AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE Clarence E. Mulford’s latest Hopalong Cassidy story, “ Hills of Old Wyoming, now at the Grand Theatre, Is thrilling entertainment for all who like a redblooded Western film. Plenty of action is packed into this drama of red men on the warpath. Risking death at the hands of Indians and rustlers, Hopalong, by his courage and sagacity, converts the Indians from enemies to friends. William Boyd, who plays the main part, is assisted by George (Windy) Hayes, Stephen Morris, Clara Kimball Young, and Gail Sheridan. The second feature stars Ralph Lynn in a riotous tale, “All In.” The supporting cast includes some well-known names. The box plans arc at the theatre and Begg’s. “ BULLDOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES ” Murder on the fog-bound moor, a kidnapping, the machinations of a counterfeit band, and the imprisonment of a beautiful woman in a house of mystery, are a few things “ Bulldog Drummond ” has to solve in Paramount’s “ Bulldog Drummond Escapes,” the latest in this series of detective films, which will be commenced tomorrow at the Grand Theatre. Ray Milland plays the role of the master sleuth and soldier-of-fortune who has entertained the world for a generation in fiction, on the stage and on the screen. He is assisted as usual by “Algy.” played by Reginald Denny, and again he is forced to overcome the obstacles thrown in his path by his friendly enemy. Inspector Neilson. of Scotland Yard, played by Sir Guy Standing. Heather Angel is the beauty whom he rescues, and Porter Hall is the evil genius behind the mysterious goings-on. This latest adventure of the famous screen sleuth is a screen adaptation from the novel by H. C. (“Sapper ”) McNeile and Gerard Fairlie, who created the character. STATE THEATRE Sonja Henie, world champion skater, has become a star overnight with her first full-length film, “Girl in a Million,” which is now at the State Theatre. The story has to do with a troupe of American entertainers in straitened circumstances, who are travelling in Europe under the wing of their ebullient manager, played by Adolphe Menjou. Installing his troupe at a little lodging house, the manager discovers a marvellously-gifted amateur ice skater in the person of beautiful little Greta, the inn-keeper’s daughter (Sonja Henie), who is being trained by her father (Jean Hersholt) to win the Olympic ice skating championship, which he once held, but which was taken from him on false charges of professionalism. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE A musical extravaganza in the typical Dick Powell style is “The Singing Marine,” which is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. Impressive stage settings and a plot centred about the life of a present-day American marine form a background for the persuasive voice of the master crooner. Besides this, however, the film is a well-acted burlesque on life in the American Navy, and, though it is not intended in this way, would make an ideal recruiting poster. Dick Powell plays the part of a young and girl-shy marine who is sent by his friends to appear on an amateur hour programme. He is an instantaneous success, and is continually mobbed by women. This turns his head a little, and it is not before he has “ been through it ” in more ways than one that a happy ending eventuates. He sings several new songs. Some of them are “Song of the Marines.” “ You Can’t Run Away From Love.” and “Because My Baby Says It’s So.” The supporting programme is excellent, and xhc box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “MARKED WOMAN”

Bette Davis, who won last year’s Academy award as the screen’s greatest actress, makes her 1937 bid for renewed honours in “Marked Woman.” the Warner Bros.’ production which will commence its Dunedin season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. The film takes the audience behind the scenes of certain metropolitan night clubs, long suspected of being owned or affiliated with nationally notorious gangsters of the type now fleeing from racket investigations. It is the story of those girls who act as hostesses in these clubs and whose lives themselves are forfeit if they disobey the commands of their ruthless exploiters. The chief “racketeer” in this picture is played by Eduardo Ciannelli. who gained such fame in both stage and screen versions of “Winterset.” The special prosecutor who puts the finger of the law on the racketeer and his gang is played bv Humphrey Bogart. The story gives Miss Davis ample opportunity for the sort of diversified emotional acting that won her the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last year for the best performance of any actress. ST. JAMES THEATRE With its theme the story of what happened in Germany after the Armistice, “ The Road Back" is showing at the St. James Theatre to large audiences. The story has been produced by James Whale, who made “Show Boat” and “Journey’s End.” It relates the adventures of returning love-hungry soldiers: the drama of the wives who wailed: the sweethearts who stirred their lovers to jealous violence. It portrays most vividly the food riots, the feverish unrest of an entire nation surging toward revolution. The soldiers start their march back home and hear about the Kaiser’s flight and the revolution in Berlin. “The Road Back" boasts a cast including 2000 players, notable among them being Barbara Read, John King, Richard Cromwell, Slim Summerville, Andy Devine, Louise Fazenda, and Noah Berry, jun. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s. “ NO LIMIT ” Two entertaining films, each a starring feature in its own right, Georgs Formby’s “No Limit ” and the muchheralded “ Dominant Sex,” combine to make an attractive double-feature comedy bill for the next change at the St. James Theatre. Formby needs no introduction to the Dunedin public, but in “No Limit” he is given an hilarious plot to work on. As a chimney sweep’s help, whose one ambition is to win the famous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race, George’s amusing antics ai - e among the best he has yet produced. Florence Desmond makes a charming and helpful assistant. “The Dominant Sex” has pleased overseas critics, who declare that it is one of the most outstanding pictures ever to be screened. It is a delicately interwoven theme of dramatic situations, combined with relieving humour, and tells the story of a modern married couple facing life with modern weapons. Diana Churchill has her best role to date, and is capably supported by Phillip Holmes, Romnev Brent. Carol Goodner, and Hugh Miller. OCTAGON THEATRE After a long absence from the screen, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., returns in “ When Thief Meets Thief,” which heads the current programme at the Octagon Theatre. Cast as a youthful cat burglar who baffles Scotland Yard and falls in love with a fair victim, he is at his best, and he is ably supported by Valeric Hobson. The second film is an hilarious comedy entitled "Marry the Girl.” with an impressive cast of fun-makers to carry it through at a fast pace. They include Hugh Herbert, Mary Boland, Mischa Auer, Alan Mowbray. Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins, and Carol Hughes. The plot is an excellent one, and the action is swift from start to finish, and the antics of those entrusted with the majority of the comedy are sufficient to keep any audience in roars of laughter. The box plans are at the theatre and Bcgg’s.

“EMPTY HOLSTERS” “Empty Holsters,” which will be shown on Friday at the Octagon Theatre, presents the popular singing cowboy, Dick Foran, in a virile tale of the West in its lawless days when bad men took what they wanted by whatever means they found at hand. Then, if they could, they blamed their thefts upon others. That’s what happened to Foran as Clay Brent, a cowboy. The boss of the town is Ace Cain, a road agent, and after holding up a stage coach and stealing its gold cargo, he manages to place the guilt upon Dick and send him to gaol on perjured testimony. During his imprisonment Dick builds up an iron determination to prove his innocence and bring Ace to justice. When he is parolled he gets a chance to carry out his revenge, and with the aid of a faithful friend, Glen Strange, he gels evidence against Ace. The latter hears of this and hires a killer to put Dick out of the way. But Dick’s horse, “ Smokey,” settles the would-be killer by interfering with a neat piece of horse sense. After several adventures Dick clears his name and brings the highwayman and his gang to justice. The second attraction on the programme is a comedy titled “ Hotel Haywire.” STRAND THEATRE Comedy and backwoods melodrama are the chief ingredients of the two features at present offered at the Strand Theatre. Jack Holt, who has been starring for more years than he cares to remember in films of this type, is indefatigable in his role in a story which holds romance, treachery and action. Grace Bradley and Willard Robertson are the other principals in the cast. The Canadian forests are the background of the film, and there is some fine photographic work. Edward Everett Horton has an excellent opportunity for foolery in “ Oh! Doctor.” an adapation of a novel by Harry Leon Wilson, author of the famous “Ruggles of Red Gan.” The story tells of a hypochondriac who becomes mixed up with a band of amiable crooks. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE Frederick Lonsdale’s sophisticated modern comedy, “ The Last of Mrs Cheyney,” heads the current programme at the Empire Theatre. Three of the screen’s top-line stars play the main roles. They are Joan Crawford, who takes the part of Mrs Cheyney, the gay American widow who poses as a woman of leisure; William Powell, a butler; and Robert Montgomery, a young English lord who falls in love with Miss Crawford. Witty dialogue and many clever situations are responsible for the ripples of laughter which run through audiences who see this film. As Lord Kelton. who writes a proposal of marriage to Miss Crawford with disastrous results for several of the characters. Frank Morgan distinguishes himself. Fast-moving and lavishly produced, this picture appeals to those who appreciate the modern American comedy. A strong supporting cast includes Benita flume, Nigel Bruce, Jessie Ralph, Melville Cooper, Aileen Pringle and Ralph Forbes. The associate programme includes one of the “ March of Time" series. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE “ Theodora Goes Wild,” now showing at the Mayfair Theatre, is one of the cleverest and wittiest comedies seen in years, and Irene Dunne, in the title role, excels herself with some really fine acting. She has what amounts to a dual role, but carries it off with flying colours. To play the character of a small-town girl who has done nothing more exciting than play the organ at church and assist in the organisation of bazaars, and to make it blend harmoniously with that of the publicity-hungry novelist, cited in two divorce actions, is no mean feat. Melvyn Douglas plays the young artist whose name is linked eventually with that of the notorious novelist. Caroline Adams. The supporting picture is “Gentle Julia,” an enjoyable comedy featuring Jane Withers. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre sweet shop. “SWORN ENEMY” The startling audacity of American racketeers is brought into bold relief in “ Sworn Enemy,” which will beshown to-morrow at the Mayfair Theatre. The picture reveals the amazing daring of a typical gangster leader, lulled into a sense of false security by his own peculiar success. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced the film and made the choice of Joseph Calleia to play the gangster characterisation. Robert Young has the leading role as a youth whose brother has been killed because he knew too much. Florence Rice, the daughter of Grantland Rice, famous sports authority, plays the feminine lead with true feeling and a depth of understanding that establishes her as a rqal actress, “The Man I Marry,” which will be the associate feature, stars Doris Nolan. The story reveals the adventures of a young girl who runs away from marrying a rich society personality. The girl escapes to her uncle’s country house, where she finds a playwright revising a script. The pair of them slay at the house during a terrific rainstorm that lasts all night. Then begins the tug-of-war for supremacy between the girl and the man.