AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23326, 19 October 1937, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE George Arliss presents some new aspects of his personality in “ His Lordship,” which is the current attraction at the State Theatre. For one thing, he has to cope with a dual role, presenting two brothers who are similar in appearance but of different natures. The story itself makes further demands on his ability, and in one scene, for the first time on the screen, Arliss is seen at a disadvantage and suffers a loss of dignity—but does so in a manner which only proves his versatility. Excellent support is given to him in this exciting tale of Eastern intrigue by Romilly Lunge and Rene Ray, both comparative newcomers who are very pleasing in their roles. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s-. “GIRL IN A MILLION” The world’s most versatile skater, lovely Sonja Henie, winner of more than a dozen major skating, titles whose first picture, Twentieth CenturyFox’s winter musical, “ One In a Mil* lion,” comes to the State Theatre on Friday, was surprised to find the studio rink almost as versatile as herself. With varying backgrounds, the rink, which is the first one to be constructed in any movie studio, served as three different fashionable Swiss lakes, as a replica of the 1936 Winter Olympic arena, and as a section of New York’s Madison Square Garden. In one of the largest casts ever assembled for a musical film are Adolphe Menjou, Jean Hersholt, Ned Sparks, Don Ameche, the Ritz Brothers, Arline Judge, Borrah Minevitch and his gang, Dixie Dunbar, Leah Ray, and Shirley Deane. Darryl F. Zanuck, Twentieth Century-Fox production chief, selected Sidney Lanfield to direct with Raymond Griffith p associate producer. REGENT THEATRE Skilfully woven about that great master of music, Ignace Jan Paderewski “ Moonlight Sonata,” which is now at the Regent Theatre, is not only a charming and entertaining film, but is definitely of interest for lovers of music. Set in the picturesque countryside of Sweden, the story opens with a rombnce between Eric (Charles Farrell), a steward on the estate of the Baroness Lindenberg (Marie Tempest), and Ingrid (Barbara Greene), the beautiful grand-daughter of the baroness. Having a secret affection for the young steward, the old lady encourages his attentions towards Ingrid. Then from cut of the sky comes trouble. An aeroplane, making a forced landing on the estate, brihgs Paderewski and an elegant young adventurer. Mario (Eric Portman). Another feature is the stage appearance of Theo. Walters and his band. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE SINGING MARINE” A bright musical with tuneful immbers, splendid comedy, and a new star in the person of Doris Weston is The Singing Marine,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Friday. The cast includes Dick Powell romancing and singing his cheery way along with Doris, who has beauty, a voice, and acting ability on her side; Hugh Herbert Larry Adler, mouth-organ virtuoso. hill-billy warblers, and Lee Dixon. There is spectacle to satisfy; music and lyrics by Harry Warren and A 1 Dubin, and Director Ray Enright has turned in a picture which should find a wide general appeal. The story shows Powell as a woman-shy marine, who sings to fame on a radio amateur hour. Although encouraged by his pals and Doris, success blinds him to them. He is brought to earth with a jolt when faced with a charge of desertion from the navy. He joins his ship, and his enlarged ego loses him all his friends during a voyage to China. His managers open a cafe-cabaret in Shanghai, and Dick finds himself back in the show business with circumstances working out to restore his friendships with his pals and win the affections of Dons. ST. JAMES THEATRE “A Family Affair,” featuring Lionel Barrymore, Cecilia Parker, and Eric Linden, which is at present being shown at the St. James Theatre, provides vivid drama based on life in ‘a small American town. Lionel Barrymore gives a masterly portrayal as Judge Hardy, who, unflinchingly upholding the law, turns the whole town against him and causes his daughter s romance to go astray. Further domestic trouble precipitates some poignant scenes, but there are also twists to the story that provide some engaging humour. The supporting programme is varied and entertaining. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and at Jacobs’s. “WINGS OVER HONOLULU” Thrills in the air, romance on land, and the breezy navy atmosphere of the story, are said to make “Wings Over Honolulu,” which will be commenced at the St. James Theatre on Friday, one of the brightest entertainments that the most exacting filmgoer could wish. The show is notable for its settings no less than its neat plot and fine acting. Wendy Barrie stars superbly as a spoiled society girl who turns down a rich suitor in favour of a young navy flying lieutenant, and joins him at the Honolulu base. There she is dissatisfied with the little home he has provided for her, and at the critical moment a former suitor arrives in his palatial yacht. She consents to go to a party with him, and complications follow thick and fast when the husband takes a navy aeroplane without leave to chase her, and crashes.

OCTAGON THEATRE The slot-machine “racket” operating in the big American cities forms the basis of the plot of Paramount’s “King of Gamblers,” which is now at the Octagon Theatre. A daring story of an underworld czar who knew all the answers when it came to men and crime, but wh6 was tricked and trapped by the girl he loved, brings Claire Trevor, Lloyd Nolan, and Akim Tamiroff to the screen. Miss Treyor sings two popular new songs during the film. “ The Case of the Stuttering Bishop” is the intriguing title of the second feature, and it presents Perry Mason, lawyer-detective, in an interesting mystery. The title gives a good indication of the substance of the film, which concerns an amazing search for a missing heiress. The box plans for this excellent programme will be found at the theatre and the D.I.C. “WHEN THIEF MEETS THIEF" Part of the plot of “When Thief Meets Thief,” the new Criterion filmwhich will head the double-feature programme at the Octagon Theatre on Friday, is centred round a heavy gold ring, in the middle of which is set a beautiful fifteenth century cameo. This ring is worn by Douglas Fairbanks, jun,, in the early stages of the picture, and later comes into possession of the villain (Alan Hale), who in turn passes it to Valerie Hobson, who plays the part of “Glory” opposite Fairbanks. ' Fairbanks became so attached to the ring, incidentally, that he took it with him to Hollywood as a mascot. Fairbanks, in the role of a modern “ Raffles,” is an adventureloving young man working for a bootlegger in America. He accidentally kills a man, but escapes the police with Jim Dial, the chief bootlegger, who threatens to blackmail the boy. Completely at the mercy of the elder man, Ricky carries out a series of daring robberies. One night he breaks into a house and meets a beautiful, but determined young woman, who shoots him in the arm,' but does not hand him over to the police. The girl is engaged to marry Colonel Fane, who Ricky discovers to be none other than his former associate, Jim Dial. Ricky demands a confession from him, and in the struggle that ensues he accidentally kills Dial. The second feature is “ Marry the Girl/* with Hugh Herbert, Mary Boland, Alan Mowbray, and Frank M'Hugh in the leading roles. STRAND THEATRE George Bancroft, cast as a racketeer who, fleeing from the law, sets up m buisness again under the cloak of religion, heads the cast in > Saints in Exile,” the current attraction at the Strand Theatre. As an evangelist he finds a profitable line of business, but eventually he suffers a change of heart and renounces his old ways. The supporting picture is “ Reported Missing, with William Gargan, Jean Rogers, and Hobart Cavanaugh in the leading roles. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE The rebuilding of Germany after the armistice has been recorded in Erich Maria Remarque’s “The Road Back, the film adaptation of which is now at the Empire Theatre, where it is attracting large audiences. It is a gripping story telling the tragic homecoming of the disillusioned boy-sol-diers who find that peace from war does not mean peace in their land. All the suffering and strife of postwar Germany, torn by internal turmoil, is faithfully reproduced in all its dramatic detail. But the production is well sprinkled by comedy, but at no time is the main theme obscured, and the film provides a crushing indictment of the agitators who destroyed all Germany’s stability. The featured roles are ably handled by Barbara Read, Slim Summerville, John King, Andy Devine, Richard Cromwell, and Etienne Giradot. This is an amazing film, and one which provides more than mere entertainment, for it gives a message of real importance. The box plans will be found at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE LAST OF MRS CHENEY" For the fourth time in six years Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery are teamed in the type of intriguing comedy that has placed them both in the top ranks of stardom. This time they are reunited in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of Frederic Lonsdale’s sensational stage play, “The Last of Mrs Cheyney,” which comes to the Empire Theatre on Friday. Miss Crawford appears as the delightful adventuress, Fay Cheyney, and Montgomery ■ as the persistent, titled wooer, Lord Arthur Dillmg. William Powell plays the role of the distinguished butler. “ The Last of Mrs Cheyney ” was directed by Richard Boleslawski with one of the years strongest comedy supporting casts. There are lavish settings by Cedric Gibbons with a regal English background. “ The Last of Mrs Cheyney ” relates the intriguing adventures of a shop girl who “crashes” London society and becomes the toast of the town until she is _ discovered to be an accomplice to a thief. GRAND THEATRE The plot of “Sea Devils,” which heads the programme at the Grand Theatre, deals with adventures in the service of the United States coastguard patrols. Victor M’Laglen has a hearty role and his sparring partner is Preston Foster. Ida Lupino, Donald Woods, and Barbara Pepper also have leading roles. The film contains an abundance of action and romance. The supporting film, “ Don t Tell the Wife, presents Guy Kibbee and Una Merkel in a rapidly-moving farce. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg s.

“HILLS OF OLD WYOMING" “Hills of Old Wyoming," the latest “ Hopalong Cassidy ” Paramount picture, which will be screened tomorrow at the Grand Theatre, contains authentic and colourfully portrayed scenes of Sioux Indian ceremonies, including a war dance for which special tribal music was provided. The fighting tactics of these Sioux Indians, including their stratagem of cutting off the enemy in a vast circle, are seen in the picture, a story of cattlemen and rustlers in the old West. William Boyd, again playing the role of “ Hopalong Cassidy,” leads the cattlemen against the rustlers, who attempt to use the Indians to shield their depredations. In a thrilling climax, Cassidy heads a colourful band of Indians and ranch owners in a great charge on the rustler gang. The Sioux Indians, who once roamed the State of Wyoming in large numbers, are considered the most colourful fighters of all. Ralph Lynn is the star of the, associate feature, “All In,” a comedy of a race track. MAYFAIR THEATRE One of the finest films to have for its background the Great War is “ The Road to Glory," which heads the programme at the Mayfair Theatre. Technically it is notable and dramatically it is not disappointing. Warner Baxter gives what is probably the best role of his career, and is outstanding in the film, despite the fact that Fredric March and Lionel Barrymore, who also have prominent roles, are in excellent form. “Let’s Make a Million,” the second feature, gives Edward Everett Horton an opportunity for rich comedy. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre sweet shop, “ADVENTURE IN MANHATTAN ” Jean Arthur and Joel M’Crea are teamed in “Adventure in Manhattan,” which will be shown to-morrOw at the Mayfair Theatre. In the wake of her personal triumphs in “Mr Deeds Goes to Town’*> and “The Ex-Mrs Bradford,” Jean Arthur once again displays her clever versatility as a dramatic actress and subtle comedienne. Supporting Miss Arthur and M'Crea are Reginald Owen, Herman Bing, Thomas Mitchell, Victor Kiliah, John Gallaudet, and George Cooper. “Adventure in Manhattan concerns the efforts of a former newspaperman turned crime novelist to solve a series of robberies engineered by a master crook. It is a battle of wits and courage throughout with a hilariously contrived romance neatly interwoven. -As the actress friend of M'Crea, Jean Arthur delivers a good portrayal. M'Crea enacts his role as the newspaperman with finesse and conviction, while Reginald Owen makes of his character the suavely Continental criminal genius, one of the most interesting screen characters of the year. Also screening is “ Come and Get It,” featuring Edward Arnold.