AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23703, 10 January 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES STATE THEATRE Charles Boyer has a most romantic role as a lovable fugitive in Walter Wanger’s “Algiers,” the adventurous romance that stars him opposite Hollywood’s two most glamorous newcomers Sigrid Gurie and Hedy Lemarr, which is showing at the State Theatre. “Algiers ” casts the dark-eyed screen lover as Pepe le Moko. devil-may-care international jewel thief, who takes refuge from the French police by living in the Casbah. the mysterious native quarter of Algiers where the law dare not intrude. Here Pepe le Moko rules as king. Sigrid Gurie is seen as Ines, his beautiful and wildly jealous native sweetheart. Then one day there strolls into the Casbah a beautiful- Parisian tourist. This is the day for which Slimane, suave provincial detective has been patiently wailing. For he knows that if nothing else can lure the great lover out of the Casbah and into the hands of the law, perhaps a woman can. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ROOM SERVICE” Lucille Ball and Ann Miller, who together first scored heavily in “ Stage Door,” have the leading feminine roles in the new Marx Brothers’ screen explosion, “ Room Service,” commencing on Friday at the State Theatre. Ann’s work as Ginger Rogers’s dancing partner in the earlier picture had much to do with her subsequent climb to fame in “ Radio City Revels ” and “ You Can’t Take it With You.” Lucille’s performance as the sarcastic blonde was likewise the beginning of her starring career in “The Affairs of Annabel ” and “Go Chase Yourself.” Oddly enough, though Miss Miller began as a dancer and Miss Ball as a fashion model, both actresses won their principal laurels as comediennes In “ Room Service,” Miss Miller has the romantic lead with Frank Albertson in this version of the famous Broadway success. Miss Ball is seen as the prospective star of the play which Groucho. Chico and Harpo strive desperately to produce on a shoestring. William A. Seiter directed this RKO Radio picture with Frank Albertson in another featured role as Ann Miller’s male lead. REGENT THEATRE Long awaited because of its sensational world-wide success as a stage play, the film version of the comedy " Tovaf’ich ” is now at the Regent Theatre. Produced by Warner Bros, on an unusually lavish scale, and having Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer as its stars, the picture is regarded as one of the funniest and most entertaining of the season’s releases *The story finds Miss Colbert as a grand duchess and Boyer, her husband, as a prince, both of the old Russian nobility almost starving in Paris, to which capital they have been driven by the Soviet revolution. This is despite the fact that they have deposited in a Paris bank some 40 billion francs. Efforts are made by certain French-Rus-sian interests to have the prince release the 40 billion to finance a counterrevolution which might restore the old nobility to control. The entry of a Soviet commissar to the scene in an effort to secure the money leads to complications, giving rise to numerous and thrilling episodes. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “ HOLIDAY ” Adapted from the stage play by Philip Barry, a Broadway “hit” of a few years ago, “Holiday,” a Columbia production upon which this studio is said to have lavished all its resources, will be commenced at the Regent

Theatre on. Friday. The cast is not a big one, but it includes Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Doris Nolan. Lew Ayres, Edward Everett Horton, Henry Kolker, Binnie Barnes, Jean Dixon, and Henry Daniell. The role of Johnny Case, played by Cary Grant, gives that actor ample scope for the madcap style of humour which has made him famous. He is, moreover, the only actor that has twice been costarred with Katharine Hepburn, he having appeared with her in “ Bringing Up Baby.” The story shows Cary Grant as a young business man whose only interest in business is to accumulate sufficient money to enable him to take a holiday before he is too old to enjoy it. His fiancee’s younger sister Linda (Katharine Hepburn) sympathises with him. and the two proceed to play some pranks that set the austere Seaton, household in an uproar “ Holiday ” also offers Katharine Hepburn one of the best roles of her screen career. Before she rose to fame on the screen. Katharine Hepburn was understudy to the actress who appeared in the role of Linda Seton in the stage play, and was.. therefore, thoroughly at home in the part when called upon to play it for the screen. ST. JAMES THEATRE The all-star cast which was got together for “ Hold That Kiss,” the sparkling comedy which is proving a big success at the St. James Theatre, keeps a well-written story moving along at a great pace. The principals, Mickey Rooney, the talented juvenile actor, Maureen O’Sullivan and Denis O’Keefe, are supported by a fine team of players and the most is made of a series of hilarious misunderstandings. The story is built round a romance between a young dressmaker and a youth employed in a tourist bureau, and there are all sorts of complications. Each labours under the delusion that the other belongs to the moneyed class. The producers have made an excellent job Laurel and Hardy contribute to the fun of the evening in “ Beau Hunks,” one of their typical comedies. It deals with their adventures as soldiers of the Foreign Legion, but these two need no introduction beyond the statement that this is well up to their high standard of merriment. The supporting programme altogether is a firstclass one. The box plans are at the theatre, Jacobs’s and the D.I.C. “BULLDOG DRUMMOND IN AFRICA ” The efforts of a powerful international spy ring to steal the plans of a mysterious radio wave disintegrator England’s greatest military secret starts a vicious diplomatic intrigue involving se.veral important European Powers, causes the kidnapping of the head of Scotland Yard, and brings Bulldog Drummond, the famed amateur detective, face to face with the most exciting adventure of his career in “Bulldog Drummond in Africa,' which will be commenced on Friday at the St. James Theatre. Led by J. Carrol Naish, the international spies kidnap Colonel Neilson of Scotland Yard, played by H. B. Warner, when all their efforts to learn the precious secret fail. A Robin Hood of the.wild and woolly West of days gone by rides the range in “ The Mysterious Rider," which will be the associate. feature Written by the author of dozens of popular Western yarns, Zane Grey, the story is one of the best of his that have been adapted to the screen and provides thrilling entertainment from start to finish. Douglas Dumbrille and Sidney Toler head the cast, supported by Russell Hayden. Weldon Heybren, and Charlotte Field. STRAND THEATRE The part of a scientifically-created superman is Joe E. Brown’s lot in “The Gladiator,” which is at present showing at the Strand Theatre. This has been acclaimed as his most thrilling and amusing film, and certainly he has splendid support from a cast.which includes June Travis, Robert Kent, Lucien Littlefield, Dickie Moore,. Ethel

Wales and the famous wrestler, Man Mountain Dean. It is an absurd affair, but then Joe E. Brown’s adventures usually are absurd when one can stop laughing sufficiently long to examine them from that angle. The associate feature is “City Streets,” in which Edith Fellows and Leo Carrillo are reunited. It is a warm-hearted drama of the sidewalks of New York, built up with a fine cast and a fine narrative. There is heavy work for the principals, and they are responsible for outstanding performances. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

OCTAGON THEATRE “ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ” is still filling the ’ Octagon Theatre, and many experienced the§tre-goers are making a point of seeing Walt Disney’s remarkable creation a second time. The reason for such a long and successful run is easy to find. Disney has made this a production the like of which has never been seen before. The wonderful caricaturing of the seven dwarfs, the delightfully natural portrayals of the animals of the forest, and a most tractive musical score are only some of the features that lift “ Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” into a class by itself. The heroine herself and the other human .characters in the. film are drawn from life, as were the animals, and the result is a new type of beauty that has astounded everyone who has seen it. There is no need to tell the story again, but its entertainment appeal has been enhanced by the inclusion of some catchy tunes. “Whistle While You Work” and the dwarfs' song, “ Heigh Ho,” are already popular hits. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “LITTLE MISS BROADWAY” Bullock and Spina, composers for Twentieth Century-Fox, recently completed the musical score for Shirley Temple’s new starring hit; “Little Miss Broadway,” which will be shown on Friday at the Octagon Theatre In “ Little Miss Broadway,” Shirley will sing “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.” Surtg by one of America’s most popular artists, the hope of the creators, that the songs will prove a success, is far from forlorn. Unlike some of their colleagues in the business Bullock and Spina do not take themselves seriously. The fact that they have consistently made hits leaves them surprised and wondering when their good luck or inspiration will leave them, Darryl F. Zanuck. Twentieth Century-Fox production chief, has surrounded Shirley Temple with a stellar cast in her new film. George Murphy Durante, Phyllis. Brooks. Edna Mae Oliver, George Barbier, Edward Ellis, Jane Darwell. El Bren del, Donald Meek, Patricia Wilder,, and Claude Gillingwater. sen., are included. EMPIRE THEATRE Dad and Dave are in the city again. Ken G. Hall first displayed them to the Dunedin public in “On Our Selection.” Now they disport themselves with characteristic geniality, in ‘Dad and Dave Come to Town ” at the Empire Theatre. The humour is not polished, but one presently grows to have an affection for it. as though a friend of the family were making m-, dulgent allowances for the antics of a good but awkward child The presence of Bert Bailey, in his patriarchal white whiskers, as Dad. is a guarantee that at least part of the comedy is warm, solid, and human For Mr Bailev himself has these qualities of character, and they permeate into his acting. There is one priceless set of incidents, which he dominates by the sheer quaintness of his apnearance in a volumnious nightshirt. Again, he rouses a spontaneous laugh by entering the scene in a frock coat and top hat, Dave and the rest of the family' are also in good form. The box’ plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.

"YELLOWBACK” A startling page from American history is featured in the new picture “ Yellow Jack,” which will be commenced on Friday at the Empire Theatre. Epbert Montgomery is cast itfcpafe' ofvhis;&bst:,idiomatic roles since “ Night MUst Fall,’* with Virginia Bruce playing the ’feminine lead and Lewis Storie- portraying: the ■ historical character ‘.bf'Major Reed, who was instrumental in the isolation of yellow r fever. Director George Seitz has placed the action of the picture against the tropical background of an army medical encampment after the SpanishAmerican War. The supporting cast Is said to be one of the most .capable seen in recent months, including Andy Devine, Henry Hull, Charles Coburn, Buddy Ebsen, Henry O’Neill. Janet Beecher, William Henry. Alan Curtis, and Sam Levene. The story is that of the army medical commission .sent to Cuba in 1900 to ascertain the cause of a, yellow fever epidemic. Faced with alfhost insurmountable obstacles, the commission finally realises that its only hope for success is the voluntary service of soldiers as human guinea pigs in fulfilling experiments designed to establish the cause of the disease. Montgomery, stirred by the death of a friend, caused by the fever, persuades four of the men to. join him-in volunteering. GRAND THEATRE Forsaking his more famous roles of the “ song and dance ” type for something more serious, popular English screen player Jack Hulbert takes the part of a Scotland Yard detective on the trail of a gang of bullion thieves in the film “ Kate Plus Ten," which heads the programme at the Grand Theatre. That title should conjure up memories among the readers of Edgar Wallace’s fiction, and the novel will be, remembered as one of the most entertaining volumes Wallace ever turned out. The supporting attraction is entitled “A Trip to Paris.” and features the popular and well-known Jones Family. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. “ RAINBOW ON THE RIVER ” “ Rainbow ibn the River.” which'will comrttence a return season in Dunedin ■ at the Grand Theatre to-morrow, 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 Frencn quarter. Fred Stone, aslMayor, makes a single-handed fight to’save the school fund of his community from passing into the hands of a pair of swindlers. “ Quick Money," the second film, is a worthy addition to the stories of the American scene which have delighted filmgoers in the past. Fred Stone heads a large cast of popular favourites who give portrayals of familiar figures. Harlan Briggs, for example, is the typical small town banker. Dick Elliott the screen counter-,, part of the average county editor. Frank M. Thomas a realistic city attorney. Fuzzy Knight. Kathryn Sheldon and others recognisable citizens. Berton Churchill and Paul Guilfoyle deiscend on the peaceful community. Churchill promotes a shady enterprise, which the townsmen with the exception of Stone, rush to get in on. Stone believes that Churchill and Guilfoyle are crooks, but remains silent until the city council decides to invest municipal funds in the enterprise. Then Stone, as; Mayor, goes into action. MAYFAIR THEATRE

“Merrily We Live” will have its .final screening at the Mayfair Theatre • to-day. 'Few comedies maintain the dizzy pace set in this picture, directed

by Norman Z. McLeod, or have the ability of creating such continuous laughter as evoked by its co-stars, Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne. and the supporting cast. A thrill-packed story of international spies and the lengths to which they will go to .obtain secrets is brought to • the screen in Paramount’s “ Bulldog Drummond’s Revenge’” the second film; .with John Howard once more in the title role. Box plans are at the theatre and the D.i.c. • •,; “GREEN LIGHT” Not so long ago “ Green Light ” stood at the head of the list of best-selling novels of its season. Now, a.Cosmppolitfin production. “ Gteen ' Eighti" which will be, commenced to-morrow at the Mayfair Theatre as a First National release, steps into the front rank of distinctive motion pictures. Errol Flynn, the Irish romantic who wori such triumph in “ Captain Blood,” his very ‘first picture, is the star. Instead of a swash-buckling pirate, this time, in “ Green Light,” he is a heroic young doctor, who sacrifices his promising career in a great city by taking on his own shoulders the blame for an operation bungled by another. In ■search of .some way to make himself useful to society and to prove to the girl he loves by deeds what he cannot in honour prove by words, he goes .to an obscure mountain laboratory and searches for a serum that will prevent deadly epidemics. Almost at the sacrifice of his life, he finds it, and returns to fame and love, with his professional name cleared of any and all blame. Filled with laughter, romance and comedy in the modern tempo. Univdrsal’s hilarious new production, “A Girl With Ideas," will be the second film. Wendy Barrie hss the unusual role of a rich society girl who wins a newspaper in a libel suit over a story she does not like, and with the aid ’of society pals decides that she would make a fine editor herself.