AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23004, 6 October 1936, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE "Page Miss Glory," Warner Bros, first starring vehicle for Marion Davies, which is at present being shown at the St. James Theatre, is an unusual comedy presented by a more than adequate cast. As a comedian, Marion Davies displays a talent which will surprise many of her previous admirers, and, besides having Dick Powell to play opposite her, she has the support of such well-known players as Pat O'Brien and Frank M'Hugh, and of character actors of the calibre of Patsy Kelly, Mary Astor, Lyle Talbot. Allen Jenkins, Hobart Cavanaugh, and several others. As a small-town girl. Miss Davies goes to New York, and finds work as a chambermaid in a large hotel, where the guests include Powell, as a dare-devil young aviator, and O'Brien and M'Hugh as tricksters down on their luck. A beauty contest gives the pair an opportunity, and, by a faked photograph of a girl whom they call ! ' Dawn Glory," they win the prize. In order to meet the unexpected publicity, they persuade the chambermaid to impersonate the beauty, to whom she bears a remarkable resemblance. In this guise, she is loved by Powell, whom she has long worshipped. The position seems to be almost hopelessly complicated, but, after many amusing situations, the romantic pair find the way clear before them. A notable feature of the production is the excellence of each of the characterisations. A strong supporting programme, which includes an amusing cartoon parodying a recent popular film, is also shown. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs's. OCTAGON THEATRE Heading an excellent double.-feature programme at the Octagon Theatre, "Star of Midnight," featuring a popular team in William Powell and Ginger Rogers, provides enjoyable entertainment. The ! story tells of a brilliant attorney who is called upon to solve a difficult mystery, and of a society girl who sets her heart on winning the love of the lawyer. Before these two things are brought about there are plenty of opportunities for gay comedy and clever dialogue. The leading players give brilliant performances and they are ably supported by Ralph Morgan, Gene Lockhart, Leslie Fenton and Paul Kelly. The supporting film, " Hooray for Love," is a bright film of theatrical life in which all the ingredients of gay entertainment are attractively blended. The cast is headed by the talented Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond. The box plans are at the sweet shop next to the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE " Two in the Dark," a thrilling mystery picture, and "Here Comes Trouble," a delightful mixture of comedy and adventure, will have their final screenings at the Grand Theatre to-day. Walter Abel and Margot Grahame have the leading roles in the first picture, which concerns a young man who loses his memory, and in company with a young woman who befriends him, sets out to establish his identity and at the same time solve a murder mystery with which he believes he is involved. "Here Comes Trouble" features Arline Judge and Paul Kelly in an hilarious comedy, the action of which is set on board a liner. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Roger Pryor, essaying suicide, leaps from his apartment house window right into the lap of romance and matrimdny, in RKO Radio's "To Beat the Band," which will be shown at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. The handsome Pryor dances and sings his way into the heart of Phyllis Brooks, queenly blonde, to the discomfiture of Hugh Herbert, who has just been left 59,000,000 dollars, and plans to spend it on the lovely Phyllis. Herbert's attorney, Helen Broderick, stage comedienne, and his butler, Eric Blore, are of little help to him in straightening out his difficulties. This top-geared comedy has its appeal to music-lovers in the form of five lively melodies by Johnny Mercer and Matt Malneck, former members of Paul Whiteman's orchestra. The original California Collegians, a group of madcap musical clowns, introduce some "mirthquake" specialties. Fred Keating, popular comedian, also connives against Herbert, and, as a radio master of ceremonies, adds to the musical attraction of the picture. Pryor, Johnny Mercer, Evelyn Poe, Ronald Graham and Bill Carey do musical bits, and dancing honours are shared by 2701 b Sonny Lamont and Nick Condos, Nina Mae M'Kinney, the famous coloured artist, plays an important part in the last sequences of the British Dominions release, "Kentucky Minstrels of 1935," the associate film, when she sings " I'm in Love With the Band," to the accompaniment of Debroy Somers and his band. Miss M'Kinney was born in New York City 23 years ago, and is recognised in the States as being one of the leading coloured singers and cabaret artists. She first went to England in February, 1933, to star in variety at the Leicester Square Theatre. She had previously appeared in the Hollywood films "Safe in Hell" and "Hallelujah." Her first film in England ' was " Kentucky Minstrels of 1935," but she has since starred with Paul Robeson in "Bosambo." She is petite, with dark hair and eyes. The plans are at the theatre and Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE The clowning of Laurel and Hardy and the music of Balfe in "The Bohemian Girl," which is the current attraction at the Empire Theatre, make excellent ■ entertainment. Those who are familiar with the opera will find that only the outline of the story and the songs are left in the picture version, but that has been done with the obvious purpose of giving the utmost scope for the two comedians, and so clever is their work that one is more than willing to let Hollywood's handling of the story go without criticism. In any case Balfe's opera is inclined to the dramatic, and has almost morbid touches—poor fare for theatregoers these days. The pleasant music of the opera—its most captivating feature—has. however, been retained, and that is more than sufficient compensation for the alterations to its story. Indeed, for its music, the picture is almost as outstanding as for its comedy. It lacks the name of any famous singer; but there is some magnificent singing by the choruses, and one or two very fine pieces of solo work. The story is not lacking in dramatic quality, very neatly contrasted with the humour. At no stage is the buffoonery of Laurel and Hardy continued too long, and the contrasts have made the picture the more effective. There are excellent supports. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE "Among the films of this type that have been seen in recent months, none seems to have caught the true gala spirit as has 'Stars Over Broadway. Right from the beginning and throughout its fascinating array of scenes and speciality numbers, the director has worked in masterly fashion to produce a bright and magnificent entertainment." In these words, a famous overseas critic described the film that heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. The story has received special attention, in order that the accusation cannot be made that it is merely a peg on which to hang the songs and dances in the film. It reveals the private lives and loves, the struggles and tribulations of successful radio stars. There is an unusual mixture of musical numbers, which vary from classical selections taken from the compositions of Verdi. Schubert and von Flotow, to new compositions of Harry Warren and Al Dubin, famous song writers. The songs are mostly sung by James Melton and Jane Froman, although Jean Muir does sing one, the first time she has ever sung for the screen. There is a spectacular speciality number in the picture, created and directed by Bobby Connolly, the famous musical comedy producer. The second feature

on the programme is "The Mine with the Iron Door," a thrilling adaptation of the dramatic novel of the same title by Harold Bell Wright. The principal roles are capably taken by Richard Arlen and Cecilia Parker. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Now in its third week at the State Theatre, "Follow the Fleet" still continues to draw crowded houses. The nimble feet and lusty lungs of Fred Astaire are given a thorough work-out in "Follow the Fleet," in which he is again co-starred with Ginger Rogers. Astaire sings four new Irving Berlin melodies, one with Ginger Rogers, and dances four times, three times with Miss Rogers, and one solo dance, along with engaging comedy performances. For his solo dance Astaire does a sensational seven-minute tap routine to "I'd Rather Lead a Band." Twentyfour sailors accompany him in this novelty drill dance which is the rhythmic highlight of the picture. There is an excellent supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "JACK OF ALL TRADES" Gaiety is the keynote to the new picture " Jack of All Trades," in which Jack Hulbert makes another welcome appearance. It is coming to the State Theatre on Friday. Nonsense is Jack's line, and here he gives it to his admirers in full measure, together with a number of glorious songs and dances. Jack Hulbert takes the part of a jolly young man who bluffs his way to success. His bluff is exposed by the girl of his dreams, but in the end he comes out of it all a laughing hero. Throughout all his misfortunes and his various occupations his cheery grin and unfailing good humour strike a note of happiness which is irresistible. REGENT THEATRE Produced on a magnificent scale, H. G. Wells's "Things to Come" is without doubt one of the most spectacular films ever made. It is now attracting considerable attention at the Regent Theatre. It is a marvel of technical achievement, and an equal triumph for the author and for the producer, Alexander Korda. Harrowing scenes of warfare, the destruction of the world as we know it to-day, and the reconstruction of an amazing new one are unfolded with outstanding dramatic impressiveness. The story opens at Christmas-time in Everytown, a typical prosperous city in 1940. Newspaper placards scream warning messages of impending war, but the populace carries on its shopping and merrymaking. Suddenly, without warning, the city is bombed and totally destroyed. War lingers on till 1970. By then everything is in disorder and a dread disease known as wandering sickness breaks out. This is checked by the "Boss." who orders all sufferers to be shot. Industrial production is at a standstill, and the people have returned to a primitive life. Sporadic warfare is carried on by ill-, equipped bands of men. Into this ruined city flies a man with a new type of aeroplane. He is the chief of the airmen, a group of idealists, who are determined to put an end to hostilities. A squadron of giant aeroplanes follows and bombs the ruined city with harmless gas bombs, which send the people to sleep. The film ends on a note of uncertainty about the future. The main picture is supported by an attractive list of short films. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. v " GIVE US THIS NIGHT " Songs with a classical vein, and yet not thoroughly grand opera, have perhaps the greatest attraction for the film-goers, and when they are brought to the screen by such popular artists as Jan Kiepura and Gladys Swarthout, the film is likely to be a success. Such is "Give Us This Night," which will open on Friday at the Regent Theatre. The story deals with the meeting and romance of a young Italian fisherman and a talented young singer already on the way to fame. The girl is so impressed with the fisherman's voice that she sees that he is given his chance. An elderly and wealthy composer helps, but complications arise when the composer discovers that his new-found friend is in love with the girl. This triangular situation is eventually straightened out to the satisfaction of all, however. Box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre. MAYFAIR THEATRE An outstanding programme is at present being screened at the Mayfair Theatie. The accomplished Loretta Young is featured in an entirely new role in "The White Parade," which is the principal attraction. This unusual film has for its background a nurses* training school in America, and throughout an interesting story runs a romance between Miss Young and John Boles, who also gives a polished Eerformance. Others in the cast are lorothy Wilson, Jane Darwell, and Frank Conroy. Of a vastly different tvpe is the supporting film, "The Charm School," which features Jack Oakie, Joe Penner, Ned Sparks, and June Langford. It is a musical comedy of the gayest type and contains several attractive song numbers and dance ensembles. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "RED SALUTE" Barbara Stanwyck and her leading man, Robert Young, go through a series of exciting and hilarious adventures.as a pretty, socially prominent college girl and a young private soldier who find themselves stranded across the Mexican border and make a breakneck dash for home, in "Red Salute," Edward Small's rollicking • Reliance comedy, which will be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. The story, which Humphrey Pearson and Manuel Sefl adapted from an original by the former, runs the gamut of comedy, romance, and thrills, and offers Barbara her first comedy role. Hardie Albright, Ruth Donnelly, Cliff Edwards, Gordon Jones, Paul Stanton, Purnell Pratt, Arthur Vinton, and Nella Walker are also prominent in the cast of this Harry M. Goetz presentation. Sidney Lanfield directed ' Red Salute " for release through United Artists.