AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23016, 20 October 1936, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE Heading the current bill at the State Theatre is “The Lady Consents, in which Herbert Marshall is again cast in the role of a successful doctor. He gives his usual polished performance as a man who, tiring of his wife, is attracted by a pretty face, and obtains a divorce in order to marry this new star in his firmament.' The second marriage is unsuccessful, and he soon discovers that his wife, Jerry Mannerly (played by Margaret Lindsay) is using him as a stepping-stone to higher social position for herself. Michael (Herbert Marshall) somewhat belatedly realises that he really loves his former wife (Ann Harding), but the woman to whom he is married refuses to give him up, although she knows that he no longer loves her. The picture then traces the efforts of Michael and his former wife to force the other woman to divorce him, and the film ends on a note of comedy when they trap her into declaring, in a moment of rage, that she will divorce him on the spot. Ann Harding adds fresh honours to herself in this film, and Margaret Lindsay, as Jerry Mannerly, the unashamed social climber, gives a noteworthy performance. Walter Abel. Edward Ellis, Hobart Cavanaugh, and Ilka Chase complete the notable cast. Ilka Chase stands out as a gossipy society girl whose wagging tongue is more poisonous than a snakebite. The supporting programme includes several outstanding short features. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg s. REGENT THEATRE A picture which goes with a swing Is “One Rainy Afternoon,” the first production from the Pickford-Lasky studios, now at the Regent Theatre. In the leading parts are Francis Lederer and Ida Luplno, a most capable pair of humorists who ensure the success of this generous mixture of romance and comedy. As refreshing as i its title, the theme of the picture revolves round the visit of a handsome young man to a picture theatre and the subsequent kissing of the wrong girl in the darkness. As can be seen, it is a Parisian comedy with infinite possibilities. Francis Lederer, a Czechoslovakian, who, after a brilliant stage career, is rapidly acquiring a fine reputation as a screen star,* is an ideal choice for the role of the carefree young man, while Ida Lupino, who is a mistake in the theatre but the ideal not long afterwards, fills her role with charm and ability. She is a young actress who is deservedly popular after her work in recent pictures Apart from these two, the cast includes Hugh Herbert and Roland Young, a whimsical pair, who prove excellent foils to the stars of the production. It is interesting to note that “One Rainy Afternoon” is the product of a newly-organised producing company headed by Mary Pickford and Jesse L Lasky, and this combine has made a big success of its entry into the screen business. There Is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “SHOW BOAT” Paul Robeson’s latest film, the new “ Show Boat,” is due to open at the Regent Theatre on Friday, The cast numbers 3500, and Is headed by Irene Dunne. Paul Robeson. Allan Jones, Charles Wlnninger,, Helen Westley and Helen Morgan. A sample of the music of “ Show Boat," several of the numbers of which have, not before been broadcast in the South Island, was heard from 4YA in a special broadcast on Sunday evening. The enjoyment of two hours of excellent entertainment awaits, it is claimed, those who see and hear “Show Boat.” Irene Dunne heads the cast as Magnolia, daughter of Indy Hawks, the skipper of the showboat. Her romance with Ravenal is a most sympathetically treated phase of the theme. Allan Jones, the operatic tenor who plays Ravenal, sings opposite Miss Dunne in the songs “Make Believe” “You Are Love ” and “ I Have the Room Above Her.” Paul Robeson’s voice is heard to great advantage in that wonderful song “OT Man River,” sung with unforgettable depth of feeling and with appropriate atmospheric shots. As Joe he has the part of a Mississippi negro. Helen Morgan is another vocalist, and there is a negro chorus of 200 voices. Charles Winninger is a celebrated American veteran actor who takes the part of Captain Andy, captain of the show boat and director of the shows. Helen Westley plays the part of Andy’s wife, and she leads the whole show boat party a pretty dance. ST. JAMES THEATRE Edmund Gwenn and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, two of England’s finest character actors, are co-starred in “ Laburnum Grove.” the screen version of J, B. Priestley’s famous stage success, which headjs the programme at the St. James Theatre. In its present form. “Laburnum Grove” is a story of rare piquancy made doubly attractive by the skill and understanding with which the principals invest their roles. So finely balanced are the principals’ performances in this comedy that it would be difficult to say which one of them is the better. Edmund Gwenn is the apparently respectable tomato-tending family man who is in reality the brains behind a gang of counterfeiters, and Hardwicke is Bernard Baxley, Radfern’s lazy, bananaeating and beer-drinking brother-in-law. It is when Radfern announces to his incredulous household that he is a Erosperous counterfeiter and for years as been living by crime that the story reaches its climax, the reactions of the family circle to this bombshell providing unlimited scope for drama and comedy. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., M'Cracken and Walls’s, and Jacobs’s. OCTAGON THEATRE

Fredric March and Cary Grant have the leading roles.in “The Eagle and the Hawk, which is at present being screened at the Octagon Theatre. The former is cast as an air pilot, whose utter distaste of the. horrors and uselessness of war results in his committing suicide. Grant, as the gunner of the plane, has always quarrelled with his pilot over the latter’s attitude to war, but he saves him from being branded as a coward by taking the body up in a plane and riddling it with bulllets in order that it might appear he died in combat with the enemy. The second film is a sparkling comedy entitled “ Trouble in Paradise.” Herbert Marshall and Miriam Hopkins take the roles of two crooks who work successfully in unison until they decide to rob a rich French widow (Kay Francis). The man falls in love with his Intended victim and she with him. artd there is an amusing climax when each woman decides to claim the man for herself. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. GRAND THEATRE

Undoubtedly one of the most successful comedians the American screen has produced, Will Rogers more than maintains his reputation in “ Doubting Thomas,”, which is now being screened at the Grand Theatre. The humour is contributed mainly by the quiet, shrewd, and whimsical Rogers, whose work is never showy or fqrced, but always deliberate. The picture was adapted from George Kelly’s stage production, “The Torch Bearers.” and it shows the star in the role of a simple, home-loving sausage manufacturer whose life is tossed into turmoil when his wife becomes obsessed with the idea that she is a great actress, as does his son’s fiancee. The two appear in an amateur theatrical show, and the glorious opportunities offered by this situation are exploited to the full to make the picture the success it is. Billie Burke, as the wife. Frances Grant as the girl, and Alison Skioworth and Sterling Holloway give Rogers excellent support. There are several fine supporting pictures. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “LITTLE MISS NOBODY” Jane Withers returns to the lovable harum-scarum type of role that first brought her screen fame in “ Little Miss Nobody,” which is to be featured at the Grand Theatre to-morrow. The story of “Little-Miss Nobody”—who, incidentally, turns out to be quite a

somebody after all—is concerned with a mischievous orphan whose antics and pranks are the bane, and at the same time the joy, of the orphan asylum’s heads. Jane is continually in hot water. As, for instance, when she beguiles the grocer's son into thinking he has found a valuable pocket book, which turns out to be a ruse that douses him with a bucket of water; and when she steals a complete chicken dinner so that the children in the orphanage will not go hungry on Thanksgiving Day. When she tries to be “very, very good” and do her bosom pal a good turn, Jane really gets into trouble and is committed to the reformatory. However, she goes with a joyous heart, for her trick has succeeded, and Betty Jean, her pal, has been saved from being adopted by an arrogant, newly-rich woman and instead has been taken by Jane’s own father! En route to the reformatory, Jane escapes and finds refuge in the pet shop of an escaped convict who is being blackmailed by another criminal. Jane manages to get everybody—herself most of all—into trouble before the climax, but she then just as'skilfully extricates them from their difficulties. The Withers miss is more roguish than ever and further adds to the general hilarity by singing a brano-new song, “Then Came the Indians.” John G. Blystone’s direction of this Sol M. Wurtzel production provides an excellent background for the Serformance of the entire cast, which icludes Jane Darwell, Ralph Morgan. Sara Haden, Harry Carey and Betty Jean Hainey, EMPIRE THEATRE ■■ Acclaimed as a production which heralds a new era in spectacular outdoor films, “ Robin Hood of El Dorado,” now at the Empire Theatre, bears out even this ambitious statement. It has the same wide sweep and power that characterised such films as “ The Covered Wagon ” in the days of the silent screen. Warner Baxter, as the dashing Joaquin Murrieta, gives the finest portrayal of his career. He plays a historical character, who is the American counterpart of the hero of Sherwood. His manner of gaining popularity was akfn to that of his English confrere and depended on robbing the rich to help the poor. In the capable hands of Baxter, Murrieta is imbued with realism. With him in the lead and Maid Marion in another guise, is a newcomer to the screen who should prove a valuable acquisition to films. She is Ann Loring. Playing a role dramatic in its intensity, she is called on for almost every possible shade of emotional acting. Sharing feminine honours is Margo, a Spanish dancer, who turned actress two years ago and since has become something of a sensation. “ Robin Hood of El Dorado" is the story of a simple, laughing cattleman on one of the great Californian ranches, whose life is crushed by the invasion of American gold miners. Driven to banditry to avenge the murder of his wife and brothers, he finds a price on his head in every American settlement. With a deep hatred for all Americans, he organises an outlaw army and rides roughshod over the Settlements. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “PETTICOAT FEVER" “Petticoat Fever,” the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer film co-starring Myrna Loy and Robert Montgomery, which Is to be screened at the Empire Theatre on Friday, is one of the delightfully nonsensical things that both Miss Loy and Montgomery do so well. It is original and gay throughout, it is said, reaping laughs and chuckles from the start to the ridiculous finish. In the unusual setting of a Labrador wireless outpost in midwinter, Robert Montgomery, as Dascom Dinsmore, an exiled young Englishman, is interrupted in his idleness by the arrival of two flyers, Myrna Loy and Reginald Owen, whose aeroplane has crashed. Sir James Felton, the newcomer, is soon convinced that Dinsmore is stark mad, and attempts an escape. This brings about an engagement between the girl and Dinsmore, but this meets with unexpected difficulties. Myrna Loy is amusing and human in her role, it is reported, and the film should add to the number of her admirers. Montgomery is deft in his touches of whimsy and sophistication. Reginald Owen, the third of the triangle, also has a flair for the nonsensical, and as the semi-comic villain he gives able support to the two stars. STRAND THEATRE The main attraction on the doublefeature programme showing this week at the Strand Theatre is “ Road Gang ’’ a powerful and realistic drama revealing the terrible conditions in a penal institute run by crooked politicians for graft. There is also a glowing romance in which a beautiful girl stands by the man she loves even when he is convicted of crime. Set against a background of a farm for convicts, and a mine where certain prisoners are sent, the picture reveals the almost inhuman treatment these men are subjected to. Some dramatic scenes are enacted in the mines when two hundred prisoners resort to a strike in an endeavour to improve their terrible conditions. In the cast are Donald Woods, Kay Linaker, Carlyle Moore, Henry O’Neill, Joseph King, and Addison Richards. “F Man,” the associate Eicture, relates the adventures of a oy who wanted to be a “ G Man," but who could not “make the grade." Jack Haley as the country boy is responsible for much of the amusement in this film. Humour and romance are woven around his attempt to run down Public Enemy No. 1, and so become a public hero. Also in the cast are William Frawley, Grace Bradley, Adrienne Harden, and Onslow Stevens. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE * “ She Couldn’t Take It ” and “ Gentlemen of the Navy" are the titles of the two pictures at present being shown at the Mayfair Theatre. In the first film, Joan Bennett is appropriately cast in the role of Carol van Dyke, a harum-scarum New York debutante. Delightful comedy is.freely sprinkled throughout the picture and the proceedings in the van Dyke household, after the father has been sent to prison for avoiding the payment of income tax, are riotously funny. Georke Raft, a retired gangster, is put in charge of Van Dyke’s affairs, included among which he has the management of the beautiful but difficult Carol. Under his guidance the girl’s character becomes considerably improved, but when she is captured by some of Raft’s Chicago friends, the action becomes fast and furious. The. second picture, which had the active assistance and co-operation of the American Government. depicts Sir Guy Standing in the role of a retired naval officer. An absorbing story has been incorporated into the film, which uses the daily routine life of Annapolis midshipmen as a background to the central theme. Richard Cromwell, Tom Brown, and Rosalind Keith play the supporting principal roles in this pictorial document of the training and problems that confront the group of American youth admitted to the naval training centre. The box plans are at the DI.C. and the theatre sweet stall. “THE THREE MUSKETEERS” Elaborately mounted, but with Its rich costumes, settings and spectacle never allowed to interfere with the forceful directness of the great Dumas tale, RKO Radio’s depiction of “The Three Musketeers” will be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. For the first time the immortal swashbucklers, d’Artagnan and his comrades in arms, come to the screen with sound to create complete realism. Brilliantly enacted, faithfully adapted, and directed with spirit, the classic of seventeenth century intrigue realises the full romantic flavour of the widely familiar novel. Swiftly paced, the picture drives to its exciting climaxes with verve, suspense and emotional punch, its more blustering episodes graced with lusty comedy, and its ouieter moods with sentimental charm Without slighting any of its colourful characters, the story has been kept paramount. Performances are skilfully proportioned to emphasise the conflict of wit and blade, love and blandishment which decides the issue between the Queen of France and Cardinal Richelieu for dominance of the King, and the reckless devotion of the four fighting cavaliers who pledged their lives with the famous slogan, “All for one. one for all.”

LAURIER THEATRE For the last year or so there have been produced screen versions of many notable novels, but it has remained for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to evolve what is unquestionably the greatest masterpiece of them all—the film of Dickens’s immortal classic “David Copperfleld,” which will commence with a matinee performance at the Laurier Theatre, Port Chalmers, to-day. Lovers of the great novelist’s works will find this no mere bowdlerised version of the book, cut and twisted to make “just another ‘talkie’”; it is a very authentic picturisation of one of the most fascinating romances of the century, and as such it will surely take its place among the outstanding pictures of the year. The production is replete with the oldworld charm of the England of Dickens’s day, and its atmosphere is that of the spacious days and customs which the well-loved writer knew so well how to portray. The immortal people of “ David Copperfleld" troop across the screen in an irresistible and unwearying cavalcade, led by David himself. Frank Lawton, Freddie Bartholomew, Roland Young, W C. Fields. Lionel Barrymore, Basil Rathbone, Lewis Stone, Hugh Williams, Madge Evans, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Elizabeth Allen head the cast, and their acting, one and all, is nothing short of a revelation. Popular honours will undoubtedly be given to the characterisation of Mr Micawber by W. C. Fields, who is that optimistic gentleman to the life.