AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22790, 28 January 1936, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE A double-feature programme of high merit is at present giving satisfaction to patrons, of the Strand Theatre. One feature is a moving drama of unswerving love and the second film is more on the lines of a sophisticated comedy, the contrast between the two making a wellbalanced entertainment. In “Smart Girl” the story concerns the love of two sisters for one man, the leading players being Ida Lupino and Kent Taylor. Joseph Cawthoru in a supporting role supplies a good proportion of the comedy. “Jennie Gerhardt” is a film adaptation of a novel by Theodore Dreiser, one of the most forceful of living American writers. The fine story has been well adapted and it is interpreted by players of high talent and sincerity. The leading player ia Sylvia Sydney in the title role. This is the second occasion on which Miss Sydney has starred in a Dreiser story and she enhances the reputation she made in the former production. The cast includes Donald Cook, Mary Astor, Edward Arnold, H. B. Warner, and Louise Carter. The story covers a period from early in the present century until recent years and the backgrounds throughout indicate considerably attention to historical detail. Altogether, the production is one of more than usual merit. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Those popular artists, Mies Gladys Moncrieff and’_ Mr Gil Dech, are attracting large audiences to the State Theatre, where they are having a short season. Miss Moncrieff sings a large number of songs with her usual charm and artistry, her appearance being the signal for enthusiastic applause. Mr Gil Deck also demonstrates the executive' and interpretative qualifications at his command, playing the accompaniments to Miss Mouchieff’s songs with a deft and sympathetic touch, and also providing several enjoyable solo numbers. The principal picture on the programme is “ Redheads on Parade,” an enjoyable production of the musical variety. The principal players are John Boles and Dixie Lee, who appear as two players in a motion picture studio. The story deals with the vicissitudes of motion picture producing when financial backing is a problematical quantity, and considerable humour is provided by the activities of rival manufacturers of hair dyes who wish to finance the_ production so that it can be an advertisement for their respective lines. Several spectacular ballet scenes are included in the production. There is a short supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE “Midshipman Easy," Captain Marryatt’s immortal story, is brought.to vigorous life on the screen in the British film at present being shown at the Regent Theatre. “Midshipman Easy” is, a tale of youth and high adventure, of storms at sea, desperate fights and last-minute rescues, of crashing broadsides and boarding parties, of encounters with Sicilian brigands and the saving of beauty in distress —and running through it all is the I delightful, infectious humour of a young midshipman who_ went to sea in Nelson s navy, firmly believing in the quality of I man and willing to argue the point with all and sundry. As this vest-pocket hero, Hughie Green (the idol of millions of British radio fans) has both dash and a pleasing confidence. He rather resembles a juvenile Leslie Howard, and is so perfectly natural- in his portrayal of Jack Easy that it is to be hoped that he will be seen again soon. There is robust humour and a touch of simple heroism in the performance of the negro actor, Robert Adams, as “ Mesty,” Mr Easy s huge black companion in a series of daring escapades by land and sea. Roger Livesey brings great understanding to the role of the captain of the “Harpy.” and Bos’un Biggs becomes an hilarious buffoon—an easy target for the wit of Mr Easy—in the hands of the celebrated comedian Harry Tate. There is an entertaining supporting programme, and the Regent Orchestra, under M. de Rose, provides enjoyable musical selections. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. u LEGION OF VALOUR.” ' Telling of the exploits of Federal agents in combating crime, “Legion of Valour,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday, gives an insight into the methods of the Department of Justice —how courage, science and strategy are combined in the relentless pursuit of gangsters who stop at nothing. Law is giyen the means and authority to meet crime on equal terms. The story opens with the entry of the hero, Richard Aden, into the ranks of the Federal agents and his rise from a recruit to a fully qualified .secret service man. He and another Federal man (Hatvey Stephens) uncover a plot to kidnap a voung society woman, played by Virginia Bruce, and the thrilling action of the film begins with the setting of a trap for the kidnappers. From this point onwards the suspense rises to a high pitch as the hero and his companions close in on a notorious gang of bank robbers and murderers, headed by Bruce Cabot. The most thrilling situation is that in which the leader: of the gang, who had forced a doctor to alter his appearance with plp-etic surgery, takes the bandages off. There is a love interest and comedy element which relieves the tenseness of the main theme. Alice Brady, Eric Linden, Harvey Stephens and Gordon Jones are also in the cast. The supporting programme includes Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony in colour, “ Cookie’s Carnival.”

ST. JAMES THEATRE The principal attraction at the St. James Theatre this week is “Accent on Youth.” The splendid acting of Herbert Marshall—virtually the outstanding point in the whole production—is based on this ironical attitude to the strange development of his play in real life, Marshall has the right touch for this sort of work—his quiet, deliberate voice and slow smile intensify the effect. Not many men could have made of the role anything else but a sensual old man trying to find his youth again. Sylvia Sydney playing opposite Herbert Marshall, has an even more difficult assignment in playing the role of a misunderstood young women who is more or less thrown about callously by men who love her; but who cannot decide whether their love runs to the length of marriage. He cannot solve it. She dives deep and marries another man. Her husband symbolises tbe youth which the playwright advised her to seek. She finds that youth cannot attract her. It is a problem play, after all, more than a comedy romance. There are excellent supporting films. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls’s, and Jacobs’s.

OCTAGON THEATRE An exciting film, in which the interest of the audience is sustained until the last sequence, is “ The Clock Strikes Eight,” which heads the present double-feature programme at the Octagon Theatre, The picture provides thrills in plenty, commencing with an apparent suicide which is later discovered to be murder, and then following up with several more murders, all of which take place under the most unusual circumstances. Fortunately, however, the last murder of all, which is accomplished with the aid of a time bomb, destroys the person responsible for the other killings, and everything ends hap-

pily—except, of course, for the murderer. The film is not without its lighter moments, however, and there is a good deal of music and comedy in which a prominent part is taken by Arline Judge, Kent Taylor and Wendie Barrie. A contrast is urovided by the second film, “ The Circus Clown,” in which Joe E. Brown has the principal role. A versatile comedian and a clever dancer, he is responsbile for introducing the audience in a pleasant manner to the entertainment to be found in a big circus. The box plans are at the theatre, Begg’s and M'Cracken and Walls’s. GRAND THEATRE A fascinating film of an unusual type ia •“ The Clairvoyant,” which is at present being shown to lai;ge audiences at the Grand Theatre. The principal character, that of a music hall mind-reader who develops “ second sight ” when in the presence of a certain ffirl, is taken by Claude Rains, who will be remembered for his fine performance in “ Crime Without Passion.” “The Clairvoyant” is based on the novel of the same name by Ernst Lothar, and rises through a series of thrilling sequences to a magnificently conceived climax in which the girl saves the clairvoyant from a tragic death. Fay Wray, takes the part of the girl, and there is an excellent supporting cast headed by Jane Baxter and Donald Calthrop. There is an excellent programme of short subjects. including “ Car of Dreams,” in which Robertson Hare appears. The box plana are at the theatre and at Begg’s

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. Set against the background of the Mississippi River in the latter half of last century, “ Steamboat Round the Bend,” which, with “ Hardrock Harrigan,” will open at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, presents the late Will Rogers in one of the most sincere characterisations of his career. With Irvine S. Cobb as his rival, he is seen as the captain of a river steamboat. who, when his nephew commits a murder to save the girl he loves, hands him over to the police. How the boy is saved by the joint efforts of Rogers and the girl forms the basis of a thoroughly entertaining picture. John Ford directed the production, which was adapted from a story by B. L. Burman. Featuring George O’Brien, “ Hardrock Harrigan ” is a fast-moving and colourful drama in which excitement is not allowed to flag. EMPIRE THEATRE “Broadway Melody of 1936,” now playing an extended season at the Empire Theatre, is undoubtedly one of the best musical productions ever seen on a Dunedin screen. There are five song numbers, presented in a way to enhance the catchy melodies and make them live in the memory. “ I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foolin’,” “You Are My Lucky Star,” “ Sing Before Breakfast,” “ Broadway Rhythm,” and “ On a Sunday Afternoon ” would ensure the success of “ Broadway Melody of 1936 ” without the romantic story which unfolds itself, backed by a big oast of superlative quality. The secretary of the producer is humorously and cleverly played by Una Merkel, who, always original and artistic, has this time done her very best. June Knight, as the spoiled pet of New York, rolling in money, capricious, and quite impervious to the feelings and opinions of otherg, Vihna and Buddy Ebsen, the aristocrats of comedy, Nick Long, jun., a wonderful acrobatic dancer, and Jack Benny and Sid Silvers who add bright touches, are merely parts of a scintillating whole, while Frances Langford, the radio singer, and Harry Stockwell, a concert baritone, entertain admirably. There are several fine short films in support of the main feature. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “SHE COULDN’T TAKE IT.” “ She Couldn’t Take It,” will commence a season on Friday at the Empire Theatre, with George Raft and Joan Bennett in the lending roles. Raft, seen as the determined ex-gangster, Spot Ricardi, returns to a comedy-tempered modification of his famous roles in “ Searface,” “ Quick Millions,” and “ Hush Money.” The blonde ami beauteous Miss Bennett, whose