AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23204, 31 May 1937, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE Every new season of films inevitably brings with it new screen "finds," vigorously heralded by the companies concerned as "sensations." Few reach stardom, but one who has obviously come to stay, unless some more lucrative field is opened to her, is Deanna Durbin, Universal's 14-year-old songstress, who makes her film debut in the comedy "Three Smart Girls," now in its second week at the Empire Theatre. Despite her youth, this girl already has a soprano voice in. which the .officials of the New York Metropolitan Opera are interested. Not only by her voice, but by her sincere acting and charm of manner, she has caotivated all who have attended at the Empire Theatre during the crowded first week of " Three Smart Girls." Although devoid of any incongruous sophistication, she plays her part so naturally that sometimes it is hard to believe that she is not a seasoned actress Of the screen. She sings as naturally as a bird, and from the first notes of her opening song on the waters of a Swiss lake she has her audience in her spell. But even without Deanna Durbin this film would rank high. It is clean comedy all the way, the adventures of three ingenuous girls in' New York oh. a campaign to patch up their mother's Shattered romance. In their Swiss home the three girls, played by Nan Grey Barbara Read and Deanna Durbin as the irrepressible "Penny," read that their father in New York, who has been 10 years divorced from their mother, is about to marry one who is patently a. gold-digger, and they dash across the world to bring him to his senses. The main attraction is strongly supported by an extremely interesting programme: of short subjects, which include a further contribution of the March of Time series. On Wednesday night the official screening of the Coronation ■ ceremony in London will be presented in addition to the main attraction. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C : STRAND THEATRE Action and excitement are provided in ample measure in " Sea Spoilers, the first picture on the double-feature programme at present being shown at the Strand • Theatre. John Wayne is given a virile and effective role as a boatswain in the United States coastguard patrol, who sets out to check the activities of a nefarious gang of poachers on the northern cost of. Alaska. Assuming temporary command of a coastguard cutter, he is required to outwit the schemes of a band of wily seal-poachers, and the manner in which he succeeds provides exciting entertainment. Nan Grey and William Bakewell are prominent in supporting roles. The second picture is "I'll Love You Always," featuring Nancy Carroll and George Murphy. In this, simple; but human tale of young love in difficult circumstances, the principal players achieve distinctly meritorious character studies. Miss Carroll is winsome and appealing as a talented young actress who gives up her career to marry a young engineer whose graduation is only a short period back. Their struggles to win happiness against the almost overwhelming odds of poverty make an attractive story. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Sharing the honours with " Dimples " at the State Theatre, where the Shirley Temple production is now in the second week of its. season, is a. film of the Coronation which -was rushed to New, Zealand in the remarkably short space of 15 days. The great occasion;-has. been done full justice in the film, which shows crowd scenes, glimpses of the procession, and part of the actual ceremony in' the Abbey The film is.soundsynchronised and conveys .the atmosphere of the celebration, with, remarkable effect. In "Dimples," Shirley Temple gives .one of her best, perfornvances;,"Thers is laughter, rbmance and, drama in " Dimples," : in addition to Shirley Temple's songs and dances. With Professor Eustace Appleby (Morgan) as her mentor, the little heroine ekes out a precarious living for them both by leading a group- of young minstrels in impromptu shows pn the streets. Appleby, however, has a penchant for other people's valuables and his nimble. fingers are always attaching themselves to some object or other. Dimples, meanwhile, with her charms and smiles, captivates.a wealthy woman (Helen Westley). who wants to adopt her. The lady offers Appleby a large sum of money if he will .permit Dimples to come and live with her. Appleby indignantly refuses, but one of his escapades forces him to accept the offer, although Dimple s heart is breaking. With her songs, smiles and dances, however, Dimples straightens matters out, scores a triumphant success on the stage, and brings ness to two young lovers. Shirley Temple is responsible for a high-class performance and her musical numbers are a feature of the film. Frank Morgan and Stepin Fetchit provide abundant and hilarious laughter, while Robert Kent, Astrid Allwyn and Delma Byron provide the romantic interest. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE "Men Are Not Gods," the London Films production now showing at the Regent Theatre, is an unusual drama of the "eternal triangle," presented with great sincerity by an able cast. Although she has already a great reputation, Miriam Hopkins, the star, surpasses all her previous triumphs in this, her first British film. With her appears Sebastian Shaw, who has had many successes on the stage, and now establishes himself as a ; screen. star. Others in the cast include Gertrude Lawrence. A. E. Mathews, Val Gielgud, Lawrence Grossmith. and Rex Harrison, while personalities who appear in a cleverly-contrived hotel scene in*-;

WELLINGTON FIRST DIVISION Athletic 18, Poneke 13. Wellington College Old Boys 20,. Petone 13. Wellington 19, Hutt 10. Eastbourne 12. Marist Brothers Old Boys 8. SECOND DIVISION Johnsonville 8, University 6. • Athletic 8, Oriental .6. Wellington 17, Miramar 11, St. Patrick's Old Boys 33, Pirates 6. CHRISTCHURCH Merivale 8, Albion 3. Sunnyside 4, Sydenham 3. University 6, Athletic 3. Old Boys 17, Christchurch 6. Linwood 11. Technical 3. TIMARU Old Boys 3. Geraldine 4. Star 6, Celtic 6. Temuka 23, Zingari 6. INVERCARGILL Old Boys 23, Bluff 19. Marist 17, Pirates 4. Blues 35, Star 3.

elude Noel Coward, Charles Laughton, and Marlene Dietrich. The story concerns the meteoric rise to fame of a young Shakespearian actor. In his first appearance as "Othello" he is mediocre, and is rightly condemned by a great theatrical critic. His wife, seeking the critic, meets the writer's secretary (Miriam Hopkins) and induces her to change the article before it is published. The secretary does so, and the actor, inspired by the fulsome praise, gives a faultless presentation the following night. From this point the film is gripping in it's intensity. The secretary, who . has lost her position, becomes infatuated with the actor, but in a thrilling climax gives up everything for his sake, -The final scenes, in a London theatre, arc some of the most outstandings yet produced by Alexander Korda, There is an air of authenticity, about "Men Are Not Gods,"-.-obtained by the inclusion of. scenes Maid in London itself. These are,' presented in the .theatre, and in woiv derful reproductions of the Savoy Hotel and the Cheshire Cheese, the famous Fleet street tavern The supporting programme includes a delightful Walt Disney cartoon, "The Three Mousketeers," and;an interesting survey of the reconstruction of Williams-' burg in order to preserve' the atmosphere of the Old Dominion. ' The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. / "GOLD DIGGERS OF 1937" • From every ' standpoint " Gold Diggers of 1937 " which will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre, is said to' be an unqualified success. It is light entertainment of the brightest type and combines catchy tunes, lavish backgrounds, and gorgeous costumes with the acting talent of the most successful stars of the moment in this particular sphere—Joan Blondell and Dick Powell. The film differs sufficiently from other musical features which have followed the original "Gold Diggers" to : be distinctive' and refreshingly new.: Of course there are. the beautiful girls' and the many other essentials of the famous series.' but' the makers < have, avoided any suggestion of . adhering slavishly to the form of previous musi- t cal extravaganzas. With the comedy clement well to the fore and the set.-' tings on a lavish scale, the film- goes' with a swing; from the first scene to; the.last. Featured in the cast is LeeDixon, famous eccentric dancer, and' other noted players include .Victor Moore. Glenda Farrell, Osgood Perkins, Charles D. Brown, Rosalind Marquis and Irene Ware. V ST. JAMES THEATRE- ;; ' Based on the rollicking play by lan Hay and A. E. W. Mason, "The Widow from Monte Carlo," which is now being screened at the St. James Theatre, is one of the most amusing comedyromances of the year. The picture deals" with the adventure and love: affair of a duchess, a South American' beauty, who has married into an English family of.the,nobility, and,whose search for diversion after the deatlv of her husband shocks her highly proper British "in-laws." A gay and debonair major, who runs across the duchess in a gambling place at Monte Carlo, is largely responsible for the series of exciting and romantic adventures the two pursue together. At Margate, the English seaside resort, they get mixed up with an American crook, and are nearly apprehended by the police. Another scandal is narrowly averted when the wife ; of a wealthy v marmalade manufacturer steals a letter the duches had indiscreetly written, to the major, The American /crook gets the letter back, and the duchess breaks off her engagement, with a. diplomat and returns to the major. Warren William has the role of Major Chepstow, who literally and figuratively sweeps the duchess off her feet and into his arms. ; The part of'the duchess, known as.the widow from Monte Carlo, ..'is played by the exotic Dolores Del Rip, a warmhearted although somewhat impetuous and unconventional Louise Fazenda has the part of the. wife of a marmalade king who is. trying to crash into society. Her attempts vtP meet the duchess are responsible rpr I'much of the laughter. . TheJCole of-her husband is taken by Colin Clive has the role of a:diplofnat who listens to his financee's conversations over the telephone. There, is a varied supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C, M'Cracken and Walls's, and Jacobs's.. OCTAGON THEATRE; '; " The King's People " and." Once a Doctor" are the two films which comprise the current programme at the Octagon Theatre The first production is particularly interesting, during this month of the Coronation; for it depicts scenes and happenings in the history of the British Empire from the-last years of the reign of Queen Victoria until the proclamation of King George VI. The commentary was written ■by John Drinkwater, and the whole picture follows the same lines as the films prepared for the Silver Jubilee of King George V, although the material used is not the same. The glittering pageantry of the Coronation of King George V is shown, followed by the holocaust of the Great War, and thqn the sordid tragedy of the depression years. Then comes the pomp and ceremonial of .the Silver Jubilee, followed' by the King's passing early in the following year, and the accession of Edward VIII. , The' later happenings of that momentous year are then dealt with, and the film culminates with the proclamation of King George VI. Interwoven with the story are interludes depicting discussions with such celebrities as Sir Austen Chamberlain, Lady Astor and George Bernard Shaw. "Once a Doctor," the second film, is strongly built with a cast that does more than justice to the characterisations. Heading that cast is Donald Woods. He has a role that stands out, and he handles it with a skill and per-' sonality that should win him major' contracts. In addition to the dramatic elements of the picture there is plenty of action in the work of an ambulance doctor, with the crash of street accidents, and the excitement of emergency operations; and the major thrill of the picture fn the transfer of a doc-; tor from one ship to another by means, of a breeches buoy in a raging sea. Jeaiv Muir. as the daughter of Woods's pa-' tron. and Gordon Oliver, as the drunkard who was responsible for the sufferings of a brother whom he envied and hated, carry their roles ex-, -cellently. The box plans are at the: theatre and Begg's. ; GRAND -THEATRE ■ : A naval air base serves as the scene for the pranks-and mischief that have made Jane Withers " The Holy Terror.", the title of her latest Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox starring picture, which is now in its second week at the Grand Theatre. Anthony Martin, Leah Ray, Joan Davis; EI Brendel, and Joe Lewis are also in the cast, Jane Withers is seen at her best in a role that suits her in a way none of her former parts have done. As the pride and problem of the naval base, Jane exerts her winning ways on all and sundry, until, becoming too obstreperous, she is put in the chai-ge of Anthony Martin. He. however, is much more interested in Leah Ray, the beautiful young owner of the " Golden Anchor." It is not surprising, therefore, that Jane spends much of her time at the inn. and it is while she it there that she begins to entertain certain doubts about some foreigners who are frequenting the inn. which overlooks the hangar where a new aeroplane is being tested. Her suspicions are not unfounded, and in an exciting climax. Jane is instrumental not only in bringing the spies to book, but also in uniting her caretaker and the owner of the inn. The outstanding feature of the supporting programme is the presentation of the first films to reach Dunedin of the Coronation. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. 'WIVES NEVER KNOW" What may be expected to happen when a happily-married husband takes the advice of a love expert and starts a love affair just to keep his wife's nervous system properly tuned by keepine her slightly jealous will be reveale"d on Wednesday when Paramount's 'Wives Never Know." the comedy starring Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. opens at the Grand Theatre. The love expert in this in-

stance is Adolphe Menjou, a no'velis't who considers himself too wise to get married, but who is willing and eager to give advice on the subject to anybody else who would take: it. He works hife way into the happy •household of Ruggles and Mary arid spreads the seeds of discord. The fact that Ruggles is a model husband and has never done anything'to disturb Maryhe calls sheer selfishness. Such conduct, he tells the startled Ruggles, deprives the wife of two birthrights, the ri«ht to experience the subtle joys of jealousy and the right she has to feel the great elation which comes with forgiving her mate for his transgressions.' Anxious to keep Mary happy. Ruggles gets himself mixed up with an actress.- lovely Vivienne Osborne. This affair leads to all sorts of complications, and. far from bringing the result promised by Menjou, results in a broken heart for Mary. Ruggles tries to explain, but to no avail. In a final attempt to shake himself free of the entanglements and complications which his experiments into jealousy led him. Ruggles connives to trick Menjou into marriage. This he accomplishes in a hilarious climax, which is one of the high spots in entertainment for the current season. Menjou finds himself married, Mary experiences jealousy and forgiveness, and Ruggles. pillar of respectability, finds himself re-established as the First Husband of his community. The associate film will be "Laughing at Trouble." starring Jane Danvell. Sara Haden Lois Wilson, and John Carradine.

MAYFAIR THEATRE A pageant of beauty, in which, hundreds of the famous " Follies'" girls dance through the floodlight in an endless variety of scenic and musical settings, " The Great Ziegfeld " on Saturday commenced a short season at the Mayfair Theatre. To the musicallyinclined. "The Great Ziegfeld" is a feast. All the songs are catchy. and tuneful, and their presentation in the glamorous settings serves to make them more acceptable. The musical numbers have elegance and richness, and it is a relief to find among them not one that might not actually hav.e been staged in a theatre—given, that is, a producer such as Ziegfeld, who was extravagant enough to have undertaken them. So artistic yet impressive are each of the settings that spontaneous applause is drawn from the audience as the pictures- fade On the screen. "The Great Ziegfeld" is suggested by the life of the world's greatest showman, the late Florenz Ziegfeld. Ziegfeld . (William Powell) loves all beautiful wonlen, and' they all love him. Then comes Anna Held, the French star of his first show, arid, as his. wife, she sways between' the heights of happiness and the extrerne of disappointment. Her tragic role- is taken by Louise Rainer,-arid the charm she gives the character and her lightful songs" leave a lasting irripression. Myrha Loy comes in as Ziegfeld's second wife, whose love % and understanding of his charming.- extragavant nature, are with him through all his triumphs,and disappointments. Together they reach/the peak of their art. Ziegfeld makes money, only to lose it. and in the end dies penniless. Nevertheless, his

life is a" triumph, for his-"genius Had * found;expression:.in the greatest eon%-*> binations of love, and, mUSic: The: sup*-v" porting programme-is an excellent one. -■? plans:are at" the theatre .and ■.. the d.i.c, ~•;:;.'■• 1,,/,'•:''',;.;.. '."... r .'^.-,i«