AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23505, 20 May 1938, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

OCTAGON THEATRE Revealing an untold chapter of the World War, “ Lancer Spy,” which will be commenced at the Octagon Theatre to-day, is brought to vivid life by the acting discovery of the year, George Sanders, whose genius was first glimpsed in “ Slave Ship ” and “ Llodys of London.” With a traitorous woman in love with him, enemy spies watching his every move, 1,000.000 men awaiting the success of his mission, and the firing squad if he fails, Sanders has the leading romantic role in the thrilling drama. Virginia Field, Sig Rumann, Joseph Schildkraut, Maurice Moscovitch, Lionel Atwill, and Luther Adler are included in the cast assembled by Darryl F. Zanuck, Twentieth Century-Fox production chief. The fast-paced story of this most extraordinary exploit, adapted by Philip Dunne from a novel by Marthe McKenna, finds a strong dramatic treatment in the direction uf Gregory Ratoff, actor, dialectician, and author, who makes his debut as a director with this film. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE One of the most spectacular and impressive settings ever constructed for a motion picture is a minutely accurate reproduction of England’s venerable House of Commons, where much of the dramatic action was filmed for • “ Parnell,” co-starring Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, the powerful new drama Which will be shown to-day at the Empire Theatre. Edna May Oliver, Billie Burke, Alan Marshall, Edmund Gwenn, Donald Crisp, Berton Churchill, Donald Meek, and others have prominent roles, and in addition there is a large group of native Irish men and women who provide realistic atmosphere. The story begins in America with the departure of Parnell for Ireland, where he became the “ Uncrowned King,” and the first man ever to unite the 86 members of the Irish Party. The love affair between Parnell ' and Katie O’Shea, the scandal of the divorce which wrecked his political career, and the intervening episodes of a spectacular romance are vividly presented in a picture which should rate as one of the finest of the year. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE An excellent double-feature programme is at present being shown at the Grand Theatre, the two productions embodying widely diversified themes, but having in common a wealth of fast action, excitement, and attractive romance. “Tarzan’s Revenge,” the first production, has two Olympic champions, Glenn Morris and Eleanor Holm, in the featured roles. As might be expected, this combination of swimming experts has enabled the producers to introduce some excellent swimming scenes into the story, but, in addition to these, there are plenty of exciting episodes in the true Edgar Rice Burroughs tradition. The associate film in “The Californian,” a film version of Harold Bell Wright’s story of California during the hectic days of one of the greatest gold rushes in the history of the world. Ricardo Cortez is seen in the role of a sort of Robin Hood, who undertakes a crusade against lawless men who prey on wealthy Mexican ranchers demanding tolls under the guise of a collection of taxes. The supporting roles are played by Marjorie Weaver, Katherine De Mille, Morgan Wallace, and Nigel de Brulier. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. STATE THEATRE So popular has proved "The Hurricane,” the spectacular film which for the past week has been drawing crowded houses to the State Theatre, that the management has decided to extend the season. A notable feature of the picture is the fact that it introduces to the screen a distinct find in the person of Jon Hall, who, apart from his magnificent physique, is an actor of decided merit. He is cast as the mate of an island trading schooner who, after his marriage to the maiden of his choice, finds himself caught up in a whirl of adventure. A fight which results in his being clapped into goal, and a 660-mile journey home on an outrigger canoe, are only the forerunners to the hurricane which is staged with a realism which almost staggers the Imagination. How, finally, the young sailor saves the governor’s wife and receives a pardon makes a happy ending to a story which holds the interest from beginning to end. Dorothy Lamour makes an appealing heroine, and some of the subsidiary parts are noteworthy for the outstanding portrayals given by the players. Raymond Massey gives a convincing study of the governor, while Thomas Mitchell, as a tipsy doctor, draws a true, deft character sketch that is one of the best pieces of acting in the film. C. Aubrey Smith and John Caradine are also included in the cast, A colour cartoon and a fine series of shots of sport on the Norwegian snowfields are features of the associate programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE Action and romance suitably combine to make a fine picture of “The Barrier.” which will be screened for the first time in Dunedin to-day at the Regent Theatre. Filmed against a magnificent background of the rugged and stimulating Canadian North-west, the picture is an admirable blending of powerful action and romantic love. Rex Beach’s grand story of “ red-blooded ” life loses nothing in its transcription to the screen. The forbidden love of a young army officer, James Ellison, for a halfcaste Yukon girl, Jean Parker, is the theme of the story, and how the two solve their problem in the novel is brilliantly revealed in the picture. Leo Carillo is the third leading player, and he is cast as'Poleon Doret, the lovable north woods trapper, who secretly loves Necia (Jean Parker), supposedly the daughter of an old friend. He helps the young girl during her difficult moments of indecision, but trouble follows the inrush of gold miners, all in search of “ strikes.” Otto Kruger, Robert Barrat, Andy Clyde, Sara Haden and Addison Richards all have roles in the film, which was directed by Leslie Selander and produced by Harry Sherman. There is a good supporting programme, including the colour cartoon “ Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” Box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE Two fast-moving films, an exciting murder mystery, “ Night Club Scandal,” and another of the Hopalong Cassidy series, “ Texas Trail,” form the bill of fare which commences to-day at the St. James Theatre. The way in which circumstantial evidence can aid a criminal to throw the blame of a crime on to an entirely innocent person is well illustrated in “Night Club Scandal.” Dr Tindill, an affluent and respected doctor, on discovering his wife’s unfaithfulness, plans to kill her and to have her lover executed for the murder. After killing her, his scheme works as he planned and the lover is arrested, tried and found guilty. It is not until two hours before the execution is to take place that a small detail, overlooked by the doctor, is picked up by a reporter and shown to the authorities. John Barrymore in the leading role of Dr Tindill contributes one of the most outstanding performances of his career with his portrayal of the brilliant doctor who so cold-bloodedly commits the “ perfect crime.” Lynne Overman and Charles Bickford are respectively cast as an easy-going reporter and a' dogged captain of detectives. Action and thrills dominate the latest Hopalong Cassidy film. “ Texas Trail,” and William Boyd, creator of the popular character, wins new admirers as he rides to fame and glory in rounding up a herd of wild horses during the Spanish-American war. The United States Army needs horses for the war, but all attempts to get them from the

western plains have failed. Herds which have been gathered have been stolen by rustlers. Colonel Whitely instructs Major McCready to enlist the services of Hopalong Cassidy, who; meanwhile, has been training his men , as a volunteer force. Although -disappointed at having to work &s‘ a civilian, Hopalong answers the call to the flag, and, with loyal men, rounds up a herd of 500 horses. Helping him are “ Windy,’’, Lucky Jenkins and' Smokey. Box plans are at the D.1.C., Jacobs’s and the theatre. STRAND THEATRE All the excitement and thrills of the old West have been transferred further east, where the modern cattle rustler has begun to operate. To-day the cattle thieves use largo fleets of fast trucks. They creep up stealthily under cover of night, raid a dairy farm or cattle ranch, and roar down the road before pursuit can overtake them. This new situation in banditry is exposed for the first time on the screen by . Universal’s dramatic film, “Trouble at Midnight,” which comes to-day to the Strand Theatre. The featured players are Noah Beery, jun., Larry Blake, remembered for his role as Weil in " The Road Back,” Catherine Hughes, Berna-; dene Hayes, Henry Hunter, and Harlan Briggs. In “Dusty Ermine,” the associate feature, Jim Kent, member of a famous legal family, comes out of prison after serving a long sentence for forgery. He decides to go straight, but a flood of bank notes similar to his famous forgeries comes into circulation, and he is rearrested. It is impossible to convict him, and on his release Jim discovers that the', forger is his own nephew, Gilbert. The scene changes to the Austrian Alps, where a gang of counterfeiters is being gradually rounded up by international police. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE All her life the victim of merciless publicity, Loretta Young, star of “ Love is News,” which is now at the Mayfair Theatre, vows revenge on Tyrone Power, who has. just obtained a "scoop” interview from her in which she denied the rumour of her engagement to a French count. Tyrone won the scoop just to show off to Don Ameche, the new, hard-driving, ruthless managing editor of the New York Express. Loretta, to get revenge; determines to make Tyrone a public , figure, with all its attendant discomforts. The story takes several other unexpected turns before everythihg is \ put right by the young couple falling in love. The second film, “Thunder in . the City,” provides Edward G. Robinson, in his first British picture, with one of the best roles of his career. He appears as an American financier who becomes embroiled in English society, - and whose go-getting methods of business do not always meet with the approval of his. British colleagues-—a marked contrast to his usual gangster characetrisations on the screen. The box plans are at Gadd’s and at the D.I.C. “THE EMPEROR’S CANDLESTICKS” “The Emperor’s Candlesticks,” new Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer romantic drama, which reunites William Powell and Luise gainer in their third - costarring picture, comes to the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow as an adaptation of the best-selling novel by Baroness Orczy, author of “The Scarlet Pimpernel ” and other distinguished works. The writing of the book was inspired by the rare and unusual candlesticks said to have been owned by Maria Antoinette, each of which contained a secret compartment in which she Is alleged to have hidden secret correspondence from Her consort, Louis XVI. George Fitzmaurice ’ directed the new production, which boasts a cast including Robert Young, Maureen O’Sullivan, Frank Morgan, and Henry Stephenson, together with 12 more featured players..,. The song “In the Hills of Old Wyoming,” written for Paramount by Leo Robin and; Ralph Rainger, has provided the title for Paramount’s “Hills of Old Wyoming,” a “ Hopalong Cassidy ” picture which will be the associate feature. The,picture represents vividly against the background of this beautiful western country a war between cattle rustlers and honest ranchers, in which the Indian wards on a Wyoming reservation are used ‘by a crooked Government agent to shield his steer, thieving. William Boyd, as usual, is, casiriin. the principal role. Yl;