AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23222, 21 June 1937, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE Another episode in the life of Edgar Rice Burroughs's mighty hero, Tarzan, is presented in " Tarzan Escapes," which is attracting large audiences to the St. James Theatre. In this production the great "ape-man," Who is again portrayed by Johnny Weissmuller, accomplishes prodigious feats of strength and heroism, one of the highlights of the picture being his battle with a huge crocodile, which he attacks in a river while it is attempting to engulf a tiny gazelle that is floating away from its frantic mother on a large log. The photography in this particular scene is excellent, and the titanic struggle between the huge reptile and the comparatively puny man, •ho is armed only with a knife, is a gripping piece of realism. Tartan and his wife Jane, are sought by a young man and girl, two of Jane's cousins, who desire to persuade her to return to civilisation. They are guided to Tarzan's country in the heart of Africa by a rascally Captain Fry, whose villainy precipitates most of the drama of the story. An unsuccessful attempt to trap Tarzan, who summons his jungle friends to his assistance, provides the climax to the story. There is a strong supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and at Jacobs's. # OCTAGON THEATRE Charles Ruggles and Alice Brady form a highly amusing comedy team in "Mind Your Own Business," which is now being screened at the Octagon Theatre. The former is cast as a social scandal writer in a small town, and when he features some gangsters in his column he is promptly kidnapped, to be rescued, after many hilarious incidents, by a troop of Boy Scouts of which he is an honorary member. Lyle Talbot and Jack La Rue head the supporting cast. The second feature is ,s The Great O'Malley," a comedydrama in which the leading roles are taken by little Sybil Jason, who gives an outstanding performance, and Pat O'Brien, who is admirably cast as an Irish policeman. There is plenty of action in the film, and the story is excellently unfolded. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE A film of the old pioneering days in America, ".Daniel Boone," heads the programme that is now being screened at the Grand Theatre. The chief role is taken by George O'Brien, who, as the leader of a band of pioneers, is forced to make an almost impossible journey to make a claim for the township that he has founded. He is too late, and on his return journey he is captured by the renegade, Simon Girty. whose part is excellently played by John Carradine. Escaping from a burning stake, Boone reaches his township just in time to prepare it against an attack from Indian tribes who have been incited by Girty. The redskins are beaten off, but owing to the failure to file its claim to the land, the band of pioneers sets out into the wilderness once more. The second film, "Murder by Pictures," is a mystery drama starring Lew Ayres. As a newspaper cameraman, Ayres becomes involved in a murder plqt which commences when a prominent lawyer falls dead before the cameras of the newspaper photographers. The story is ingeniously worked out, and finishes in a thrilling climax. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. "WEDDING PRESENT" The romance of a pair of scatterbrained Chicago reporters who were sure of everything except the obvious fact that they wanted to get married is the theme of " Wedding Present." featuring Joan Bennett and Gary Grant, which is to be commenced at the Grand Theatre on Wednesday. The comedyromance has as its climax a scene in which Grant sends Miss Bennett all of New York's mobile city equipment as a gift, when she is about to marry another man. A big heart for the criminal and no heart for his victims is often the keynote of modern parole systems, according to the theme of "Don't Turn 'Em Loose," which will be the associate feature. "Don't Turn 'Em Loose" features Lewis Stone. James Gleason, Bruce Cabot. Louise Latimer and Grace Bradley in a story involving a young criminal who brings disgrace to his honoured family and his beautiful sweetheart. EMPIRE THEATRE I "Theodora Goes Wild," the current attraction at the Empire Theatre, is still attracting large audiences. The film is nne of the light comedies of which there have been so many lately of the quality of " Three Smart Girls," " Piccadilly Jim" and " Keep Your Seats, Please." The leading role is taken by Irene Dunne, who appears in her first comedy part. As the authoress of a novel that makes a sweep of the country, but not, as she remarks, a " clean sweep," Theodora Lynn is shaken out of her quiet existence in a little Western town, and goes to New York to live up to her reputation as an adventuress. Her main object in doing this is to gain a divorce for the man she loves. She becomes involved in another divorce suit besides that of her lover, but everything manages to straighten itself out in the end. There are untold opportunities for humour in this film, and each situation has been exploited to the full. There is a good supporting programme including an air mail news reel depicting the latest happenings in England. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE "The Secret of Stamboul," ' the picturisation of the book " The Eunuch of Stamboul," by Dennis Wheatley, has as its background the modern Turkish town, with crafty plotters, a smart young man who falls into several kinds of trouble, and two good-looking young women to supply the romantic interest. Kazdin the strange, wily, unscrupulous eunuch, is the villain, a 'part played by Frank Vosper. The second feature is "The Luckiest Girl in the World," a light and humorous story of a rich man's daughter who tries to live by herself in New York on a small amount of money. Jane Wyatt and Louis Hayward provide the romance, and Eugene Pallette and Nat Pendleton are the humorists of the film. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE Adapted from the stage play by Maxwell Anderson, " Winterset," a powerful urama of the underworld, is now being shown at the Stale Theatre. With the cast the same as that of the play the film must be considered one of the masterpieces of the screen Maurice Moscovitch, well known to New Zealand theatre-goers, gives an amazing characterisation, but the picture is a triumph for Burgess Meredith in the role of Mio. Meredith is recognised as one of the leading stage actors in America. Searching for the only nan who can clear his father of a murder for which he had been executed. Mio drifts into New York, a derelict piece of humanity obsessed with one idea—that of finding Garth Edras. Drawn into a sordid circle, he finds the judge who sentenced his father, and Edras. From the tense drama Mio and Edras's sister form the centre of an idyllic romance and subsequently find their happiness. The picture is notable for the remarkable number of famous actors included in the cast. New York's dramatic " find" of the vear. Margo. Eduardo Cianelli John Carradine, Edward Ellis, and Mischa Auer are some worthy of especial mention. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. REGENT THEATRE Merle Oberon and David Niven are cast together on the screen for the first time in Samuel Goldwj'n's " Beloved Enemy." which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. Brian Aherne is starred opposite Merle as the successful lover of the film story, how* ever, while Niven is cast as the young

man who loves her, but for whom she Teels only a sisterly affection. " This is an outstanding picture of intense emotional and dramatic action, artistically produced, superbly performed," is how the critic of the New York Motion Picture Daily began his review of "Beloved Enemy." The critic continues: "Again Goldwyn scores with that type of film in which he excels, a story of strong human values, as witness his success with 'These Three,' ' Dodsworth,' and ' Come and Get It.' ' Beloved Enemy can hardly fail to be another big success. It is a story of sterling action —it should appeal to men. It is a beautiful romance, and should attract all women." Using as its background Ireland's struggle for freedom in the uprising of 1921, "Beloved Enemy" builds up tense situations round the guerilla warfare of a handful of Irish and the much greater, but ineffective, forces of England. As the secret leader of the Irish, Brian Aherne is the vortex of the turmoil. The plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE It is refreshing to soe and listen to a new screen personality, and Simone Simon, talented French ingenue, appearing for the first time in " Girls' Dormitory," now screening at the Mayfair Theatre, is as unexpectedly fresh and delightful as she is new. Vivacious, unusual, quick to love and be loved, her personality is one that will appeal to everyone. The story is romantic and well worked out; the scenes among the Swiss mountains are particularly beautiful. Herbert Marshall plays a typical part as the director of the school and the man Simone, in her new-discovered womanhood falls in love with. Ruth Chatterton. also in love with Herbert Marshall, is a mistress at the school, and plays her part as the understanding and sympathetic helper in her own bitter-sweet tragedy with the efficiency usual to her. A cloistered life among repressionists is depicted, the boarding school being a Continental and fashionable one filled with romantically inclined and beautiful young iadies from all over Europe The second picture on the programme is " Earthworm Tractors," an amusing comedy featuring the wide-mouthed comedian, Joe E. Brown The supporting cast includes June Travis, Carol Hughes, Guy Kibbee, and Dick Foran. Included in the programme of short subjects is a film of the Coronation. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.