AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23107, 5 February 1937, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE “ Trailin’ West,” First National’s latest Western thriller, will be seen at the Strand Theatre to-day, 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 othei film will be “Big Brown Eyes,” starring Joan Bennett and Cary Grant. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE “ Poor Little Rich Girl,” Shirley Temple’s latest picture, will commence its Dunedin season at the State Theatre to-day. As Barbara Barry, the only daughter of a wealthy young manufacturer, Shirley 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 exElanations, and at last the missing Barara 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. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

REGENT THEATRE Ranging in tempo from gay musical comedy to the gripping drama of a murder trial, “Accused,” the United Artists production, which will commence at the Regent Theatre to-day, embraces within its plot all the elements of entertainment. In the leading role Douglas Fairbanks, jun., consolidates the position he gained with his acting in “The Amateur Gentleman,” and he receives admirable support from Delores Del Rio, the noted actress, Florence Desmond (widow of Campbell-Black), Basil Sydney, and Esme Percy. The film strikes a genuine note of novelty with its impressive reconstruction of a French criminal trial. This is the climax of the story, and the legal procedure is so different from that of British or American courts that it cannot fail to interest all sections of the audience. The two leading characters are Tony and Gaby, husband and wife, and partners in a spectacular dancing act which calls for some sensational knife-throwing on the part of the girl. They secure an engagement at a Parisian theatre, and all seems to be going well when Yvette, the leading lady of the show, becomes interested in Tony, thus arousing the jealousy of his wife, who is of a fiery temperament. In order not to spoil their chances of success, Tony has to E retend to return Yvette’s interest in im, but just at this crucial point Yvette is removed from the picture by the very knife which is used by Gaby in her act. The police appear to have a watertight case against Gaby, and the interest of the story is then focused on her trial for life. The efforts of her husband and friends to secure the evidence to absolve her, the battle of wits between the prosecutor and defending counsel, and the final trick by which the real criminal is disclosed bring “Accused” to a brilliant conclusion. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre.

ST. JAMES THEATRE Search back through history and one will not And a more dramatic period than the days in the early 1920’5, when the trouble in Ireland burst into flames. This was a grim era of superhuman deeds of bravery and self-sacrifice, and one of unbelievable treachery and cruelty. “ Ourselves Alone.” which will open at the St. James Theatre this afternoon, is a drama which is centred around this period, and portrays very forcibly the stark horror of those days. The theme is mitigated, however, by the romantic element which runs through the picture, together with a definitely comic performance by Jerry Verno as the melancholy Private Parsley in the service of the Black and Tans, who frequently airs his grievances in a most woeful manner. The story tells of how John Hannay, a stern, ruthless commandant of the Irish Constabulary, is engaged to Maureen Elliott, an Irish girl, but has a rival in Guy Wiltshire, his intelligence officer. . Both are concentrating with all their power on the apprehension of a mysterious rebel leader known as Nick O’Dea, and each is unaware that their man is really Maureen’s brother, Terry Elliott. Eventually Terry is cornered, and Wiltshire is left with no alternative but to kill him. but when Hannay realises that it is Wiltshire whom Maureen really loves, he nobly shoulders the blame, thereby allowing true romance to emerge from stark tragedy. Sides are never taken —the insurgents as well as the Black and Tans present their cases clearly, the clash being - amplified to moving and thrilling dimensions by perfectly balanced treatment. The male leads are taken by John Lodge and John Loder, and Antoinette Cellier plays the role of Maureen Elliott. Other featured players include Bruce Lister, E. J. Kennedy, Pat Noonan, Clifford Evans. Paul Farrell. Fred OTDonovan, and Tony Quinn. The supporting cast includes many of the actual “ rebels ” who fought and risked death for their beliefs and ambitions, men re-enacting the drama and dangers they went through only a very few years ago. Gripping story, human interest, big thrills, fine acting, feminine appeal, and flawless atmosphere all combine to make a picture that will leave its mark in the minds of all fans. An entertaining programme of short subjects will also be screened. The box plans for the season are at Begg's, D.1.C., Jacobs’s., and the theatre.

OCTAGON THEATRE “ The Preview Murder Mystery,” Paramount’s latest contribution to the school of “ thrill ” films, will be the attraction at the Octagon Theatre to-day. with a large cast of favourites headed by Reginald Denny, Frances Drake, Gail Patrick. Rod La Roque, George Barbier, lan Keith, Conway Tearle and Jack Mulhall. All the action of "The Preview Murder Mystery” is set in a motion picture studio, and audiences are actually taken behind the scenes and shown the making of a motion picture from start to finish. Against this background is enacted an exciting, though chilling, mystery story. Beginning at the preview of a new picture, when the star is found murdered, the action of "The Preview Murder Mystery” shifts immediately to the studio stages, where production goes forward as police and the studio publicity chief begin investigating the murder. When an attempt is made on the life of a leading feminine star, hysteria sweeps

the stages, even though the gisi "m wt-’ injured. A short time later a studio policeman is found knifed to death. Authorities, convinced that the fiend is on the “ lot,” padlock the entire- establishment and begin fine-combing it from end to end. What ensues as the investigation narrows down brings the story to a breathless climax, guaranteed to raise gooseflesh on the most hardened of mystery addicts. The other film will be the musical attraction “ Everything is Rhythm,” featuring Harry Roy and his band. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

GRAND THEATRE . A new form of racketeering, which is as exciting as could be desired, is thnlhngly portrayed in “ Human Cargo,” which heads the current double-feature programme at the Grand Theatre. This particular “racket” consists of smuggling aliens into the United States, and then - extorting money and service from them by means of blackmail. Although ■ a gang which operates in, this manner is known to exist, the authorities have the greatest difficulty in tracking it down, and it is with the object of exposing these illegal practices that a newspaper assigns two of its reporters, clayed by Brian Donlevy and Claire Trevor, to find out something about the business. The girl, who is a newcomer to newspaper work, accompanies Donlevy to a night club,- where the. latter hopes' to to obtain some information concerning the operations of the gang. Their plans come to naught, however, as a gun battle breaks out, in the club, and before he can escape the man from whom they hoped to get the news has been killed. In the confusion the girl re* porter is arrested, but her companion escapes With a dancer from the night club who is herself an illegal immigrant. From this stage the plot comes more and more complicated and at the same time more and more exciting until ‘.fin absolutely smashing climax is reached; The second picture is “Dark World,” a story of a perfect murder which wdf not so perfect. Leon Quartermain. Tav mara Desni, Hugh Brooke and Morton Selton have the leading roles. The box plans are at the theatre and'at Begg's.

EMPIRE THEATRE 4 In “ Land Without Music," to be commenced at the Empire Theatre to-day, Richard Tauber enjoys the mast ■at-, tractive story he has ever had. It Was, an amusing idea to set the action ip,A ; mythical Principality so fond of that its people would not work. Its young Princess Regent (Diana Napier) makes music of all kinds a criminal offence until Tauber appears on ' the scene. Threaded generously with the tenor’s glorious voice, the film is ideal for lovers of his songs, and additionally he turns in a sound acting per-' formance. “Land Without Music-is charming, with enough gaiety and picturesque backgrounds to carry its fantasy. Jimmy (“ Schrlozzle ”) Durante maintains the comedy angle in a refreshingly enthusiastic manner. Another Hollywoodian who is quite at home in. an unusual environment is June Clyde. There is an added interest in Diana Napier because of her marriage to Tauber. Oscar Strauss, who has provided so many popular comic operas, has excelled' himself with plenty, of, swinging tunes. The supporting cast also includes Derrick de Marnay, who brings a new name to the list of English juveniles in a very creditable manner. The period trappings suit Tauber admirably. It is an interesting fact that he has lost an amazing amount of weight. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

MAYFAIR THEATRE “Road Gang” and “Pot Luck” arc the two features on the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre. “Road Gang” is a picture of stark realism, set in two locales; the “first the prison farm, where human beings are subjected to mediaeval persecution; the second in the Blackfoot mines, where recalcitrant convicts are sent. Donald Woods and Carlyle Moore, jun., have the two principal convict roles. Entirely innocent of any crime, they are framed by men whom Woods, a newspaper correspondent, threatened to expose. The romantic angle is furnished by Kay Linaker in the leading feminine role. As the fiancee of Woods, she carries on a battle for. his freedom, although she nearly fails because of a strike at the mines led by Woods, in which the prisoners blast their way out and are gassed with bombs. “ Pot Luck ” features the “ three Musketeers of Mirth”—Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and Robertson Hare—and Ben Travers, author of so many of the scenarios for these comedians, is responsible for the story. The players are well up to their standard, and the entertainment is a delightful one. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre sweet shop.

“YOU MAY BE NEXT” Exciting entertainment is offered in “You May Be Next!” featuring Ann Sothern and Lloyd Nolan, to be commenced at the Mayfair Theatre tomorrow. The exciting drama develops out of one of the most unusual and unique situations the Hollywood sages have yet conceived. Briefly, the story concern’s a master plotter’s attempt to jam a nation’s radio channels with a mysterious and secret interfering wave. He is thus able to extort fabulous sums from the radio companies, successfully evading justice, even with the army and naval authorities on his trail. Heading the cast is Ann Sothern in the role of a cafe and radio entertainer. Douglass Dumbrille is featured as the super racketeer who discovers and puts into practice the novel method of hi-jack-mg the big broadcasting stations out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, while Lloyd Nolan appears as a young radio engineer, in love with Miss Sothern,who is suspected of ruining his former employer's broadcasts. The story unrolls a dramatic sequence of thrills, interspersed with comedy by John Arledge and melodies by Miss Sothern. The picture holds its suspense up to the very end, reaching a smashing climax in its closing moments. The associate film will be "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” starring Sylvia Sydney, Fred MacMurray, and Henry Fonda. •