AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23558, 22 July 1938, Page 17

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE There are few people who have not read, and, indeed, reread, Anthony Hope’s grand romance, “The Prisoner of Zenda.” It is small wonder, therefore, that the talking film version has met such an enthusiastic reception, and that it has been listed for a return Dunedin season, commencing to-day at the St. James Theatre. It would almost seem that Anthony Hope anticipated the talking film when he wrote The Prisoner of Zenda,” so perfectly does it combine the best ingredients of the screen romance. The scene of the story, placed as it is in one of the European monarchies of pre-war days, seething with intrigue, gives a competent producer a wonderful chance, and in the production under notice no opportunity has been missed Ronald Colman plays the title part, and had he never been heard of before his name would have been established for all time by his work in this picture. Opposite him is the beautiful and gracious Madeleine Carroll as Princess Flavia. The supporting cast has evenness and strength including as it does such renowned players as Douglas Fairbanks, iun., C. Aubrey Smith. David Niven. Raymond Massey. and Mary Astor. “Hot Water,” the second feature, shows the Jones Family engaged in an election contest in an attempt to “clean up” the town of Maryville. The pangs of civic conscience have convinced Dad that the town needs a reform administration, and the family thinks he is the man for the work.. It is a notorious night club running under what seems to be official immunity that fires the anger of Dad Jones, especially when his young son Jack begins to frequent the place. The campaign that follows seems to be a landslide for the Jones ticket until the owners of “The Red Mill” perpetrate a “frame-up" on young Jack. When the election seems lost, Roger Jones, embryonic newspaper man, turns up with the evidence exposing the criminals and the opposition party. Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, and Spring Byington are starred. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.. and Jacobs’s. STRAND THEATRE Thrilling mystery is blended with comedy and romance in “The Black Doll,” which heads the Strand Theatre's programme. Taken from a Crime Club novel by William Edward Hayes, the picture offers an excellent opportunity for theatre-goers to try to solve the mystery on the screen before the detectives do. Not only does the Universal production present six suspects m connection with the original murder. but it is further complicated by two other murders in a police-guarded house. “ The Black Doll ” tells the story of Nelson Rood (C. Henry Gordon), unscrupulous mine owner, who has murdered one of his partners When a black doll, a crude child’s toy, appears on his library desk he knows it is the symbol of approaching doom, and lays his plans accordingly. Before he can carry them out, however, he is killed while talking to his daughter, Marian (Nan Grey). She summons her fiance. Nick Halstead (Donald Woods), an amateur detective who finds he has six suspects who had motives for slaying Rood. Edgar Kennedy appears as Sheriff Renick, who gets mixed up with the numerous clues and adds the required touch of comedv to relieve the tenseness of the mystery. As the plot unravels two other persons are killed, but finally the man Halstead suspects is tricked into a false move, and is brought to justice. Filled with laughter. Columbia’s “ She Married an Artist ” will be screened in support. John Boles and Luli Deste are co-starred in this battle of wife against model, amidst the wild, merry whirl of New York’s gay studio life. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

OCTAGON THEATRE The Octagon Theatre’s new feature, “Dr Syn,” presents George Arliss in a truly remarkable double role—that of a preacher who, when not in the pulpit, is a daring smuggler. It is a costume piece, packed with action and excitement and drama, showing the star in an entirely new type of characterisation. Supporting him are John Loder and Margaret Lockwood as romantic leads, and a huge cast of leading English players. As the parson of the village. Dr Syn conducts a profitable business in smuggling, and as a result his flock is endowed with more material blessings than is the case in most of the seaside villages Among the lovable village characters are the little serving girl in the inn. played by Margaret Lockwood, who is in love with the squire’s handsome son; the squire himself, a somewhat crochety old gentleman with a streak of humour: the village doctor, coffinmaker school teacher, and many others. The arrival of the Excise men and their search of the district is the basis of most of the action, which includes exciting pursuits over the wild marshlands. The history of a famous pirate, Captain Clegg, is inextricably interwoven with that of the village and his relationship to several of the characters plays an important part in the final sequences. George Arliss gives a natural performance, and he is well supported by the other principals. The featurettes are excellent, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE What is described as a caravan of comedy with lavish backgrounds ” comes to the Empire Theatre to-day. It is called “Beg, Borrow, or Steal,” and features Frank Morgan, Florence Rice, and John Beal. Serving to give Morgan top billing for the first time under the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer banner, it is delightful entertainment that ranks with “ Libelled Lady ” and “ My Man Godfrey ” in humorous propensities. “ Beg, Borrow or Steal ” is a fast-moving, rollicking comedy. A group of crooks take over a chateau and pose as titled personages to give the daughter of one of their clique a royal wedding and at the same lime keep from her the fact that he is a “royal fakir.” The picture is packed with laughter and the sort of pathos that i§ attached to a father and daughter tale of this kind. There are novel twists and excitement as these well-meaning crooks try to carry through their scheme and at the same time keep out of the hands of the law. Through it all runs a love story that develops a tremendous force when the girl is about to marry the man she does not love. “ Beg. Borrow, or Steal ’ is light comedy thrills and pathos all rolled into one. Frank Morgan is a lovable guide for rich tourists in Europe, who leads his family in America to believe that he is well off. Florence Rice, who scored in “Navy Blue and Gold,” is his daughter who becomes engaged to a young American snob. John Beal is the humorous and wealthy young American who lends him the chateau, then falls in love with the bride-to-be and takes her away from the other fellow. Others in the cast are Reginald Denny, George Givot, E. E. Clive, Cora Witherspoon, Herman Bing, Vladimir Sokoloff, Janet Beecher Tom Rutherfurd. and Harlan Briggs. The supports are good, and the box plans at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE An entertainment-filled double bill, comprising a musical romance and a vigorous story full of fast action and tense drama make up the current programme at the Grand Theatre. The two films are "Island in the Sky,” featuring Gloria Stuart. Michael Whalen, and Paul Kelly, and “ Command Performance,” in which the leading role is taken by Arthur Tracy, the Street Singer. “ Island in the Sky ” takes its title from a night club on top of a New York skyscraper, where the hero and heroine, bent on an evening’s gaiety, find themselves plunged into a murder mystery. The story moves swiftly, ana many unusual twists are revealed as the two search for evidence. The happenings are all possible, the characters are

natural types, and the long arm of coincidence is by no means painfully stretched. Gloria Stuart, one of the most beautiful women on the screen and a clever actress as well, is cofeatured for the fourth time with Michael Whalen, who has no little ability. Paul Kelly, who has had few worthwhile roles since “ Broadway Through a Keyhole,” here has a better opportunity. Although the story of the second feature is only a slight one. it furnishes an admirable background for the large number of vocal ‘numbers which Tracy sings in his pleasing manner. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. STATE THEATRE Annabella, the sensational star discovery of two continents, whose activities have been important news to movie-goers everywhere since she arrived in Hollywood to make her starring debut in the film capital, is acclaimed in “Dinner at the Ritz,” New World picture ’released by G.8.D., which will commence a Dunedin season at the State Theatre to-day. In a- story as tensely exciting as its star is excitingly lovely, the most dangerous intrigue that ever involved a beautiful woman in love whirls Annabella from the brilliant salons of Pans through the fabulous gaming rooms of Monte Carlo to a luxurious private yacht on the Mediterranean. Paul Lukas. David Niven, and Romney Brent are featured in the cast. Shortly after the apparent suicide of a Parisian banker, an event which precipitates a financial panic, a gay adventuress turns up at the famous Monte Carlo resort, playing the dangerous game of tracking down the banker’s enemies. A lovely, carefree girl one day, Annabella is the daring adventuress the next, for the banker was her father. Annabella traces each elusive clue until, as the guest of the ringleader aboard his private yacht, she finds the information leading to a fast-paced, action-filled climax. In the background of the thrilling story Paul Lukas and David Niven supply added romantic interest as they vie for the love of Annabella. Roland Pertwee and Romney Brent wrote the screen play, and the cast also includes Francis, L. Sullivan, Stewart Rome. Norah Swinburne, and Tyrell Davis. There are good supports. and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE An exciting picture of the struggle between America and England during the war of 1812 is presented by Cecil B. DeMille in his latest historical film for Paramount, “The Buccaneer, which is now at the Regent Theatre, with Fredric March in the title role. It is panorama of a crucial period in history, showing the burning of Washington. the Louisiana of the picturesque creole days, and the defence of New Orleans by General Jackson. March is seen as a pirate who turns out to be a hero when he realises that his adopted country, the United States, is in danger of destruction. His sweetheart, Margot Grahame, a New Orleans belle, stimulates his patriotism by insisting that he become respectable before their marriage. Although he helps Jackson win the battle of New Orleans, he loses both his respectability and his sweetheart when the secret gets out that his men destroyed the American merchant ship Corinthian. With Jackson’s aid, March escapes and goes into exile on his flagship, Raven. Franciska Gaal, the only survivor of the Corinthian, goes with.him, and on the deck of the ship he realises for the first time that she is the girl he really loves. In the supporting cast are Akim Tamiroff, lan Keith, and Walter Brennan. DeMille spared no effort to make this production an overwhelming spectacle, in keeping with the theme of the infant republic fighting for its life during the crucial days of the war of 1812. History on a broad canvas, convincing heroes and heroines, and mass scenes of unusual splendour unite to make “The Buccaneer" the greatest production of DeMille’s career. There are good short films, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE Fast-moving and delightful comedy is unfurled in “ Love in a Bungalow, the first attraction in the doublefeature bill at the Mayfair Theatre. In the leading roles Nan Grey and Kent Taylor romp through the film, scattering laughter with careless abandon. The dialogue is bright, and the amusing experiences of the couple before they net up house in the bungalow are highly entertaining. ‘Crime Over London” is the supporting attraction, the leading parts being taken by Joseph Cawthorn, Margot Grahame, Paul Cavanagh, and Basil Sydney. There are some unusual aspects to this entertaining film, the bulk of the action taking place in a large departmental store. Drama, comedy, and romance are mixed to good effect. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “BETWEEN TWO WOMEN” The Mayfair Theatre’s next feature, “ Between Two Women,” is a dramatic narrative of life, death, and romance in a great metropolitan hospital and it has been produced by Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer with all of its lavish resources. Franchot Tone, as an ambitious young interne, plays an effective role with an artistic depth of understanding. Maureen O’Sullivan is a nurse, unhappily married to a brutal surgeon, and secretly in love with Tone. Virginia Bruce is a cool and beautiful heiress who comes into the hospital as a patient and goes out as an intended bride of the interne. The interne is faced with a choice between love and duty when his own marriage fails, and he is summoned to operate on the husband of the nurse he really loves. If the man dies they can pick up the threads of life together, If he lives thev are separated for ever. In Grade Fields’s latest picture, “The Show Goes on.” the A.T.P. organisation has provided the famous star with the most novel and best . mounted picture of the whole Gracie fields .series. A strong cast was selected to assist her —Owen Nares as her patron. Martin Fraser, a composer of worth-while music and songs, Cyril Ritchard. Australia’s popular stage =tar as Gracie’s accompanist ‘ Jimmy. John Stuart, making a remarkable comeback to the screen in the role ot “ Mac,” Gracie’,s former “ flame ot little Hindlebury town, Amy Veness as her screen “ mother.