AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23516, 2 June 1938, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Clever dialogue, brilliant acting, and capable direction make “Angel,” the film which will have its final screening at the Regent Theatre to-night, one of the most outstanding productions to be seen in Dunedin for some time. At the head of the cast are Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, and Melvyn Douglas, all of whom need no introduction to picture audiences. The story deals with Marshall’s interest in the League of Nations which causes him to neglect his wife, who turns for friendship to Melvyn Douglas. Some amusing scenes are witnessed before the film reaches a satisfactory conclusion. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “EBB TIDE” “ Ebb Tide,” the first sea story filmed in technicolour, is coming to the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Adapted from the well-known novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osborne, and with the South Seas as its locale, “Ebb Tide” has been described as the most satisfying colour picture that has yet reached the screen. Apart from its scenic loveliness, “Ebb Tide ” is important to the motion picture industry and to theatregoers in that it brings Oscar Homolka to Hollywood for the first time. At this juncture Homolka is possibly unknown to the majority of theatregoers, but he has really been very prominently associated with Max Reinhardt, under whose tutelage he has rapidly become the greatest stage star of present-day Vienna. He has' made two or three pictures in England, but it was his role in “Rhodes of Africa,” coupled, of course, with his career on the Viennese stage, that encouraged the offers of stardom from Paramount in Hollywood. In addition to Oscar Homolka, the cast of “ Ebb Tide ” includes Frances Farmer, Ray Milland, Lloyd Nolan, and Barry Fitzgerald. ST. JAMES THEATRE The life of Charles Stewart Parnell, champion and uncrowned king of Ireland in the days when home rule was pursued by Irishmen, has always offered itself as one of the most suitable subjects for an epic film. In “Parnell,” now showing at the St. James Theatre, is seen a conception of the character of the great patriot. Parnell, as portrayed by Clark Gable, is a character study of the patriot at the peak of his power, and during his sudden and terrible fall from grace. The picture is, as have been many biographies, a condemnation of the action of the Irish Party in dropping the only man who could have brought them unity. As Katie O'Shea, for whom Parnell loses his Irish throne, Myrna Loy scores a signal success. Others in the cast whose acting helps to make the picture are Edna May Oliver, as the sour but goodhearted Aunt Ben, Alan Marshal, as Katie’s husband, Montagu Love, _as Gladstone, Billie Burke, as Katie s sister, and Edmund Gwenn, as the patriot’s faithful secretary. There are good supports, and the box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.. and Jacobs s.

“ARTISTS AND MODELS” A colourful, tuneful production containing a wealth of humour. “Artists and Models,” which will be commenced at the St. James Theatre to-morrow, is a film that should appeal. A bright, fast-moving comedy, the film is interspersed with musical and staged items, among them being a specialty number by Connie Boswell, a turn fay the Yacht Club Boys, Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra, Peter Arno. A. W. Brown, and John LaGatta. The players are headed by Jack Benny, Ida Lupino, Richard Aden, Gail Patrick, Ben Blue and Judy Canova. Benny portrays an advertising expert with a sumptuous office but very little work to do in It. By virtue of the fact that he is chairman of the annual Artists Ball Committee, he secures a valuable contract from a millionaire manufacturer of silverware (Richard Aden) on the understanding that the “Silverware Girl” will be chosen as queen of the ball. Benny has already half promised the honour to Ida Lupino, a professional model with whom he is in love, but Aden prefers a society gin (Gail Patrick). So Miss Lupino sets out to prove that she is as good as any society girl, and falls in love with Aden, while Benny is consoled by Miss Patrick. Events move quickly and culminate in a colourful finale at the artists and models’ ball, where a solution is found to all the difficulties. STRAND THEATRE The final opportunity of seeing the celebrated English actress, Miss Fay Compton, in the leading role of Wedding Group” will be afforded patrons of the Strand Theatre to-night. Miss Compton plays the part of Florence Nightingale, who falls in love with a young Highland officer. As usual, however, the film shows that the path of romance is set with thorns befoie a satisfactory conclusion is arrived at. "Silent Valley,” the associate film, is a Western, and stars Tom Tyler. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “UNDER SUSPICION” A baffling riddle is unravelled in Columbia’s “ Under Suspicion,” the new Jack Holt melodrama coming to-mor-row to the Strand Theatre. Among the suspects are Katherine DeMille, Luis Alberni, Rosalind Keith, Esther Muir. Purnell Pratt. Morgan Wallace, and Craig Reynolds. Based on the famous magazine story by Philip Wylie, “ Under Suspicion ” tells of the plot against the life of Jack Holt, who

incurs the enmity of his friends because he decides to retire and give his plant away to his employees. Two are murdered before Jack Holt discovers the murderer. Lewis D. Collins directed “ Under Suspicion ” from a screen play by Joseph Hoffman and Jefferson Parker. More than a score of the Pacific Coast’s fastest trotters went through their paces for the Twentieth Century-Fox film, “Off to the Races,’’ one of the latest in the series featuring the Jones Family, which will be the associate feature. Paul E. MacPherson, nationally known turfman often consulted by the movie studios on racing matters, assembled the trotters for the film, and coached Slim Summerville, the noted comedian, and Jed Prouty, of Mr Jones fame, in sulky technique. OCTAGON THEATRE “Lancer Spy,” an exciting story of espionage during the Great War, is now completing its second week at the Octagon Theatre. Based on a novel written by Marthe McKenna and adapted for the screen by Philip Dunne, the film briskly narrates the amazing exploits of a’British naval lieutenant, Michael Bruce, played by George Sanders, who joined the secret service and was entrusted with a dangerous mission to Berlin. Sanders has recently attracted considerable attention by his acting in “Lloyds of London ” and “ Slave Ship,” and his work in “Lancer Spy” leaves no doubt as to his acting ability. There is an impressive cast of players, including Dolores del Rio, Peter Lorre, Joseph Schildkraut and Maurice Moscovitch. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “IN OLD CHICAGO” To discover a star is a great accomplishment for a movie ’ director, but to discover four stars _ is to be m a class with Henry King, to whom Twentieth Century-Fox entrusted the direction of its biggest picture of the year. “In Old Chicago” which will have its New Zealand premiere at the Octagon Theatre to-morrow. Mr King himself would be the last to use a superlative in describing that or any other of his productions. He is a modest person and never goes in for extravagance. Five times Henry King took actors or actresses who had had little or no experience before movie cameras and directed them in their roles. Four of these stars were his discoveries outright: Ronald Colman, Gary Cooper, Ernest Torrence and Baby Marie Osborne. The latest kinema celebrity under King’s direction was, of course, Tyrone Power, the young man who sprang to fame overnight by his work m Lloyds of London.” For Power it was something akin to homecoming to return to King’s direction. EMPIRE THEATRE The main feature on the programme which is now being screened at the Empire Theatre is the . "Daughter of Shanghai, m which Anna May Wong appears. The Chinprp actress is cast as the daughter of a‘prominent merchant in a ring of smugglers. The girl sets out to avenge her father’s death, and follows a devious trail before the criminals are brought to s j‘ ce ’ ing her investigation she finds romance with Philip Ahn, and the picture reaches a happy conclusion. Anna May Wong’s characterisation is an Silent piece of dramatic acting, and she is ably supported by the talented cast. The supporting features are unusually varied and entertaining. The box plans will be found at the theatre and the D.I.C. “TOPPER” Based on Thorne Smith’s novel “Jovial Ghosts, the film Copper will be shown to-morrow at the Em nirp Theatre. Jack and Marion Kerby, P* r o earth-bound spirits with disconcerting powers of materialising and demateriaUslng at will, resolve to obFain heavenly eternity through the pvprcise of a good deed. Losmo Topperf a staid Wall street bank Po-rtent—-perfectly portrayed by Roland Ymme—who lives a routine, suburban Sence under the dignified but SffiriM ambitions ol his wife ißillie Burke), is considered ny me Svs as a perfect specimen of rpnrpqsion How the captivating Constancf Bennett and the rollicking Cary G?S the jovial djojta.prgMj“ unset the normal life of the arou Roland and Miss Burke, to mould it to their own hectic ways- of hying, should provide excellent entertainment. The astounding adventures and ribald escapades in which the gay ghosts involve Young buxst nf rnmodv In the end tney nu Topper^ from his smug existence, make him a- happy humani being. _ and joy ously escape themselves from tneir earth-bound existence. GRAND THEATRE Delightfully presented by an accomnlished nair of stars, BreaKiast -oi Two ” which commenced a season at the ’ Grand Theatre yesterday, is rattling comedy, with a romantic moW which at times merges into ssheer un adulterated slapstick. is cheerful and highly entertaining fare with a freshness of appeal that should make it popular with audiences during the remainder of the season. The film is the first in which either of the two principals has attempted anything so far removed from their usual dramat c vehicles, but both Herbert Marshall and Barbara Stanwyck are in their element, and by their performances merit a high place on the list of comedy teams. Miss Stanwyck is particularly charming, and makes a delightful Valentine Ransome, a wealthy girl from Texas with a will of her own. Marshall is, of course, as polished and debonair as ever, and between them the two carry the story along at

a brisk pace, doing each other pprsonal violence on the hectic road to romance and generally proving themselves to be exceptionally talented knock-about artists. The supporting cast is headed by Eric Blore, in a typical role as Marshall’s butler, and, as usual, he adds considerably to the fun ' of this production. Glenda Farrell gives an excellent performance as the girl whom Marshall tries twice in vain " ' to marry, while another important member of the cast is Peewee, a huge Great Dane, who lumbers through the plot with a type of humour all his own. Reversing the old romantic idea of marrying a rake to reform him, “ Breakfast for Two ” has its story built on the scheme of a self-sufficient beauty from Texas who sets out to reform her rake before marrying him. Jonathan Blair, the last of the family, has inherited a large income from a shipping business in which he is not interested, and has' devoted all his talents to dissipating his fortune! At a night club he meets Miss Stanwyck, the wealthy daughter of a Texan rancher, and. following a hectic evening, the girl falls in love with the playboy. About this time, however; the shipping company, through lack of leadership, is going bankrupt, and so Miss Stanwyck buys,the controlling interest in an endeavour to bring the. young man to his senses. Her action starts a war between the two, which ... develops in intensity as the girl twice . stops Marshall from'marrying an indifferent actress. The pair settle down to a brisk exchange of elbow jolts in a rough and tumble duel, which, of course, ends when he suddenly takes an interest in the company and sets about getting it on its feet again. The ; film abounds with bright dialogue, delightful humour, and hilarious situations, rising to a laughable climax. The. supporting ‘programme is an excellent one, and includes- an informative feature on golf rhythm and timing. There are also a delightful coloured short dealing with life both above and below tlie sea in the Bahama Islands, several news reels, and a short musical - novelty. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and Begg’s. STATE THEATRE Comedy is the keynote of “ Hitting a New High,” the RKO-Radio production which is the main feature on the programme at the State Theatre. In addition to Lily Pons, who has the main role, there is a large number of comedians in the. ■■ cast, Jack Oakie being among the most prominent. The' brilliance oj£ his performane in “That Girl From Paris,” in which he was again supporting Miss Pons, brought' Oakie to the front rank of kinema comedians, and he will win further good opinions by his. latest performance, Edward Everett Horton is in the cast, and the comedian who has won applause by his portraits of explosive Greeks, Billy Gilbert, gives a, laughable performance in a typical role. The ginger is heard in several charming numbers during the course of the picture, and also plays with abandon a light comedy part. There are excellent supports, and the box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. " KING SOLOMON’S MINES ” Paul Robeson and Sir Cedric Hardwicke head the cast of “King Solomon’s Mines,” which will be shown to-morrow at the State Theatre. The film has an impressive climax,of volcanic eruption staged with extraordinary skill and realism. Robert Stevenson’s direction, has the appeal of sincerity and straightforward treatment, the story moving steadily forward to, its awe-inspiring climax. His handling of the “ smelling-out ” by the Y witch doctor is stated to be unusually fine, for it might easily have appeared merely ludicrous; instead, it is definitely grim and horrible, making one appreciate the power and stalking terror that shook the souls of bravest warriors. Director Stevenson had a difficult task and has apparently emerged from it with the controlled ease that indicates staple success. Striking native dances and combats induce atmosphere of conviction and introduce moments of grim action. Vivid scenes of diamond diggings, , trackless desert, luxuriant jungle, and imposing native kraal settings form an agreeably-paced sequence of un-' usual incident touched with romance and comedy. MAYFAIR THEATRE ; “Tall Timbers” and*' “Armoured Car ” are the two films which comprise the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre. Complete' with thrills, romance, and spectacular scenes “ Tall Timbers,” an Australian production, presents a high standard in entertainment value. There is a robust story running through the film, the leading players in which are Frank Leighton, Shirley Ann Richards, and Frank Har- , vey. One of the highlights of the film Is the scene depicting the crashing of the giant trees of the forest, and the explosion of a timber train bridge. The second picture deals with a new phase of the constant battle between the law and the underworld. Romance is interwoven with tense excitement in this gripping drama. The leading players are Robert Wilcox, Judith Barrett, and Cesar Romero. The box plans ' are at Gaud’s and the D.I.C.