AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE Entertainment of the amusing and exciting type that appeals to such a large number of picturegoers is seen in the double-feature programme which is being screened at the Strand Theatre. The popular hero of Western pictures, Buck Jones, appears with his famous horse in "The Fighting Code," a film which has all the unexpectedness and fast action of : the best American outdoor pictures. He is seen as a stranger in the prairie town of'Whitewater, where the residents have a deep hatred of the name ot Cameron James-, who is believed to have robbed them of their savings and committed suicide. It is the misfortune of his daughter, Helen James, to be the victim of their injured feelings, and she is left to control her father's ranch alone. When Jones comes on the scene he finds that there is a man's work to be done in protecting the girl. He therefore poses as her long-lost brother and applies himself to the task of clearing the name of her father. A series of exciting events leads to the successful conclusion of his efforts. Diane Sinclair charmingly fills the leading female role. The second attraction is Deception," a film which builds up a romance around the popular sport of wrestling as well as giving an insight into the science of the game. Many famous wrestlers are seen in the course of the unfolding ot the story, which tells how a brilliant young footballer enters the ring in order to make his fortune. The scheming of an unscrupulous promoter leads to the apparent failure of the young man, but with courage he sets about restoring himself in the estimation of his disappointed fiancee. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Although it is now in the third, week of its local season, "Curly Top" continues to attract large audiences to the State Theatre. From the outset it _is light and refreshing entertainment, with bright dialogue, several catchy songs and step-dancing items. The attractive Rochelle Hudson is cast as the elder sister of an orphan girl (Shirley Temple), and in the opening scenes they are seen together in an institution under strict guardianship. At every turn Curly Top" gets into mischief, to the amusement of the audience, but to her own subsequent distress. In one scene she leads the rest of the orphans m song at the dinner tabic, only to be severely reprimanded for her behaviour. But it is her tricks that eventually open to her the gate to better things. She is adopted by a millionaire (John Boles), who sees her during a visit to the home, and she is taken to his palatial mansion with her sister. Here her charm wins her a place in everyone's heart, and her pranks and delightful, witty sayings provide amusing entertainment. Through her is created the foundation of a romance between her sister and her stepfather. John Boles is well cast, and his singing is one of the features of the film, although it in noway overshadows the bright songs and quaint antics of Shirley Temple. Ihe picture can be described as another blurlev Temple success, and it is bound to appeal to picturegoers. The supporting programme is well varied. The box plans are at the theatre and Bcggs. "THE PASSING OF THE THIRD FLOOR BACK. " The Passing of the Third Floor Back," a screen version of Jerome K. Jeromes famous play, which will have its JJunedin premiere at the State Theatre on Friday next, was privately screened last evening at the Grand Theatre. The rebellion of the little maid servant Stasia against a harsh fate is made the motive for a series of incidents developed from the characters of the guests and told with discerning frankness and simplicity. A sequence devoted to a steamer trip to Margate is extremely well conveyed and produces the biggest thrill of the picture —a rescue from drowning. An engagement dinner that ends in a vulgar quarrel and a murder climax are equahy deftly handled. Each of the guests, for one reason or another, appears to be succumbin" to evil deeds and desires, and Wrights attack upon 'Stasia leads to his death at the hands of an itinerant musician. 'Stasia and the Stranger are in turn suspected of being concerned in the crime, but the dying musician confesses, and a more lasting realisation of their own beastliness descends upon the household. They go to find the Stranger, but only 'Stasia sees him go in the dim light ot early morning. Conrad Veidt plays the Stranger with a gentle sympathy that hints at controlled power, his personality

being particularly well suited to the part, and the subsidiary parts are capably handled by a strong supporting cast. REGENT THEATRE Adapted for the screen from Clarence B. Mulford's widely-read series, " HopAlong Cassidy" forms the principal attraction oh the current programme at the Regent Theatre. The picture is a stirring and fast-moving one, and the spirit of the American ranches is well captured in a series of exciting scenes. In addition to Hop-Along Cassidy himself, such wellhnown characters as Red Connors, Buck Peters and Uncle Ben appear in the film, which deals with a feud between the Bar 20 and'a neichbouring ranch, fostered by a rascally foreman as a mask to cattlestealing activities from both ranches. How the men of the Bar 20, under the lead of the redoubtable Cassidy, set to work to solve the mystery of the disof their cattle, and later join with their neighbours in a combined effort against the thieves, forms the basis of an absorbing story. An assault on the stronghold of the "rustlers" brings the picture to an exciting climax. A romance between one of the cowboys and Mary Meeker, daughter of the rival rancher, runs through the film, while a tuneful song, " I'm Following the Stars," is a feature of the production. William Boyd gives an excellent performance in the chief role, and he is ably supported by Jimmy Allison, Paula Stone and a well-chosen cast. Another of the popular Popeye the Sailor cartoons, " You Gotta be a Football Hero," heads a varied selection of shorter films, which also includes a Grantland Rice Sportlight. " Jungle Water," giving thrilling scenes of a fight between two alligators. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE One of the most remarkable character studies ever seen on the screen is given by Elisabeth Bergner in " Escape Me Never," which heads the current programme at the St. James Theatre. As a waif in Venice she is a figure that seems hardly to belong to this world at all. A cunning, bv which she lives, has been developed partly from her own necessity, partly from the knowledge that her vivacity cannot be resisted, especially by men creditors. She has little susceptibility to the usual contacts of the world, and treats them, when they conic, with what appears to be an almost stupid indifference. For her lover, Sebastian, she has feelings which evidently puzzle her. although there again she is kept by cunning from making any outward show of them. 'Apparently she is just a person who lives without realising it. but she is happy and she shows that by her naturally childish antics. Later, when she is in London and married to Sebastian, everything ia changed. Venice was

a place where her nondescript appearance seemed a part of her surroundings. And there, Sabestian had talked about the great music he would write, although he only talked and gave his time to the foundling who lived with him. London, however, made him begin his composition in earnest. In the company of artists he consciously raises himself above all the careless life he had enjoyed in Italy with Gemma. But he justifies his social standing by an affair with his brother's fiancee, a simpering girl who is conventional enough to despise her wealth and sigh for difficulties and romance. Meanwhile Gemma is not unaware of this, and her reaction to is as well as to the strange, unsympathetic London, are shown with a degree of expression that transcends the recognised criterion of fine acting. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls's, Jacobs's, and the theatre. "THE BISHOP MISBEHAVES." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new feature, "The Bishop Misbehaves," coming to the St. James Theatre ou Friday, marks the American film debut of Edmund Gwenn, distinguished British stage star. He is featured with Maureen O'Sullivan and Norman Poster in the adaptation of the bright stage comedy. Gwenn was the star of the recent two-year stage hit " Laburnum Grove," he appeared on the screen in Duncdin as the mayor in "Tell Me To-night," and had a leading part on " The Good Companions." " The Bishop Misbehaves" was directed by E. A. Dupont. The cast includes Lucile Watson. Reginald Owen, Dudley Digges. Lillian Bond, and others. OCTAGON THEATRE George Forby, who has already built up a reputation as a stake comedian in England makes his first appearance in a film in "No Limit," which is one of the two current attractions _at the Octagon Theatre. The enthusiasm with which his performance has been received indicates that yet another popular film comedian is to contribute to the progress of British pictures. He is seen in the role of a chimiiev sweep's assistant whose one ambition is to win the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race. His amusing antics as he makes his way to the scene of the great race are a gay prelude to the hilarious events which follow. He has the assistance of the charming and clever Florence Desmond, with whose co-Operation he is able to line up for the race with a homemade machine. Tin; race itself is a masterpiece of comedy culminating in the triumph of Formby and his success in winning the girl of his dreams. The second attraction is the highly spectacular musical comedy " Ship Cafe," in which the popular Continental entertainer Carl Brisson is seen in fcha leading role, assisted by Arline Judge, The story tells how a stoker receives an engagement to einu at

a night club, his employer being a countess who offers him a huge salary and indicates that he is to be her gigolo. A bright story tells how he renounces his benefactress to return to the girl he loves. The film has'the type of climax best suitd to the completion of a story of the kind. The box plans are at the theatre, Bogg's, and M'Cracken and Walls's. "PHAR LAP'S SON." "There is nothing serious about 'Phar Lap's Son,'" declared Dr A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, the producer, "except our successful efforts to make the entire 7000 feet thoroughly amusing throughout." The story is light and easily followed; the action is spontaneous; the dialogue is bright with plenty of originality, and there are many humorous situations and funny predicaments. The cast was especially well chosen. The central character, Colonel Drinkwater, is convincingly portrayed by Mr Harry V. Smith, and there are several prominent comedy types who largely contribute to the fund of humour. The five children go through their antics with the assurance of veterans, and the 20 lovely girls selected by Dr Lewis from various sections of the Dominion are excellent representatives for their respective localities. Considerable interest has been stimulated in this locally-produced " talkie," which should play to well-filled houses at the Octacon Theatre, beginning on Friday. GRAND THEATRE Outstanding because of the remarkable manner in which it gives photographic reality to the vast picture conceived and described by the poet, " Dante's Inferno," which is now showing at the Grand Theatre, adds another success to those achieved during the past 12 months by film producers. Those who have read the " Inferno" can imagine what a task this is, and there is no doubt that aov audience will be impressed and moved by the shadowy immensity of these scenes which transcend even the imagination of Dante's most famous illustrator, Gustave Dore. whose works have given manv readers a background to the " Inferno" These scenes, however, are merely incidental to the dramatic story, which is a modern one, though they have a direct bearing on its underlying theme. It opens, appropriately enough, in the stokehold of a liner, where Spencer Tracy, in the role of a stoker, is thrown out of his job for practising a small fraud on his superior officers. He is next seen at a cheap amusement bazaar, where ultimately he secures employment with an old man who runs a side-show with scenes from Dante's " Inferno." Tracy's ability as a showman enables him to make a great success of the busiuess, which the old man has formerly been content to run at a small profit. He meets with a setback, but it is not long before he has a scheme under way to build a huge new show, in whioh the "Inferno" is exhibited, not merely

i as a collection of paintings but in lifelike shape. His scheme materialises, though not without the use of means which cost one man and his family their livelihood. In support is shown an hilarious comedy, " Hot Tip," with James Gleason and Zasu Pitts in the leading roles. The box plans are at the theatre and B egg's. EMPIRE THEATRE Ann Hardinp: brings grace and intelligence to her role in " The Flame Within," which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. Her interpretation of an extremely difficult part, calling for subtlety, restraint and dramatic power, once again illustrates her inherent sense of the theatre. By a glance, or the merest intonation of the voice, she conveys the deep stress of a strong personality caught in the tangled skein of intense human relationships. It is Ann Harding's picture. She appears as a celebrated psychoanalyst, fascinated by her profession to such a degree that she almost sacrifices her happiness in the pursuit of happiness for others. The plot of " The Flame Within," psychological in essence, grips the audience from the beginning, and attains heights of drama by its studied restraint. There are four characters in search of happiness—two of them subnormal —and the director makes them dance to the tune of circumstance without compromise with accepted kinema tradition. There is a chronic young drunkard, with whom an emotional girl is deeply in love; the psycho-analyst who brings the two together, and surrenders to emotion herself; and ft talented young doctor, in love with the psycho-analyst. Herbert Marshall gives his usual convincing and polished performance as the doctor. It is a tribute to his ability as an actor that in a role with comparatively few opportunities to impress his personality on the audience, his performance is never shadowed by those of the other players. The part of the drunkard is brilliantly played by Louis Hayward. a talented newcomer to the screen, and Maureen O'Sullivan is sufficiently neurotic as the young woman in love with him. Henry Stephenson has a typical role as a philosophical. cldcrlv doctor, an interested onlooker of the human drama. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D. 1.0. MAYFAIR THEATRE "One New York Night" and "In Caliente" are being presented together on the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre, and they form a varied entertainment of high quality. " One New York Night" is an adaptation of a story by the popular American magazine writer Edward Childs Carpenter. It deals with life in a cosmopolitan hotel ■where several of the guests become involved in a murder mystery. A young

farmer from Wyoming, who has come to town in search of a brunette wife, endeavours to solve the mystery, and in so doing he meets frequently with _ a blonde telephone girl in the hotel, with the ultimate result that his dark ambitions are forgotten and he marries the blonde. The pace of the story is fast, and it abounds in amusing situations and bright dialogue. The chief players are Franchot Tone, Una Merkel and Conrad Nagel. "In Caliente " is a spectacular musical film with its setting in the gay Mexican city, Agua Caliente. Dolores del Rio, Pat O'Brien, Edward Everett Horton and Luis Alberni head the large cast. Specialty dancing numbers and elaborate ballets form some of the principal attractions of the. production. The box plans are at the theatre.