AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23017, 21 October 1936, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A gay and debonair comedy which moves with a swing from start to finish, “ One Rainy Afternoon,” is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. The cast is an excellent one, bringing out t 6 the full the humour of the situations. Based on a French play and having all its scenes in Paris, the picture deals with a Continental triangle of an unusual kind. A young actor, Philippe Martin (Francis Lederer), who is conducting a mild affair with the wife of a prominent judge (Countess Liev de Maigret), takes her to a picture show on a rainy afternoon. They observe excessive caution, entering singly after the lights go out, but owing to a mistake by the usher, Martin is shown to a seat alongside that occupied by Monique Pelenn (Ida Lupino), daughter of a prominent newspaper owner. When the show approaches its romantic climax, the young actor is carried away by his emotions and kisses the girl, thinking, of course, that she is his lady friend. An hilarious court scene follows, in which the actor defends himself on a plea of temporary insanity against a Parisian purity league. The judge on the bench (Donald Meek) is the husband of Martin’s first ladylove. Hugh Herbert has a fine comedy role, and others prominent in the cast are Roland Young, Erik Rhodes, and Joseph Cawthron. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ SHOW' BOAT ” Neither Edna Ferber’s novel, " Show Boat,” nor the melodies of Jerome Kern in the Ziegfeld stage triumph based on the book, need any explanation. As book, stage operetta, and film, “ Show Boat ” is already widely known. But the new production starring Paul Robeson, Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Charles Winnlnger, Helen Westley, and Helen Morgan, which will open at the Regent Theatre on Friday, gives promise of some of the finest musical entertainment ever offered by the kinema. Prominence is reported to be given to the most famous episodes in the story, with every elaboration of setting and photography. First honours go to Paul Robeson’s inspired rendering of ”01’ Man River,” supported by a negro chorus of 200, and then Irene Dunne’s performance as Magnolia, with her unexpected interludes of comedy. In fact, comedy is the central theme of the picture. Every character contributes a certain amount to the friendly and cheery atmosphere which pervades the film. Helen Morgan, as. Julie, confesses that she “ Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”; Charles Winninger, as Andy Hawks, produces and explains the showboat melodrama. The best of the new songs is “Ah Still Suits Me.” sung by Paul Robeson and Hattie M’Daniell. The importance of the soloist opposite Miss Dunne must have influenced the choice of Allan Jones as Ravenal, the Mississippi gambler. After a six week’s season in Wellington, “Show Boat" has screened for three weeks at the Civic, Auckland, which seats over 3000 people, and its run there is expected to be prolonged for some time. In Sydney, the film is now in its fourth month at the Liberty Theatre, and it is expected to stay there until Christmas. Everywhere it has screened “ Show Boat ” is reported to have been acclaimed as a superb piece of entertainment. Plana are now open at the D.I.C. and the theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE The adaptation of Priestley’s story, “Laburnum Grove,” at the St. James Theatre, has proved an unqualified success: in fact, it is rarely that a film is produced so rich in situations and dialogue. Laburnum Grove is one of London’s newest and most respectable suburbs, and consequently when one of Its worthy residents announces to his family that he has for years been conducting a coin counterfeiting business there is consternation in the household. The whole point of the play depends on Mr Redfern, the selfrevealed counterfeiter, appearing completely unconcerned while the recipients of his confidence are thrown into paroxysm after paroxysm of panic. The adaptation of the. Priestley text to the screen has resulted in the inclusion of some extremely funny scenes, which take Mr Redfern and the others on to a bus and into a picture show. Edmund Gwenn is the very soul of geniality as the suburban Mr Redfern, and Sir Cecil Hardwicke’s representation of the brother-in-law, always eating bananas and referring vaguely to an earlier period of residence in Singapore, is delightfully vivid. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s, and the D.I.C. “ THIRTEEN HOURS BY AIR ” A light-hearted comedy-drama that provides plenty of laughter, thrills, and romance is “Thirteen Hours by Air,” which will be Ihe next change at the St. James Theatre. As is suggested by the title, the action takes place aboard a trans-continental passenger air liner travelling between New York and San Francisco. Fred Mac Murray has the role of the pilot who is attracted by a lovely young passenger (Joan Bennett), who he considers is in danger and is anxious to protect. When the machine takes off from New York there is a very motley collection of passengers aboard, including a desperate murderer, and a doctor, whose actions are very suspicious. Remarkable action takes place when a storm forces the great machine down into a snow-covered field among the mountains. OCTAGON THEATRE Headed by a cast which includes Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis, Edward E. Horton. Charles Ruggles, and C. Aubrey Smith, “ Trouble in Paradise,” which is at present being shown at the Octagon Theatre, reveals a story woven arouna the eternal triangle. Marshall and Miss Hopkins take the part of two crooks who successfully work logethe* until thev decide to rob a rich French widow (Kay Francis). The man falls in love with his intended victim and she with him and when each woman decides to claim the man for herself, there are some amusing situations. The story has been cleverly produced and incorporates some fine comedy work “The Eagle and the Hawk,” the ac companying attraction, reveals in dramatic fashion the •’dventures of an air pilot who, becoming depressed with the terrifying scenes of war, eventually takes his life. Fredric March. Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Sir Guy Standing are the principal players in this well-acted film. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Frequently it requires numerous successes on the part of film stars before they are firmly established in the public favour. In the cases of both Gary Cooper and Charles Laughton several most successful film productions have brought prestige to their names. Now that success has come their way, it is interesting to find that these two stars played together in “The Devil and the Deep,” a Paramount picture produced some time ago They both give excellent portrayals, but as at the time neither was well known their performances passed unnoticed. The Octagon Theatre will present "The Devil and the Deep" on Friday. The supporting feature will be “WeTe Not Dressing,” a comedy of wealthy people cast away on a South Sea island, starring George Bums, Grade Allen, Bing Crosby, Carole Lombard, Ethel Merman and Leon Errol. GRAND THEATRE Roguish Jane Withers in “Little Miss Nobody” will be seen at the Grand Theatre to-day. The picture follows the adventures of a merry orphan through a series of escapades, both hilarious and pathetic Featured in the strong supporting cast are Jane Darwell. Ralph Morgan. Sara Haden. Harry Carey, and Betty Jean Hainey Jane is a mischievous, nameless orohan. who wins "Trouble" for her first name. She tries to be good, but only succeeds in getting a bad name. Her he—t is as “ big as the sky.” and many

of her scrapes arise directly from the fact that she is constantly trying to shield her bosom pal, Betty Jean. Jane even goes so far, when her real father appears to claim her. as to switch identities with the other little girl to save her from being adopted by an arrogant, newly-rich woman. This proves Janes undoing, however. ! for the matrons of the institution misconstrue her act. She is sent to the reformatory. En route she makes her escape, and finds refuge in a pet shop owned by an escaped convict, Harry Carey. Jane confesses the entire story to him, and he, won by her generosity, arranges a secret meeting with Betty Jean, who is living nearby. “ Dutch,” another criminal who is blackmailing Carey because of his past, overhears the conversation, and locks Carey in a closet, intending to ransack Betty Jeans house. How Jane contrives to outwit the crook and win happiness for herself and all those who aided and loved her makes her finest film to date. "Then Came the Indians,” a rollicking new song hit, presents Jane with the opportunity to sing, dance, and perform her inimitable clowning. John Blystone directed “Little Miss Nobody” with Sol M Wurtzel in charge of the production. The screen play was written' by Lou Breslow, Paul Berger, and Edward Eliscu. based on “The Matron’s Report,” by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan. The plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE Thrilling action is provided in “ Robin Hood of El Dorado,” which, is now being screened at the Empire Theatre, and with Warner Baxter playing the role of Murrieta, the gay Mexican who sought revenge on, the whole American race, the film is a worthy successor to “Viva Villa,’ in which Wallace Beery scored such a triumph some time ago. When Murrieta’s wife is killed by four miners, members of thd hated American race, which had commenced to invade Southern California, the Mexican swears to have his revenge. He killed the men one by one, and when his further efforts to live the simple life of a peasant are made unavailing by fresh cruelties on the part of the invaders, he organises a band of his own countrymen and wages war on the whole race. So successful is he that he is soon leader in a rebel town hidden in an inaccessible valley. The plot here takes a tragic turn, for one of his men is responsible for the death of the fiancee of a young American who had befriended Murrieta years before, and the climax is reached when his secret town is stormed and he himself dies on the grave of his wife. Ann Loring and Margo handle the leading feminine roles admirably. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “PETTICOAT FEVER" A light-hearted, whimsical comedy set in a background of Labrador snows is brought to the screen in “Petticoat Fever,” starring Myrna Loy and Robert Montgomery, at the Empire Theatre next Friday. The film is based on the reactions of a youn man who has been confined in a lonely wireless post without seeing a woman for two years, when two aviators, one of them a charming young woman, descend from the skies and crack up their machine almost at his front door. Montgomery immediate’v becomes infected with “ petticoat fevei ” and schemes to keep the pair at his hut throughout the winter, meanwhile paying attention to the fair aviatrix under the very eyes of her fiance. As often happens in lonesome surroundings however, the three cannot get along together, and the plot moves along rapidly to its climax. Things become complicated when Montgomery’s long lost and unwanted fiancee comes to Labrador to seek her man after an absence of two years. The film gives plenty of scone for humorous situations done in the best Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer style, and the highlight of , the story is a hilarious dinner-party given by Montgomery for his two unwilling guests. Myrna Loy gives a convincing performance and Reginald Owen, as the blustering English aviator, also provides much humour. The supporting subjects include a coloured travel talk, a Charlie Chase comedy, a Chic Sale Miniature, and the Empire newsreel. STRAND THEATRE

The cruelties practised on prisoners in certain of the American gaols and camps are vividly portrayed m “Road Gang,” which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. Donald Woods has the role of a young journalist who is put into prison by a powerful and unscrupulous political leader because he dared to write an article on the methods of the modem gangster. The charge is a fictitious one, but by means of bribery he is sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and is forced to undergo the most terrible hardships. In the end, thanks to the efforts of his fiancee, he is released and the whole evil system of gaol graft is exposed, but before that point is reached there is plenty of excitement in the form of gun fights, prison riots and like. The supporting picture is “F-Man," an hilarious comedy featuring Jack Haley, who takes the "part of a timid little man from the country with an earnest desire to become a famous G-Man. The humour is of a delightful kind and forms a contrast to the more sombre plot of the first film. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Aeroplanes falling in twisted, flaming masses, pilots “ bailing out for their lives, shattered nerves, courage and cowardice in one of the world s most hazardous profes oi '” l<: -testing new planes for airworthiness— go ;to make up one of the most exciting pictures of recent months. Columbia s roaring drama. “Devil’s Squadron, which will be shown at the Strand Theatre on Friday There is romance too, in this action-packed film. Karen Morley plays opposite Richard Dix. Lloyd Nolan, Shirley Ross, 10-year-old Billy Burrud, Henry Mollison and Gene Morgan also play featured roles with a good deal of skill. But, of course, it is Richard Dix who shines. He is seen in the role of Paul Redmond, a flyer, who is dishonourably discharged from the army because of a trick of fate. Dana Kirk, his friend, is superintendent of a testing airport, and gives Redmond his chance to make good. The associate feature is to be “Lawless Riders.” starring Ken May nard in a story of a roving cowboy who, in the best Western style, “strikes trouble.” Maynard has opportunity of displaying his repertoire of tricks with his horse and his own musical talent. Supporting him is Geneva Mitchell. STATE THEATRE Herbert Marshall and Ann Harding are the featured players in “ The Lady Consents,” the picture which is at present enjoying a successful season at the State Theatre. Miss Harding unveils the love psychology of romantic husbands who are constantly indulging in affairs of the hea-' •d f h ugh they are really in love with their own wives. Her method of curing this “ moonlight madness ” is unique and sure, and forms the basis for a fast moving plot that is spiced with hilarious comedy and softened with genuine heartache. The role offers full scope for the star’s flair for sophisticated comedy and emotional drama. Berber' ''’’•shall, 'S the philandering doc tor, provides the masculine appeal and gives a polished performance The action of the picture takes place against a background of metropolitan and suburban New York high life. Stephen Roberts who recently directed William Powell and Ginger Rogers in “ Star of Midnight," staged “ The Lady Consents" Walter Abel, who recently came to the screen as d’Artagnan in “The Th— Musketeers.' appears as an unsuccessful suitor of Miss Harding’s who helps her in her covention-shattering scheme. Edward Ellis and Hobart Cavanaugh are also featured. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ MARY OF SCOTLAND ” The intrigue and treachery that riddled the courts of the sixteenth cen-

tury make RKO Radio’s historic drama, "Mary of Scotland,” starring Katharine Hepburn and Fredric March, as exciting an action tale as it is a great romantic tragedy. The plotting of Mary’s nobles to fire the jealousy of her husband, Lord Darnley, so that he would aid in the slaying of her court favourite, Rizzio, Mary’s use of charm and guile to turn Darnley against his murderous confederates, the subsequent mystery-shrouded killing of Darnley—all result in a fitting background of dramatic action for Mary s reckless romance with the Earl of Bothwell, the consequences of wnicb sealed her spectacular doom. A cast of more than 40 principal players, outside of the several hundred minor performers, supports Miss Hepburn ana March, the latter appearing as Bothwell. It includes Florence Eldndge as Queen Elizabeth, Moroni Olsen as John Knox (the role he created in the New York Theatre Guild production), John Carradine as Rizzio, Douglas Wanton as Darnley, lan Keith as James of Moray, Alan Mowbray. Frieda Inescort, Gavin Muir, Donald Crisp, and William Stack. The screen play was penned by Dudley Nichols, who was voted the Academy Award for the best adaptive writing of 1935. Pandro S. Berman produced. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE In re-presenting to Dunedin audiences the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical picture, " Dancing Lady,” the management of His Majesty’s Theatre takes much pleasure, because this is the film that brought two of the most popular male stars into screen prominence, namely, Fred Astaire and Nelson Eddy. The former has added further glories to his name through his associations with Ginger Rogers in a number of outstanding musical films, especially in “Roberta,” "Top Hat,” and “Follow the Fleet,” and although he was famous throughout America, England, and the Continent as a wonderful stage dancer, his fame has spread throughout every country, because of his performances and great adaptability for screen work. Nelson Eddy sings two numbers in “Dancing Lady,” and his work in this film was the prelude to his world-renowned success in “ Naughty Marietta,” and was the means of his securing a long-term contract for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer productions. The leading roles in “ Dancing Lady" are portrayed by Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone, and this trio of artists present a new type of romance for back and front stage musical dramas. Spectacular dance ensembles, delightful music, a fascinating story, and good acting by a large and talented cast headed by Joan Crawford and Clark Gable should make “ Dancing Lady ” first-class entertainment. Franchot Tone has an important role, while Fred Astaire partners Miss Crawford in several dance interludes. Nelson Eddy is heard with Arthur Jarrett in a number of catchy songs. The story concerns the stage, but, unlike most stage stories brought to the screen, does not rely on its back-stage scenes for its popularity. The plot is an excellent one, and the spectacular scenes introduced fit into it perfectly. Joan Crawford is seen as a girl who sacrifices of ease and luxury rather than give up her dancing. This is the type of role that first gained Miss Crawford her popularity, and in it she shows herself to be an exceptionally capable dancer, as well as a brilliant actress. MAYFAIR THEATRE The thrilling precision of the 48 guardsmen in the massed rapier tourney in RKO Radio’s “The Three Musketeers,” which is to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, required five weeks of intensive rehearsal. Essentially dangerous, being performed without masks, the drill could be entrusted only to the most expert swordsmen. It was planned and directed by Fred Cavens, as one of the spectacular features of the picture. With the emotions stirred to a high pitch by martial music used to time the thrusts the swordplay has every semblance of reality in the rivalry of the opposing teams who lunge and parry in a spectacular onset. Several participants felt the sting of buttoned, but painful, steel. Rowland V. Lee directed “The Three Musketeers” under Cliff Reid’s supervision. The New York actor, Walter Abel, plays d’Artagnan. Paul Lukas, Moroni Olsen, Onslow Stevens, Margot Grahame, Heather Angel, lan Keith, John Qualen, Nigel de Brulier and Rosamond Pinchot are in the cast. The French court as it was in the days of Louis the XIII is faithfully shown in “ The Three Musketeers.” All the luxury, glamour and intrigue of that day colour the exciting story of politics and love, from the pen of the great Alexandre Dumas. The settings are magnificent and the court scenes among the most lavish in the recent screen productions. Th§ plans are at the theatre sweet shop and the D.I.C.