AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23330, 23 October 1937, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE Comedy and excitement are blended in excellent proportion in the Strand Theatre's new programme. Harry Leon Wilson's humorous and wellconstructed story "Oh! Doctor" supplies Edward Everett Horton with one of his most amusing roles to date in the character of Ned Bishop, a hypochondriac, whom a gang of genial crooks persuades to sign over his pending inheritance in exchange for a sum of money which will enable him to live in luxury for the short period which he imagines his life will last. This Universal comedy is not only excellently produced, but is acted with a vivacity and pace which well match the witty dialogue and amusing episodes of a story which is distinctly "different." The film gives Horton every chance to show his natural gifts of genuine light comedy, which many of his recent films have failed to do. "Oh! Doctor" is made more interesting by the charm and appeal of a newcomer, Donrue Leighton, in the part of a nurse who falls in love with Bishop. Excellent support is given in this entertaining film by a cast of proved comedians such as Edward Brophy, Eve Arden, Thurston Hall and Bill Demarest. The second feature is "Roaring Timbers," a tense drama of the " wide, open.spaces," with the everpopular Jack Holt in the leading role. It is a dramatic story of the great lumber camps in the American " northwoods" and of the treachery and underhand methods employed by the rival firms. Grace Bradley and Willard Robertson are featured in this gripping story, which has among its highlights a spectacular forest fire. The box plans will be found at the theatre and at the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE The rich and satisfying humour of " The Last of Mrs Cheyney," Frederick Lonsdale's brilliant comedy drama, is once again brought convincingly to the screen in a production which this time has Joan Crawford, William Powell, Frank Morgan and Robert Montgomery in the principal roles. In this latest screen version of the Lonsdale stage success, which commenced a season at the Empire Theatre yesterday, the sophistication and polish of the original have been admirably achieved, and in the hands of an exceptionally talented cast, the humorous, occasionally satirical vein of the story receives entertaining treatment. The dialogue is clever, the plot embodies several of those inimitably piquant twists which are so characteristic of Lonsdale's work, and the acting of the principal players is uncommonly good, for they are not only perfectly suited to their roles, but also identify themselves with the spirit of the play in a manner which brings out all its subtlety and comedy. Combining all the elements of romance, intrigue and whimsical humour, the film is as richly entertaining as any production released in Dunedin for a considerable time. As the young American widow who " crashes " into English society to steal a priceless pearl necklace, and who loses her heart in the process, Joan Crawford has an attractive part to which she does more than justice, Miss Crawford first gained prominence in motion pictures by her ability to wear stylish dresses to. the best advantage, and in this film, which has a background of luxury and well-dressed women, she is still the most conspicuous figure in the cast, but she reveals at the same time vivacity, charm and exceptional acting ability. As debonair and plausible as ever Robert Montgomery is perfectly at home in the role of a wealthy young aristocrat, and William Powell acts the part of butler and confederate in the jewel filching conspiracy with a precise degree of polished irony that makes each of, the scenes in which he appears only too short. Frank Morgan is given full opportunity to play a role that only he could do so well. His interpretation of the part of Lord Kelton. the likeable Englishman who unwittingly bungles nearly everything he attempts, is one of his finest performances. Montgomery and Morgan each endeavour to capture the beautiful young American's affections, but with little success, although she obviously does nothing to discourage them finally. Fay Cheyney's aim, however, is something more than the accumulation of a circle of new friends, for, as the principal, although unwilling, member of a small gang of jewel thieves, she has set out to steal a priceless rope of pearls from an elderly duchess. During a week-end house party at the duchess's place she succeeds, assisted by the sardonic pseudobutler, but is caught by Montgomery. In one of the most piquant scenes of the production, the beautiful young adventuress wins her freedom from the man she loves, and in a hilarious sequel vindicates herself in the eyes of the other members of the house party, an indiscreet letter which has been written to her by Morgan placing the others in such a position that they are prepared to do anything rather than let its contents become public. The supporting programme is unusually entertaining, the principal feature being a " March of Time " dealing with the administration of the Mormon State of Utah, and the development of American holiday resorts. Robert Benchley, in another of his miniatures, " The Romance of Digestion," provides a delightfully-amusing interlude, a newsreel, and an Our Gang comedy completing the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND. THEATRE The current attraction at the Grand Theatre is "Hills of Old Wyoming," with William Boyd. The story is by Clarence E. Mulford and the film provides not only excitement, romance and comedy, but authentic and colourful scenes of Indian life. Once again William Boyd, playing the role of the well-known " Hopalong Cassidy," proves that by straight shooting, hard riding and clear thinking he can outwit the cleverest of rustlers. When a crook, in the guise of a deputy sheriff, starts rustling cattle and using the Indians as a shield for his wrongdoing he causes the natives to turn against the cattlemen and trouble is soon brewing. How Cassidy proves the honest settlers to be in the right and traps the rustler and his gang form an interesting part of an intensely exciting film. The other film is "All In," in which Ralph Lynn is as funny and entertaining as ever. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's STATE THEATRE Marvellous, breath-taking, poetry in motion. These and many other superlatives have been invoked in attempts to describe the grace and art of Sonja Henie, the famous Scandinavian ice-skating champion and the audience which saw the Dunedin premiere of "Girl in a Million," the Twentieth Century-Fox feature, at the State Theatre, realised that words do scant justice to such a superb ability. " Girl in a Million " is a bright musical comedy quite apart from the displays on the ice, and they give it the extra personality that make it an outstanding attraction. Naturally Sonja Henie's figure skating is featured, and it is sheer delight to all who appreciate grace and beauty in any form. The story is built around the Olympic Games and the ambitions of a Swiss innkeeper, himself once in the world championship class, that his daughter should win the figure-skating championship. His own great event, at the 1904 Olympiad, was robbed of the reward of merit by allegations of professionalism which forced him to return the award of world champion. For 12 years he has coached and trained his daughter in their little village, outside which her name is not known until the arrival of an American troupe. It is Adolphe Menjou's party, but his musical girls and the three Ritz Brothers have been existing from engagement to engagement, and even his resource is nearly exhausted. Then he sees Sonja prac tising and realises her value as a star in his team. She gives one exhibition with his troupe, at St. Moritz a week before the Olympiad, and but for the interference of Don Ameche, a newspaperman who is investigating the mystery of the burning of a neigh-

bouring hotel, his enterprise might have had disastrous consequences. Menjou is enthusiastic about the brilliant ice ballets he has envisioned, but It is his clever, wise-cracking wife who really does the scheming. Sonja does compete at the games and wins, but her father is threatened by Menjou with the disclosure that she had performed as a professional and he promptly hands the medals back to the judges. Ameche again comes to the rescue and things are put right in time. Then comes the engagement at Madison Square Garden, a brilliant finale to the picture. Menjou's troupe is itself sparkling entertainment. It includes the Ritz brothers, Arline Judg'e. Bonnah Minevitch and his gang, Dixie Dunbar Leach Ray, Shirley Deane and 12 attractive girls. Arline Judge plays the difficult role of keeping Menjou within bounds, and her humour is good. The Ritz brothers are in their top form, and even to those who do not appreciate fully their type of humour, the burlesque of a Spanish bullfight which they give on skates is highly amusing Two of them play the bull and the other the toreador, and their antics are grotesquely funny. Bonna Minevitch and his harmonica are extremely funny, and the brief programme given by his band is a highlight of humour and of harmonica playing. But, even though there is such a wealth of humour and brightness, it is the grace of Sonja Henie on the ice that will . remain in the memory. The film includes some good vocal numbers and altogether is a spectacular success with its gaiety, humour, romance and music capped by the magical artistry of the world's greatest figure skater. The supporting programme is an excellent one, including good news reels and a Terry Toon cartoon. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's. REGENT THEATRE Few musical stars can boast of such a long list of successful films as can Dick Powell, whose latest production. "The Singing Marine," commenced a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Briefly, it should be sufficient recommendation to state that the film is equal to any of its predecessors, although it is not too much to say that in some particulars it is an advance on the previous standard. "The Singing Marine" offers first-class entertainment in several fields. There is, first of all, a good story with action, humour and romance; there are spacious backgrounds and impressive sets; there are music, song, and dance; and there is a liberally-starred cast. The plot centres about the life of a United States marine. Powell, of course, has this role, and it is unexpected to find him portraying a young and girl-shy marine, but the role becomes more in keeping with his accustomed parts when he becomes a nation-wide radio favourite during his three-weeks' furlough. He makes his debut on a competitive amateur programme where another candidate for fame is the I winner of a beauty contest who is known as " Miss San Diego." Powell is financed on his venture by nis shipmates, who are convinced that with his voice he only needs an opportunity and he will become famous. They had not. however, bargained on a sensational triumph. Overnight, he becomes the idol of every flapper in New York—and further afield. Intoxicated by the publicity and by the attentions of beautiful women, he overlooks the fact that his leave has expired and he is "absent without leave," while he should have been aboard his ship sailing for Shanghai. The position is further complicated by the fact that he had signed contracts for future radio appearances. Two wily managers, however, manage to solve the problem, and Dick is shipped to China, where a cafe under the name of "The Singing Marine" is opened. The solution is only a temporary one and is fraught with potentialities of discovery and deeper disgrace as Dick tries to carry on his responsibilities both as a marine and as a singer. All this, of course, keeps the fun .and the excitement at high pitch. There is, for example, the occasion when he is "C. 8." and has to broadcast on a world-wide hook-up from the telephone in the general's quarters. Another complication which pursues Dick to China is his romance with Miss San Diego, whom he neglects after his rise to fame, as he also overlooks his debt to the comrades who financed his trip genious and entertaining manner all genius and entertaining manner all these difficulties are cleared up, and the film ends with a spectacular sequence in the night club. Dick Powell, of course, has several new tuneful songs to sing, and he does so with the verve which has made him a general favourite. His numbers include "Song of the Marines," "You Can't Run Away from Love," "The Lady Who Couldn't Be Kissed," and "Just Because My Baby Says it's So." Doris Weston, demure and enchanting, a newcomer to the screen, scores a great success as "Miss San Diego," the object of Dick's affections. Lee Dixon, the tap dancer who made a sensational debut in a recent film, appears as a marine and has opportunities to display his remarkable talent. Another favourite who is cast as one of Powell's comrades is Larry Adler, the mouth organ virtuoso. The comedy is in the able hands of Hugh Herbert, who is responsible for one of the most hilarious scenes in the film, Allen Jenkins, and Guinn Williams. There is an excellent programme of short features, one of the most interesting of which is a coloured unit, "Nature the Artist," which shows the beauty that blooms in desert places. There is also _ a coloured cartoon, " Sunday Go Meetin' Time," and newsreels. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE After a successful run at the Empire Theatre Universale striking film adaptation of Remarque's arresting novel, "The Road Back," has been transferred to the St James Theatre, where it began a season yesterday This film contains some of the best nlmcraft that has been seen on the local screen for some time, and in addition to its moving scenes of action and destruction it has the additional attraction of much very fine acting and characterisation. The cast to whom has been entrusted this compelling story of the plight of the demobilised soldier at the end of a world war is a well-balanced and competent one. John King has a part of generous opportunity which he uses well and Richard Cromwell is also fortunate in the role that has been given him. It suits his style admirably and he makes an excellent impression Slim Summerville and Andy Devine both contribute to the attractive comedy work which provides welcome light in contrast to the dramatic shade of the production, and Barbara Read, who appeared to such advantage in "Three Smart Girls," gives an exceptionally good account of herself in a role which definitely proves her remarkable versatility. Louise Fazenda is also well cast and assists in c "-- ' the comedy interest. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects which covers a wide range of interesting and diverting topics, and the box plans will be found at the theatre, at the D.I.C, and at Jacobs's. OCTAGON THEATRE The ranks of the romantic villains of screen history have a new recruit in Ricky Morgan, the character created by Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. in the Octagon Theatre's first, feature, "When Thief Meets Thief." Fairbanks is seen as a youthful cat-burglar whose exploits bring in a handsome profit and completely baffle Scotland Yard Thrills and excitement permeate this picture from the opening scene to the fade-out. when Valerie Hobson, the leading lady in the cast, brings Ricky's carefree career to a happy and altogether agreeable climax The second feature is an uproarious comedy entitled "Marry the Girl," and boasts a cast of the screen's best comedians In the leading role is Hugh Herbert, an evergreen favourite whose fluttering manner and ridiculous " woo-hoo'' exclamation of surprise have won for him a high place in popular entertainment. The featured cast is completed I by Mischa Auer who gives a startling 1 portrayal of a mad Russian; Alan Mowbray an eccentric writer on psychiatry; Mary Boland, as Herbert's sister; and Frank McHugh, Carol Hughes, Hugh O'Connell, Allen Jenkins, and many other laughter-provok-

ers. The setting of the film is a great newspaper-syndicate office presided over by Hugh Herbert and Mary Boland. Amazingly absurd and amusing situations ensue before- the film reaches its end. Perhaps the best scene in the film is one in which Herbert " listens in" to himself with the aid of the stethoscope. The resultant static provides much mirth. Another laughable scene is created by Mischa Auer, who reveals some of his ultramodern art to his startled compatriots and caps all with one of the most ludicrous expressions ever seen on the screen. The box plans for this wellblended programme will be found at the theatre and at the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE "Theodora Goes Wild," the Columbia production which brings Irene Dunne to the screen as a scintillating comedienne, leads the new programme at the Mayfair Theatre. Miss Dunne has been long known as a dramatic star., famed for such roles as Sabra Cravat in " Cimarron," the forgotten woman in " Back Street," the blind widow of " Magnificent Obsession," and Magnolia Ravenal in "Showboat.'' The comedy sequences in the latter however, encouraged Miss Dunne to try her art at light comedy. She proves to be ideal in the title role in "Theodora Goes Wild," a sophisticated comedy which deals with the exploits of a small-town girl who sets out to get her man Melvyn Douglas plays opposite Miss Dunne, with Rosalind Keith, Leona Maricle Henrv Kolker Thomas Mitchell. Elisabeth Risdon Robert Greig. Spring Byington. Thurston Hall, and Margaret McWade making up a strong supporting cast. Teaming Jane Withers with Jackie Searl, her madcap partner of "Ginger," "Gentle Julia," the second film, brings the ciuaint charm and drowsy happiness of a mid-west town of the early 1900's to the screen in the story of a little hellion who played Cupid in her off moments.