AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23045, 23 November 1936, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Anna Sten has one of the best roles of her film career in "A Woman Alone," which is at present attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre. Although Miss Sten's appearances on the screen are few, she is already favourably known by her performances in previous pictures, and she will certainly lose nothing in popularity by her work in "A Woman Alone." Her part is one that requires of the actress a definite sense of dramatic values, and she makes* a thorough success of it, exhibiting a restraint and feeling that are all too rarely seen. The leading male role is in the capable hands of Henry Wilcoxon, who was last seen in Dunedin in " The Crusades." He has the part of the captain of a Russian regiment, and his performance is a satisfactory one in every respect. The story of "A Woman Alone" is set in St. Petersburg in the days of Imperial Russia, and tells of the love of a beautiful peasant girl for an officer in a crack regiment. During a visit of the regiment to the village where she lives, Maria (Anna Sten) falls in love with Captain Ilinsky, although at the time she is engaged to a private in the same regiment. Ilinsky marries and forgets about the girl, but she later secures a position as a servant in his household, and once again he professes his love for her. Her fiance hears of the circumstances and makes an attack on his superior officer, and when he is haled before a military tribunal it looks as though the whole story must come out. This is the intriguing situation which is reached, and the film ends on a highly satisfactory note. The supporting programme is an entertaining one. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. " THE MOON'S OUR HOME " Comedy and action are promised in "The Moon's Our Home," which will be featured at the Regent Theatre next Friday. Margaret Sullavan and Henry Fonda are cast as Cherry Chester (Sarah Brown) and Anthony Amberton (John Smith) respectfully. Cherry Chester is a fiery-tempered actress and Amberton an equally fiery-disposi-tioned author. These two, although quite unknown personally to each other, have each developed an amazing prejudice one against the other on account of publicity each has read about the other. When they meet under their real names neither is aware of the other's identity, and they fall in love. Immediately they are married they have a violent quarrel, and the bridegroom walks out. Then both relent, and their frantic attempts to find each other are most amusing. Margaret Sullavan sharpens up her usual piquant charm for the purposes of this story, and gives a delightful, slightly caustic performance of a young lady who is brilliant but temperamentally unstable. Henry Fonda gives an equally attractive study of the writer-explorer who despises film stars and spurns his bride on his wedding night because she uses a musky scent which invariably brings upon him some queer sort of fever. ST. JAMES THEATRE One of the strangest dramas of the screen, "Dracula's Daughter." is now being screened at the St. James Theatre. The original "Dracula" created sensation enough as a novel, a play and a film, but the present picture, a sequel to that weirdly fascinating story of vampires, is even more thrilling. Count Dracula's daughter, tainted with the curse of the strange creatures of the night, is the centre of adventures which will thrill' the most hardened. Like her father before her, "Dracula's Daughter" pursues her victims, and her hypnotic power holds them enthralled. When she falls in love, the eerie drama reaches its climax. The weird woman flames to life each night and searches for victims to appease her terrible appetite. To escape from her appalling heritage, the female vampire seeks the aid of a famous psychiatrist, Jeffrey Garth. This invites the jealousy of his sweetheart, but he persists in his efforts to. solve the secret of the mysterious vampire. The title role is interpreted by Gloria Holden, a stage actress who gives an excellent ' performance. Otto Kruger portrays with easy naturalness .the . scientist, while other featured players are Marguerite Churchill,.Nan Gray, Irving Pichel and Hedda.Hopper.-There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs's.v■?.•:•'; ;'y;;;:::' ■;•;',, ■....■ OCTAGON THEATRE Comedy with a novel touch is provided in England's best musical comedy to date, "Public Nuisance No. 1," which is at present being shown at the Octagon Theatre with "Honours Easy," starring Greta Nissen and Patric Knowles. Wherever "Public Nuisance No. 1" has been shown it has been hailed with delight by both critics and public, and it is certainly one of the most striking films of its class that has been seen here. The genuinely funny performances of Arthur Riscoe and Frances Day in the leading roles are sustained and enhanced by the standard set by the rest of the company, which includes many of England's leading comedians. Muriel Aked, Claude Dampier, and Peter Haddon are all outstandingly good. Quite apart from the riotously funny action, in which Riscoe as a waiter sets a Riviera hotel by the ears, there are many excellent musical numbers which will set toes wagging and linger long as popular hits. Frances Day sings in her own delightful fashion, "Me and My Dog." "Glamour Girl No. 1," and Arthur Riscoe puts over "Hotsy Totsy." There are also duets and splendid chorus numbers. Arthur Riscoe and Frances Day, each regarded as being at the top of the musical comedy tree, are co-starred in this film for the first time, and the resulting combination is outstandingly successful. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE Presented with graphic realism and acted by a particularly capable cast. " King of the Damned " occupies pride of place on the current bill at the Grand Theatre. The picture presents a gripping canvas of skilfully blended incident which is all colour and movement. Out of the mass of pitiful human sufferings, of tragic romance, and of stark disciplinary brutality. there rises readily to the memory the brilliant spectacle of the convicts' rising, with thousands of men struggling for mastery. No less arresting is the spectacle of the bombing of the island by a cruiser. It is on this brilliant melodramatic canvas that the picture is said to score so easily as a study of humanity in the mass, for the fortunes of the entire wretched company matter as much to the onlooker as the fates of the more prominent individuals. Famous Conrad Veidt is Convict "83," while the other featured players are Noah Beery. Helen Vinson. Cecil Rarnage and Edmund Willard. A turbulent tale of adventure and romance in one of the most exciting periods of American history is told in Richard Dix's newest picture. "Yellow Dust," which is in support. The story unfolds in the colourful territory where the frenzied days of the 1860 gold fever are used as a background for a drama that makes full use of all the romance, greed, mad eaietv, and lawlessness of the period. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's.

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Nearly 1000 letters from filmgoers, expressing delight at Nova Pilbeam's new role as Lady Jane Grey, were received at the Gaumont-British studios when it was announced that she was to head the cast of "Tudor Rose," the film to be shown at the Grand Theatre on Wednesday. The letters came from all parts of the British Isles, from Dundee in the North to Ilfracombe and Penzance in the far south-west. One and all approved the choio.' of role in glowing terms; one of the main sources of satisfaction, apparently, being the fact that Nova is exactly the right age for the part. Many correspondents point out that, in the past. famous historical characters have been played by actresses years younger—or

older—than their prototypes, often with markedly incongruous effect. Nova herself said: "When I first learned about Lady Jane Grey at school I thought it was the saddest and most beautiful story I'd ever read. I feel terribly pleased to be taking the part." Time was when all movie Indians spoke with a suspicious Brooklyn accent, and proved when the make-up was removed, to be palefaces. This charge, however, cannot be levelled against the redskins who attack the wagon train in Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey's new RKO Radio feature, "Silly Billies," which will be the associate feature. Under the guidance of Jim Thorpe, famous Indian athlete, some 50 authentic natives were assembled for forming the raiding party. Blackfoot, Cherokee, Sac, and Fox, Sioux, Navajo, Apache, Ute, Cheyenne, even Iroquois and Mohawk Indians from the east were used in the redskin sequences. " Silly Billies " is the comics' eighteenth picture together, and pretty Dorothy Lee is again Bert's heart interest. EMPIRE THEATRE Patrons of moving pictures have greeted with a remarkable display of interest the opening of the Dunedin season of " San Francisco," the current attraction at the Empire Theatre. From many points of view the picture is one of the best that has been seen in the city for some years. It is not merely highly dramatic, it is not merely pathetic, it is not only historical; it combines with all these a judiciously blended religious sentiment and a wholesomeness which is not seen in the average picture. The crux of the film, of course, is the 1906 earthquake in that city. It is safe to say that scenes with such magnificent photography have never before been seen by theatre audiences. Buildings totter, sway and crash to ruins. Panicstricken people are overwhelmed in the streets. Dynamite is used to stay the progress of the fire which follows the earthquake. These are scenes of sheer realism, which bring out the sheer helpless terror of an earthquake. Of the cast, four persons must stand out. They are Jeanette MacDonald, Clark Gable, Jessie Ralph, and Spencer Tracy. Jeanette MacDonald, the sweet, unspoiled girl with the glorious voice, is introduced to " Blackie " Norton (Clark Gable), the unprincipled proprietor of a villainous dance hall on the Barbary Coast. Norton falls in love with Jeanette because she is a type of woman with whom he is totally unfamiliar. Their acting together is of a high order—Jeanette, the appealing, the winsome, in love, though afraid both of her love and Norton: Gable, the masterful, the un r principled, the lovable. The story hinges on his change of heart. Spencer Tracy is perhaps the most amazing. Audiences will remember him as the " hard-boiled " gangster. In this he is a Roman Catholic priest in the worst part of San Francisco—the part where Norton holds sway. He certainly has added the faculty for versatility to his repertoire. Then Jessie Ralph, with a small part, is the leader of society, with a sane perspective and a vitality all out of place with her years. The religious aspect is so interwoven with the atmosphere and theme of the story that it is natural. Then there is the singing of Miss MacDonald. The audience will remember the scene in the opera house, where she takes the part

of Marguerite in "Faust." as well as that in the little mission on the Barbary Coast. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

STRAND THEATRE All the blind greed and lust for possession inspiring a gold rush of pioneer days is but one of the many impressive phases of the powerful " Sutter's Gold," which is now being shown at the Strand Theatre. Taking as its principal character a home-loving Swiss farmer, wrongfully hunted from his country for murder, the story traces his inspirational rise to the heights of glory as governor of a rich and happily-settled land in California, on the border of Mexico. Johann Sutter realised his ambition when he arrived in a land of sunshine and rich soils with hundreds of natives snatched from a slave ship when he mutinied against the brutal English captain. It had been his aim to have land and watch it flourish with plenty for all and much for those beyond its shores. Then came the spark that exploded his all, the discovery of gold on his property, the possibility of his being the richest man on earth. But the mob took its hand in things, squatters came from everywhere to win the gold from his land, and he was powerless to his dying day to claim that which was his. Edward Arnold, who has been prominent in several notable dramatic roles of late, makes of Sutter a man to be admired and envied and then pitied. His greatest friend, who objected to his every move, yet followed him doggedly and prospered, even when Suiter had lost, is capably protrayed by Lee Tracy, and Binnie Barnes. Montagu Love, and John Miljan fill supporting roles. The second picture is " Trapped by Television," an entertaining comedydrama featuring Lyle Talbot. Mary Astor, and Nat Pendleton. The box plans are at the theatre and the DI.C. STATE THEATRE Only on rare occasions does one come across such an absorbing adventure picture as "Professional Soldier." which is the chief attraction on the current programme at the State Theatre. An old campaigner in Victor M'Laglen and the new boy actor Freddie Bartholomew provide much of the interest. They do it in a convincing fashion that makes the picture a delight. Both stars are in themselves sufficient recommendation, and they have parts which suit them to perfection—M'Laglen as a rough soldier of fortune and Freddie Bartholomew as the young king of an imaginary European kingdom. The young kins has absorbed American literature with avidity, and when he learns that he is to be abducted in professional style he readily falls in with the plans. Rival factions are engaged in plotting for power, and the king himself is perfectly happy in being abducted, so that the scene is set for rich entertainment. The professional soldier, however, becomes involved in the turmoil of politics and helps to provide a thrilling climax of extraordinarily good acting. M'Laglen 's partner in his escapades is played by Michael Whalen. as the son of a rich American who has been entrusted to his care. He is quite content that the soldier should bear the brunt of his scrapes, as long as he is left free for romantic adventures. Gloria Stuart acts opposite him. The supporting programme sets a iiigh standard and is full of interest. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE A delightful musical comedy, with brilliant settings for a romantic story and presenting the popular Ramon Novarro and Jeanette MacDonald. is at present being shown for a return season, after an absence from Dunedin of three years, at His Majesty's Theatre. "The Cat and the Fiddle" tells how Novarro. as a young composer in Brussels, meets Jeanette MacDonald. a= a promising young singer, under unorthodox circumstances, and immediately falls in love with her. He pursues her with advances and her initial annoyance is eventually overcome and she surrenders. A conflict between love and a career soon looms before both of them, and Novarro. pretending he no longer cares, leaves Jeanette. On tiie eve of the presentation of his new opera

everything goes wrong. His leading singer walks out on him and, despite appeals, his old love refuses to come to his aid. The lastminute repentance of her decision makes a stirring climax to an excellent entertainment. Charles Butterworth and Frank Morgan are responsible for delightful little comedy characterisations. Vivienne Segal, Henry Armetta, and Jean Hersholt are included in the supporting cast. There is also shown an interesting programme of short features, including a Charlie Chase comedy, a Pete Smith oddity, and news reels. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE In a story that Is rich in drama Sylvia Sidney, that clever little actress, makes "Mary Burns, Fugitive," into a picture that ranks high among its class. It was shown at the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday along with another fine film, "Three Live Ghosts." There have been many films lately dealing with the work of the u-men in combating gangsterdom in the United States, but there have been few with the many elements that make "Mary Burns, Fugitive." It is a simple enough story. It tells of a country girl who falls in love with a young man, a visitor from the big cities. She does not know who or what he is, but one day he and a companion come running with the police on their trail. Guns flash and roar, and she sees the young man of her choice deliberately shoot a comrade in order to make his own escape, and from the same circumstances she goes to prison for a long term for aiding and abetting a criminal. In that it looks a very improbable story, but the circumstantial evidence is there, and she is a simple, childish girl, unused to the ways of the complex world of courts, police, and crooks. From then on it is a story teeming with action of the most tense description: an escape from gaol, the excitement of a police hunt, and the grim personality of the "killer." with the face and manner of a fresh young boy. So "Mary Burns," fugitive from the police, from her gangster sweetheart, and from all that had previously made her life, becomes a hunted thing. With Richard Arlen heading a notable cast, comedy drama and romance make "Three Live Ghosts." the associate picture, delightful entertainment. The story concerns the adventures of three soldiers who escaped from a German prison camp and returned to London to find themselves officially " dead." For varying reasons they decide to remain so. and their escapades provide excitement and tender romance. Cecilia Parker. Beryl Mercer, Charles M'Naughton. Claude Allisler. Dudley Digges, Nydia Westman. Jonathan Hale, and Lillian Cooper all give excellent portrayals. The box plans are at the theatre sweet shop and the D.I.C.