AMUSEMENTS
REGENT THEATRE Abounding in touches of genuine humour, and cleverly acted by a cast headed by Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper, the Paramount film, “ Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,” is now being shown at the Regent Theatre. The story does not need to be exceptionally strong, but, under the brilliant direction of Ernst Lubitsch, even the smallest incidents have the power of evoking delight. Gary Cooper appears as a droll American millionaire—a sort of Mr Deeds gone to Paris —who seeks to make a Frenchwoman, portrayed by Claudette Colbert, his eighth wife Until the eve of the ceremony, however, he omits to tell her of his seven previous unsuccessful ventures, and the lady decides that she will not be a mere addition to the series. The campaign which she conducts in aid of her rights is the source of provocative comedy, humanised and rendered doubly piquant by the acting of the nrincipals. Claudette Colbert’s performance proves that even “ I Met Him in Paris ” did not mark the peak of her powers. The supporting cast is of an equally high standard. Edward Everett Horton, as the impecunious father of the lady, vacillates through many Amusing scenes. David Niven, of the infectious smile, is well cast as an unsuccessful suitor, others who have associate roles being Herman Bing and Warren Hymer. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE James Cagney returns to the screen in the entertaining film “ Something tc Sing About,” which heads the current programme at the St. James Theatre Cagney appears as a performer in a New York cabaret, Terry Rooney, and in this role reveals himself as a talented dancer and singer. Rooney receives an offer from a Hollywood company lo make a film, and on his arrival receives a very cold reception from the director. It is the policy of the company to make their actors play under an inferiority complex, and because of this Rooney believes that he has not been successful. He decides to give up his work and get married, he and his wife leaving secretly on a trip to the south seas. In the meanwhile, the film company has started a frantic search for Rooney, and the story of his disappearance appears in every news paper. On his return from his honeymoon, he realises for the first time what a wonderful success his film has proved, and after several amusing in cidents the picture is brought to a successful conclusion. In “Windbag the Sailor.” the second film on the programme. Will Hay takes the part of a sailor, aptly named Windbag, who has an extremely adventurous cruise round the world. The picture satirises in successful fashion the fantastic travellers’ tales that make their appearance in books of travel, and which are so hard to believe. At one stage of his career Windbag is captured by cannibals, but manages to escape after some amusing adventures. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C.: and at Jacobs’s. STRAND THEATRE A powerful drama in the jungles of Sumatra is presented in “The Crime of Dr Hallet,” which heads the programme at the Strand Theatre. Fired by ambitions in the field o'f research, a young doctor is lursd to the East, leaving his young and socihlly-minded wife behind. Dr Hallet is the head of investigations there into a devastating fever. Snubbed by the old hands, who expected a much- older man, the new arrival makes his own experiments, and has found a successful serum, when Hallet, encouraged by the apparent success of his own experiments, is about to innoculate himself instead of monkeys. Trusting his elders’ judgment, the youngster innoculates himself surreptitiously with Halllet’s serum, and he dies. Hallet is faced with added grief when the dead man’s notes show that he held the true discovery. Then, in the interests of humanity, Hallet takes the money and name of the man who has sacrificed himself to science and carries on, to give the real discoverer credit. The second feature is a delightful, fast-moving adventure comedy, “Time Out for Romance.” Sailing aboard a palatial yacht, Andrew Toombes, as a millionaire sportsman, receives news of the impending wedding of his daughter, Claire Trevor, to a fortune-hunting count. Furious that her ,society mother had virtually purchased a husband for her, Claire flees from' the house, changes the colour of her hair to blonde, and starts hitch-hiking to California, where her adventures begin. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. nCTAGbN THEATRE
The delightful musical production, “ Lily of Laguna.” is at present attracting large attendances to the Octagon Theatre. Nora Swinburne, who has the main role in this enchanting film appears as a talented actress, who defies her friend’s warnings and leaves the stage to marry a scientist, portrayed by G. H. Mulcaster. After several years of married life, she becomes unhappy and, acting against her husband’s wishes, she returns to the stage to make ai successful re-appearance. The husband immediately divorce? her and secures the custody of the child, Jane. Several years pass by and Miss Swinburne makes a personal appearance at a broadcasting studio, where she falls in love with the producer Roger Fielding, who is really in love; with Jane, The method in which the story reveals itself provides excellent entertainment, and the climax is entirely satisfactory. The music of the film is outstanding and many old and new song favourites are attractively rendered. Among the songs ' Lily of Laguna ” is a particularly enjoyable number and all the other numbers are attractively staged. The supporting programme is an entertaining and wellvaried one. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. GRAND THEATRE “Annapolis Salute,” which is the featured attraction at the Grand Theatre, is a sprightly and entertaining romance set in the famous American Naval Academy The film is engagingly free from sentimentality, and embodies considerable wit and naturalness in its dialogue. It is the narrative of two cadets whose chief bone of contention, other than that of love for the same girl, is the traditions of the academy. This results in plenty of action, coloured by light but effective touches of drama and more than a little humour. Jimmy Ellison and Van Heflin have ideal roles as the two tempestuous cadets, and the girl in their case is acted with charm by Marsha Hunt. The second picture i; “ Music for Madame.” a bright and engaging production which gives Nino Martini, the handsome young Italian tenor, an effective role as a singer seeking fame in Hollywood. Alan Mowbray, Billy Gilbert, Alan Hale and Erik Rhodes contribute some excellent comedy sketches. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s “ BATTLE OF- BROADWAY ” The Grand Theatre’s next feature will be the robust and riotous “ Battle of Broadway,” which is based on the American Legion’s “ unconventional convention ” in New York, Victor McLaglen and Brian Donlevy arrive on the Gay White Way in the Legion vanguard —to see what makes the cosy little village on the Hudson River so popular. These veterans lay siege to beautiful Louise Hovick, and “ Battle of Broadway ” becomes nothing more than a whole collection of fights conveniently filed under one heading The cast of the film includes Raymond Walburn. Lynn Bari, Jane Darwell, and Robert Kellard. A musical comedy which cheered hundreds of thousands toward the end of the Great War, has now been made into a film. This is “The Lilac Domino,” which will be the associate film. In the film the leading roles are taken by Michael Bart lett, the golden-voiced American tenor, and pretty June Knight, the musical comedy star. They make a charming team and succeed admirably in conveying the light-hearted gaiety
of the frothy story. Bartlett has a magnificent voice, acts delightfully and more than fulfils the promise he showed opposite Grace Moore in “ Love Me Forever.” EMPIRE THEATRE The present attraction at the Empire Theatre is a drama of American prison life, and it contains all the elements that go to make a powerful picture. The story concerns Bill Jordan, who. more by accident than anything else, is sentenced to a long term of imprisonment for manslaughter A man of delicate feelings, his experience of prison life, combined with the influence of the depraved characters with whom he is forced to associate, brings about a breakdown, but he finds a new interest in life in the warden’s daughter who is instrumental in building up his character again. Just when the man’s redemption is about complete, he is caught in another set of circumstances that develop following the murder of a “ squealer.” Jordan knows who the murderer is. but his code of loyalty prevents him from telling. How mat ters'are straightened out, and the manner, in which Jordan and the warden's daughter find happiness, make a fitting climax to this strange drama The cast includes Walter Connolly, John Howard. Jean Parker and Robert Barrat. There is an excellent supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE When a man in the film business sets out not only to produce pictures and to direct them, but also to write the scenarios and to sing and dance in the leading roles, he is taking on a heavy job. Jack Buchanan does all those things in “ The Sky’s the Limit,’’ which is at present being shown at the State Theatre. From the point of view of entertainment the production is well up to the Buchanan standard, with romance, music, dancing, and comedy all in the best Buchanan manner. In addition, it brings to notice a young actor. David Hutcheson. who is a distinct find of the Son nie Hale type. Somewhat unusually, Jack Buchanan is not cast as’a matinee idol—not even as a radio star He is an aeroplane designer, with an idea for telescoping the wings of planes to give greater speed—rather than telescoping the bodywork, nose first into the , ground. The picture is crammed full of excellent situations, but perhaps the brightest spot of the picture is the scene where David Hutcheson borrows £2O from his Irish landlady. It was a triumph of diplomacy. All in all, ‘The Sky’s the Limit” is very pleasing entertainment. Athlene Seyler and Sara All good are excellent in supporting roles The supporting programme is an entertaining. one. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM ”
Romancing stars, dancing stars, comedy stars, singing stars —there are stars all around Shirley Temple in her latest musical hit, “ Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” Twentieth Century-Fox picture which is coming to the State Theatre. Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart are the romantic leads: Jack: Haley and Slim Summerville make merry; tap-king Bill Robinson dances! with Shirley; and other talent includes Phyllis Brooks, Helen Westley, th<c Raymond Scott Quintet, Alan Dinehart; and J. Edward Bromberg. Kate Douglas Wiggin’s story suggested the merry, modern screen play by Karl Tunberg and Don Ettlinger. Songs which add to the success of the film are “An Old Straw Hat,” by Gordon and Revel; “Alone With You,” “ Happy Ending,” and “Crackly Grain Flakes,” by Pollack and Mitchell; “Come and Get Your Happiness,” by Pokrass and Yellen; and “Toy Trumpet,” with music by Raymond Scott and lyrics t)y Pollack and Mitchell. In addition Shirley sings a medley of all her famous hits of the past, a reprise which has been requested by many of her fans. MAYFAIR THEATRE Barbara Stanwyck reaches the height of her screen career in her role in “Stella Dallas,” which heads the new programme at the Mayfair Theatre. Her part is that of a woman who strives to rise above her natural station in life, fails, but in the' end triumphs gloriously. Miss Stanwyck’s portrayal has been hailed as one of the greatest of the year, and upder King Vidor’s direction she presents a convincing interpretation of the. mill girl who marries above her station and does not discover her mistake until it is too late. The essential goodness in her charac'er expresses itself in her love for her child, ahd it is this that brings her to m?k<= her final sacrifice. “Navy Blue and Gold.” the second attraction, combine. 1 the thrills of the football fields with the tradhions surrounding America’s naval academy, Annapolis. Robert Young, James Stewart, and Lionel Barrymore have the leading roles. Box plans are at Gadd’s and the D.I.C.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 23578, 15 August 1938, Page 5
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2,061AMUSEMENTS Otago Daily Times, Issue 23578, 15 August 1938, Page 5
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