AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE After successful seasons in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, “The Perfect Specimen ” will be commenced at the Regent Theatre this afternoon. Michael Curtiz, director for Warner Brothers, has put a polish on this fast-moving and hilarious comedy seldom found in pictures of the crazy type. and. as he had at his disposal a sound story and an all-star cast, the result is said to be. an entertainment of outstanding appeal. As a young man who is just a little too good to be true, Errol Flynn gives one of his finest exhibitions. This is the tall young actor’s first important role apart from “ story-book hero ” parts, and he shows 'himself to be a high-class light comedian as well as an actor who is cleverer than most. Joan Blondell gives another high-class exhibition, fully as meritorious as that in “ Stand-In," as the provocative young lady who so intrigues the noble young Gerald Beresford Wicks (Errol Flynn) when she forces a meeting with him at his home that he sneaks away from the seclusion of his Pennsylvania estate one bright morning to follow her into the outer world. May Robson is excellent as the tyrannical grandrr«ot h er Wicks, and others prominently cast are Dick Foran. Edward Everett Horton. Hugh Herbert, and Allen Jenkins. Box plans are at the D.I.C. and the theatre ST. JAMES THEATRE Adapted from the popular O. Henry tale, “ The Badge of Policeman O’Roon,” the new musical “ Doctor Rhythm,” which with the stirring “ Prison Farm ” will open a season at the St. James Theatre to-day, sparkles throughout as it moves to its amusing conclusion and is said to fill the bill for complete entertainment. Convulsed by the delightful antics of England’s great comedienne. Beatrice Lillie, and equally charmed by the latest tunes sung by crooning’s champion. Bing Crosby, audiences in Australia and northern centres are said to have acclaimed “Doctor Rhythm” as a film of unusual appeal. In the development of the plot four old schoolmates go on an all-night spree, and one of them, Andv Devine, is unable to carry out his duties as a policeman because he has been bitten by a seal. Crosby, as a doctor, decides to carry them out for him, and his job turns out to be to accompany an attractive youny lady (Mary Carlisle) and prevent her from eloping with a magician, a notorious scoundrel who is after her money. But Miss Carlisle, in her efforts to evade, him and be alone with her lover, leads him a merry dance. A picture that mirrors the worst horrors to be found in several American penal ■institutions is “Prison Farm." With Shirley Ross and Lloyd Nolan in the leading roles, “ Prison Farm ” is a notable revelation of tfce life that members of the underworld dread. Box plans for the season are at the D.1.C.. Jacobs’s, and the theatre. STRAND THEATRE More than 2700 of the 2800 gaols, workhouses and State reformatories, inspected by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in a recent four-year survey, pay little or no attention to the rehabilitation of their adolescent or adult inmates. And this—the most important factor in America’s prison system—is the problem exposed and answered in Columbia’s “Reformatory," the Jack Holt starring vehicle commencing today at the Strand Theatre. A smashing indictment of the corrupt political forces controlling and mismanaging institutions for boys, “ Reformatory shows Holt taking over a brutalising reform school and turning it into s model school, with self-discipline, decent food, hospital and medical service, and a sympathetic and understanding personnel. Bobby Jordan, star of “Dead End" and ‘.‘Crime School." and Frankie Darro are principals among the 300 youths in the school. Glimpsed in a few scenes in the hilarious Twentieth Century : Fox musical, “ You Can’t Have Everything.’ the second attraction Phyllis Brooks is given the perfect opportunity to display the talent she indicated in that film in the featured role opposite Cesar Romero in “Dangerously Yours. In this film, directed by Mai St. Clair, Miss Brooks plays the part of an adventuress who eyed a diamond, but found stealing hearts was a bettei idea. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE Always crowded with would-be heroes and heroines, the acting profession has need of character actors like John Carradine. His portrayals of everyone from Abraham Lincoln to a deep-dyed villain have made him one of the most sought after players in Hollywood. Twentieth Century-Fox, his home studio, called him back recently for a prominent role in Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “ Kidnapped,” for which Sonya Levien, Eleanor Hams, Ernest Pascal and Edwin Blum wrote the screen play. “Kidnapped” will be commenced to-day at the Octagon Theatre with Warner Baxter and Freddie, Bartholomew heading the featured cast. The story concerns Alan Break’s leading the clans in revolt against union of the North Country .with George Ill’s domain. David Balfour is the lad with the unscruplous uncle who tries to keep the boy’s rightful estate by having him kidnapped and shipped to America. The lives of Alan Breck and David Balfour cross at the point where the girl, fiancee of a lesser rebel, falls in love with Breck. An impressive cast headed by C. Aubrey Smith, Reginald Owen, Nigel Bruce, Miles Mander, Ralph Forbes and H. B. Warner appears in the film, which was directed by Alfred Werker. Kenneth Macgowan served as associate producer. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE Hollywood energy turned a Texas beet field into an airport in less than a week’s time during the filming of Paramount’s “The Texans,” the new epic of the Reconstruction era, which will be commenced to-day at the Empire Theatre. The feat took place on the 35.000-acre La Mota Ranch in Southern Texas, where Director James Hogan had taken his crew and cast of thousands to film the outdoor scenes of the picture. Hogan had two main purposes in ordering the construction of the landing field. Since the ranch was 100 miles from San Antonio and almost 40 miles by dirt road from the nearest town, he kept a plane at hand at all times in case of emergency. Secondly, he had each day's film footage flown to San Antonia, so that it could be transhipped by air express to Hollywood without delay. Hogan, who directed “Ebb Tide,” had the most famous cast of his career to work with during the filming of "The Texans.” Headed by Randolph Scott and Joan Bennett, as a southern soldier and a snitfire Dixie belle respectively, it includes many Hollywood favourites. There will be a special “ Guy Fawkes ” matinee to-morrow morning. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE Surrounded by a brilliant cast, Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond are in good form in “ She’s Got Everything.” which, with “ City Girl,” is the current attraction at the Grand Theatre. “ She's Got Everything” is crammed with merry situations. The story opens as irate’ creditors descend upon a prosperous home to reclaim the goods for which no payment can be secured. ai}d when Ann Sothern awakes she discovers she is penniless She is persuaded to take a position as a secretary to a city business man in the hope of vj inning his affections. She does so. but the secret leaks out and general complications follow all round, since Miss Sothern has fallen in love with her victim, a role taken by Gene Raymond. Parkyakarkus and Billy Gilbert as creditors lend their comedy to the story and Victor Moore also plays an important role. A minor nart delightfully played is that of an itinerant

hypnotist (Solly Ward). The second feature is “ City Girl.” starring Phyllis Brooks and Ricardo Cortez. The story is an involved and thrilling one of gangster activities. The box plans are at ihe theatre and Begg’s. , STATE THEATRE Long recognised as the dancing sweetheart of motion pictures after her outstanding series of film musicals with Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers established her right to top dramatic rating wtih her performance in “ Stage Door.” The blonde star appears in her second dramatic offering “Having a Wonderful Time,” an RKO-Radio comedy-drama adapted from the celebrated Broadway hit. commencing today at the State Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., is co-starred. She has notable opportunities in this new offering to play comedy, satire and pathetic romance. The story concerns a whirlwind love affair between a hardworking secretary and a young law student when the pair meet at a summer vacation camp. Some of the pictures other than musicals in which Miss Rogers has scored during the past three years include “Vivacious Lady, “Romance in Manhattan,” “Star of Midnight” and “In Person.” Alfred Santell directed “Having a Wonderful Time,” a Pandro S. Berman production. Peggy Conklin, Richard “Red’ Skelton, Lucille Ball, Lee Bowman, Donald Meek and Ann Miller are in the cast of 50. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. MAYFAIR THEATRE For lively comedy the current programme at the Mayfair Theatre could hardly be bettered. It is headed by Sandy Powell in “Leave It To Me, and the second feature is “Easy Living” in which Edward Arnold, Jean Arthur, and Ray Milland take the central parts. The adventures of Sandy Powell as a special policeman are hilariously involved, but the comedian inevitably muddles through in his own inimitable manner. Comedy of a more sophisticated order marks "Easy Living.” The box plans are at the theatre sweet shon and the D.I.C. “ FIREFLY ” Each succeeding year has brought to the screen a finer type of musical picture. and 1938 is no exception. Hollywood’s new offering, “ The Firefly, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s impressive adaptation of Rudolf Friml’s memorable operetta, is a most illuminating example of this fact. "The Firefly’ which comes to the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow, supplies that combination of music and drama which makes a spontaneous apneal to any audience. The story makes no sacrifice for music: yet, in the interesting fashion of life itself the melody rings in at opportune moments. Rudolf Friml’s “The Firefly” is his finest composition. with its “ Giannina Mia,” “ Love is Like a Firefly.” “ Sympathy.” “ Donkey’s Serenade.” and other songs including music especially composed by him for the modern needs of the picture. The thrilling exploits of Government G-Men. America’s crime wreckers, as they swoop down on modern gangsters and the rivalry of two brothers on opposite sides of the law as they vie for the love of a beautiful society debutante are the highlights of the Columbia drama " When GMen Step In,” the second film.