AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22730, 16 November 1935, Page 22

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE Audacious, glamorous, and highly amusing, Mae West is presented in an entirely new light in her latest film, "Now I'm a Lady," which had a successful opening at the Empire Theatre _ yesterday. In this new Paramount vehicle Miss West discards the role of a ravishing belle of 40 years ago and takes on a characterisation that is delightfully new and refreshingly amusing. She is seen first as Cleo Borden, the charmer of Western American ranch owners, and in this setting she is just as much at home as she was in the city saloons and night clubs of her former pictures. From this humble beginning the attractive Cleo undergoes a strange and eventful transition to the sweetheart of society without losing in the slightest degree, ,her poise or her " wise-cracking" ability. Her rise in the world of society is made possible when she inherits the fortune of a wealthy cattle rancher, and from then on the inimitable Mae sets out on an entertaining life of adventure and conquest. With refreshing variety the settings change with rapidity from the cattle country to the sporting world of Buenos Aires, and thence to the hurry and flurry of society life in Southampton, New York. The story moves with similar variety and fastmoving action. Armed, with the powers of her money and undoubted personal attraction, Cleo Borden attempts the somewhat difficult task of being accepted into the best society circles. With characteristic directness and brevity, she seta about acquiring the necessary manners and polish, handicapped though she is by lack of culture and a long and distinguished family tree. She is determined to win the heart of an Englishman who had attracted her, but before she has a chance to achieve this objective she is whirled off in a series of gay adventures. Buenos Aires is the scene of much entertainment for the audience and great success for Cleo. She is fired, as a result of the taunts of the society women she meets and the scorn of the Englishman, with the ambition to attain the topmost peak in society. The girl from the West causes great consternation when she brings ridicule on her greatest enemy, wins a fortune from her, and finally marries into her family. A very exciting and humorous horse-racing sequence is witnessed in which Cleo increases her fortune to the annoyance of her enemies. Success also comes to her at the gambling tables, where she plays surrounded by the society leaders of the neighbourhood. She then goes to Southampton, New York, and purchases a palatial and fashionable home, from which she entertains in lavish fashion. So successful has her campaign been that, after the death of her first husband, she marries the Englishman of her choice, the climax being a thrilling one. Miss West wears many dashing and new costumes in "Now I'm a Lady," the backgrounds of the film being ultra-modern, but the actress is still the same Mae West, and, proves that she can be as versatile as she is popular. Her singing of "He's a Bad Man," "Love is Love, and the aria, "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice," from- the opera "Samson and Delilah," are features of the picture Miss West is supported by a very strong cast including Paul Cayanagh, Ivan Lebedef, Tito Cora, Fred Kohler, Gilbert Emery, Luis Alberni, and Grant Withers. The first portion of the evening's programme is very entertaining, and includes a combined musical and travelogue feature, " Springtime in Holland," a Betty Boop cartoon, a Paramount variety, "Famous People at Play," a Paramount Pictorial, and a newsreel. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE For those who like an exciting film with a strong strain of comedy rippling through its entire length, "Vagabond Lady," which heads the new programme at the St. James Theatre, and which was shown in Dunedin for the first time yesterday, has a great deal to commend it. The picture has plenty of action, its plot is unusual, and it is interpreted by a cast of exceedingly clever players. Ine story concerns the two sons of a millionaire department store owner and a pretty <nrl, an employee of the store, but also the daughter of a college contemporary of the owner. One son, staid and dignified, desires to marry the girl, but gets little encouragement. The other, who has shuddered at the thought of marriage in the past, suddenly finds that he, also, is attracted. The result is a most amusing battle for possession. Curiously enough, the man who plays the part of the very serious son is Reginald Denny, maker ot many amusing pictures in the past, and former! v a great favourite with most picturegoers. His acting is good, but he has not the scope of Robert Young, in the role of the second son, and, naturally, the hero. The prize of their endeavours is Evelvn Venables, who gives a spirited rendering of a part that calls for considerable versatility. Added humour is r-iven to an excellent film by the antics of Frank Craven and the stolid heaviness of Berton Churchill. In support of "Vagabond Lady" is a first-class programme of short features. Notable among these is a Fitzpatrick coloured travelogue, " Colourful Gautfemala," one of the popular Pete Smith sporting series, Football Footwork," and an amusing comedy, " Shrimps for a Day." The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C, M'Cracken and Walls's, and Jacobs's.

REGENT THEATRE The spacious days of Queen Elizabeth and the peril of England from an attack by the then mighty Spanish fleet form the basis of the chief picture in the new programme which was staged at the Regent Theatre yesterday. It can be said, without the slightest exaggeration, that " Drake of England" is a stupendous production, both in magnitude and magnificence. The planning, the thought, the expense can only be imagined, but the producer, or probably it would be more correct to eay the producers, have good reason to feel well satisfied at the results of their work. The play is not so much concerned with individuals as with the fears and the courage of the English people under the menace of the Spanish yoke. The plot is written round the life of Drake, who is presented as a whole-hearted patriot—daring, courageous, but with nothing of the swashbuckler in his character. The author of the play makes Drake more the hero with an ideal—love of his queen and her personification as England. Pirates he and his fellow-seamen may_ have been, and no doubt were, but their deeds are used in the play, solely as a defence of their country and not for any self gain. The queen has to combat the weaknesses of her chief adviser. Lord Burleigh, who is fearsome of arousing the vengeance of King Philip. She, however, has more of the spirit of Drake, and while she admonishes the gallant freebooter, she lends a willing ear to hie advice to defy the king. Nevertheless, her support of Drake is not given as the Queen of England—her support is not active, but Drake knowe that any action he may take against the Spanish will not meet with her condemnation. "Thank God for giving me such a man" sufficiently explains the queen's attitude. Thus the stage is set for the deeds which have brought lasting fame to Sir Francis Drake and his devil-may-care sailors, who, like the British soldiers, are never more dangerous than when in the face of danger. There are the warships of that time, the clash of naval warfare, the sacking of towns, the voyage of the Golden Hind, the historic game of bowls, and the sailing out of Plymouth Harbour of the small fleet of English ships which was to vanquish the Spanish Armada and to break for all time the .power of Spain. Over all is the indomitable spirit of the English race and their love for their queen. The story is indeed an epic in the history of England, and on it is based the beginning of her greatness on sea and land. Matheson Lang takes the part of Drake, and, as stated, gives a study more on patriotic than heroic lines. The part of Queen Elizabeth is enacted by Athene Seyler with dignity and forcefulness as the occasion requires. Joan Baxter has the part of Lady Elizabeth Sydenham, the devoted lover of Drake, and the parts of the cautious diplomat, Lord Burleigh, and the other characters are capably filled. Apart from the love story in the play there is a plot—brought to naught—to ensure the downfall of Drake. To those who love their England the picture must make a deep appeal, and though it can. naturally enough, only deal with a phase of her history, one can quite easilv fill in and complete the whole story. The supporting films are well selected, one of the most interesting being the car e and attention being devoted to the rearing of the Dionne quintuplets. The box plan is at the D.T.C. and the theatre. STATE THEATRE The secret of the success of " Bulldog Jack," which is the new attraction at the State Theatre is that the producers succeed in making the audience want to laugh while it is at the same time in an agony of suspense. Featuring Jiick Hulbert and his equally amusing brother Claude, the film is primarily a burlesque of the exciting " Bulldog " Drummond pictures which have attained such wide popularity. It was produced in the British studios where " Sapper " himself co-operated in the preparation of the scenario. Thus, while the film has all the essentials of burlesque, it is as exciting as any of the stories which " Sapper " has written in his more serious moods. The Hulberts neither dance nor sing, but they are as entertaining as ever. The film has the fast action which suits their breezy style to perfection, and it abounds in hilarious and almost absurd situations woven into a plot which maintains interest at the highest pitch. The starting point of the story is an attempt by the enemies of " Bulldog " Drummond to wreck his car while he is still in it. Fortunately their plans do not work as well as they expected, for, though he is involved in a smash with Jack Hulbert, he receives only a few minor injuries which necessitate a short stay in hospital. But while he is thus detained there are still crimes which require solution, and he invites Jack Hulbert to deputise for him in dealing with a mvstery which involves the safety of an old man and his pretty granddaughter Hulbert's masquerade is hardly successful at first, for he finds the girl's attractions so upsetting that, at a time when his actions should be most effective, they are nothing less than absurd. Eventually it is found that the grandfather, who is a skilful jeweller, is being forced by a gang of criminals to counterfeit precious stones which are being stealthily removed from a statue in the British Museum. After the preliminary foolishness, Hulbert, with a nervous youth called Algernon, finds himself' drawn into the plot, and there are hair-raising as well as uproariously funny happenings in a deserted underground railwiiy station, in the Bnt'sh Museum at the dead of night, and finally in a runaway train before all the criminals are tracked down and the romance of the bogus detective and the pretty girl is brought to the inevitably happy conclusion. While the unfolding of the plot with all its excitement gives con-

tinuity of interest, the chief attraction of the film is its delighful comedy, which is introduced, not only in many extremely funny sequences, but also in many subtle ways. Jack Hulbert is always the dominating figure, and gives an outstanding comedy performance as Drummond s deputy, swelling with the importance of the responsibilities which have been placed on his shoulders. While his actions at first merely make him appear idiotic, he later achieves heroic deeds with the utmost nonchalance. He is always amusing and is particularly so when, seated on an upturned table, he negotiates a thrilling slide down a seemingly endless spiral staircase, and also when, aimed with a collection of boomerangs, he routs a whole gang of criminals bent upon his capture. As the well-meaning but hopelessly stupid Algy, who with unfailing regularity walks into trouble, Claude Hulbert ably supports his brother, and Miss Fay Wray, as the young lady who launches the Hulberts into their adventures, gives an attractive performance. As a whole the film is comedy entertainment of the most acceptable type. A well-varied programme of supporting subjects is shown. The outstanding item is a film showing the Melbourne Cup race which recently excited such widespread interest. The whole event may be clearly followed, and an excellent view is given of Marabou's winnine spurt. The news filmß depict the jubilee naval revue by the King as well as other interesting events. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. OCTAGON THEATRE An excellent double-feature programme, in which all the best ingredients of light comedy and gripping drama are included, is now being shown at the Octagon Theatre. The first picture is " The Gay Divorcee," the brilliant musical comedy production which enjoyed a highly successful season in this city some time ago. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who have already established themselves firmly as an unusually competent dancing and comedy team, fill the principal roles, and are supported by such well-known players as Alice Brady and Edward Everett Horton. The production as a whole is characterised by attractive life and movement, with an abundance of bright musical numbers and spectacular dances. Among the most noteworthy of the musical selections is " Night and Day," to which Astaire does his famous " Dance of the Moods." Another notable number is Astaire'e sensational dance of joy and abandonment wherein, having at last won the lady of his dreams, he celebrates by leadinsr her in a daring waltz over tables, chairs, davenports and whatnots. The second picture is "Red Morning," an exciting and dramatic tale of life in British New Guinea, in which Steffi Duna, a charming new actress, gives a wholly encaging and attractive performance. The general atmosnhere of the pi'oduction is nutli"Titically Papuan, and the story is one which nrovides dramatic entertainment of nn enjoyable character. The box plans are at the theatre. M'Cracken and Walls's and Begg's. STRAND THEATRE Conceived by the brain of that most ingenious writer of mysteries, Edgar Wallace, "Mystery Liner," the principal attraction on the new programme at the Strand Theatre, bears out the slogan which used to .appear across the cover of his novels —" It is impossible not to be thrilled by Edgar Wallace." The atmosphere of the original story has been captured by the producers of the film and transferred to the screen with amazing faithfulness, and the story unfolds in exactly the same absorbing manner as the others from the pen of the same writer. All the usual complications are there and the characters are typical of Wallace, but there is something definitely new about the plot, which holds the interest from the first scene to the last. Noah Beery has been well chosen for the principal role. He is seen, as a sea captain who has been committed to a mental institution and who escapes and, without the knowledge of those most concerned, rejoins his vessel. Throughout the story he flits about appearing momentarily only to disappear mysteriously, and many are the thrills which are provided by these tactics. There are two murders and the solution of the many mysteries in the confined space of the ship is'reached in a stirrine climax which has been well thought out and admirably presented. The main picture is supported by " Beggars in Ermine." in which Lionel Atwill, Betty Furness, H. B. Walthall, and Jamie son Thomas are the principal players. Atwill has the role of " Flint" Dawson, wealthy owner of a huge steel-producing firm. Through an accident, he loses both letcs and is then the victim of an employee through whose machinations he loses all he owns and finds himself condemned to eke out his existence begging for his living. The story has a powerful theme which is presented in a powerful manner. It is a dramatic depiction which Atwill presents. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.L.C. GRAND THEATRE , Two old screen favourites in Edmund Lowe and Victor M'Laglen are seen together again in "The Great Hotel Murder," which heads the double-featured programme at the Grand Theatre this week. The picture is a clever mixture of comedy and drama, with the two principals in the story giving performances that compare more than favourably with those in thj previous films. M'Laglen. as in "Murder at the Vanities," again takes the part of detective who has not an over-supply of brains, and as the house " watch-dog" in the hotel where the crime is committed he is the personification of dullness. Lowe, on the other

hand, is a brilliant writer of detective stories, a psychologist, and a keen observer, so that it is only natural that the play between these two, as they strive to solve a baffling mystery, results in some clever situations and snappy dialogue. The actual murder is not shown on the screen, the victim does not enter into the story while still alive, and there are plenty of clues, false and otherwise, spread throughout the film, so that the iiuai denouement, which takes place in a secluded country house, must come as a complete surprise to everyone. " The Great Hotel Murder" combines a thrilling mystery with plenty of light comedy, and there is no doubt that this happy mixture results in a film that is pleasing to all tastes. The supporting cast includes Rosemary Ames, Mary Carlisle, Henry O'Neill, and William Janney. The second film is " The Cowboy Millionaire," which has that popular actor George O'Brien in the leading role. It is a refreshing comedy with a good leavening of straight drama. The bos plans are at the theatre and Begg's. MAYFAIR THEATRE Cary Grant returns again to a role in an aviation film, Paramount's " Wings- in the Dark." The picture, starring Grant with Myrna Loy, comes to-day to the Mayfair Theatre. Grant plays the role of a scientific explorer of the air, a man who strives to make aviation safe by perfecting blind flying. When he, is blinded in an accident, Myrna Loy, the girl who loves him, helps him to carry on his work with money she earns in spectacular stunt flying. Grant learns how she has been helping him; he leaves her rather than accept charity. But fate intervenes, and Grant, in a gripping dramatic climax, goes on a flight that saves Mis 9 Loy's life and unites the lovers. Also showing on the same pro- ' crramme will be " Sequoia," an unusual film concerning which the celebrated author Zane Grey wrote: "Last night I saw the preview of not only the best outdoor picture I have ever seen, but for me the greatest picture of the last decade. It was taken in the wilderness, among the big trees, a singularly beautiful setting. The principal roles were taken bv deer and mountain lions. Jean Parker plays the part of a woodland girl, a lover of wild creatures. She is simplicity itself, and all we could wish of youth and beauty and charm. I happen to know a great deal about deer and more about lions. Once I was a hunter of both, but no more! I think every hunter in the world should see this picture and that those of them who have intelligence and feeling will never kill another deer for sport. The children and the voung folk and the lovers will make of ' Sequoia' a grand success." GREEN ISLAND KINEMA Sounding the modern note of intimacy and searching pyschological reaction typical of the Noel Coward period, one of the most important pictures of the year at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer boasts a cast of 'only four major players, but while the cast of " Chained" is small, it is also potent. Clark Gable and Joan Crawford are co-starred, with Otto Kruger and Stuart Erwin in support. The film will be shown to-night at the Green Island Kinema. Written especially for the screen and for the stars, as is the present trend, by Edgar Selwyn, noted director and producer, the photo story picks up the life thread of a wealthy shipping magnate, Otto Kruger, and the girl with whom he is enamoured, Joan Crawford. With no break in either physical or dramatic movement it sweeps from the skyscraper to shipboard, where Joan meets and later falls in love with a young South American rancher, Clark Gable, who is returning with his friend, Stuart Erwin, from a vacation in the States.