AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23370, 9 December 1937, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE “Laughing Irish Eyes,’’ a delightful mixture of Irish comedy. American prizefighting and radio broadcasting, is the featured attraction at the St. James Theatre. In the principal roles Phil Regan, who has a pleasing tenor voice Walter C. Kelly and Evelyn Knapp give excellent performances. Included in the interesting supporting programme is a film of the famous Dionne Quintuplets and a West Indies travelogue. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs’s. “AS GOOD AS MARRIED” One of those polished, sophisticated comedies which Hollywood produces so well, "As Good as Married.” which will be the next feature at the St. James Theatre, offers smart, if brittle, entertainment. Its dialogue is brisk and breezy and permeated with humour, which occasionally sparkles with wit, while its characterisations presented by a first-class cast, are adroitly handled. A New Universal picture it gives the attractive Doris Nolan a much superior role to that which she had in “ Top of the Town,” good though it was, and in this new film reveals her intrinsic gifts as a comedienne. She gives a convincing portrait of Sylvia Parker, who marries her employer Alexander Drew, on the understanding that their marriage is simply a means of saving him excess income tax. As she is already in love with him. the arrangement inevitably becomes too complicated for its smooth performance. with the result that a number of neatly amusing situations have their sequence in the lady rebelling, not so much against her domestic status as against the selfish and domineering attitude of her husband. Viewing her husband and the other man, Fraser James (who is genuinely in love with her) in the light of character and stability. not devoid of humour, the story takes an unusual twist to finish on a delightfully entertaining note. This is a film that holds the interest throughout, mainly because of the good acting of the principals. As Drew. John Boles gives a well-balanced and consistent portrayal. Walter Pidgeon, who has deservedly come to the fore of late in pictures, makes Fraser James a strong and likeable personality. Alan Mowbray, Ernest Cossart. Tala Birell and Esther Ralston are others in an outstanding cast that distinguishes an entertaining and excellently photographed film. In addition a special film of the Spanish civil war, entitled "Fury Over Spain,” will be screened It is an authentic camera study of the terrible and devastating battle _ that has held this country in the grip of misery for practically the past two years. OCTAGON THEATRE “White ' Bondage,” which tells a story of the poor treatment accorded the employees of American cotton plantations, is the main attraction at the Octagon Theatre. Jean Muir and Gordon Olivet 1 head an excellent cast, and the dramatic story receives intelligent and sympathetic handling. A fine comedy-drama of airmen and their doings is “ Fly Away Baby,” which forms the second feature. The box plans are at the theatre and Beggs. “JOHN MEADE’S LADY” Two motion picture performers of whom great things are expected in the near future make their screen debuts in Paramount’s “ John Meade’s Lady,” a powerful love drama which will be commenced to-morrow at the Octagon Theatre. The first is Francine Larrimore, noted stage star, and the second is John Trent, erstwhile transport plane flyer. Miss Larrimore’s first ap pearance is considered unusual in that she is given star billing, along with Edward Arnold, who carries the male romantic lead in the film. She plays the role of a country girl, somewhat on the “tough” side, who comes to the big city to make good. She meets Arnold, financial tycoon, who is amused with her frankness. Arnold is engaged to marry Gail Patrick, a society belle, and when he discovers she is untrue to him, he marries the little farm girl just to humiliate her. He confidently believes he can buy the girl off later, but discovers to his amazement that money cannot pay for her broken heart. STRAND THEATRE Exciting entertainment is provided in “Armoured Car.” the main feature in the double-bill programme which will be concluded at the Strand Theatre to-night. Dealing with gang warfare in the United States, the picture abounds with thrills, and swings along at a fast pace. Romance against a dramatic background is also included. The leading roles are taken by Robert Wilcox, Judith Garrett, Irving Pichel, and Cesar Romero. The second picture is “Radio Lover,” featuring a large cast of favourites. The box plans are at thi theatre and the D.I.C. “HOUSE OF A THOUSAND CANDLES” Another excellent double-feature programme will be presented at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The tricks of international spy work, which, in this instance, saved Europe from a disastrous war, are opened up to the picture-going public in the first feature, Republic’s “ House of a Thousand Candles.” Things they had never dreamed of occur with dramatic swiftness, and sudden surprise of plot development and unexpected thrilling climaxes are said to hold spectators spellbound on the edge of their seats. Phillip Holmes, Irving Pichel, Rositta Moreno, and T lae Clarke have the leading roles in this enthralling drama. A million dollars’ worth of racing talent burns up America’s fastest tracks in “ Speed to Spare,” Columbia picture which will be shown in conjunction with “ House of a Thousand Candles.’ Brother against brother races grimly for glory while the crowd in the stands thought they were just a couple of daredevils. Fury and peril ride in the driver’s seal. Breathless moments with racing daredevils dodging fiery death, tottering on the brink of explosive disaster, clashing in a thrilling struggle with romance at stake. The racing brothers are played by Charles Quigley and Eddie Nugent, and the girl at stake is Dorothy Wilson. Lambert Hillyer, who was once a driver himself, directed “Speed to Spare.” EMPIRE THEATRE There is only one Tom Walls, and there is only one Ralph Lynn, an English screen critic wrote recently in his commentary of their latest success.

“For Valour,” which is enjoying a good season at the Empire Theatre. Ben Travers, of course, was the author of this delightful comedy, which enables the two comedians to indulge in numerous hilarious misadventures. It is unusual to see Walls and Lynn wearing the uniforms of soldiers, but their latest film is unusual also, but very enjoyable. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. “ LOVE ON THE RUN ” Every theatre-goer should enjoy “ Love on the Run,” the gay comedy romance which will be screened tomorrow at the Empire Theatre. Following upon their success in “ Forsaking All Others,” Joan Crawford. Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone score a further triumph in this, their latest film. The three principals again appear together in gay and romantic mood, and the picture moves swiftly along from one laughter-provoking situation to another. It is said to be one riot ol comedy, sparkling with clever dialogue and fast-moving action. Miss Crawford and Gable are splendid in the light story, and both Tone and Reginald Owen, who is cast as a suave spy. are responsible for fine performances. W. S. Van Dyke, who directed the film, has come to be known in Hollywood as “ the man who never makes a failure.” and “Love on the Run ” is said to be one of his best. Gable and Tone are a couple of gogetting” reporters, each keen to beat the other in their ceaseless search for news. Clark Gable meets Miss Crawford. who plays the role of a wealthy heiress, and while getting her story exclusively. befriends her. They escape in an aeroplane belonging to Owen, and in it find an important map. Tone always seems to be near the pair, however, and the two newspaper men scheme for the attentions of the heiress. The romance is given a novel twist at the end. GRAND THEATRE Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge combine in “Take My Tip,” the featured film on the new programme at the Grand Theatre, to produce one ot the best British films of the last 12 months. Both stars more than live up to their reputations for singing and dancing, but both set entirely new standards in character acting. For instance, there is Jack Hulbert appearing as a fiery retired colonel from the Indian service, as a deft and flatteringly subservient head waiter, as a penniless English peer, and in all he is convincing and amusing. In between these chameleon disguises he has ample time to be just himself—the breezy and familiar Jack, inimitable as ever. Cicely Courtneidge has also to run the gamut of disguise appearing as the colonel’s wife, a foreign and mysterious countess, and the wife of the impecunious peer, as well as her own gay self. These two are quite sufficient to guarantee the entertainment value of any comedy, but they are given excellent assistance by Frank Cellier as a butler who turns hotel proprietor, and by Harold Huth, who is very polished as the villain of the piece. Frank Petlingell is also responsible for several laughs. The story of “Take My Tip” is quite absurd, which is all to the good. Hulbert is Lord Pilkington, who in a rash moment buys an oilfield from a man who is occupying a neighbouring Turkish bath —a delightful scene for all that is visible of the salesman is his feet —but, not remarkably, the' oil wells do not exist, and the family mansion of the Pilkingtons’ is broken up. Then the butler comes to their assistance and offers them work in his Continental hotel. Hulbert becomes head waiter, and Cicely Courtneidge is transformed into a romantic countess of vague antecedents. The fraudulent salesman reappears looking for fresh quarry, and he selects the countess as the most likely person. The scene in which he arranges a tete a tete with the countess and endeavours to build up a romantic atmosphere is one of the funniest in the scenes, for Hulbert as the head waiter, but also as a very jealous husband, pops out and in of the room in a most embarrassing manner. When the pair recognise the swindler—or rather his feet —they determine to carry out a little burglary, but when each tries to commit the crime independently of the other the result is confusion worse confounded. Their imposture is discovered, but disguised as an Indian colonel and his wife, they return and work out an ingenious deception by which the villain is neatly trapped with his own bait —despite the strenuous efforts of the colonel’s wife, who has accidentally become intoxicated, and is seized by an overwhelming desire to pull off her husband’s false moustache. The film is never slow, and is works up to a high peak of nonsensical fun in the closing scenes. Jack Hulbert’s talent as a dancer is given several chances to exhibit itself. Such scenes are not logical, but then there is not much in the film that is. If excuse were needed, the standard of the performance would be sufficient, particularly that attained when the pair give an entertaining burlesque of a ballroom dance. Heading the supporting programme is the first of a new series, “Backgrounds to Literature,” the subject of which is Shakespeare. This is a unit of an unusual type, but the subject is skilfully handled, the elocution is all that could be desired, and the photography is remarkably good. Newsreels, topical features, and a light scene introducing some clever tumbling, dancing, and singing are also included on the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. STATE THEATRE Variety at its brightest and best is provided in “ Wake Up and Live,” the attraction at the State Theatre, which will be screened finally to-night. Music rendered by Ben Bernie’s popular dance band, clover dancing, a number of pleasing songs, and a fair sprinkling of comedy make the picture rich in entertainment value. There is a large cast of well-known screen personalities in the film, including Alice Faye, Ned Sparks. Jack Haley, Patsy Kelly and Leah Ray. The box plans arc at the theatre and Begg’s. “THE WOMAN I LOVE” Two of the screen’s foremost dramatic stars, a sensational young newcomer in his bid for, stardom, and a vibrantly realistic story of the French air forces in the World War are seen in “The Woman I Love.” RKO Radio feature, which will be commenced at the Stale Theatre to-morrow. Woven together with exceptional skill, this screen version of Joseph Kessell’s great French novel “ L’Equipage ” not only permits Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins to do some of their finest characterisation, but it also brings forth a brilliant performance on the part of Louis Hayward, a young Briton who definitely establishes himself as of stellar material The essentials of the talc are simple. Hayward, a young observer just commissioned. Is taking a last fling in Paris before going off to the front, and he meets —and falls head over heels in love with—the alluring Miss Hopkins. He leaves her and joins his squadron, where he sympathises with the morose Muni, a capable but highly disliked pilot, and teams with him as a flying mate. Months later he goes back to Paris on leave, and after a few deliriously happy days with Miss Hopkins, goes to look up Muni's wife. To his horror ho learns that Miss Hopkins is Muni’s wife, and, despite her pleas that love is a bigger thing than either of them, returns, embittered, to the squadron. There Muni realises something is wrong, but cannot imagine what has happened to his young companion. The emotional situations from this point build into a towering structure of sheer drama, played against the grim setting of air warfare over the Western Front and of a shortlived furlough in the Champagne country. REGENT THEATRE A story based on the war in Spain forms the basis of “ Last Train From Madrid,” which is now screening at the Regent Theatre. The picture opens with a bombardment in Madrid, amid which the nine characters meet. When the loyalists have managed to reopen railway communications with Valencia, it is decided to despatch one train with the refugees. The struggles of these nine give a cross-section of the experi-

ences of the people of the city in these strenuous times. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C.

“WOMAN CHASES MAN” “ Woman Chases Man,” Samuel Goldwyn’s hilarious film comedy, starring Miriam Hopkins, Joel McCrea, Charles Winninger, and Erik Rhodes, will be the new film at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. Ella Logan, Leona Maricale, and Broderick Crawford are also prominently featured in this story of a girl who chased a man from pillar to post to get him to sign a contract, got involved in a series of side-splitting situations, and wound up by landing his name bn the dotted line —of a marriage licence. The refreshing story casts Miriam Hopkins as a starving girl architect in search of a job, who meets Charles Winninger, a lovable but somewhat eccentric inventor, who needs 100,000 dollars to finance a model village. Miriam Hopkins learns that his son. Joel McCrea, has a fortune, but is a very cautious young man. She determines to get the 100,000 dollars from the son. Relentlessly she pursues him through a series of most amusing situations. And. of course, romance blossoms by the wayside. Gregg Toland was responsible for the photography. Omar Kiam designed the gowns, and Richard Day designed the sets. MAYFAIR THEATRE Another fine double bill comprises the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre. “ Old Hutch,” the first film, is generously sprinkled with particularly humorous situations, and in the principal role Wallace Beery, always a forceful and convincing actor, is at his best. He is the essence of rich good humour, but beyond that he symbolises the easy tolerance, the quiet acceptance of fate, and, in the last analysis, the fiery individual who, when driven to fight, does it with his whole soul, his strong body, and two good fists. Columbia’s new drama of the Arctic regions, “ North of Nome.” starring Jack Holt, is the second feature. It is a story of adventure and romance, involving Alaskan seal poachers and some “upper-crust” people from civilisation. Evelyn Venable, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, John Miljan, Roger Imhoff, and others arc featured with Holt. The box plans will be found at the theatre sweet shop and the D.I.C.