AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23223, 22 June 1937, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS

OCTAGON THEATRE ' A programme of two highly entertaining films is at present being offered at the Octagon Theatre. In “ Mind Your Own Business,” Charlie Buggies appears for the first time in years without his team-male, Mary Boland. Playing opposite him is Alice Brady, who proves to be an effective foil to the inimitable Buggies. He is cast as a writer of society notes who unwittingly becomes involved with some gangsters who resent the publicity he gives them. His adventures are at once exciting and amusing. Lyle Talbot and Jack La Rue head the supporting cast. The second feature, “ The Great O'Malley,” presents Pat O’Brien in the role of a New York policeman. Sybil Jason, a youthful star, also plays a leading part in the comedy drama. The box plans are at the theatre and at Bcgg's. GRAND THEATRE Based on the colourful life of the great American pioneer, “ Daniel Boone,” which is at present showing at the Grand Theatre, brings to the screen the romantic conquest of the State which later became Kentucky. “ Daniel Boone ” has George O'Brien in the loading role. Heather Angel plays opposite him. John Carradine. as Simon Girty, the renegade white leader, Ralph Forbes as Stephen Marlowe, a treacherous dandy, George Regas as Black Eagle, and little Dickie Jones have (he chief supporting roles. Lew Ayres is featured in the second film. “ Murder With Pictures.” The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. “WEDDING PRESENT” Joan Bennett and Cary Grant are co-starred in Paramount’s comedyromance, “ Wedding Present,” which will be commenced to-morrow at the Grand Theatre. Grant and Miss Bennett are co-workers on a large daily newspaper, planning to marry until one of Grant’s pranks halts the wedding. Shortly after. Grant becomes city editor to succeed “ hard-boiled ” George Bancroft, and his former partner leaves the paper to flee to New York and a “spite marriage” when she sees him becoming “ a big two-telephone man ” like Bancroft. Grant follows, and with the aid of a New York gangster who owes him a debt of gratitude, proceeds to celebrate at a bar. while planning the biggest wedding present of all time for his former sweetheart. The nature of that present brings a reconciliation. A big heart for the criminal and no heart for his vict.ms is often the keynote of modern parole systems according to “Dont Turn ’Em Loose,” which 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 “ Theodora Goes Wild ” is in its second week at the Empire Theatre. Irene Dunne wins a personal triumph in her portrayal of the dual personality of a small-town girl, Theodora Lynn, who, while leading a quiet and highly respectable life, writes under the name of Caroline Adams an almost indecent novel, “The Sinner,” that becomes a best-seller and is banned by her own town literary society. Theodora goes to New York to meet her publisher and there encounters a young artist (Melvyn Douglas), who follows her to her home, creates an appointment for himself as a gardener, and gains such notoriety in the town that Theodora’s maiden aunts give mm notice to leave. Theodora is so incensed with the activities of scandalmongers that she confesses her affection, with such vehemence that the artist-gardener (who happens to be married) disappears in the night. She follows him to New York, and in a number of screamingly funny scenes achieves front-page notoriety, subsequently figuring in a divorce action. Her efforts, however, are successful, and Theodora “ gels her man.” The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ROSE MARIE” “ Naughty Marietta ” established Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy as the screen’s most popular singing team, and now, under the magip spell of their lyrical voices, the full beauty of world-famous melodies lives triumphantly again in “ Rose Marie.” Replete with haunting music, a tender story, magnificent photography and backgrounds, it is truly the film sensation of the year. Miss MacDonald plays the name role, an opera star who travels disguised into the wilds in search of her dissolute brother, a fugitive from justice. Nelson Eddy portrays Sergeant Bruce, as fine a “Mountie” as ever rode a horse. Assigned to bring the criminal to justice, there is the thrust of personal duty when these two meet and fall in love. With all its outdoor scenes made against natural backgrounds of surpassing beauty in the mountain lake country of the Sierra Nevadas, “Rose Marie ” is a pictorial work of art. The musical numbers are brilliantly staged and brilliantly sung. One of them, the Totem Pole sequence, is peopled by more than 3000 dancers. Spectacular in its giant effects it will go on record as one of the most thrilling scenes ever brought to the screen. A strong supporting cast includes James Stewart. Reginald Owen, Allan Jones. George Regas, Robert Greig, Una O’Connor, and Lucien Littlefield. STRAND THEATRE A thrilling mvstery. “The Secret of Stamboul,” adapted from a novel by Denis Wheatley, the well-known writer of thrillers, and “ The Luckiest Girl m the World.” a light and humorous story, are the current features at the Strand Theatre. The principal' part in 3 he Secret of Stamboul ” is taken by the brilliant actor-dramatist Frank Vosper, whose death occurred mysteriously on a transatlantic liner a month or two ago The story has an unusual setting, and the atmosphere of intrigue is well sustained. Jane Wyatt and Louis Hayward. supported by Eugene Pallette and Nat Pendleton, head the attractive cast of “The Luckiest Girl in the World.” The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE A fine picture, exceptionally well presented, “ Winterset,” is at present showing at the Stale Theatre A sombre note predominates. The son of the innocent man meets, and tans in love with a girl whose brother was one of the gang responsible for his father’s conviction. Into then lives comes the judge who had sentenced the innocent man, and also the un punished murderer These circumstances set the stage a , w dl-achieved climax. Burgess Meredith has the part of Mio, sworn to avenge his father. Mareo is the girl who seeks his proBon. Eduardo Cianelli is the merciless killer, cold, savage, and cynical, vet with one weakness. There is a good supporting programme, and the box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. REGENT THEATRE A highly dramatic story brilliantly acted and' directed, with a scrupulous attention to logical development, is “Beloved Enemy.” starring Meile Obcron and Brian Ahcrne which is the current attraction at the Regent. Theatre The production is one which exercises a strong appeal to all lovers of good entertainment, as well as to those whose mini is of a critical turn. Merle Oberon gives a performance which is worthy to rank with her memorable characterisations in The Dark Angel ” and 1 These Three Aherne rises to greater heights with every new picture, and David Niven, who has an important role, also advances another rung up the ladder to success. The story is based on the Irish rebellion after the Great War. an episode which has already furnished excellent dramatic material in The Informer.” The story opens with civil war raging in Dublin, and the tragic events of those days are vividly re-

constructed. Aherne is cast as the leader of the rebels, and Merle Oberon as the daughter of a British diplomat. Despite their strongly-opposed attitudes to the struggle, a deep love grows up between them, and the situation develops to a tense crisis. The supporting programme oilers varied entertainment. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE WOMAN” Adapted from the novel by James Oliver Curwood, “ God’s Country and the Woman” will present a stirring dramatic theme, excellent acting, and direction and outstanding production effects at the Regent Theatre, where it will be commenced on Friday. Essentially the story is one of mental, physical. and romantic conflict. It moves at a steady, unflagging pace, splendidly combining the three necessary qualities of good kinema entertainment — tense drama, appealing romance, and mirth-provoking comedy. A story of lumber folk of the North Woods, scenic values in the film are enhanced considerably by the use of the technicolour medium, so successfully used in “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, “Ramona.” and “The Garden of Allah.” The film tells of how a gay playboy was made into a man and of how a most masculine young woman was transformed into her more delightful feminine self. Human essentials are thoroughly treated, and because of this, the film holds a universal appeal to masses and “ highbrow intelligentsia alike.’ Its ( appeal, moreover. is unusual in that it is equally strong to both sexes--a condition of affairs not usually achieved in films, apart from comedy and pantomime. George Brent and the delightful and talented • little newcomer Beverly Roberts are the stars, with a spectacular supporting cast consisting of Robert Barrat, Alan Hale, Barton Maclane. Billy Bevan, Rosco Ates, El Brendel, Bert Roach. Addison Richards, Susan Fleming, and Eily Malyon. ST. JAMES THEATRE Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan are reunited at the St. James Theatre in the latest of their jungle romances, “Tarzan Escapes. Thrills in abundance surround the love idyll. The story deals with Tarzan s escape from a treacherous white hunter who seeks to trap him, hoping thus to take him to civilisation to exhibit. Tarzan’s mate and his wild allies keep the plot of the people from civilisation from being realised. The cast, aside from Weissmuller and Miss O’Sullivan, includes Benita Hume as Rita. William Henry as the faithful cousin, John Buckler as the treacherous animal trainer, and Herbert Mundin .m a comedy role. Hundreds appear in the battles between elephants and savage warriors, in the fight between the white safari and the giant bats, and in other breath-taking episodes. Splendid photography and scenic details, and hundreds of wild animals add interest to the new picture. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs's. MAYFAIR THEATRE A new French star. Simone Simon, appears in a poignant story of young romance. “Girls’ Dormitory.” which is now being screened at the Mayfair Theatre. The young girl falls in love with the Herr Direktor of her college, and, despite all efforts both of the college staff and the man himself, their love finds its ultimate realisation. Herbert Marshall plays opposite the new star, and Ruth Chatterton gives one of the sincerest performances of her career. Joe E. Brown is featured in “ Earthworm Tractors,” the second film. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

“THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN” One of the most colourful periods in history has been brought to the screen by Douglas Fairbanks, junior, m ms latest production, “ The Amateur Gentleman.” which will be commenced at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. The story is laid in England during the time of the Prince Regent, Fairbanks plays the role of Barnabas Barty, the educated son of an inn-keeper, who enters London society in an effort to clear his father of a false charge of theft, for which he has been sentenced to death. Accompanied by a faithful servant from the inn, Barnabas installs himself in fashionable rooms, and following a chance meeting with the Prince Regent, he becomes a leading member of the "smart set’ Some people crave publicity while others shrink from it. “The Girl on the Front Page ” gets more than her share when a blackmailing butler spreads scandal about her in the Universal picture which will be the associate feature. Gloria Stuart, as “The Girl on the Front Page,” is a society debutante who inherits a newspaper from her father. Her managing editor is portrayed by Edmund Lowe, who proves himself a comedian of exceptional skill.