AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE Star-radiant and melody-laden with romance and drama in snow-silvered settings, "Girl in a Million," starring Sonja Henie, is now at the State Theatre. Also in the cast are Jean Hersholt and the Ritz Brothers. Sonja Henie is being trained by her father to capture the Olympic figure skating championship. Sonja attracts the interest of Don Ameche, young American newspaperman. She also interests, professionally, the manager of a vaudeville troupe, Adolphe Menjou. Menjou induces Sonja to join his troupe, and arranges a contract in St. Moritz for the ice ballet he has envisioned. Realising that such an appearance will disqualify her for the Olympic title, so close to her father's heart, Ameche disrupts the ballet by abducting its star. Sonja wins the Olympic title, but when her father hears that she has skated professionally he returns the medals to the committee. Don Ameche, with the assistance of Ned Sparks, is able to prove that Sonja is guiltless. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE Dick Powell. Warner Bros.' singing star, appears in the musical comedy " The Singing Marine." which Is now at the Regent Theatre. It is a story about a private from the San Diego barracks, possessed of a splendid voice, who is sent to New York by his company mates to have a try at the amateur hour contest. He makes the grade and leaps at once to fame and an enormous salary. But feminine hero-wor-ship—plus all the money he is making—turns Dick's head. He forgets also his girl friend, Doris Weston (new singing beauty of the screen), who was a waitress in San Diego. But when his leave of absence expires he has to return to his Marine company and is assigned to duty in China. There he gets a chance to perform a heroic feat and save a comrade, iwhich restores him to the regard of his fellow Marines and of Doris, too. Other notables in the cast include Hugh Herbert, Allen Jenkins, Larry Adler, the harmonica champion, Lee Dixon, eccentric dancer, and Veda Ann Borg. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. " MARKED WOMAN " In "Marked Woman," the film to be screened at the Regent Theatre on Friday, Bette Davis plays one of half a dozen night club girls who are forced by their overlord, a racketeer, into helping him to rob the patrons, both by overcharging and by luring them into his gambling rooms. This big boss is played by Eduardo Cianhelli, who was in both stage and screen versions of "Winterset." The other girls of the night club are Isabel Jewell, Jane Bryan. Rosalind Marquis. Lola Lane, and Mayo Methot. Jane Bryan, a newcomer to the screen, is said to turn in a particularly fine performance as Bette's schoolgirl sister. A. patron of the night club is killed by Ciannelli's henchmen. This brings to hurricane force the storms of indignation that have been growing throughout the city againt racketeers. By dint of bribing and intimidation, Ciannelli and his gang have gained control of every night club in the city, leaving a trail of blood in their wake. But their murderous deeds are hushed up, and bail is always available in any amount to rescue loyal henchmen who become embroiled in the law. The brave young attorney who dares to arrest and prosecute them is Humphrey Bogart, fresh from his recent triumphs in "Petrified Forest" and "Bullets or Ballots." ST. JAMES THEATRE The St. James Theatre's feature, "The Road Back," is the screen version of Erich Maria Remarque's sequel to his "All Quiet On the Western Front." The story concerns the efforts of a group of young men to adjust themselves to conditions as they find them after an absence of four years spent in the trenches. "The Road Back" treats of the disillusionment, the heart-breaking revelations, which come to the ex-soldiers as they find their ideals, so closely held for years, trampled under foot at home. The picture has a dramatic sweep which gains momentum with every scene and rises to a dramatic climax in the closing seconds. The cast contains 2000 players, including John King. Richard Cromwell, Slim Summerville. Andy Devine, and Barbara Read. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs's, and the D.I.C. "NO LIMIT" An attractive double-feature comedy bill, presenting well-known stars of stage and screen, in productions with entertaining plots, is provided in the next change at the St. James Theatre. George Formby, the popular English comedian, takes the leading role in "No Limit," and Diana Churchill has made screen history with her representation of Angela Shale in "The Dominant Sex." Formby is at his best in " No Limit," and with his banjo he strums and sings his way in and out of innumerable escapades. As a chimney sweep's assistant, his one ambition is to win the coveted Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race, and the surprising manner in which he succeeds brings tears of laughter to the eyes. Florence Desmond makes a charming and capable assistant. Phillip Eagan's famous London play has been excellently transferred to the screen in " The Dominant Sex." No more suitable actress than Diana Churchill, who played in the stage version of the play for over 700 performances, could have been chosen for the role of Angela Shale, who found that her married life, although happy, brought her disillusionment. Phillips Holmes is well cast as the young husband who finds it difficult to understand the quicksilver moods and ideas of his wife. OCTAGON THEATRE " When Thief Meets Thief," the main attraction at the Octagon Theatre, is a film which enables Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Valerie Hobson to display their outstanding acting ability. Fairbanks has the role of a youthful cat burglar whose escapades cause Scotland Yard officials a good deal of worry. Miss Hobson makes a charming heroine in this entertaining and exciting story. Sparkling comedy is the chief ingredient of the supporting picture, "Marry the Girl," starring Hugh Herbert and Mary Boland. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "EMPTY HOLSTERS" "Empty Holsters," a Western film dealing with outlaws and gun fights, has been scheduled to open next Friday at the Octagon Theatre, with Dick Foran in the leading role. It is a tale of the West in its lawless days when bad men took what they could get by whatever means they found at hand: then, if they could, they blamed their thefts upon others. That is what happens to Foran. as Clay Brent, a cowboy. The boss of the town. Ace Cain. is a road agent, and after holding up a stage coach and stealing its gold cargo, manages to place the guilt upon Dick and send him on perjured testimony to gaol. During two years of imprisonment he builds up an iron determination to prove his innocence and bring the malicious Ace to justice. He is then paroled and gets a chance to carry out his revenge. With the aid of a faithful pal. played by Glen Strange, he gets evidence against Ace. After several thrilling adventures, Dick clears his name and aids the authorities in bringing to justice the highwayman Ace Cain and his gang. Patricia Walthall plays the feminine lead. STRAND THEATRE Adventure, excitement, and romance are all incorporated in the film " Roaring Timber," which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. In the chief role, Jack Holt has a part which suits him to perfection, and in this rugged tale of life i:, Canada he gives a particularly fine performance. The programme is nicely balanced by the second attraction, "Oh, Doctor," a

film which gives Edward Everett Horton every opportunity to indulge in a number of eccentric pastimes. Donrue Leighton and Eve Arden are also in the cast. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "GIRL OVERBOARD!" " Girl Overboard!" Universal's drama of a ship fire on the high seas, will head the programme at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Gloria Stuart and Walter Pidgeon play the leading roles. A touching romance between the principals and comedy, provided by Hobart Cavanaugh, Jack Smart, and Gerald Oliver Smith, enliven the production. Miss Stuart, is the unwilling recipient of the attentions of the wealthy proprietor of an exclusive New York gown shop. When she seeks to escape from his influence by sailing for China, he comes aboard the ship and uses threats in an effort to force her to remain in Manhattan. Just before the ship sails the man is murdered under mysterious circumstances. Meanwhile, a disastrous fire breaks out aboard the liner. Miss Stuart, one of the survivors, returns to shore and becomes a fugitive from justice. Walter Pidgeon enters the situation, when, despite the fact that he is the district attorney charged with the duty of prosecuting her, he becomes convinced of her innocence. " Variety," the associate feature, is a bright musical, in which Billy Cotton and his band make their appearance. EMPIRE THEATRE The names of Joan Crawford. William Powell, and Robert Montgomery at the head of a big cast are sufficient indication that the film in which they are appearing offers a high standard in entertainment value. This is amply borne out in "The Last of Mrs Cheyney," which is at present enjoying a particularly successful season at the Empire Theatre. Witty dialogue is sprinkled through the film in generous measure, and the lavish settings are another feature of this fast-moving and delightful American comedy. In the big supporting cast of prominent players, Frank Morgan distinguishes himself. A further instalment of the "March of Time" is included in the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE Action, excitement, thrills, romance, and comedy are the ingredients in Paramount's " Bulldi g Drummond Escapes," latest of the popular detective series, which wil. commence a season to-day at the Grand Theatre. Drummond, played by Ray Milland, has eight hours in which to solve two murders, frustrate a kidnapping, break up a band of counterfeiters, and win the girl—Heather Angel—in his latest screen adventure, which takes place in the suburbs of London. Sir Guy Standing, Reginald Denny, and Porter Hall head the supporting cast. In this latest adventure of the master sleuth and soldier-of-fortune, Drummond arrives in London in the midst of a deep fog, and before he has time to regain his land legs, finds himself thoroughly involved in a series of mysterious goings-on. Stepping from his car to investigate a scream on a deserted moor, he finds a dead body and a beautiful girl, Miss Angel, standing over it. As he stoops to examine the body the girl flees in his car. He discovers that she is being held prisoner in a nearby mansion by a criminal mastermind, finds out why, sets things to rights and wins the girl—all in eight whirlwind hours—to the consternation of his friendly enemy, Inspector Nielson, played by Sir Guy Standing, and with the assistance of his pal Algy, portrayed by Denny. Milland is a convincing and lovable Drummond who handles the role well. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg s. MAYFAIR THEATRE Heading the cast of " Sworn Enemy," which heads the new programme to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre today are Robert Young, as a son of the city slums endeavouring to go straight in a law career until the gang with whom he was raised kills his brother; Florence Rice, as a surgeons daughter who proves the best detective on the special force; Joseph Calleia, as the sinister Joe Emerald, crippled overlord of the rackets, sports lover and perverse philanthropist, a killer unknown even to his own lieutenants; and Lewis Stone, as Dr Battle, distinguished surgeon, who spends l<s years in the penitentiary on a charge "framed" by Emerald. "Sworn Enemy" is based eta a story by Richard Wormser. and was directed by Edwin L. Marin, director of such recent hits as " Speed," " Moonlight Murder " and " The Garden Murder Case. The plot depicts the struggle of a poor boy trying to go straight until his brother and employer are killed by the men with whom he was raised; then follows his demoniacal lust for revenge. In the central role of "The Man I Marry," Doris Nolan runs away from a wedding with a man she disdains. Then she encounters, in her uncle s country house, a handsome young playwright, in the person of Michael Whalen, who is trying to revise a play. The box plans are at the theatre sweet stall and at the D.I.C.