AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23005, 7 October 1936, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

OCTAGON THEATRE "Star of Midnight," featuring the popular actor William Powell, heads the double feature programme at the Octagon Theatre this week. It is a delightful comedy drama of a sophisticated nature, in which Powell has the able assistance of Ginger Rogers, charming heroine of several recent musical comedy successes. These two make a clever pair of amateur detectives, Powell, as a brilliant attorney, setting out to solve a mysterious murder, and Miss Rogers doing her bes-t to trap him into matrimony. The dialogue is cleved and witty, arid the story moves at a fast pace throughout. The supporting cast includes Ralph Morgan, Gene Lockhart, Leslie Fenton, and Paul Kelly. The second film on the programme is a bright film of theatrical life. Entitled "Hooray for Love," it has in the leading roles two popular artists in Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond, both of whom give excellent performances. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Although Charlie Ruggles, Paramount comedian, has a featured role in! Par amount's "Ruggles of Red Gap," coming on Friday to the Octagon Theatre, he does not play the title part. In other words, Ruggles is not "Ruggles!" Charles Laughton, noted English actor, heads the cast as "Ruggles," the droll butler of the Harry Leon Wilson novel who leaves London to create a sensation in Red Gap, a small Western town in the United States. Mary Boland, Roland Young, Zasu Pitts, and Leila Hyams are featured. James Flood, director of "Wings in the Dark," the second film, left school at the age of 17 for his first " movie " job. It was a position as assistant director at the old Biograph Studios in New York. In "Wings in the Dark," Flood directs Myrna Loy and Cary Grant, who are co-starred. The story deals with a young girl flyer who risks her life to help her lover,, when fate prevents him from caring for himself. GRAND THEATRE They play, sing, and dance in RKO Radio's new musical, " To Beat the Band," which will be showing at the Grand Theatre to-day, and" through all the comedy there runs a story as lively and as bright as the music itself. The whole production is said to be a .potpourri of melody and merriment. Hugh Herbert and Helen Broderick have the leading roles. Herbert is cast as the bachelor who falls heir to a vast amount of money but cannot get it unless he fulfills a most unusual provision in his benefactor's will. Miss Broderick. star of the New York stage, finds herself grandly at home in a role reminiscent of her Broadway days. Eric Blore, as usual, is cast in a way which enables him to cajole many chuckles. Fred Keating has the part of a radio announcer. In addition to an outstanding cast, there is the musical organisation known originally as the "California Collegians," who scored a musical success in " Roberta. The five song numbers were composed by Johnny Mercer and Matt Malneck. Ben Stoloff directed "To Beat .the Band." A wonderful cast of stars famous pn the radio, stage, and screen, has been lined up in "Kentucky Minstrels," the- associate picture, among them being Scott and Whaley, two of the most popular comedians ' on the air '" to-day, Nina Mae M'Kinney, one of the stages most dynamic personalities, Debroy Somers and his band, whose gramophone recordings sell in their thousands. Harry S. Pepper and C. Denier Warren, Terence Casey, Polly Ward, Edgar Driver, Leo Sheffield. Wilson Coleman, April Vivian, and many others. The story concerns two minstrels. Mott and Bayley, who, in the "good old days," were bright stars. They find, however, that the days of the minstrel shows are rapidly vanishing, and encounter many trials and vicissitudes before they are engaged to star in a revived minstrel show in an up-to-date, modern setting, and return once more to prosperity. The plans are the theatre and Beggs. EMPIRE THEATRE The inimitable team, Laurel and Hardy are seen at their breeziest and best in " The Bohemian Girl," an hilan,ous travesty of Balfe's famous operetta, which occupies pride of place on this week's programme at the Empire Theatre. Large audiences of those who delight in this clever pair, of comedians have been more than pleased during the past week, and consider that they are funnier than ever. "Stan" and "Oily depend to a large extent on "gags" to produce laughs, and in view of the fact that this time they are cast in an entirely new type of role they have been forced to produce a different repertoire, particularly in the case of Laurel's finger tricks, which are more fantastic than ever. The plot reveals them as members of a roving band of gipsies, who are entrusted with the care of a little girl kidnapped from her parents. They find the task a little too much for them. The musical numbers have not been forgotten, and such songs as I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" and "The Heart Bowed Down" are presented with great artistry. The two principals receive plenty of support from the rest of the cast, which includes Darla Hood, Mae Busch, and Antonio Moreno. The supporting programme features a very timely news short in "The Hit and Run Driver" and a Fitzpatnck travelogue, "Japan in Cherry Blossom Time." The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE James Melton and Jane Froman, two newcomers to the screen, are prominently cast in " Stars Over Broadway, which is the chief attraction on the current programme at the Strand Theatre. Dealing with the lives of successful radio stars, it is an excellent vehicle for the introduction of bright songs and spectacular dance numbers, but at the same time there is a strong plot which holds the attention of the audience from start to finish. Pat O'Brien, who has the leading role, gives a virile performance and he is capably supported by Jean Muir, who is as charming as ever. Thrilling drama is the keynote of "The Mine With the Iron Door," which is the second attraction. Adapted from the novel by Harold Bell Wright, it tells of the adventures of a group of treasure hunters in Arizona. The leading roles are taken by Richard Arlen and Cecilia Parker. The box plans for the remainder of the season are at the D.I.C. and . the theatre. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Eleanore Whitney and Tom Keene head the cast of players in " Timothy's Quest," Paramount's adaptation of Kate Douglas Wiggin's novel, which will be shown at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Dickie Moore, Virginia Weidl'er, Sally Martin, and Bennie Bartlett com-, prise the, quartet of children who stir up excitement and trouble. The " plain folk" whose lives are changed by the arrival of the waif Timothy are played by Elizabeth Patterson, Samuel S. Hinds, Esther Dale, Jack Clifford, John Kelly. Raymond Hatton. and Ralph Rem'ley. The supporting feature will be "The Singing Kid," starring Al Jolson, Lyle Talbot. Claire Dodd. Edward Everett Horton, and Allen Jenkins in a comedy of a radio singer who is defrauded of his fortune and his fiancee by his manager, but eventually finds new happiness. STATE THEATRE Although now in the third week of its Dunedin season, the sparkling musical comedy, "Follow the Fleet," with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the leading parts, continues to prove a popular attraction at the State Theatre. Some of the scenes desewre particular reference. Perhaps one of the finest tan dances" that Astaire has yet done is that on the battleship where, with a ballet of sailors, he imitates a kettledrum march with astonishing accuracy of rhythm. It is a model of grace and ease. Another remarkably fine dance scene is shown towards the close of the picture, with both stars in a spectacular number. The comedy scenes axe treated with equal artistry, one of

the most successful being that in which Astaire cures his shipmate of an'un-, desirable infatuation. If there was a fault to be found with "Top Hat" it was that the action flagged towards the end; but in the current feature there is not the slightest suggestion of such a fault, although the picture is fairly long. It moves smoothly from the opening scene, and the finish comes with the audience looking for more. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "JACK OF ALL TRADES" Jack Hulbert's new picture, " Jack of All Trades," which is coming to the State Theatre on Friday, contains some snappy musical numbers. The star is seen in full evening dress dancing his way along the street (when he has just obtained a job, as a .waiter), singing "Where There's You There's Me. Later, a jolly scene in a restaurant finds him with twinkling toes tapping out the rhythm of "Tap Your Tootsies," and again in an exquisitely romantic setting beside a river he dances and sings with his lady love a song called "You're Sweeter Than I Thought You Were." In some of his dance numbers Hulbert is partnered. with Gina Malo, described as one of the cleverest dancers on the screen to-day. ■;■: REGENT THEATRE 1 Adapted from the powerful book, " The Shape of Things to Come," H. G. Wells, "Things to Come," the current feature at the Regent Theatre, offers somethihg more than ordinary entertainment. In the earlier part of the film the action that takes place before the turn of the century at.the present day, only too likely, and the" suggested conditions of 2036 are not impossible. Great credit is due.. to. the technical staff for the amazing effects. The panic in the streets of Everytown as bombs suddenly fall, anti-aircraft guns rattle arid, sirens scream; the streamlined tanks; the sky made dark by a great air fleet; Everytown in ruins during the pestilence; the gigantic planes of the Mediterranean airmen; the. huge machines re-; making the cities; and the loading and firing of the space-gun and all stirring' scenes, made impressive by their technical perfection. Raymond Massey is the outstanding personality. Every moment he is on the screen he dominates the other characters. Another impressive portrayal is that of " The Chief" by Ralph Richardson. Sir Cedric Hardwicke's appearance is brief, yet he makes it important and moving. Margaretta Scott and Pearl Argyle, in the main feminine roles, both give fine performances. It is a film that will riot easily be forgotten. Outstanding on the supporting programme is a new Walt Disney Cartoon, " Mickey's Polo Team." Several other short features are also shown. The box plans are at-the theatre and the d!.c.,< .; '. ' _ : "GIVE US THIS NIGHT" Gladys Swarthout, beautiful Metropolitan Opera star who made her screen debut in "Rose of the Rancho," continues her motion picture career in Paramount's "Give Us This Night," which will open on Friday at the Regent Theatre. Miss Swarthout is starred with Jan Kiepura, Continental stage and screen favourite, in " Give Us This Night." " Give Us This Night". is the story of a young Italian fisherman's rise to the heights of operatic fame, under the sponsorship of a lovely young opera star and a middle-aged composer. Miss Swarthout is the star, and Phillip Merivale plays the role of the composer. He gives Kiepura every possible aid in becorning a great singer —until he. discovers that the younger man, like himself, is in love with the girl. Erich Wolfgang Korngold, the well-known composer* wrote the, musical score for "Give Us This Night," and Oscar Hammerstein 11., lyricist for many a popular song, collaborated with him. Included in the picture's score are such tunes as "I Mean to Say I Love You," "My Love and I," "Sweet Melody of Night," and "Music in the Night. Plans are at the D.I.C. and theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE After being eagerly awaited, "Page Miss Glory," which is the current attraction at the St. James Theatre, proves to provide even better entertainment than was' expected. Marion Davies, the recognised queen of screen fun, heads a stronger team of stars than has been seen together ,in one film for many years. Unflagging action, with a leavening of drama, romance, and even pathos, makes the picture excellent entertainment, and one that should have a universal appeal. A plot to win a nation-wide beauty contest is the theme of the story. Hatched by a photographer and promoter, it is a well-contrived piece of chicanery, which gives % every opportunity for mirth. Marion Davies is well cast, and scores a big success. Dick Powell plays opposite her, and although he sings only one song, "Page Miss Glory," his talents are not wasted. He has the part of a daredevil young aviator. Others prominent in the first-rate. cast are Pat O'Brien, as a get-rich-quick promoter, and Frank M'Hugh, as a photographer burning to collect some cash. Patsy Kelly, as a chambermaid in a big hotel, finds much scope for her rather sharp tongue, while Allen Jenkins aids in the mirth-making. Lyle Talbot, as a reporter, and Mary Astor complete the. list of stars. Beautiful gowns are a feature of the production. There is a good supporting programme. ,The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs's. ♦''. "THE GARDEN MURDER CASE" Edmund Lowe has the part of Philo Vance in " The Garden Murder Case," which will open a season on Friday at the St. James Theatre. As the superscientific detective, Lowe gives what is reported to be a delightful performance. He drawls his way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in danger of sudden death. But none of his thrills can be compared with his suddenly falling in love. It is the first tirne in Philo Vance's adventures that he has undergone this experience, and the way he reacts to romantic situations is at once humorous and entertaining. Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who plays opposite him, and, to save her from police suspicion, he risks not only his reputation but also his life. "The Garden Murder Case" is from the latest of S. S. Van Dine's novels. . MAYFAIR THEATRE " Red Salute." starring Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Young, will commence a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. " Red Salute " gives Miss Stanwyck her first opportunity to doff the familiar garments of tragedy as a pretty, modern " co-ed," blessed with a quick tongue, a venturesome spirit, and a rollicking sense of fun. From the moment when this headstrong maiden, Drue Van Allen, is tricked by her Army father into flying across the Mexican border to save her from harmful publicity arising from her association with a young college man reported to be of "red" leanings, the story moves swiftly from one thrilling and laughprovoking adventure to another. In her efforts to get back she involves not only a witty young soldier on furlough, in the person of Mr Young, but a henpecked husband (Cliff Edwards) and his pursuing wife (Ruth Donnelly), the Border Patrol, and even the Federal authorities. The actress proves herself an admirable comedienne, and Robert Young is satisfactory as the private who gets himself into the most unexpected corners because he is such an obliging soul. The ukulele strumming Edwards and Ruth Donnelly make a grand neW comedy team, and Hardie Albright as the agitator, Gordon Jones, and Paul Stanton also lend admirable support. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the sweet shop next to the theatre.