AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23106, 4 February 1937, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE Suspense, drama and romance are nicely blended in "Lonely Road," which will have its final screenings at the Empire Theatre to-day. Clive Brook, who makes a welcome return to the screen after a long absence, is excellently cast as an ex-naval commander turned Secret Service agent. He becomes involved in a car smash with a lorry full of munitions, and later meets the driver's sister in a dance hall. The two become mixed up in a series of exciting adventures with gunrunners before justice prevails, and the film ends on a romantic note. There is a strong supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "LAND WITHOUT MUSIC" "Land Without Music" will be screened at the Empire Theatre tomorrow, with Richard Tauber in the leading role. As a step out of the monotonous round of many musicals and operettas, this is said to be the best film British studios have yet fashioned. The picture has been given lavish production treatment; it is smoothly directed, and there is sufficient variety to rate it as excellent entertainment for every type of audience, and higher for the sections who take their music particularly keenly. The musical score and songs are by OScar Strauss. Tauber is in good form in his songs and makes the most of their romantic strains in his own inimitable manner. His real-life wife, Diana Napier, appears alongside him as the Princess Regent, who issues a most unusual command. All music is banned in the insignificant European kingdom she rules. That, of course, only causes revolt with the popular singing idol Carlini (Tauber). The urgings of Jimmy Durante, as an American newspaper man, present him In a better role than usual. He does some good comedy, and is helped by his charming little daughter, June Clyde, who is really fascinating in the part. Her opposite is Derrick de Marney (Rudolpho Strozzi), a handsome person having an outstanding personality. The finest scene is the concluding one, in which the people all steal away to a secret concert staged in the " Robbers' Cave " in the depths of a forest, where Tauber sings several numbers to a fine orchestral accompaniment. The story is based on an actual incident which occurred in the early part of the nineteenth century. STRAND THEATRE The thrills and dangers of the wildanimal trainer's life form the basis of "Bengal Tiger." which will complete a season at the Strand Theatre to-dav. Barton Mac Lane. in a different role this time, has the chief part, and is assisted by June Travis and Paul Graetz. A drama. "Behind the Evidence," is in support, with Norman Foster, Donald Cook, and Sheila Manners starred. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "TRAILIN" WEST" "Trailin' West," First National's latest Western thriller/, will be seen at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, with Dick Foran, the "singing cowboy," in the stellar role and Paula Stone playing opposite him. The original story, by Anthony Coldeway, is filled with thrills, and these are said to pack the picture with a punch even greater than ordinarily found in Western dramas. The theme concerns the sending of specially-appointed agents into the West by President Lincoln to break up the bands of whites who were inciting Indians to warfare and robbing the United States pack trains of gold shipments. Dick Foran and Miss Stone both have the roles of operatives, working separately and single-handed against fearful odds Gordon Elliott. Addison Richards and

Henry Otho are the leaders of the bandit band, with Joseph Crehan and Fred Lawrence playing the parts of army officers of a nearby fort. Robert Barrat has the historical role of Abraham Lincoln, Stuart Holmes that of Edwin M. Stanton, and Ed Stanley that of Major Pinkerton. Foran sings two songs specially written for the picture. The other film will be "Big Brown Eyes," starring Joan Bennett and Cary Grant. STATE THEATRE "The Crime of Dr Forbes," which heads the current programme at the State Theatre, is a thrilling mystery story concerning the death of a doctor who has been gravely injured in an accident. His assistant, Dr Forbes, refuses to give him an overdose of a drug to end his misery, but shortly after he is found dead. The assistant is charged with murder, and to make matters worse it is revealed that he is in love with the dead man's wife. The solution of the mystery brings the film to a startling climax. There is a varied supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg s. "POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL" Shirley Temple's winsome personality is given full scope in "Poor Little Rich Girl," which comes to-morrow to the State Theatre. As Barbara Barry, the only daughter of a wealthy young manufacturer, she has everything a child could wish for except freedom and companionship. At last, becoming aware of her loneliness, her father sends her away to school, but during the journey her nurse meets with an accident and Shirley finds herself alone in the city. Imagining herself as one of her storybook characters, she enjoys the adventure. She makes friends with an organ-grinder and his monkey, and follows him home. In the same house live an aspiring radio artist and his wife, who, recognising Shirley's dancing and singing ability, give her a part in the act they are rehearsing. They are eventually engaged by Barry's rival manufacturer as an advertisement for his firm. Thinking his daughter safe at boarding school, Mr Barry is astounded to hear her voice praising the qualities of his rival's goods. There begins an exciting chase, many explanations, and at last the missing Barbara is restored to her parent. The film abounds in humour, melody, and some clever tap dancing. Among Shirley Temple's most popular numbers are "A Military Man," " O, My Goodness," and " Spinach." Romance is introduced by Alice Faye, as the charming advertising manager of the rival firm. Jack Haley and Michael Whalen also share star honours. REGENT THEATRL Modern China in the throes of civil war is the background of "The General Died at Dawn," the fast-moving drama of romance, adventure, and intrigue, which is at present enjoying a successful season at the Regent Theatre Taken directly from to-day's headlines. this picture presents Gary Cooper as a soldier of fortune in the ranks of the people's army engaged in a war of annihilation with the war lords who have preyed upon the country for centuries. Beautiful, blonde Madeleine Carroll plays the part of the lure used by a war lord to betray him. In a swiftly-paced story which faithfully adheres to fact and retains all the magnitude of the great awakening of China, the film reveals how a casual interest on the part of the girl in the young hero she is ordered to destroy turns to admiration and then to love. Having trapped him and having herself become enmeshed in the web of intrigue she helped to weave, she cffers her life for that of the man she betrayed. Cooper, in a desperate gamble, saves his life and that of the girl whom he loves by playing to the vanity of a dying man. The supporting cast includes Akim Tamiroff, Porter Hall. Dudley Digges, and William Frawley. An entertaining programme

of short subjects is shown in support of the principal picture. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "ACCUSED" Produced in England and released by United Artists, "Accused," which will start to-morrow at the Regent Theatre, is a film which contains melody, spectacle, comedy, romance and mystery all welded into a plot which, according to overseas critics, is guaranteed to hold the interest. Great care has been shown in the selection of the cast. With his good looks, his easy grace of bearing and his undoubted acting ability, Douglas Fairbanks, juh., was an ideal choice for the role of Tony Seymour, a young theatrical artist married to Gaby, his Eartner in a sensational dancing act. lolores Del Rio was an equally good choice for this latter role, for the character is that of a lovely, fiery Spanish girl. The ambition of these young lovers is fulfilled when their act is booked for a leading Parisian theatre, but then the other woman enters the scene, in the form of Yvette, the leading lady of the show, who threatens their happiness and arouses Gaby's jealousy by setting her cap at the handsome Tony. Thus, from a gay and sparkling setting of music, melody and theatrical spectacle, the film enters an atmosphere tense with drama, and to this is added mystery and excitement when, on the night before the show is due to open, Yvette is found stabbed in her dressing room. The Spanish girl is at once accused, with jealousy cited as her motive, and is put on trial for her life. It is at this stage that the film strikes a really novel note, and moves fast to its sensational climax. For in the trial scene, French legal procedure (contrary to British custom, which holds a prisoner guilty until proved innocent) is accurately and convincingly reproduced. ST. JAMES THEATRE. By far the most exciting, as well as the most uproariously funny of all Joe E Brown's pictures is his latest comedy romance, " Sons o' Guns," which is at present screening at the St. James Theatre. A comedy of the World War, it is entirely bloodless, and deals only with the humorous side of the life of the soldiers of the A.E.F. Joe, himself, never was so funny as the timorous doughboy who is so dumb that while fleeing from the enemy he captures nearly a regiment by mistake. His troubles are about to be ended before a firing squad when an amusing turn of events makes him a war hero. The supporting cast includes Joan Blondell, Beverly Roberts, Eric Blore, Craig Reynolds, Winifred Shaw, Joseph King, and Robert Barrat. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs's, and the D.I.C. "OURSELVES ALONE" Sinn Fein struggles against the Black and Tans for the freedom of Ireland in " Ourselves Alone." the film hailed as Elstree's answer to " The Informer," will open at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. It is a situation demanding a film, but it shows how times have changed. The film is reported to favour neither cause, for while the Sinn Feins win sympathy through their sincerity in believing that their country needs them, so are the Black and Tans given credit for their faith in their duty. " Ourselves Alone" provides ample opportunities for real acting, and it can be said that John Lodge, as county inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary, John Loder, as the intelligence officer, and Antoinette Cellier as the girl who is engaged to the inspector and whose brother, leader of a division of the Sinn Feins, is shot by Wiltshire, rise magnificently to the situations. There is further opportunity for drama, too, in the fact that Wiltshire and the girl come to love each other. It falls to her lot

to decide whether to betray him or to save him when some of the Sinn Feins seek to avenge the death of their leader. Apart altogether from the acting, which is uniformly excellent, the direction shows a decided advance for British studios, and some of the scenes are as impressive as any that have ever come from the studios of other lands. Many of the supporting cast were men who actually participated in the trouble in 1921, and this, combined with the excellent acting of the principals, makes the atmosphere of the film one of intense realism. OCTAGON THEATRE "Florida Special," the main feature now at the Octagon Theatre, has plenty of dramatic action to liven the journey of the train from New York towards the south. Jack Oakie plays excellently the part of a newspaper reporter who pushes his way into anything that looks like news. " Sunset Pass" is the associate picture. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "PREVIEW MURDER MYSTERY" For those who like action films, well handled, the programme which begins at the Octagon Theatre tomorrow is an excellent choice. The " Preview Murder Mystery," as its title promises, is a "thriller" set against the glamorous background of screenland. An old silent film, remade into a talkie, is nearing the end of production when threatening letters terrify the stars. Murder follows, and, despite the police cordon that guards the victims, the mad killer continues his grim work, planning to wipe out a colony of 700 people working in one studio. Apart from the suspense of the plot itself, the film is interesting for its glimpses of the mechanics of production. Reginald Denny leads a cast which includes Francis Drake and lan Keith. While Harry Roy and his famous band are delighting huge audiences in London, " Everything is Rhythm," the associate film, will bring Mr and Mrs Harry Roy to the screen of the Octagon Theatre in a story apparently based on the musician's own romance. It tells of the romance of an orchestra leader and a princess travelling incognito, who fall in love at sight, only to find that royal rights and privileges can place many barriers in the path of true love. The story provides many opportunities for the music of Harry Roy's famous band, which is heard in no fewer than eight new songs. Mrs Harry Roy, who has the leading feminine role, is the beautiful Princess Pearl, daughter of an Eastern potentate, to whom the musician was married recently. GRAND THEATRE A thrilling story of a new phase of underworld racketeering is told in " Human Cargo," an exciting drama which commenced a season at the Grand Theatre yesterday. Based on the illegal entry of aliens into the country, a problem which has to be continually faced by the authorities in America, the theme deals with the trials of the unauthorised immigrants at the hands of gangsters, who, threatening to betray them to the authorities if they fail to agree to their terms, wring from the unfortunate unauthorised immigrants a large proportion of whatever earnings they may make. Into this new arena of crime comes two newspaper reporters, played by Brian Donlevy and Claire Trevor, who have been assigned by their paper to try and gain information concerning the activities of a gang which is suspected of smuggling aliens into the country. The girl, who is a newcomer to the newspaper game, accompanies Donlevy to a night club, where the latter hopes to get in touch with the

gang, but their plans go somewhat astray when a gun-battle breaks out and the man from whom Donlevy hoped to secure information is killed. With the arrival of the police the girl is arrested by mistake, but her companion escapes with a dancer, who is herself an illegal immigrant. Thinking that Donlevy has been responsible for her arrest the girl leads the police to his apartments, where they find the dancer, but their hopes to obtain information concerning the operations of the gang are brought to nothing when she is killed by one of the racketeers. The latter succeeds in, making his escape, but not before Donlevy has recognised him, and when the girl reporter reveals that she knows the name of the ship on whiqh she came into the country, Donlevy determines to make a trip on board in an effort to secure further information. The girl accompanies him, but when they are disembarking the passengers are raided by a squad of police, and the two reporters are carried off in a car. Not until they are well away do the pair realise that their driver is none other than the racketeer who killed the dancer, but by means of a trick they get him into their newspaper office. In the interim, however, the girl is again trapped, and in an exciting climax the secrets of the gang are revealed. The second picture is " Dark World," a story of a perfect murder which went astray. The love of two brothers for a dancer rouses in the elder man such jealousy that he plans to rid himself of his rival, and, after planning what appears to be the perfect crime, he commits the murder, and then discovers that he has killed the wrong man. The story, which passes through a series of exciting and graphic seouences before the climax is reached, is told against a background of the stage, the principal players being Leon Quartermaine, Tamara Desni, Hugh Brooke, and Morton Selten. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. MAYFAIR THEATRE The main attraction on the doublefeature programme showing at present at the Mayfair 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 200 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. The supporting feature is "Pot Luck," with the "three musketeers of mirth"—Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and Robertson Hare—in another of their farces. Ben Travers, who has provided the stories for these players for many years now, has based the plot on a priceless Chinese vase which is stolen by a gang of jewel thieves. The three comedians are well mixed up in affairs before a solution is worked out. The box plans are at the theatre sweet shop and the D.I.C.