AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23811, 18 May 1939, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES STRAND THEATRE Ramon Novarro gives an excellent portrayal in “ The Sheik Steps Out,” which heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. There are many exciting and entertaining sequences in this production, which deals with the romance between a young American girl and a picturesque Arkb. The second picture is “ The Kid Comes Back,” a full-blooded story of the boxing ring, featuring Wayne Morris and Barton Mac Lane. Morris appears as a young boxer who is being trained by Mac Lane, himself a boxer of note. Eventually the younger man advances so rapidly that his one-time trainer finds him a barrier to his own ambitions. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. OCTAGON THEATRE Boasting a storm sequence which rivals that in the famous “ Hurricane, a powerful cast of principals and unusual lavishness in general production, "Suez,” is drawing consistently big crowds in its extended season at the Octagon Theatre. It deals with the tremendous struggles against the forces of Nature and of hostile bands of Bedouins experienced by the men who built the vitally important Suez canal, andl interest is maintained throughout. Tyrone Power tops all his previous successes with an outstanding portrayal of the French engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was largely responsible for the completion of the canal. He acts with restraint, but brings out all the forceful qualities of the character. Loretta Young and Annabella are both good as the two' women in his life, while Joseph Schildkraut is the best of the supporting players. There are excellent feature ttes, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE Some appreciation of the fine work performed by the homes founded by Dr Barnardo may be gained from the entertaining film “ The Boy from Barnardo’s,” which is now being shown at the Empire Theatre. Freddie Bartholomew gives a portrayal reminiscent of his performance in Captains Courageous ” as a detestable and priggish orphan boy who is sent to one of the Barnardo Homes. The discipline of the home and his association with the other boys brings about his reformation. Mickey Rooney also gives an outstanding acting performance, while a newcomer, Terry Kilburn, “ steals ” a number of scenes from the main players. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GRAND THEATRE ESPIONAGE AND CRIME American film producers do not hesitate to seize on events of national and international importance as the basis of their pictures. For instance, the sensational espionage activities reported from the United States o America some few months ago n doubt inspired “ Smashing the Spy Ring,” a Columbia production which heads the double-feature programme which commenced a season at the Grand Theatre yesterday. As the title suggests, the film is all to do with an extremely efficient spyorganisation which succeeds, in spite of tne most careful measures taken by thc authorities. in obtaining a great deal of valuable information about aeroplanes, guns and gases until the Intelligence Department finally makes a “clean up.” As entertainment “Smashing the Spy Ring., if of most thrilling kind, while it also gives a remarkable insight into the methods adopted not only by agents of foreign Powers, but also by the officials whose work it is to combat, the a ce. Ralph Bellamy is admirably cdot as the intelligence officer who, with some help, finally manages to smash the ring in a thrilling climax. In his operations he is assisted by Regis Toomey and Fay Wray, the latter playing the part of the sister of a murdered Government agent who had gathered vital information about the head oi the ring. The head is Dr Carter, who runs his spy organisation under the cover of a health sanatorium and sends his information abroad printed on Aray plates. When suspicion falls on him. Bellamy takes, the place of a professor who has invented a teina* gas. He then pretends to suffer from loss of memory in order to be able to make contact with Dr Carter. His ruse succeeds, and he is admitted to the sanatorium, and there sets about gathering vital information. . At tnc critical moment, however, his identity is discovered, and he manages to avoid death only by barricading himself in the laboratory and keeping his enemies at bay with bottles ot acid until help arrives in the form oi a squad of husky intelligence officers. The second picture. “ Homicide Bureau," also deals with crime, the criminals in this case being an organisation which sells scrap metal to foreign Powers and obtains its supplies by terrorising the small dealers m junk and forcing them to deal with the gang. It is this terrorism which effectively silences the victims, so that the police can find nobody to talk. The city fathers raise their hands. in horror at any suggestion of “third degree ” methods, so that the homicide bureau finds itself up against a dead end. One of their number, Lieutenant Logan, a part played by Bruce Cabot, finally becomes so exasperated that he tries a little rough treatment on a suspected murderer who falls out

of a window and is seriously hurt. For this, the officer is taken off all cases and has to content himself with minor jobs. One of these, the tracking of a “ hit and run ” motorist, however, provides an unsuspected clue to the wholesale murders and terrorism, and. disobeying his superior’s orders, he sets out on the trail himself. His investigations lead him to a freighter which is about to leave from the wharf with a cargo of scrap iron and radios. Unknown to him,, his captain has also found the boat, but has been captured by the gang. When Cabot discovers that the cases of radios really contain guns, he goes aboard and proceeds to make things merry. He rescues his superior and, aided by the timely arrival of a rescue squad, engages the gang in a gun battle which ends ih the capture of the criminals. The only woman in the cast is Rita Hgyworth, who plays the role of a scientist in the homicide bureaus laboratory. Between her and Cabot there is just the suspicion of a romance. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s.

STATE THEATRE For those who like the peculiar style of comedy which the Ritz Brothers have brought to the screen, the State Theatre’s latest attraction, “ Straight, Place and Show,’’ could not be bettered. The three brothers Ritz charge through this film with their customary enthusiasm, and it is unnecessary to say that laughs follow in their wake with startling regularity. As a trio of unsuccessful but continually hopeful punters, they get an opportunity of entering the active side of racing when they are presented with a racehorse. For the rest of the film they are endeavouring to make their horse win a race, and the final scenes in which the three brothers find that it is necessary for them all to ride in the race are among some of the most amusing to have been shown on a local screen for many a day. The supporting programme is an all-comedy one, and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. REGENT THEATRE The medical profession has been the background for many excellent films, but it is doubtful whether there has ever been a better study of hospital life than “Young Dr Kildare” which is proving a popular attraction at the Regent Theatre this week. Lew Ayres, who has been relegated to comparer lively insignificant parts in the past, is given a role which is suited to him like the proverbial glove, and he gives a fine performance in the title role. With him is associated that fine old trouper Lionel Barrymore, who takes the part of Kildare’s trusted friend and adviser. The story is an unusual one, in that it deals with the young doctor’s fight against the conventional methods of treating an unusual case. In the conclusion he shocks the psychiatrists but effects the cure. There are interesting and well varied supports and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “MARIE ANTOINETTE” The screen greatness of Norma Shearer was never more convincingly established than in “ Marie Antoinette,” which is to be screened at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. After the death of her husband, Irving Thalberg, Norma Shearer announced that she would retire from the screen. But now she emerges, more radiant and more magnetic than ever. She is tho central figure in a masque of kings. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has surrounded her with the dazzling decor of the French Court under Louis XV and Louis XVI. It has clothed her in gowns of rare beauty, and photographed her with superlative art. She proves herself worthy of the occasion, and her poise and bearing are Her voice has an entrancing quality of gentleness. She makes the character of the ill-fated Austrian. Marie Antoinette. a dramatic creation of remarkable significance and stature. Endowed with such grace, charm, and beauty. Miss Shearer is a living Mane Antoinette. Audiences will see her as a spoiled royal darling, wearing a crown while still in her ’teens and frustrated at the beginning in her overpowering desire for love and happiness. Between her elevation to the throne and her end on the guillotine she journeys from a 100-room palace to a common gaol; from gaol to scaffold; from golden coach to tumbril; from admiration to hatred. While en route to the destiny prescribed for her, Norma Shearer once again gives a performance filled with singular emotional appeal, dramatic fire, and overwhelming tenderness.