AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE Designed chiefly to exploit Simone Simon's recently discovered talent as a singer, " Josette " (the 20th CenturyFox picture at the State Theatre) goes about its work by presenting her in the familiar story of the ambitious but frustrated songster who gets her big chance to make good when the established star fails to appear and the unknown girl takes her name and the spotlight. However, the music in "Josette" is hardly more than incidental. Interwoven with the "local-girl-makes-good" theme are the equally faithful themes of mistaken identity and friendly rivalry between two brothers in love with the same girl. Don Ameche and Robert Young play the brother roles with plenty of light-hearted gaiety and charm. When the boys' young-minded father (William Collier, sen.) is entrapped by a cabaret singer and announces his coming marriage they set out to rescue him by diverting the crooner's attention to themselves or by more drastic action if necessary. Then the modest heroine takes the crooner's identity, and of course, the young men go off on a false trail after her. The box plans are at the theatre arid Begg's. "CAREFREE" A new angle on the Svengali-Trilby theme, spiced with comedy, music and romance, affords Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers a sparkling vehicle for their famous talents in "Carefree," commencing to-morrow at the State Theatre. Ralph Bellamy heads the supporting cast as an attorney engaged to Miss Rogers, but she is constantly breaking their engagement. Bellamy appeals to Astaire, as a noted psychoanalyst, to give her treatments, whereupon she falls in love with Fred. This compels Fred to hypnotise her into the belief that he is a human monster. Miss Rogers having escaped from Astaire's office, flies to the arms of her fiance, and when she is finally overtaken by the doctor at a skeet shooting field, she runs berserk with a gun and tries to do away with the "monster." Astaire's complexity upon learning that he really loves the girl, and Bellamy's efforts to have his erstwhile best friend gaoled for trying to " unhypnotise" the young lady, all combine to build" to a hilarious finish. Four dance numbers performed by the two stars to new tunes by Irving Berlin are woven into the story fabric. Mark Sandrich directed "Carefree," which is a Pandro S. Berman production. REGENT THEATRE A romantic incident—which may, or may not, have happened—in the life of the great English actor of the middle eighteenth century, David Garrick, forms the story of "The Great Garrick," which is now at the Regent Theatre. Brian Aherne, who is popular with Dunedin filmgoers since his great performance in "Merrily We Live," has the title role and his masterly portayal is the highlight of the film. Opposite him is lovely Olivia de Havilland, who is good as the French girl with whom he falls in love, while a typically amusing performance is given by Edward Everett Horton, as "Tubby," Garrick's valet. In the development of the plot Garrick is on his way to play in the Comedy Francaise in Paris. Preceding him, however, is a rumour that he is going to "teach the French to act." The actors of the Comedy Francaise naturally resent this and resolve to " frame " the great English actor and make him look a fool. How he foils their plans and wins the love of pretty Miss de Havilland makes for a thoroughly entertaining and amusing plot. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "THAT CERTAIN AGE" Deanna Durbin sings three numbers, written especially for her, and two celebrated classical offerings in her new Universal picture, " That Certain Age" which will be shown at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The modern selections, all by Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson, who composed the now famous " I Love to Whistle, hit song from " Mad About Music, are " Be a Good Scout," a martial marching song, "My Own," and "You're as Pretty as a Picture." Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet Waltz," from the opera, and " Les Filles Des Cadiz, by Leo Delibes, are the classical offerings A sixth number, which Deanm sings with Melvyn Douglas, featured with her in the production, is the old " Daisy, Daisy," better known as "A Bicycle Built for Tow." Deanna sings the old favourite as the pair ride a tandem bicycle in one of the sequences of the picture. Charles Previn, who has been in charge of the music of each of Deanna's pictures to date, acted in the same capacity on "That Certain Age." With the 15-year-old singing star is seen a cast which includes Jackie Cooper, Irene Rich, Juanita Quigley, Nancy Carroll, and Peggy Stewart. ST. JAMES THEATRE There will probably always be differences of oDinion regarding crooners and their art. but when there is real merit in the singing full credit should be given to the artist. And it is not too much to call Kenny Baker an artist in his line. He brings to the Warner Bros, picture "Mr Dodd Takes the Air." which is being shown at the St. James Theatre, a wealth of melody which lifts the picture out of the ruck.

The story is not new, at least so far as its theme is concerned, but it is treated with a light touch which maintains the interest throughout, and the ear is captivated with delightful frequency. The essentials of a singer, be he crooner or not, are, first, the ability to sing tunefully; second, personality; and, third, pleasing looks. Kenny Baker has them all. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C, and Jacobs's. "HOLLYWOOD HOTEL" "Hollywood Hotel," which will be commenced at the St. James Theatre to-morrow, makes an appropriate Christmas attraction. Starring such featured players as Dick Powell, Rosemary Lane, Hugh Herbert, Glenda Farrell. Lola Lane, Johnnie Davis, Alan Mowbray, Mabel Todd, Edgar Kennedy, Louella O.'Parsons, Frances Langford, and Ken Niles, the film offers a potpourri of first-class entertainment. Melody predominates in this fast-moving presentation, which also includes a wealth of humorous incident and a story that could stand on its own. When Dick Powell enters filmland with a contract for a major musical production, he receives a stirring reception. But things do not proceed satisfactorily, and in a merry mix-up he leaves. Events work to a satisfactory climax, however, when a most unusual finale provides a fitting end to an outstanding picture. A host of tuneful melodies are featured, and Frances Langford, Dick Powell, and others make the most of them. Benny Goodman leads his ensemble through a dozen different tunes. " Hollywood Hotel" is Warner Brothers' major musical presentation of the year, and it is one that should compare with any such productions that have come from this studio. STRAND THEATRE Nan Grey and Donald Woods have the leading roles in " DanEer on the Air," which is now being screened at the Strand Theatre It is a murder mystery with a new twist and a fine climax. The other picture is "Prairie Thunder," In which Dick Foran, the "singing cowboy," is starred. The story takes one back to the days when cowboys and Indians was the favourite juvenile game, and it is full of thrills from start tn finish. It tells of the adventures of Rod Farrel, a scout, whose job it is to keep the United States cavalry at an outpost informed of activities in the area, and he discovers a rene/ade white man who is urging the natives to revolt to prevent the coming of the railway. There are many fights and a pleasing romance. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. " JUDGE HARDY'S CHILDREN " The audience becomes part of a delightful family in " Judge Hardy's Children," third of the " Hardy Family" series, coming to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. They share the problems of the father and mother and the joys and tribulations of the children, and they laugh with the characters rather than at them in the homely, down-to-earth comedy scenes. The picture, above all else, is intensely human. It deals with people everyone knows as nextdoor neighbours. The new picture, a sequel to " You're Only Young Once." takes the judge and his family to Washington. Mickey Rooney as the son has a flirtation with a little French girl. Cecilia Parker as the daughter is infatuated with a young State department employee, and lobbyists assail the judge who has been appointed to a Federal commission. Mickey gets thrown out of a dancing school for teaching Jacqueline Larent the "Big Apple." He gets his first tuxedo. He returns to his school sweetheart at home. So does Cecilia. Lewis Stone plays the kindly judge and father. Fay Holden is the understanding mother. Alan Marshall and Tala Birell are featured in " The Invisible Enemy," the second film. OCTAGON THEATRE Brilliant acting by the principal players and witty dialogue combine to make "Joy of Living," which is now at the Octagon Theatre, one of the best comedies to bo seen in Dunedin for some time. The main roles are capably portrayed by Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., while a strong supporting cast includes Alice Brady, Guy Kibbie. and Eric Blore. Miss Dunne appears as a celebrated New York singer who falls in love with the owner of an island in the tropics, a role portrayed by Fairbanks. The singer, however, does not care to leave the luxuries of the city, so the carefree island dweller attempts to make her adopt his philosophy—the philosophy of a simple life. The excellent associate programme includes one of Walt Disney's latest Silly Symphonies, " The Moth and the Flame." The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. "SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS " "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," which will be commenced at a special premiere at the Octagon Theatre this evening at the conclusion of the screening of the current programme, is Walt Disney's first fulllength technicolour cartoon. In the creation of his characters Disney has stuck pretty much to a conventional hero, heroine and villainess. But in his dwarfs he has applied the same inventiveness that made Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck and all the others such matchless conceptions. They are his masterpieces, >and should be just as popular as anything he has ever done, because they are fresh realisations of the conventional dwarfs of fairyland. As for the film's colour and synchronisation, they are said to be as perfect as ever. But if Disney leads all the world with his cartoons, his magic is not merely in beautiful

colour or synchronisation, but rather in imagination and vitality. The picture has its terrifying moments—the brilliantly fantastic flight through the woods, the Queen's mixing of the deadly potion, the stepmother's horrid death with a pair of highly amused buzzards circling above her. These are said to keep the film from any possible tendency toward an excess of sweetness. Disney has seen to it the picture is perfectly balanced, with plenty of chuckles and drama to spice the charm and romance. EMPIRE THEATRE A bright, quick-moving comedy in the traditional musical style is " Everybody Sing," now showing at the Empire Theatre. Catchy melodies introduced by the latest in "swing" technique help to keep the audience in the best of humours. The story is that of a crazy household in which the husband is a playwright of dubious success, the wife a juvenile lead of some 20 years' experience, the elder daughter a would-be singer of opera, and the younger daughter a quite involuntary " swing " expert. The show ends with that "Paradise of Tin-pan Alley," a success on .Broadway. Fannie Brice, Billie Burke, Reginald Owen, Lynne Carver, Reg. Gardiner, and Henry Armetta have the main roleS. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "SWISS MISS" Music lovers are offered a feast of melody in the new Laurel and Hardy musical extravaganza, " Swiss Miss,'' which will be commenced to-morrow at the Empire Theatre. Featuring Delia Lind, Viennese singing star, and Walter Woolf King in the romantic leads, the new picture boasts a lilting score. Phil Charig, noted London and New York composer, has written five smash tunes—" Yo-Ho-De-O-De-Lay-Ee-O," "The Cricket Song," "As Sure as There's a Sky Above," " I Can't Get Over the Alps," and "Gipsy Song" for the picture. The first is believed to be the first waltz clog written since the perennially popular "Sweet Rosie O'Grady." It is sung by Miss Lind, King and a huge chorus. Equally melodic, are the choral numbers and music for the dances, which are in keeping with the background of the film. One of the group, "The Mountain Shepherd's Dance," is described by Val Raset, who directed the routine, as the Swiss variation of the " Big Apple.' An ensemble of 138, including a group of real Swiss flag-throwers, takes part in this spectacular offering. So successful have been Composer Charig's initial efforts that he has been put under contract at the Roach studios. Arthur Quenzer, lyricist of note, collaborated with Charig on the "Swiss Miss " songs. GRAND THEATRE Dealing with a struggle for possession of a rich tungsten mine in Arizona, "Painted Desert," which commenced a season at the Grand Theatre yesterday, brings the veteran actor, George O'Brien, to the screen in yet another outstanding action-packed story of the outdoors and gives him a role that suits his virile and manly character to perfection. Magnificent settings in the Mojave desert of California and the actual painted desert near Cameron, Arizona, comprise the more colourful outdoor backgrounds of the production, while among the most spectacular scenes—and there are many—are those showing the dynamiting of a hillside and a runaway ore train. The plot affords wide scope for O'Brien, and he takes full advantage of his opportunities to turn out one of his best performances to date. Pretty, dark-haired Laraine Johnson, who has appeared with O'Brien in other films of this nature, is cast as the heroine, and does all that is required of her in an unobtrusive but efficient manner. Others in a strong supporting cast are Ray Whitley. Stanley Fields, and the übiquitous Fred Kohler, who is as villainous as ever. O'Brien has the part of a wealthy ranch owner, on to whose cattle ranges wander an old prospector and his charming grand-daughter. These two discover a rich vein of tungsten, but. O'Brien attempts to drive the trespassers off his property only to find himself held up at the gun-point by the girl. When the old man is killed in a gunfight in a saloon, O'Brien secures the title of the mine from the promoter. He starts to develop it. but runs foul of'the girl again, who is not. aware that her grandfather had signed away his rights before his death. Unwilling to tell her that he is the real owner, O'Brien enters into partnership with the girl and borrows enough money to erect a stamp mill and enlarge the mine. The promoter, however, anxious to regain control of the mine, begins a series of underhand moves in an attempt to force the owners into financial trouble. The two factions soon come into open conflict, and it is here that the plot races through a series of thrilling incidents, which culminate with the triumph of right over might. The second production on the programme is "Fugitives For a Night," a thrilling murder mystery, which also has a good leavening of comedy. The leading roles are taken by Frank Albertson and Eleanor Lynn, with Adrianne Ames in support. There is plenty of excitement in this story of Hollywood, its people and its habits, and it sheds a little light on the function of a person known as a " Stooge." He is apparently a man who is attached to an actor as a man-of-all-work —as he explains in the film to his suDerior: " You get drunk and I have the hangover." Albertson is cast as a voung man so attached to a prominent but rapidly declining star, and the story revolves round the efforts of his girl friend to make him realise that he is merely the butt of everyone's jokes. Into this plot is woven a skein of jealousy and hatred between the members of a particular film colony, the whole thing flaring up in a night club and resulting in a murder. The two young people are suspected and flee

from justice, spending the-night travelling on freight trains. Finally they decide to return and face the music, and the climax takes place in a Hollywood home where the real criminal is '. unmasked.' The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. MAYFAIR THEATRE Of singing and fighting/laughter and love making, in the best Irish tradition, there is no lack in "Laughing Irish Eyes," which is the chief attraction at the Mayfair Theatre at present. The tenor voice of Phil Regan supplies most of the music, and his fists most of the fighting; for the love making he has the help of Evalyn Knapp. and for the laughter there is a strong supporting cast, almost all Irish; Strange results follow the reckless boast of Pat Kelly (Walter C. Kelly), unsuccessful boxing promoter, that he will bring to America, from Ireland, a real champion. Landing in Dublin, he thinks he has found, in "Tiger" O'Keefe, just the man he had been seeking. Visiting Cork County fair, his daughter (Evalyn Knapp) meets another O'Keefe, Danno of that ilk, whose voice makes a strong appeal to her. When he knocks out " Tiger " of the same name, the singing blacksmith finds himself signed up as a prize-fighter. "Man Who Cried Wolf* with Lewis Stone, is the associate feature. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.