AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23702, 9 January 1939, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE The ever-popular Jack Hulbert has the principal part in “ Kate Plus Ten, the film version of Edgar Wallaces widely-read novel, which is the featured picture on the current bill at the Grand Theatre. The role which he plays is a new one for the star, who, instead of being cast in a comedy part, is seen as a Scotland Yard detective chosen to track down a gang of bullion thieves. His acting is all that can be desired, and he is given valuable assistance by Genevieve Tobin, who, as the heroine, gives a fine character sketch. The associate feature is “A Trip to Paris,” another of the popular Jones Family series, in which the family become involved in a whirl of hilarious adventures. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. "RAINBOW ON THE RIVER” “ Rainbow on the River,” which will commence a return season in Dunedin at the Grand Theatre on Wednesday, is the story of one of the personal dramas resulting from the chaos of the Civil War and the reconstruction period which followed—the story of a boy, Philip (Bobby Breen), orphaned by the war, and a coloured “ mammy (Louise Beavers), who cherishes him. The boy and his “mammy" live together, work together, selling flowers, strumming the banjo, and being gay together. The relation is one of the deepest affection and joy in each other and they share the gaieties and minor troubles of their happy life with the negroes of the New Orleans French quarter. Fred Stone, as Mayor, makes a single-handed fight to save the school fund of his community from passing into the hands of a pair of swindlers in “Quick Money,” the second film When the avarice of his fellow-towns-men brings unusual pressure, Stone, with the help of his son and daughter, takes extreme measures of his own to bring the crooks to justice. The film is particularly timely in view of similar battles recently fought by public spirited officials to save community treasures from raids. A large cast is seen with Stone, including Berton Churchill, Gordon Jones, Dorothy Moore, Paul Guilfoyle. Harlan Briggs, and Dorothy Vaughan. STATE THEATRE The Casbah, the mysterious native quarter of the French city of Algiers, where criminals from all countries of the world are harboured in comparative safety, provides the picturesque setting for the brilliant Walter Wanger production, which is attracting large audiences to the State Theatre. In the role of Pepe Le Moko, notorious French jewel thief who seeks refuge from the law in the Casbah, Charles Boyer gives his finest acting performance to date. Associated with him are two comparative newcomers to the screen, Sigrid Gurie and Hedy Lamarr, whose performances augur well for brilliant careers. The story of “Algiers” is based on a battle of wits betyeen Pepe Le Mokq and the inspector of police at Algiers, the latter role being brilliantly handled by Joseph Calleia. An excellent supporting programme also is being shown. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE “ Tovancu,” the world-famous comedy dealing with an exiled Russian Prince and a Grand Duchess, is showing at the Regent Theatre. Starring

Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer, it is the most massive and expensive production that Warner Eros, have turned out since “Anthony Adverse_ and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” The director selected to handle the making of the immense production was Anatole Litvak, Russian-bom genius who several years ago in France made the highly successful “Be Mine To-night.” Anton Grot designed the settings for “Tovarich.” Th' largest one a copy of the Belleville section in Paris, covered two acres and cost £12,000 to build. Three-storey buildings, complete in every detail, surround a courtyard, paved with thousands of real cobblestones. Fullystocked wine shops, book stores, clothing stores, boot shops, cheese shops, and the like open on to the streets. Another tremendous setting was a market scene where Miss Colbert iscaugh. stealing food. Besides the players already named, the cast includes such popular actors and actresses as Basil Rathbone, Morris Carnovsky, Melville Cooper, Montagu Love, Heather Thatcher. and Reine Ikiano. There is a special supporting prog.amme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE “Hold That Kiss,” the sparkling comedy which holds pride of place on this week’s programme at the St. James Theatre, is notable for the allstar cast which the producers have assembled to present the story. Mickey Rooney, the talented juvenile actor, is teamed with Maureen O’Sullivan and Denis O’Keefe, and these three, supported by several other well-known players, keep the film moving along merrily throughout. The plot centres around a romance which springs up between a young dressmaker and a youth who is employed in a tourist bureau, and the .complications that ensue through a series of amusing misunderstandings. Each thinks that the other belongs to the moneyed classes, and the situations that follow as a result are hilarious in the extreme. In addition to an entertaining senes •'f short subjects, the programme includes a Laurel and Hardy comedy, in which these two inimitable funmakers are seen at their breeziest and best as soldiers of the French Foreign Legion. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s, and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE Joe E. Brown portrays a scientifically created superman in his latest Columbia comedy, “ The Gladiator,” which is now screening at the Strand Theatre. Acclaimed as his most thrilling and amusing film. “The Gladiator” brings a notable cast which includes June Travis, Robert Kent. Lucien Littlefield, Dickie Moore, Ethel Wales and Man Mountain Dean, famous wrestler. Based on Philip Wylie’s novel of the same title, the picture was directed by Edward Sedgwick. Edith Fellows and Leo Carrillo are reunited in “City Streets,” the second attraction. The film, a heart-warming moving drama of the sidewalks of New York, is heartily recommended for its human, wholesome entertainment, its fine cast and splendid narrative. Carrillo scores as usual with his amusing dialect, portraying a neighbourhood Italian grocer. Edith is a distinct surprise—usually seen as a spoiled child, she now plays a sympathetic role, a crippled waif who is adopted by the good-natured Italian In a straight dramatic part she proves as effective and talented as she was when singing, dancing or clowning. The story centres on the great sacrifice Carrillo makes to enable Edith to walk and play with other youngsters. The box nlans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

OCTAGON THEATRE Acclaimed as a milestone in the progress of screen entertainment, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” now running in its third week at the Octagon Theatre, fully deserves all the praise that has been showered upon it. This by Walt Disney is a supremely beautiful animation_ of the famous fairy tale by Jakob Grimm. It is more than a cartoon, and takes its place right in the forefront of screen epics. It is a blend of romance, pathos, suspense and humour, with the power to grip and hold the attention of young and old. There is an enjoyable supporting porgramme of varied short units. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “LITTLE MISS BROADWAY” Shirley Temple always turns in a fine performance, but in her next mm she is said to excel herself. She is a Shirley of surprises surrounded by singing, dancing, romancing and funmaking show people. “ Little Miss Broadway ” is the title of the film, and it will be the next attraction at the Octagon Theatre. The grand group of troupers which aids and abets Miss Temple is headed by George Murphy; the irrepressible Jimmy Durante; blonde Phyllis Brooks and Edna Mae Oliver, the prim and prudish “ grande dame of filmdom.” To make this the musical hit of the year, six new Bullock and Spina melodies are featured and include '‘Be Optimistic,” “We Should Be Together,” “ If All the World Were Paper,” “ Swing Me an Old-fashioned Song,” “How Can I Thank You,” and “ Little Miss Broadway,” the title song. EMPIRE THEATRE Setting a new standard in good, straight comedy, the Australian picture, “ Dad and Dave Come to Town, ’ is a strong attraction at the Empire Theatre. With the veteran Bert Bailey as Dad and Fred McDonald as Dave, and a first-class cast backing this inimitable pair up, the pictures makes history in the field of entertainment and it is a credit to the country which produced and the characters which inspired it. From the farm and Dave’s fantastic inventions to the polished surroundings of the gown salon the story proceeds in a credible and nicely-balanced manner, with one humorous situation crowding on another, and with clever dialogue to match. The laughs start from the opening of the story, when Dad falls foul of Dave’s and Joe’s fox trap), and from then on the antics of the pair are irresistibly funny. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “YELLOW JACK” A startling page from American history is presented in the new picture, “Yellow Jack,” which comes to the Empire Theatre on Friday next. It is based on the true story of five soldiers in the United States Army stationed in Cuba who risk their lives during the period when the medical authorities were frantically searching for the cause and cure of yellow fever. Robert Montgomery, a carefree Irish sergeant, has no interest in heroism or anything else until he falls in love with a nurse, Virginia Bruce, who persuades him to volunteer when the call comes for men to offer their lives by contracting yellow fever and being tested in various ways by the doctors. Montgomery is then to prove a real hero in the cause of humanity. He nearly dies, but ultimately the dread mosquito is discovered to be the cause and carrier of the yellow fever. Cuba is cleaned of its mosquito breeding grounds, and then the campaign is extended to the Panama area, where men died like the proverbial flies from “yellow jack.”

MAYFAIR THEATRE

Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne are co-stars in the lively and hilarious comedy, “ Merrily We Live,” which is now at the Mayfair Theatre. Much of the hilarity is furthered by the inclusion in the cast of Alan Mowbray and Patsy Kelly, butler and cook, respectively. Billie Burke, as the absentminded, well-meaning philanthropist who redeems hoboes even at the cost of the family silver and other relics, adds immeasurably to the dizzy pace of “ Merrily We Live.” Tom Brown, as her son, and Bonita Granville, as the daughter, offer much laughter and gain much sympathy in sketching the plight of the younger generation. Clarence Kolb, veteran actor of the stage, makes an auspicious appearance as the, beleagured head of the household. Marjorie Rambeau, Ann Dvorak and Phillip Reed are other members of this stellar cast. The murder of an eminent British scientist who has just invented the world’s most powerful explosive, provides John Howard with a mystery in Paramount’s “Bulldog Drummond’s Revenge,” the second film. Although the lives of all are in constant danger because the murderer carries with him a suitcase of “ Haxonlte,” the super-explosive which he has stolen from his victim, Howard plunges forward into the pursuit, and with the help of John Barrymore. of Scotland Yard, corners his man and saves England’s military secret. In the supporting cast are Reginald Denny, Louise Campbell and E. E. Clive. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.