AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23136, 11 March 1937, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE “ Dancing Pirate,” the delightful technicolour production introducing Charles Collins, brilliant dancing star, and the glamorous Steffi Duna, will conclude its Dunedin season at the State Theatre to-day. The process of colouration in this production makes a considerable advance on previous methods, and the romantic setting of the story in old California gives full opportunity for effective use of the process. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “CHARLIE CHAN ON THE RACE TRACK" Hailed as the most thrilling Charlie Chan picture ever brought to the screen, Warner Oland again plays Earl Derr Biggers’s wily detective, with Keye Luke, Helen Wood, Thomas Beck, Alan Dinehart, and Gavin Muir in “Charlie Chan on the Rack Track," which will be screened at the State Theatre to-morrow. The film opens with a roar of excitement at the Melbourne race track in Australia, where Avalanche, the odd-on favourite, loses the sweepstakes through the operations of a huge gambling syndicate. Chan is called in to investigate the case by the horse’s owner. When the boat docks at Honolulu. Chan goes on board to find the turfman dead. When the boat leaves Honolulu for Los Angeles, Chan is on board—trailing the killer. Avalanche is entered for the 100,000dol Santa Juanita Handicap—but Chan discovers that the horse has been switched with another thoroughbred. Chan delves deeper and deeper into the case —and the. day of the big race the gamblers kidnap the sleuth, intending tc hold him captive until the handicap is run. By a clever ruse, Chan outwits his captors and arrives at the track just before the big race. The horses leave the post in a burst of speed—and as they round in to the home stretch the killer strikes again! REGENT THEATRE “ Cain and Mabel,” which, will conclude its second week at trie Regent Theatre to-day, has everything to recommend it, with plenty of action, a quick-moving plot, and plenty of humour. Clark Gable, as a heavyweight boxer, and Marion Davies, as a girl who has just won a chance of success on the musical comedy stage, head the cast. There are realistic fight scenes, and some excellent musical spectacles. The supporting programme is a generous one. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “DODSWORTH” ■ Judging by its reception elsewhere, the new programme at the Regent Theatre to-morrow should prove very popular. The main picture, “Dodsworth," is said to be a long way ahead of the average in entertainment value, and the featurettes which precede it are one of the best collections seen for some time. “ Mickey’s Grand Opera,” a Walt Disney colour film, is most diverting entertainment in itself. “ Dodsworth ” has an excellent cast and the acting is strong throughout. A fine book and an outstanding stage play has been made into a screen picture that is bound to draw large audiences wherever it Is screened. Walter Huston gives a fine interpretation of Sam Dodsworth, a successful producer of motor cars, who, after 20 years of incessant toil, starts off on a world tour with his wife. Huston’s characterisation of a rugged, good living, tolerant husband is a masterpiece qf fine acting. He shows no jealousy when his selfish, stupid, vain wife carries on flirtations on the liner Queen Mary arid in Paris, Vienna and other places. After his wife craves a divorce, and this is agreed to in order that she may marry a young German noble, Dodsworth falls in love with a pretty widow and converts a life of sacrifice into one of happiness. Playing opposite to Walter Huston is Ruth Chatterton, who also gives a fine performance. She characterises the type of woman who hates to think she is growing old, and with the use of beauty parlours and fashion salons makes herself appear many years younger than she is—and she is a grandmother. Mary Aster, as Edith Cortright, the widow who finally made Dodsworth’s life happy, Paul Lukas as the philandering Arnold Iselin, David Niven and Gregory Gaye all give good performances.

ST. JAMES THEATRE “ My Man Godfrey,” which is at present being shown at the St. James Theatre, is the funniest comedy since “ Mr Deeds Goes to Town.” Immaculately acted by a brilliant cast headed by William Powell, Carole Lombard, and Eugene Pallette, it is full of clever humour in dialogue and action. The credit for the direction goes to Gregory La Cava. There is a good supporting programme, including a number of “ The March of Time ” series. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s. OCTAGON THEATRE “Border Flight” and “Down the Stretch ” are the current features at the Octagon Theatre. The final presentations of this programme will take place to-day. “Border Flight,” wna a cast headed by Grant Withers, Roscoe Karns, John Howard, and Frances Farmer, is a novel presentation of the law’s fight against the smugglers who have taken to the air to evade the Customs. There are some thrilling air battles and aerobatics in the film. “ Down the Stretch ” is a dramatic racing film. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. « HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD ” All the lights and shadows of Hollywood are on view in Paramount s “Hollywood Boulevard,” a dramatic picture of the comeback of a fallen screen idol, which will be seen at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. John Halliday has the featured role of an egotistical actor who agrees to sell the story of his love-life for another chance m a picture. When his estranged family appeals to him to stop the scandal after the first chapters, he tries to. but the fan magazine publisher wont permit it. Then he threatens to write of his affair with the publisher’s wife, and when she threatens him with a pistol he is shot. The police charge the shooting to his daughter, but an unusual twist in the story smooths out the drama in a sensational climax. Marsha Hunt, as the daughter;' C. Henry Gordon, as the publisher; Robert Cummings, in the juvenile role; Esther Ralston, as the blonde charmer; and Frieda Inescort, as the unhappy wife, make the story live. They are assisted by 30 old-time stars of the silent picture days. The hot spots of Hollywood, beach scenes, the home of the stars, and back-stage at the studios provide a background for an evening of real entertainment. “ Guns of the Pecos” will be the supporting attraction. GRAND THEATRE A new standard in musical films is set with “Sing. Baby, Sing,” which commenced a season yesterday at the Grand Theatre. Unfortunately in the past picture-goers have become somewhat chary of attending entertainments of this nature, as the lavish claims made on behalf of many of them have not been upheld. No one. however, need entertain any doubts regarding the quality of “ Sing, Baby, Sing.” Its catchy songs, superb settings and most modern numbers assure for it a successful season. Varied comedy is also provided, and in this respect it marks the first screen appearance of the Three Ritz Brothers, whose clowning and buffoonery is of a type that makes an immediate appeal by its freshness. The trio are alsc accomplished dancers and two or three numbers serve to demonstrate their ability in making the most complicated steps look easy. Popular and versatile comedy artists in Patsy Kelly and Ted Healy are given full scope for their wise-cracking, and probably the largest assortment of comedians ever teamed in one feature make it a series of laughs from start to finish. A well-balanced and not improbable story tells of the financial misfortunes of a theatrical agent

(Gregory Ratoff), whose faithful colleagues (Patsy Kelly and Ted Healy) stay by him in his adversity. They befriend a cafe artiste (Alice Faye), whose contract has expired, and endeavour to get her a further one in the radio world. Their efforts do not meet with much success until they, by chance, become acquainted with a matinee idol of the screen, Bruce Farraday (Adolphe Menjou). Farraday is having his first holiday for three years, and celebrates his release from work none too wisely. His condition eventually requires his removal to a hospital, and when he reawakens there his thirst is such that Ratoff gives him the nearest approach to alcohol he can discover—bay rum, which he offers to Farraday as “ South American brandy.” To his surprise, Farraday describes the concoction as delicious, and his friendship is assured. Meanwhile, publicity has been given to Miss Faye’s alleged alliance with Menjou—her Juliet to his Romeo—and this further serves to complicate matters. Ratoff obtains for Miss Faye a lucrative radio contract on condition that Menjou appears with her, but this presents a series of difficulties as Menjou’s manager definitely opposes this. A cross-country aeroplane chase is staged, and In a mid-Western town the radio broadcast is held after some exciting moments. It is hugely successful, and the picture ends on a happy note for all concerned. Michael Whalen, late Hollywood discovery, ably supports the other members of the cast and lends his aid in the musical numbers “ Sing, Baby, Sing,” " You Turned the Tables on Me,” “Love Will Tell,”, and “ When Did You Leave Heaven? ” There is the usual strong supporting programme, and the box plans for the season arc at the theatre and at Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE " The White Angel,” which has been well received by Dunedin audiences, will conclude its season at the Empire Theatre to-day. This production is worthy to rank with “The Story of Louis Pasteur” for sincerity of treatment and for dramatic and technical ability. The story of Florence Nightingale and the great work she performed in the Crimean War has been carefully handled and, in the leading role, Kay Francis gives a memorable characterisation. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

“DISHONOUR BRIGHT” “Dishonour Bright,” written by Ben Travers and directed by Tom Walls, is scheduled to commence its Dunedin season at the Empire Theatre to-mor-row. The comedy situations are said to be delightful entertainment, and are worthy to be ranked among the best creations of the author’s fertile mind. Tom Walls plays the role of a highlysophisticated man about town with a reputation which makes jealous husbands shut their doors on him. and romantic wives open them again. Yet he finally destroys the illusion he has built around himself by not being able to resist his own charming, vague, cold-in-the-“ dose ” wife. Betty Stockfeld takes the part of the girl who very nearly comes between the happy pair, while Diana Churchill is Tom’s better (if sniffling) half. Eugene Pallette plays the part of a crook whose zeal just fails to make up for his natural stupidity. Arthur Wontner, Cecil Parker. and Henry Oscar are among others to whom important roles are allotted. “ Dishonour Bright ” is a merry tale of muddled marriages. The whole production fairly sparkles with priceless situations, crammed with wit that will make you blush with laughter.

STRAND THEATRE A cleverly-conceived British production, "Cheer Up,” starring the popular Stanley Lupino, heads the programme which will be presented today at the Strand Theatre for the final screenings. The associate feature is “Heart of the West,” featuring James Boyd, another of the film adaptations of Clarence Mulford's widely-read novels. There is a stage setting to “Cheer Up,” and a tuneful musical score proves an acceptable backing to the comedy work. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME Thirteen souls and a black cat on board an ill-fated ship on a thrill surging sea of mystery. This in a “nut-shell” is the* story of “The Mystery of the Marie Celeste,” which comes to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The picture is founded on fact, and the solution of the world’s greatest unsolved mystery of the seas tells of the amazing series of misadventures that befell the Marie Celeste, which sailed from New York with a cargo of alcohol, a shanghaied crew of desperadoes, a bullying first mate, a captain and his newly-wed, charming young wife, on a honeymoon cruise. Fourteen days later the vessel was found ghosting mysteriously towards Gibraltar, with everything in shipshape order, but not a single member of the crew on board. What fiendish hand had steered the course of death on this illfated voyage? That question has defied solution for over 50 years, and the screen version of the mystery seems at last to have found the correct answer. The cast is headed by Bela Lugosi, of “ Dracula ” fame.” “ Two-fisted Gentleman,” the associate feature, is a fastpaced comedy-romance starring Jimmy Dunn and featuring June Clayworth. George M‘Kay and Thurston Hall in the supporting cast. Briefly, the film relates the domestic serio-comic squabbles of an over-stuffed fighter and his simple, sensible young wife. Their first year of married life is complicated by an overdose of prosperity and too much society blonde, but everything turns out happily for all concerned. Featured in the film are several authentic prize-ring bouts between Dunn and several of the leading Pacific Coast boxing champions. So realistic were these fight scenes that Dunn suffered a broken bone in his hand, while one of his adversaries, in the film, of course, was hospital-ridden for several days with three cracked ribs. MAYFAIR THEATRE ‘One of Will Rogers’s best comedies, “In Old Kentucky,” and "PrivateNumber,” a brilliant romance starring Robert Taylor and Loretta Young, are the features in the new programme at the Mayfair Theatre. All of the romance, the rich down-to-earth humour and kindliness that mark Will Rogers’s performances have been captured in “In Old Kentucky.” Adapted from a favourite American play, the film presents Rogers as a philosophical horse trainer who fills in his spare time by making the course of true love run smoothly for his young friends. The rivalry between two aristocratic families in the matter of producing champions of the turf is the thread of the story which has a delightful climax. Bill Robinson, veteran tap dancer, is Rogers’s chief supporter. “Private Number,” the associate feature, is a youthful love story concerning a boy with too much money and his secret sweetheart. Taylor and Miss Young are a well-matched pair as the lovers, and Patsy Kelly, Basil Rathbone and Marjorie Gateson are featured in the supporting cast. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre.

“DISHONOUR BRIGHT”

TOM WALLS FOR EMPIRE Tom Walls, hoisted high above the floor of the huge No. 5 stage of the new Denham Studios, surveyed the scene proudly. Below him was spread out a faithful reproduction of a divorce court, filled with counsel, jury, and the usual sensation-seek-ing public. In fact, everybody was there but the co-respondent—the co-respondent in this case being Tom Walls himself. Immediately before him the chief cameraman was adjusting the lights and camera for an elaborate glass painting shot. Somebody called out “Silence!.” Somebody else seconded the motion. “ Turn them over! ” said Tom Walls, and Capitol Films’ first shot at Denham was taken. Ben Travers, that prince of ultra-modern comedy authors, wrote “Dishonour Bright,” coming to-morrow to the Empire Theatre, specially for Tom Walls, and in order to get the most out of this rich, risque matrimonial farce, Walls also decided to direct the film himself. And as nobody knows Walls as Walls does, the result is said to be the best film the popular star has made, even eclipsing the unforgettable “ Rookery Nook.” The story starts in a divorce court, finishes in a bedroom, and the spicy situations that develop in between are deliciously handled in Walls’s,own inmitable style. He plays the part of a polished man of the world, whose reputation made jealous husbands shut their doors on him, and romantic wives open them again. Yet he finally destroys the illusions he has built up around himself when he cannot overcome a weakness for his own wife. Eugene Pallette, Betty Stockfeld, Diana Churchill, Cecil Parker and Henry Oscar are featured in the strong supporting cast. Ben Travers, in addition to writing the original story of “ Dishonour Bright,” was responsible for the screen treatment and dialogue.