AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23393, 7 January 1938, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

STRAND THEATRE Mexican elopements and aerial smuggling are two of the ingredients to be found in Columbia’s new screen fare, “ Guardians of the Air,” the first new feature at the Strand Theatre. Each of the interesting themes is intimately tied to each other. Rosalind Keith and Charles Quigley enact the leading roles in this film. In prominent supporting parts are Rita Hayworth, John Gallaudet, Marc Lawrence, and Patricia Farr. “ Guardians of the Air” tells the story of an under-cover agent who is sent to a transborder town to aid the Border Patrol in its fight against a well-organised local band of smugglers that has been flying contraband across the Mexican line. As the town is also a popular place for eloping couples, the under-cover man gets a job piloting a plane called the “Honeymoon Express.” A newspaper woman assigned to cover the airport thinks the agent, in his bizarre uniform as “ Flying Cupid.” is being outlandish enough to warrant a news story. In her effort to interview and photograph the agent, the girl becomes involved in the smuggling case herself. A spectacular fight in the skies climaxes the story. Packed with thrills, laughter, glamour and surprises. “ Gentleman from Louisanacostarring Eddie Quillan and Charlotte Henry, will be the second film. In the role of a Southern charmer, Charlotte Henry, of “Alice in Wonderland” fame, blossoms into beautiful womanhood. She appears opposite Eddie Quillan, who drops his usual comedy mantle for a handsome, love-stricken swain. Another surprise is “ Chic ” Sale, usually associated with sympathetic historical characters. In “The Gentleman from Louisiana ” he plays the role of a race tout who worms himself into other’s confidence by posing as a deacon. The box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. EMPIRE THEATRE The sea, with its wrath, joys, and mysteries, and the lives of the men who live by it. are dramatically presented in “ Captains Courageous,” a picturisation of the famous Rudyard Kipling story which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. The effect the sea has on the life of a boy, who is shunned by his fellows, branded a cheat, and who is spoilt by his millionaire father, is vividly shown. When Harvey Cheyne falls overboard from a luxurious liner to be picked up by a fishing schooner he might have been transported to another world because he finds that he cannot have his own way, as these rough fishermen, in eking out their primitive existence, have no place for spectators. His character is slowly re-crealea, and the fishermen, instead of regarding him as an intruder and a “jonah.” grow to love and care for him. The cast includes Freddie Bartholomew and Spencer Tracy. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE Proving a popular attraction at the Grand Theatre this week is “ Charlie Chan at the Olympics.” Warner Oland is his usual brilliant self in the role of the Chinese detective, and he is ably assisted by a sound cast, headed by Keye Luke, who is steadily creating for himself an indispensible position in the Chan series with his portrayals of the detective’s son. The story of “ Charlie Chan at the Olympics ” is centred on the search for a stolen invention dealing with a secret radio-control aeroplane device. The fugitives travel to Europe on the ship which is taking the Olympic Games teams to the world championship meeting, and included in the party of athletes is Charlie Chan’s son, who does some useful work on board. When Chan obtains possession of the apparatus and the thieves kidnap his son in retaliation, action becomes both rapid and thrilling, culminating in another success for the invincible Chan. In addition to Keye Luke, others who give sound performances are Katherine de Mille. Pauline Moore, Allan Lane and C. Henry Gordon. There is an entertaining supporting programme The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. STATE THEATRE A strong cast and an appealing story combine to make “ Wings of the Morning.” which will commence its third week at the State Theatre to-day, one of the most popular films shown In Dunedin for some time. An addeci interest is derived from the first appearance in a British picture of the noted French actress Annabella, who displays all her charm and vivacity in the role of a gipsy girl who has fied to Ireland from the civil war in Spain. She is ably supported by the young American actor Henry Fonda in the chief male role. John McCormack, the Irish tenor, appears in one scene and sings a number of songs, including “Killarney” and “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms.” The supporting programme is an outstanding one. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE “Farewell Again,” which will be commenced at the Regent Theatre today, is further definite proof of the steady advance in the excellence of British films during the last few years. The whole production is a clever mixture of comedy, romance, and drama, and satisfies even the most fastidious taste. Leslie Banks gives further proof of his versatility by contributing so materially to the success of this picture. Flora Robson, his former screen partner, is a worthy support, and there is a strong supporting cast. Many of the earlier British films were .spoilt because of a decided lack of attention to small details, but “Farewell Again” sets a standard of production which entitles it to particular praise. The story outlines the matrimonial and amorous developments of a regiment of British infantry who return to Great Britain after several years at a foreign post. But they do not all return to joy. To many, homecoming means illness and death and the torments of jealousy. But their stay in England is short-lived, and many who were preparing to. enjoy new-found happiness and luxury, hear bv wireless message just before the white cliffs of Dover are sighted that fresh trouble ha? broken out in a different part of the Empire. The scenes during this brief and unhappy reunion are exceedingly well done, and a tribute to the work of the director. Tim Whelan. Walt Disney has clearly earned the right of international screen fame with his cartoons. In addition to "Farewell Again” the Regent Theatre is also screening a review of his five cartoons which have won for him Screen Academy awards. It begins with “Flowers and Trees.” the first production which really won public popularity for silly symohonies, and then shows “Three Little Pig?. “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “Three Orphan Kittens,” and. last, "The Countrv Cousin,” which has been considered'by many to be his most famous creation. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE Entering upon its third week in Dunedin is “One Hundred Men and a Girl.” which is being screened at the St. James Theatre with the brilliant Deanna Durbin as the star. Featured with Deanna Durbin is Leopold Stokowski, famous conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony. An unusual cast surrounds Deanna. Adolphe Menjou is seen as her father, a musician, who, with 100 fellow-artists, seeks recognition of talent and a chance for a livelihood. Alice Brady portrays a society matron who promises Deanna to sponsor the orchestra. Then the rich woman flounces off to Europe and deserts Menjou and Deanna. Eugene Pallette, as Alice Brady’s husband, has the situation placed squarely before him on his shiny mahogany desk by Deanna Durbin. Her eloquent statement of the 100 men’s dilemma causes him to agree to sponsor the orchestra, providing Stokowski will conduct it. Nothing daunted, Deanna

goes to Stokowski. She charms him first with her singing. He agrees to hear the orchestra, and finds the members are excellent musicians. Then the story sweeps to its climax, carrying human drama, delightful comedy and memorable music to a rhythmic crest. The supporting programme is an interesting one. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s. OCTAGON THEATRE The Octagon Theatre’s first film on its new programme, “ Turn Off the Moon,” is a happy attempt to inject some freshness into a conventional musical comedy. The stars are Johnny Downs and Eleanore Whitney. The tunes are catchy, and there are the usual irrelevant turns, such as Kenny Baker’s crooning and Phil Harris’s band. These often serve only to make musical comedies static and artificial; but in this case they are not allowed to, because the picture’s chief merit is that it has a story and sticks to it. Nearly all the action is laid in Dinwiddy’s (Charles Ruggles) department store, and centres round Dinwiddy’s mania for ruling his life by astrology. He has kept his faithful secretary, Myrtle, waiting 15 years for the stars to consent to their wedding. Then the astrologer tells him he can propose on the occasion of the store’s silver jubilee, but must first bring about the romance of a young couple. For the couple he chooses a young man who works in his music department and a girl who enters the store to steal a doughnut. Most of the film relates his efforts to bring them together in face of numerous obstacles, including an astrological miscalculation, and to prevent Myrtle absconding before the propitious moment. The young romance is very pleasantly conducted by Johnny Downs and Eleanore Whitney. Charlie Ruggles is more of a genuine character than he has been for a long time as Dinwiddy. He gets sound crazy comedy support from Ben Blue as the nightwatchman. And the best of the rest is Romo Vincent, who does a brilliantly malicious imitation of Charles Laughton. The supporting feature, “ Clarence,” is based on Booth Tarkington’s play of the same name, and, being of the hilarious comedy type, serves the purpose of giving full play to the comicalities of Roscoe Karns and his associates. The box plans are at Begg’s and the theatre. MAYFAIR THEATRE The inimitable English comedian George Formby appears in his third starring vehicle, “Feather Your Nest,” which heads the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre. As a sound engineer in a gramophone record factory, Formby breaks a valuable recording and to avoid being detected comes back in the evening to make a substitute, singing the number “Leaning on the Lamp-post.” The singer of the original number is, of course, so outraged that Formby is dismissed, but that does not prevent his own effort from becoming an immediate success. The associate feature is entitled “ Lady From Nowhere,” starring Mary Astor, Box plans are at West’s sweet shop and the D.I.C. “MAN IN POSSESSION * The versatile Robert Taylor is costarred with Jean Hai'low in “ Man in Possession,” which is the next film at the Mayfair Theatre. These stars are teamed in this picture and their work together won the cordial appreciation of a capacity audience. The story _is mirthful and the cast presents it with skill. In support of Miss Harlow and Taylor there are Reginald Owen, Una O’Connor, Henrietta Grosman, E. E. Clive, Cora Witherspoon, Marla Shelton, recent Hollywood discovery, Forrester Harvey, Lionel Braham and Barnett Parker. Taylor portrays the character of a young and handsome family black sheep who has a very selfrighteous older brother, played by Owen, who hopes to marry a certain charming woman for her money. As it happens, the younger brother takes a second rate job in a bailiff's office which requires him to stand guard over the property of people whose debts have overwhelmed .them. One of these unfortunates is his brother’s intended wife. In this situation, Taylor and Miss Harlow swiftly fall in love, embarrassing the virtuous brother no end until he discovers that she-is penniless. As a means to prevent Seaman Preston Foster from marrying his daughter, Chief Bos’n’s mate Victor McLaglen, of the United States Coast Guard, has the sailor court-martialled in the second film, “ Sea Devils.” The daughter is pretty Ida Lupino, and Donald Woods proves to be a formidable rival to his shipmate, Foster, for McLaglen’s daughter’s affections.