AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22738, 26 November 1935, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Those who have the opportunity of sceIns "Private Worlds.'' this week's feuhire at the St. James Theatre, should not miss doing so, for it is one of those pictures which should not be missed. It is an unusual film, but there is something in it for everyone. The story unfolded is a rather unique one, and it is interpreted by a east of players whose ability has been demonstrated on many occasions. The honours in the film go to Claudette Colbert, who, in thp role of Dr Jane Everest, gives one of the finest performances of her career. It is a part which calls for till her skill and versatility, and on every occasion she is found to be equal to the task given to her. Opposite to her is Charles lioyer, who portrays the character of Dr Charles Monet to perfection, and others in the east worthy of mention nva Joan Bennett, Joel M'Ci'Pa. Helen Vinson, and Esther Dale. Tinsupporting programme includes a cartoon. a good comedy, and some interesting news iihns. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.. M'Graeken and Walls's, and Jacobs'*.. REGENT THEATRE "Cardinal Richelieu," which heads the current programme at the Regent Theatre, depicts the colourful drama of the prelate who became a power behind the throne of Louis VJII during the stormy days in feudal France when Church and State were contending for supremacy. That gi-eat actor George Arliss achieves an oustanding success as Richelieu, and his portrayal of the hated cardinal who had such a mighty love for France must be ranked even higher than his characterisations of Disraeli, Alexander Hamilton, Voltaire, Nathan Rothschild, or the Duke of Wellington. It can be classed as the actor's most impressive performance. " Cardinal Richelieu " can be described as one of the most important pictures of recent years. It is a notable effort, pictoriully beautiful, and magnificently acted. The scones in the royal palace ana in Richelieu's own palace, which outshines that of even the King, are lavishly mounted. The film is a masterpiece of well-told history mixed with stirring entertainment, and the whole story, while maintaining dignity, is crammed with exciting drama. The ing throughout is on a high plane. Beautiful Maureen O'Sullivan makes a charmins: Lenore, the cardinal's ward, whose heart is so torn with anguish when her youthful husband is arrested by order of (he King; Edward' Arnold, as King Louis; Violet Cooper, as Queen Marie; Kathrvn Alexander, as Queen Anne; Cesar Romero, as Andre Do Pons; and Lumsdcir Hare, as King Gustavus Adolphus. are ideally cast. There is a varied and interesting programme of supporting pictures. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE A mystery story brightened by a great deal of clever comedy, " Star of Midnight,"' which is being screened at the State Theatre, is an excellent entertainment. In the principal role is William Powell, who has a new partner in Miss Ginger Rogers, the latter scoring a great success as a bright young lady who has made up her mind to marry the hero. In order to secure some important letters left bv his attractive assistant in the apartment of a young man about town, Dulzcll, a successful lawyer, visits the young man. secures the papers, and learns that his host is mixed up in a gangster fend. The disappearance of the leading lady of the play "Midnight" adds to the mystification of everybody concerned, and then comes the strange shpoting down of Tommy Tenuant, a newspaper reporter who has chanced on clues, and both Dalssell and his friend, Tim Winthrop, are under suspicion, as they were both nearby when the murder occurred. TliS girl who disappears from the play is prevented from proving the innocence of another man under sentence, who, however, has nothing to do with the latest murder. A maze of plot and counter-plot follows, and the unmasking of the criminal provides an exciting climax. A bright supporting programme is shown. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. OCTAGON THEATRE Marlene Dietrich, the glamorous star, has a role that suits her to perfection in " Carnival in Spain," which heads the outstanding double-feature programme at the Octagon Theatre this week. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, the film has as its background a town in southern Spain during the annual carnival week, and excellent use has been made of the spectacular decorations and the fantastic masks and costumes of the merrymakers. Miss Dietrich plays the part of Concha, a girl without a heart, who delights in leading men on only to drop them when she tires of them. With her exotic charms she wrecks the lives of two friends who, despite their knowledge of her dangerous character, cannot give her up. The climax of the film la an unusual one. Lionel Atwill and Cesar Romero as the two friends both give powerful performances. The second picture is a delightful comedy entitled "His Double Life." in which the leading roles are taken by Roland Young and Lillian Gish. The latter has not been seen on the screen since the days of silent films, but she proves convincingly that she is just as capable an actress as she was years ago. Young, as a famous artist who takes the place of his valet when the latter dies, in order to lead the quiet and peaceful life of a recluse, is excellent. The box plans arc at. the theatre, M'Craeken and Walls's and Begg's. STRAND THEATRE This woek's programme at the Strand Theatre offers entertainment of a diversified and highly enjoyable nature with the two films " Chinatown Squad" and " We're in the Money" comprising the bill of fare. The murder of a confidence man in the Pckin Cafe, a notorious haunt in San Francisco's Chinatown, is the introduction to a series of mysterious and exciting adventures. It is found that the murdered man was carrying 75,01)0 dollars, a bunch of letters which he was using to blackmail a girl, and a curious jade ring, and suspicion is shifted from one character of the plot to another as the dues are investigated. The proprietor of the cafe is murdered and the mystery deepens Through the efforts of an ex-police, olliccr the murderer is brought to justice, but .not before the conflict of wits and word? between the ex-policeman and the sergeant of the Chinatown squad has produced much comedy. The chief roles are filled by Lyle Talbot, Valeric Hobson, Hugh O'Coiinell. and Andy Deviue. The second picture, •■-' We're in the Money," is extremely amusing, and concerns the adventures of Joan Blondcll and Glenda Farrell in their efforts to serve subpoenas on the principal figures connected with a breach of promise case. The actions of Hugh Herbert as the incapable attorney in charge of the case add considerably to the comedy of the film, which also contains a pleasing romance between Joan Blondell and Ross Alexander. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE A simple tale of rural love, from the novel by Gene Stratton-l'orter, has been brought to the screen in "Laddie," which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. It has a delightful blend of humour, pathos and romance, and the character studies are natural and lifelike. All the action is set in the rural environment of Indiana. At the head of the cast is John Beal. the star of '"'The Little Minister"; opposite him is Gloria Stuart as Pamela Piyor, "the princess," and in the part of "little sister" is a juvenile find, Virginia Weidlcr, who is the equal of any child of tender years yet seen on the screen. John Beal. who has come quickly to the front, has youth on his side and seems to be equal to all demands upon his powers. In "Laddie" there are four dramatic scenes which put him to tiic test—his clashes with Pamela's domineering father. Each time he holds his ground with a determination, firmness and courage which are admirable. The meeting by the boundary fence, when he rebukes the hard-faced old gentleman, is a gem. and Beal repeats his triumph when he defies the squire at the doo.r of the Stanton home. Nearly all the humour has the child as its inspiration, and her habit of appearing in unexpected places and of eavesdropping upon lovers is diverting. The supporting, picture is " Party Wire," an entertaining film in which comedy, drama and romance have been deftly combined. The principal parts

are played by Victor Jory and Jean Arthur. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "PASSPORT TO FAME." Edward G. Robinson, one of the screen's outstanding character actors, will be seen, in his first serio-comic role in Columbia's " Passport to Fame," which will bo the feature attraction at the Grand Theatre, starting tOTinorrow., Based on a story by W. R. author of Kobinson's greatest film success, "Little CfßSar," and adapted to the screen by the two ace scenarists at the Columbia studio, Robert Riskin and Jo Swerling, "Passport to Fame" presents the hilarious and exciting adventures of a meek, poetic office clerk who is sprung into the headlines because of his remarkable resemblance' to the country's most' dangerous criminal. To prevent police from molesting him, the district attorney gives Robinson, a letter, or passport, which is to identify him as the. respectable citizen and not the public enemy whom he so strongly resembles. Killer Mannion, his double, possession of the passport and thus goes about his criminal activities with comparative immunity. Lovely Jean Arthur is cast in the picture as the girl whom Robinson has always loved but has been too shy to woo. With his unexpected distinction and newly-found courage ho turns the table on his hard-boiled counterpart and crashes through to a stirring climax. Also seen in the cast are Wallace Ford, Arthurr Hohl, Arthur Byron. Donald Meek, and John Wray. John Ford directed. EMPIRE THEATRE Heading the current bill at the Empire Theatre is " The Irish In Us," in which James Cagney has the principal role. It is not difficult to see why Cagney is popular. To see him for Jhe first time is to realise that here is something fresh. He brings with him an air of efficiency and forcefulness that gives his part a stimulating crispness. The picture provides a delightful comedy about an Irish family of a mother and three sons in New York who, though their affection is secure enough, are often at loggerheads. Yet even in their most quarrelsome moods the Irish faculty for laughter is never far away, and there is nothing tiresome in their bickering. Put O'Brien—he provided a source of trouble with Cagney in "G-Men"—are again at variance, this time about a girl. Cagney has a good part as a prize-fighter's manager, but his embryo champion is not as. good as could be desired, and when the big match is scheduled to begin, Cagney cannot induce his protege to go into the ring. Ami so Cagney gets a chance to use his •fists in the ring. There is a pleasant romance woven into the story, and more than an abundance of humour. Indeed, for its comedy ■ element alone this picture is well worth seeing. The merit of Cagney's performance is matched bv the supporting players, among whom Frank M'Hugh, Mary Gordon, and Alivia de Haviliand are outstanding. There are excellent supporting pictures. The box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE "George White's Scandals'" and "The White Cockatoo" make up a varied and interesting programme of entertainment at the Mayfair Theatre at the present time. " Scandals" was conceived and staged by George White himself. The film is as elaborate and as spectacular as any of White's previous successes on the Broadway stage. With the advantages offered by recent developments in talking pictures, White was able to produce a film that he says he could not possibly contemplate duplicating on the stage. Interspersed with the song numbers, revues, and " blackouts" is a romantic story involving the principals of the show. At one time the romance threatens to ruin the show, but the clear thinking of the producer, who is George White himself, saves the show and brings happiness to a pair of lovers. The cast with which White has surrounded himself is large, and is studded with an array of screen, stage, and radio personalities.- Among the most prominent are Rudy Vallee, Jimmy Durante, Alice Fayc, Adrienne Ames, Cliff Edwards, and Gregory Ratoff. Produced by Robert T. Kane for Fox, the film was directed by Thornton Frceland and Harry Lachmiin. In " The White Cockatoo," a murder mystery drama, there are three murders, the kidnapping of an American heiress, and several other attempted ■crimes, all committed in a spooky hotel on the windswept coast of France. There is an all-star cast, with Jean Muir and Pi car do Cortez in the romantic roles, and around whom the plot revolves. Dick Powell, with his inimitable singing voice, heads a east of unusually talented players in. " Happiness Ahead." which is scheduled as the attraction at the Mayfair Theatre beginning to-morrow. Although the story is straight com.g(ly drairta, there are four special songs, catchy airs written by three of the most famous song-writing teams, Allie Wrubei and Mort Dixon, Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal, and Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Powell sings two of the songs alone, " Pop Goes Sly Heart" and " Beauty Must Bo Love," and also joins with Frank M'Hugh in a duet, " Massaging Window Panes." A fourth song, "All on Account of a Strawberry Sundae," is sung by Dorothy Dare, the famous Broadway musical comedy star who makes her screen bow in this production. Prominent in the supporting cast are Frank M'Hugh, Ruth Donnelly and Allen Jenkins, who simply the comedy, John Halliday and others. In order to keep tomorrow night's audience acquainted with the progress of the election, the results will be screened ajj they come to hand.