AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22823, 6 March 1936, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE " Dante's Inferno," one of the most ambitious moving picture productions yet undertaken, is the principal attraction at the Grand Theatre. Including scenes that are spectacular in the extreme and settings that leave the audience breathless, the film provides unusual as well as exciting entertainment. Dante Alighien, national poet of Italy, was an exile when lit! wrote his epic poem, "Divine Comedy." the first phas" of which has been used as a basis tor this latest triumph of the talking screen. 11 ore than six centuries have passed since the poet's death, but the immortality of his work is well illustrated by the suitability of the subject for a theme of a film in full accordance with the exacting tastes of the modern age. From the opening scene in the stokehold of a large liner, the picture carries the interest through the most varied atmospheres. Emotional heights are reached with the greatest of ease, and there is finally a tense and unexpected climax. It is a combination of what film producers have attempted for many years—romance, humour, philosophy, and ambition—all built on a theme ot regeneration. Splendidly portrayed by Spencer Tracy, the principal figure is first seen as a stoker. He rapidly rises to wealth and affluence, and is finally depicted as a ruling power in the amusement world. His, fortune is largely made by the outstanding success of a chamber depicting the horrors of the "inferno." Unscrupulous in his grasp for money and power, his career is one long succession of betrayals and deceptions. When finally his elaborate inferno " building collapses, causing a ghastlv catastrophe and injuring his father-in-law, who was first responsible for setting him on the road to success, he is brought to realise the true significance of Dante's work. The scenes which the old man depicts in his mind are vividly reproduced on the screen and form one of the most striking collections ever seen in any one film. The picture then proceeds with great power to the conclusion, in which the audience is relieved to find that Tracy at last receives his deserts. Claire Trevor, Henry Walthall, and Alan Dinehart all give very sound performances in the supporting parts. A highly amusing racing story forms an entertaining introduction to the main feature. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE In "The Flame Within," which commences at the Empire Theatre to-day, Ann Harding is seen as a noted woman psychiatrist who devotes her life to untangling the mental disturbances of others, particularly romantic young people who suddenly discover insurmountable barriers blocking their love affairs. With great wisdom and courage she leads the way for those more emotional and less capable than .she. But when she faces the same dilemma of so many of her patients and falls in love with a young man she «s trying to reform in order to bring happiness to a girl who loves him the psychiatrist is just as incapable as the others. Herbert Marshall as the solid, reliable doctor of great charm, who always has loved the fascinating psychologist, gives a warmth and a reality to the role that few other artists could achieve. ihe romance of these two is that of utterly charming people, a professional man and a professional woman, that is entire!} believable from the beginning ot the picture to the end. Maureen O Sullivan is cast as one of the world s richest girls, neurotic,, pampered, spoiled, and Louis Hayward is seen as the young lad whom Ann Harding tries to redeem. Henry Stephenson, who has added so much to so many screen entertainments, plays the role'of "Dr Jock," a boisterous, goodnatured friend and confidant of Marshall. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture was written and directed by Edmund Goukling, who deserves the highest praise for his hanling of an exceedingly difficult subject. The box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE A new and exciting Western story, with Buck Jones in the main role and Miss Diane Sinclair providing the romantic love interest, commences a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The film is I he Fighting Code." Buck Jones again displays his daring horsemanship and prowess' with a six-shooter in a thrilling role as a masqueradcr who poses as the missing brother of a youncrj girl. Miss Sinclair, who is faced with the treachery and hatred of a gang of property thieves. Ward Bond, Alf. James. Niles Welch and Louis Natheaux lend capable support. "Deception," the second picture, is an entertaining romantic drama played against a background of professional sports. The story follows the career o Bucky O'Neill, young college football phenomenon, who is taken in tow bv a promoter, and. after a series of carefullyarranged "build-up" matches, finds himself " logical contender " for the wrestling championships. His dream of success and easy money is brought down about Ins ear's when he discovers that he lias won his matches because they were fixed for him. The box plans will be found at the D.T.C. and the theatre. STATE THEATRE The popularity of the child actress, Shirley Temple, is so great that her latest picture, " Curly Top has entered its third week at the State Theatre. John Boles and Rochelle Hudson appear with her in a story in which her work is more appealing than ever, for she is cast as a child who. with her sister is left an orphan and is sent to an institution for parentless children. Such a story might well be tinged with sadness, but it is, Hi fact, highly amusing, as the pranks ot Shirley provide many bright interludes. It ma'v be a misuse of the word to say that she acts. She does very little true acting. But she does register moods almost perfectly. And since her mind is not bothered by theories about the style of this or that pose, she is always natural, always a child. There is another noticeably welcome point about the parts she is given; none of her speeches is ever forcedly clever. But if her ability to conquer adults by insolence is missing, she is not lacking in vitality. Her laugh is deligthfully frequent and infectious. Her mischief is also done often; and her dancing and singing, too, arc most delightful. The treatment of the him is different from the others. Producers seem to have studied what is most suitable to the talents of Shirley Temple. l<o r once she is not allowed to be mischievous and escape witli few words ot warning. There are. indeed, many good reasons Why the film should have been so popular. \ supporting film shows in an unusually complete way the funeral of King George The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE Out of the thrilling books of Clarence E Mulford ride to the screen some of the most colourful figures in fiction in ' Hopalong Cussidv," which will be screened at the Resent Theatre to-day. They are all here, all the lovable Bar 20 cowboys— Hopalong, Red Connors, Johnny Nelson, Buck Peters, Uncle Ben. Something more than a melodramatic Western, this ;s said tc be a picture for everybody. The greatest of care has been used in its production, v-y.d it is care which has not been wasted. The film is well presented, well acted and excellently photographed against line scenic backgrounds. The characters arc ; ust as the reader of the famous books has pictured them. William Boyd, an old favourite, takes the title role, and fo said to be exactly the limping, hardfighting, generous-hearted cowboy ot whom Ihe stories give a vivid impression. Johnny Nelson is the same headstrong, courageous louug man. for ever getting into trouble, and being hooked out of it by his pals. Red Connors, 100, is there, not endowed with many brains, but loyal and brave. The story tells of enmity fomented between two ranches by a gang of rustlers, of which the chief is foreman of one of the ranches. Cnssidy gets to work in his cool way and discovers what is causing all the trouble. The ranches join forces, and in a hard-fighting climax among the rocks they storm the rustlers stronghold and settle accounts. Mul ford s description of this, the battle of Thunder Mesa, is one of the most vivid accounts he ever wrote, and is brought to the screen with the same action and entire freedom from exaggeration. There is a background of exceptionally beautiful surroundings in every scene, and a pleasing romance is sustained in a quiet way by Paula Stone. A Popeyo cartoon, " You Gotta Be a Football Hero," and Grantland Rice Sportlight head the .supporting programme. There arc also uewa reels

and a musical film. Plans arc at the D.I.C. and theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE To think of a great actress in terms of only one role is to impose an unjust limitation on her abilities. In fact, no one should judge too harshly an actress, especially a screen player, on one performance. Elisabeth Bergner is in many minds inseparable from her own Catherine the Great, but those who studied her work in " Escape Me Never " found without a shadow of doubt what a meat actress she is. The film won success wherever it was shown, and was the talk of Dunedin last September. Now it returns to the St. James Theatre, where it opens a season to-day, and screen followers will again have'the opportunity of appreciating the brilliance of Elisabeth Bergner. She has no elaborate settings about her, few of those extravagant effort* of stage management with which Hollywood proclaims a trreat star. Yet she emerges with honours Tew artists have ever earned. In the nart of a waif found in the streets of Venice and taken up into a of whose ways she knows nothing Miss Bergner shows that she. can give life to a. most insignificant and pitiable figure, simply because she discovers the ground of humanity in the character. Many aspects of the nature of this elfin-like person, tragic, trusting, childlike, are perfectly registered by the actress, who subordinates herself completely to her role. Sebastian the strange man of uncertain affections to whom Gemma is faithful throughout, is cleverlv drawn by Hugh Sinclair. Others of note in the cast are Penelope Dudley Ward, Irene Vanbrugh. Griffith Jones and Leon Quartermnin. A programme of shorter films will precede the main attraction. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.T.C.. M'Cracken and Walls's and Jacobs's. OCTAGON THEATRE

Gail Brisson is featured opposite Arline Judge in comedydrama with music, " Ship Cafe," which comes to the Octagon Theatre to-day. The story deals with the adventures of Brisson, a stoker, who becomes the bouncer in a waterfront dive and makes the place an overnight society rendezvous by knocking out a champion I :;er who visits the club one evening with a party of highbrow friends. When the regular featured entertainer in the cafe takes ill one night, Brisson steps into the breach and himself becomes the restaurant's' (singing sensation. A countess takes an interest in him, promises him a huge salary in a night club, and promptly makes him her gigolo. Many hilarious episodes result when Brisson is brought to a realisation of his position, and renounces his benefactress. Directed by Robert Florey. the supporting east includes William Frawley, Mady Christians, Inez Courtney and Eddie Davis. A big motor cycle race—the famous Isle of Man T.T. contest—is the high-light of "No Limit," which features George Formby and Florence Desmond. The hero, George, is not possessed of many brains, but has a determination to win the laurels of the big race. He goes through all kinds of misadventures, and it is only through the aid of a girl who has befriended him that he gets to the start. The race itself is said to be an

hilarious one, with all the rough-house tricks imaginable in an effort to "fix" George, and there are thrills and spills in plenty. The film is directed by that master of comedy, Monty Banks. "PHAR LAP'S SON?" " Phar Lap's Son?" the Dunedinmade comedy talkie, produced by Dr A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, with an allNew Zealand cast of 50, will have its premiere screening at the Octagon Theatre on Fridav next. This fast-moving original feature comedy has been enthusiastically received by critics at the recent previews, with the result that Dr Lewis is planning to embark upon the production of another film. The next picture will include sequences to be shot in French Tahiti, American Samoa, Fiji and Australia, while the bulk of it will be filmed in New Zealand. The intention is to utilise scenic backgrounds with comedy foregrounds. Otago members of the "Phar Lap's Son?" cast include: H. V. Smith, Betty Phillips, Tom Flaherty, Mabel Larkins, Lexie Mathieson, Dorothy Scoular, Dick Cotton, Ron Wilson, Harold Robinson, S. B. Macdonald, Nada Phillips, Frank Johnson, Treverson Phillips, Hugh Carroll, Bernard Larson, Eric Larson, Gerald M'Millen, Gus Froggatt. Maurine Phillips, Gaynor Gore, Ken Goodey, William Gibson, William Gordon, William Beirs, Venus Renwick. Mina Martin, Billie Cooper, Alice Chapman, Jessie Reeder, Jake Carter, W. J. Firlding, Jeanne Henderson, Eleanor Fuller, Harold Crawford and David Whisker. MAYFAIR THEATRE One of Charles Dickens's most popular novels, "The Old Curiosity Shop," is at present being shown at the Mayfair Thatre. The picture is enhanced by the realistic portrayals of the cast. Elaine Benson makes an excellent Little Nell, while Ben Webster recreates almost perfectly the weakness and frailty of Grandfather Trent. But, despite these fine performances, most audiences will concede that acting honours must go to Hay Peine as the grotesque Daniel Quilp. Quilp is Dickens's most famous melodramatic creation, and this actor makes of it one of the most entertaining and memorable characters seen on the screen in years. Reginald Purdell (Dick Swivcller), I'ollv Ward (the Marchioness), (Jibb M'Latighlin (Sampson Brass). Dick Tubb (Codlin), and Roddy Hughes (Short) also give completely satisfying characterisations. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The boxplans are at the theatre and the D.T.C.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. " One New York Night," Metro-Gohl-wyn-Mayer's mystery, featuring Franc-hot Tone and Una Merkel, which opens tomorrow at the Mayfair Theatre, provides the audiences with many thrills and hearty laughs. Concerning a murder committed in a modern, metropolitan hotel, the story presents a unique cross section of life seen in the various guests who become involved in the mysterious crime. Franchot Tone, who has attained such widespread popularity as a romantic actor, portrays the role of the cowman who 'is visiting the big city in search of a brunette to marry. Una Merkel is seen as a blonde telephone operator who joins forces with

the cowman to clear certain suspicions directed at a Russian countess. "In Caliente " is the latest musical offering, with Dolores Del Rio and Pat O'Brien in the leading roles. Pat O'Brien portrays an ultra sophisticated magazine editor who is brilliant but inebriated a largo part of the time. He gets mixed up with a blonde, so his employer kidnaps him and takes him to Caliente to try to sober him up. There he meets Miss Del Rio, in the role of a famous dancer, and falls for both herself and her dancing, forgetting that he had once written a vicious review about the girl. Others in the cast besides Phil Regan and Winifred Shaw include Dorothy Dare, Luis Alberni. George Humbert, William Davidson, Harry Holman, Soledad Jiminez, Herman Bing, and Florence Fair.