AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE The Empire Theatre this week is screening a film adaptation of Gene Strat-ton-Porter's well-known novel. " The Keeper of the Bees." The author was one of the most popular of American novelists, and her stories were notable for their atmosphere of every-day life. " The Keeper of the Bees" is concerned with an ex-soldier who has been told by the doctors that he has only six more months to live. His world tumbles about him, and he is in danger of completely wrecking what remains of his life when he makes the acquaintance of an old beekeeper, who is ill and dyinc. and who begs the soldier to assume the care of his apiary. It is from that point that his regeneration begins, for the semiinvalid wins more than health from those long days spent among the hives. One who comes into his scheme of things is a small girl, masquerading as a Scout, who proves an invaluable lieutenant. Later romance conies into his life also when a girl asks him to marry her without his asking her name and without his trying to find her after the marriage ceremony. The story is interestingly worked out by a cast which includes Betty Furness, Emma Dunn, Edith Fellowes and Neil Hamilton, and there is. a competent supporting cast. The programme of short subjects, which accompanies the principal feature, includes a well-varied selection of items. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "WEST POINT OF THE AIR." With the shrill scream of zooming aeroplanes as a blood-stirring background, Wallace Beery will come to the Empire Theatre on Friday in what is claimed to be the most startling aviation spectacle of the year, "West Point of. thp Air." Just as "Hell Divers" was the great air epic of the navy, so is the new picture a breath-taking revelation of ,th*> Air Corps training centres of the army. Beery in hi s role as "Big Mike," gives a dramatic portrayal that is said to surpass even his performance in " The Champ." Heading the supporting cast a:' the young romantic leud is Maureen O'Sullivan, whose recent role in " David Copperfield " won her great acclaim from critics and public alike. She gives a freshness and vitality to her performance that will win many admirers. The most important role since his one in " The Sin of Madelot Claudet" is filled by Robert Young as "Little Mike," Beery"s son. He gives a notable performance _ as a young man whose ego interferes with good sense until parental love helps him to find himself. Rosalind Russell as the " other woman " in the story gives an intelligent and deft handling to her scenes with Young. The polish and military bearing of Lewis Stone adds much to his role as General Carter, officer in charge of the aviation training centre. His years of army training are evident in his strict observance of ' regulations in every scene. Hilarious comedy highlights are added by Jimmy Gleason as Joe Bags, an aviation mechanic who is content to sit on the ground while others fly and read his book on astrology. Russell Hardie, who scored recently in " Sequoia,' - plays, the role of Carter's son, who is injured in a plane crash, with convincing realism. Henry Wadsworth, Robert Taylor and Robert Livingston add comedy and pathos as young flying students who are either killed or "washed out" while trying to learn to fly. The management of the Empire Theatre will release 100 balloons from the veranda of the theatre on Thursday at 1 p.m., and attached to a certain number will be tickets entitling the finders to free seats for " West Point of the Air." ST. JAMES THEATRE Essentially a family story, "There's Always To-morrow," which heads, the current bill at the St, James Theatre, tells of a misunderstood husband who seeks hie pleasures elsewhere. Very human are the domestic touches: the wife immersed in her family of young men and women. The children have* growo up with the idea that their male parent is merely a provider and there is a lack of love and tolerance among them. When it is revealed to the children that their father does not spend his evenings at lodge, where he is supposed to be, there is the danger of a family debacle, for the elder son is about to tell his mother of his father's guilt when his fiancee by an adroit move turns the tables and saves the father's secret. All is very simple, but very human, with incidents of family life that are perhaps typical of hundreds of homes. The story depends on characterisation for its main success, and on tho humanity of its theme. Binnie Barnes, a popular London star who has been a big success in Hollywood and spends her time between the film centre and her husband, is cast as the other woman, whose mysterious place in the life ard affection of Joseph White (ably played by Frank Morgan) is the chief cause of the White children's anger. Incidentally her wardrobe is something to admire. Lois Wilson is the mother absorbed in her family to the neglect of her husband; Margaret Hamilton, a famous American stage star, is cast as- • Ella, the maid; and the family and friends are portrayed by Louise Latimer, Elizabeth Young, Alan Hale, Robert Tav lor, and others. Excellent supports are added, The box plane are at the theatre. Jacobs's, the D.I.C, and M'Cracken and Walls's. ■ "MARK OF'THE VAMPIRE." Uncanny mystery, weird " undead" vampires figuring in blood-chilling thrills, and a strange romance told against a background of sinister shadows are the chief features of " Mark of the Vampire," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new detective story coming to the St. James Theatre on Friday. Directed by Tod Browning, creator of " Dracula" and similar " thrillers," it deals with an amazing murder case, and a detective pitted against an uncanny vampire cult. Strange shadows, fantastic clouds, bats that turn into human beings, the weird vampire girl, and other hair-raising details surround the baffling mystery plot. Lionel Barrymore, as the strange Professor Zelen, student of demonology, plays the outstanding character role in the new picture, and the horrific Count Mora, vampire menace, is enacted with exactitude by Bela Lugosi, of " Dracula " fame. He ia teamed with Carol Borland, the newlydiscovered "Vampire Grill," who is seen as his daughter Luna. Holmes Herbert and James Bradbury, jun.. play two other " undead " characters in the weird story. The love interest is in Elizabeth Allan, as daughter of the victim of a vampire attack, and Henry Wadworth playing her sweetheart. Fedor. They enact dramatic roles in which they are under the vampire menace, skilfully and convincingly. Lionel Atwill makes a perfect detective, and Jean Hersholt gives a splendid performance as the enigmatic Baron Otto. Other clever players in the cast are Donald Meek, Jessie Ralph, who played Peggotty in "David Copperfield," Lelia Bennett and Ivan Simpson. The weird storv was written by Guy Endore, author of " Werewolf of Paris" and " Babouk," and Bernard Schubert. The supporting programme will include a Charlie Chase comedy, a Pete Smith oddity, two news reels, a coloured cartoon and a coloured musical revue. REGENT THEATRE Music, drama, and the fund of humour which motion picture patrons seem to desire in a film of any kind are to be found in " Paris in Spring," the present attraction at the Regent Theatre. There are, in addition, many novel situations, and bright dialogue enhances the value of the entertainment. In the principal lole is Mary Ellis, who made her name in Metropolitan Opera and who possesses, besides a fine voice, personal charm and decided ability as an actress. For the leading male part Tullio Carminati was an excellent choice, and his smooth performance as Count Paul gives distinction to the picture as a whole. The pair are cast as lovers whose romance is upset by a quarrel as the result of which the count decides to cast himself from the top of the Eiffel Tower. This decision is the starting point of some riotous comedy. Of course, the count does not carry out his original intention, but instead he rescues a pretty girl from a similarly rash decision, and the pair go off in search of excitement in Paris. But the story is not all comedy, and the skill of the producers is employed in building up a plot which eventually becomes highly dramatic. Mary Ellis is given several song numbers, delightful examples of which are " Bon Jour, Mam'selle" and "Paris in Spring," but perhaps her most artistic performance is in " Jealousy."

Altogether the film is entertainment of the brightest and most refreshing type, conveying, as well as the gaiety of Park, some idea of the fascination which it exerts. A well varied programme of short subjects is also shown. The bos plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "LADY TUBBS." "Lady Tubbs," which will come to the Regent Theatre on Friday, serves to reintroduce to Dunedin audiences the comedienne Alice Brady, on whom the mantle of that grand actress, Marie Dressier, seems to have fallen. "Lady Tubbs" does brightly what many films have tried, and failed to do, and Alice Brady as Lady Tubbs shows that she is an accomplished actress with equal and more than average ability in comedy and in straightforward dramatic situations. The "Lady Tubbs" kind of character is well known on the screen, but it has not often, it is claimed, been presented with the wit and humour and understanding that Alice Brady brings to it. When the story begins Henrietta Tubbs is a cook in a railway construction camp. Her job is to be a mother to a -crowd of labourers, and her success is reflected in the name " Mom" which the men have affectionately tagged to her. But Henrietta Tubbs is not, as one might at first suspect, a woman for whom the word " cook" sums up the whole meaning of life. In New York she has a niece; and it is for this niece and her education that Henrietta has cooked most of her years away. When news comes of the niece's engagement to the son of a wealthy family, it looks as though a tragedy of loneliness is suddenly to break in Henrietta's life, but it is not to be. Strangely enough, a fortune tumbles to the camp cook, and after a trip abroad she comes back as Lady Tubbs, It is only now that the real adventures of Henrietta Tubbs begin. Once in America she goes off to Long Island, to the home of her niece's fiance, determined from the beginning to show how small is her regard for some of the pretensions and snobbishness of the people there. If the way, is not altogether simple, it is said to be certainly amusing. Lady Tubbs find 3 very quickly that she needs more than a title to make her a " lady," but by a series of coincidences whieb are, to say the least of them ; unusual, she carries her imposition off. The part of Lady Tubbs's niece is taken by Anita Louise, another comparative newcomer to the screen. Douglass Montgomery is the young man in love with her, • Alan Mowbray, who is fast building up a reputation for comedy, especially since his work in the leading role in "Night Life of the Gods," is Lady Tubbs's right-hand man. . STATE THEATRE Spectacularly staged, and capably acted, "Becky Sharp," a film based on, Thackeray's classic, "Vanity Fair," hold? pride of place on this week's programme at the State Theatre. The story itself has stood the test of years, and it is brought to the screen with all its sparklo and charm. The enactment is superb. Miriam Hopkins, recognised as one of the world's foremost actresses, achieves a personal triumph as the intriguing and resourceful Becky, full of ambitions for society and riches, and finally falling to cheapness and degradation. Sir Cedrif Hardwicke as the Marquis of Steyne and Alan Mowbray as Becky's husband give outstanding performances, Nigel Bruce, as Joseph Ssdley. is splendid as a " roost, beef-and-ale " John Bull Englishman, and Colin Tapley, the young Dunedin actor, gives a good impression as William Dobbin. There is a fine supporting pro gramme. " Becky Sharp " is an R.K.OItadio production. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. OCTAGON THEATRE "Lady by Choice," one of the pictures on the current bill at the Octagon Theatre, has Carole Lombard, May Robson, and Walter Connolly in the chief roles. Thu is the story of a fan dancer and a broken' down drunkard, with Miss Lombard as the danger and May Robson as the elderly derelict. Walter Connolly, well-known character player, will be seen as the police court judge who, with Miss Robson, interferes in the business and love affairs of the fan dancer. Humour, drama, romance, and pathos are ingeniously blended in the moving story. The other picture is " The Crime of Helen Stanley," a thrilling drama of hate, intrigue and murder in filmland. It is well supplied with action, and the story is such that the audience can find no opportunity to lose ipterest. The box plans are at the theatre, Begg's, and M'Cracken and Walls's. STRAND THEATRE Heading the current bill at the Strand Theatre is a very enjoyable picture in "Radio Pirates," in which Willie Jenkins, Enid Stamp-Taylor, Mary Dawson and Leslie French take the main roles. It is a story of three young people who cannot make money. Mary has a cafe, Leslie has a radio shop and Willie composes popular songs which fail to be popular. Leslie hits upon the idea of advertising themselves, and they start broadeasting as a pirate station—that is, one which is not licensed. They have to fly all oyer London in their efforts to keep ahead of the police, but they continue to broadcast, and the result of their efforts is fame. The story works up to a fine climax when an unscrupulous band of financiers takes possession of their "studio," in the clock tower which houses the mighty works of Big Ben, and ar<i caught uttering seditious words Hieu the police at last track the station down. The first feature is a Leslie Fuller comedy entitled "What a Night! " The box pians are at the theatre and the D.I.C. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. A double-feature programme is again billed for the Strand Theatre this week, commencing on Friday. The'first film, "The Woman In Red," has for its theme a story dealing with horses. Not that " The Woman in Red " is a story of the wild prairies, or that it touches the lives of gr.ooms and stableboys. It is a tale of a girl (Barbara Stanwyck), whose skill at riding horses wins her many championships at riding contests. The class distinction that bars her ways to a happy romance is provided by Genevieve Tobin, and others in the cast are Gene Raymond and Claude Gillingwater. Altogether, the picture is said to be delightfully refreshing and natural, and the trail of events fhat leads up to a thrilling climax before a court jury should live long in the memory. The second film is a comedy showing how a golfing widow cures herhusbnnd, "Leave It to Blanche." Henry Kendall, the great screen and stage favourite, appears as the golfer. His wife is induced by a girl friend named Blanche to teach her husband a lesson, and many riotously amusing situations arise when the scheme lands both into unexpected complications. Kendall stages a "mock murder." to get out of his troubles' only to find himself the victim of his own subtle plottings. The all-British comedy cast includes Olive Blakeney, Miki Hood, Griffiths Jones, Hamilton Keene and Rex Harrison, GRAND THEATRE Judging by the reports of critics and the tremendous success the picture is having in other centres, Dunedin theatregoers should be provided with good entertainment from to-day at the Grand Theatre, when British and Dominion Films, Ltd., will present the latest Aldwych Theatre comedy " Marry the Girl." The mention of an Aldwych Theatre comedy is high recommendation in itself, but when it is associated with such stars as Sonnie Hale and Winifred Shotter one can easily understand the glowing praise of English critics, who class the production as being " the biggest comedy success ever presented on the screen, even eclipsing the world-wide successes "Rookery Nook,"

" Thark." and "Are You a Mason?" Besides tliese two favourite stars, other members of the cast include Amy Veness (whose portrayal as tiie mother-in-law in " My Wife's Family" will be remembered), the charming Judy Kelly, and the always reliable Hugh Wakefield, Of " Marry the Girl," the London Cinema wrote: "This merry flirtations escapade clearly shows that Director Mac Lean Rogers appreciates the importance of pace in the treatment of farce comedy. The picture goes over with tremendous verve, and builds up to a crescendo of lighthearted entertainment in which the

laughter comes thick .and fast." The bon plans are at the theatre and Begg's, MAYFAIR THEATRE Further proof of Dickens's genius is' furnished by the fact that his stories can survive the transition from print to film without losing any of their appeal. Neither time nor medium can dim the greatness of the master's conception, and this is shown in " David Copperfield," which will commence at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. The story commences with the birth of David and the later infatuation of his mother for the fiendish Murdstone and her death. There with distressing detail iB shown the travail of little David, his weary tramp from London to Dover, and his succouring at the hands of the temperamental Betsy Trotwood and Mr Dick. Then follow in perfect sequence the, happy days at Mr Wickfield's and Peggotty's, and hard upon the latter comes the perfidy of Steerforth a;id the villainy of Uriah Heep; David's marriage to Dora, her death, and, following on the exposure al Heep's treachery, his marriage to Agnes Wickfield. One cannot pass lightly over David's encounters with penurious Mieawber; his affectionate contacts with Peggotty, old Dan'!, and Ham Peggotty at Yarmouth, and the scenes wjth Betsy and Mr Dick without a word for the faithfulness and " heart" with which they are played. A very beautiful and touching performance is that of Freddie Bartholomew as young David, while Frank Lawton is ingratiating as the adult David. .Betsy is inimitably played by Edna May Oliver, and W. C. Fields makes an amusing anil convincing Wilkine Micawber. The bos plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C