Theatre to-day. in the title role Clive Brook, one of the greatest of English actors, gives what is said to be the finest performance of a brilliant career. The acting in the picture is excellent, and the exciting plot deals mainly with the intrigue and fastmoving life in the Court of King Christian VII. of Denmark. The director, Victor Seville, who has been responsible for many British successes, has made the most of the witty lines and the dramatic situations provided by Benn Levy, a leading English playwright who wrote the scenario. The pomp and dignity of royalty in the period in which the film is laid make a spectacular pageant through which moves Clive Brook, most impressive in the part of Frederick Struensee, a German country doctor who catches the fancy of a half-mad king, and rises to a position of unprecedented power, only to lose everything for the love of a beautiful queen. Clive Brook is not alone in his triumph in this fine production. As Queen Caroline Mathilde, sister of George 111 of England, and the unhappy consort of a dissolute king, Madeleine Carroll gives a magnificent performance, bringing the requisite amount of charm and emotion to the role to make it an outstanding one. She and Clive Brook achieve fame as a new pair of screen lovers. _ Krnlyn Williams gives a fine characterisation in the role of the young but weak and repulsive king, while Helen Haye, as the domineering and cunning queen mother, also assists to keep the acting on a high plane. The supporting cast is excellent, and the photography, costuming and lighting effects are good. OCTAGON THEATRE Two pictures, which, though widely different in type, provide first-class entertainment, comprise the current bill, at the Octagon Theatre. In the principal feature, “ The County Chairman,” the ever-popular Will Rogers has the leading xole, and again the star has turned to rural American life for his background. It is a swift-moving and human story,

and its present producers have been wise enough to retain both the original locale, a small Wyoming town, and the original date, the year 1902, a fact which permits the use of the colourful types and background of those days, when political camwere fierce and frenzied —and not just talks by radio. The star appears as the “boss" of a small town, who kisses all the babies, captures all the votes and brings together two estranged young lovers. His supporting east numbers many players who have been with him in previous successes, including Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor, Louise Dresser, Berton Churchill, Frank Melton, and Stepin Fetchit. Shirley Temple, the remarkable juvenile star, is seen in the leading role of “Bright Eyes,” the delightful Fox production which will be the second feature on the Octagon Theatre programme. Playing opposite her is James Dunn in the role of Loop Merritt, an American airline pilot. Wonder Child ” is a title usually bestowed on the most dreadful of infant prodigies, but it has not been so misapplied in this case, and on her performance in tins production Shirley Temple has demonstrated clearly the justice of her claim to the distinction, and, as “ Bright Eyes ” has been classed among the best 10 pictures of the year. The child of a pilot who has been killed, she is the darling of the pilots quartered at the aerodrome, and her mother, a part played by the beautiful Lois Wilson, has had to take service with the Smythes, a wealthy and haughty family residing in the neighbourhood. The setting is ideal, for the rollicking fun of the pilots’ room, coupled . with the tenderness accorded to the child, brings out her winsome personality.

STRAND THEATRE A bright, romantic, drama of the speedway, “Red Hot Tyres,” featuring Mary Astor, Lyle Talbot, and Gavin Gordon, heads the new bill for the Strand Theatre to-day. Based on a story by Tristan Tupper, the picture tells of a love drama that blossoms during limiting motor-car races in which the dare-devil speedsters battle for racing honours, and two of them fight at the same time for the hand of a beautiful’ girl, Mary Astor. Lyle Talbot and Gavin Gordon enact the roles of racing demons, rivals on the track and rivals for the love of the beautiful daughter of a car manufacturer. Gordon plays the part of a crooked driver, and Talbot warns him, in the hearing of witnesses, that if he does any dirty work it will be his last race. Gordon is killed in a smash with Talbot, and the story works up to a fine climax. Barbara Stanwyck has the most dramatic role of her entire career in the Warner Bros/ production, “The Secret Bride,” a dramatic 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 Director William Dieterle has gathered a remarkable cast of supporting players, including Glenda Farrell, Grant Mitchell, and Douglas Dumbrille. GRAND THEATRE With a typical Ben Travers story on which to work, Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and J. Robertson Hare are enabled to give of their best in “ Fighting Stock, the delightful farce which heads the. current programme at the Grand Theatre this week. These three actors are well-known to the Dunedin public and their distinctive types of humour are particularly refreshing. In their latest effort they fully maintain the high standard they have set in earlier pictures. Walls is cast as a blustering aristocrat, whose candid speech and belligerent attitude towards people soon lead to trouble with hie neighbour. The tense atmosphere which pervades the two households is by no means lessened by the activities ot the fiery old general’s nephew, who has the disconcerting habit of saying and doing the wrong things at the wrong time ana generally "putting his foot in it. Matters are further complicated, by the inopportune arrival of a blackmailer, who causes considerable annoyance before he is finally of. The comedy throughout the film is of a hilarious nature, the two principals giving sterling performances, while Hare, as the general’s doleful secretary, adds to the mirth with ms solemn utterances. The supporting film is “The Rocks of Velpre,” a dramatic story from the pen of the well-known novelist Ethel M. Dell. It departs from the usual run of films by dispensing with the traditional happy ending, but. the powerful acting of the chief characters, John Garrick and Winifred Shotter, make it a production well worth seeing. Welcome comedy relief is supplied by Lewis Shaw. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. MAYFAIR THEATRE “ The Mighty Barnura,” which ia the chief attraction at the Mayfair Theatre at the present time, will receive its final screening to-night. The film affords Wallace Beery, who is cast as the world’s greatest snowman, plenty of opportunity to show his undoubted ability as h character actor. Another excellent characterisation is given by Adolphe Menjou, in the role of Mr B. Walsh, Barnum’s tippling manager, and Virginia Bruce provides a charming performance as Jenny Lind, the Swedish nightingale, . who takes America by storm, when she is introduced to the public. The story begins just a century ago, and tells in vivid detail the successes and failures of the famous showman from the time he. leaves his Bowery store until he joins with another man to ; form the well-known company of Barnum and Bailey. The supporting programme is a strong one. The box plans are at the D.I.C.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. The • double-feature programme which will commence a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow, is headed by ‘ Vanessa.” Adapted from one of Hugh Walpole’s books of the saga of the Herries family, the story opens with the return of Benjie and his announcement of his engagement to Vanessa, and Vanessa’s subsequent accusation that he has been responsible for the death of her father. Discouraged, and at variance with the world in general, Benjie begins to drink heavily, and finally marries, a barmaid, while Vanesea becomes the wife of a neurotic cousin whose mind becomes unbalanced. Disillusionment follows, and before the principal characters in the story succeed in unravelling the seemingly hopeless tangle they have made of their lives, the story runs through a sequence of engrossing incidents that are admirably por trayed by an exceedingly capable cast. Helen Hayes, in the role of Vanessa, gives an outstanding performance _ that is marked by a sympathetic and intelligent understanding of the requirements of a difficult part, and Robert . Montgomery, who plays the part of Benjie, also gives a convincing character sketch. . The second picture, “ The Strange Conspiracy, is a gripping drama in which the interests which seek to foster war are mercilessly pilloried. The story works up to a stirring climax, which is as unexpected as it is logical.