AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE EXCITEMENT AND DRAMA A programme embodying a wealth of excitement, drama, and fast action, is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. The principal picture is “ The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt,” in which that engaging but resourceful person, the Lone Wolf, ex-criminal and somewhat laggard lover, is once again embroiled in a series of hair-raising adventures, every one of which threaten his existence. Warren William is the master cracksman with the disarming charm whose past misdeeds cause him to be remembered with something less than kindness by the members of the police force, and he throws himself into the role with tremendous verve. The Lone Wolf, or to give him his real name, Michael Lanyard, is first entangled in the activities of a gang of international spies when he is picked up in the street by two men of sinister but compelling mein, who conduct him blindfolded into the presence of an unknown gentleman who has a certain proposition to put before the ex-cracksman. This is to break open the War Office safe and secure the plans of a newlyinvented anti-aircraft gun. He refuses the commission, but shortly afterwards becomes the centre of interest on the part of the police when it is found that the safe has been robbed and that a cigarette, of a kind made specially for the Lone Wolf, is found nearby. Lanyard succeeds in establishing an alibi, but, there is further trouble ahead when the gang discovers that the plans that thev have stolen are incomplete, and they are compelled to go to the inventor’s laboratory to secure the missing sheets. A fair charmer is used to entice the Lone Wolf into the gang’s clutches, and he is required to open the safe, thereby leaving plenty of finger prints as clues for the police By means of a trick, however, he escapes with the plans, and leaves a perfectly innocent set of designs in the custody of the criminals. In the meantime the father of the girl who is persistent in her attempts to persuade him to marry her tells Lanyard that the suspicion which rests on him is very embarrassing to the older man, and Lanyard, determines to obtain the balance of the plans from the gang and thereby clear his own name. _ He hands his section of the plans to his prospective father-in-law and sets out to rifle the safe of the leader of the gang during a surrealist party at the latter s home. He is successful, but only after some exciting episodes, and returns home to discover that his sweethearts father himself has 'been robbed of the other part of the designs. Then ensues a senes of fast-moving . and exciting episodes which end only with the capture of the entire gang and the complete vindication of the Lone Wolf. Ida Lupino supplies some delightful touches of comedy as Lanyard’s persistent sweetheart, and Ralph Morgan is seen as the leader of the gang of spies, Virginia Weidler, Rita Hayworth and Marc Lawrence are also featured. The second picture is ‘ My Son is a Criminal,” a dramatic tale of gangster activities, Alan Baxter is seen as the son of a retired chief of police who, unknown to his father, is the head of a large gang of racketeers. The older man’s heart is set upon his son. joining the force, and he cannot understand the young man’s reluctance, but actually his son, by making good use of his friendship with many men among the police, is able to keep himself and his gang thoroughly posted concerning the police schemes to capture the perpetrators of several daring and successful hold-ups in the city A young police scientist, played by Gordon Oliver, eventually pieces together several clues which point to the fact that his friend is actually involved in the crimes, and when the old police chief decides to take a hand in clearing up the mystery of the series of robberies, the story takes a highly dramatic turn, and moves rapidly along to a gripping climax; Jacqueline Wells, Willard Robertson and Joseph King are among the featured players. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg s. \ STATE THEATRE The brilliant screen version of Bernard Shaw’s outstanding comedy. “ Pygmalion ” has entered upon its sixth and final week at the State Theatre and will make its final appearance to-night. Dunedin people who have not seen this delightful comedy are well advised not to miss one of the best films ever presented. In “Pygmalion” for the first time a play has been transferred, practically unaltered, to the screen with complete success. The only task was to break up the static stage conversations into a fluent narrative, and the outcome is a film of first-class quality. Two who stand out in a brilliant cast are Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg s “TOPPER TAKES A TRIP" Hal Roach’s screen comedy “Topper Takes a Trip,” sequel to "Topper, one of last year’s biggest laugh hits, will be opened at the State Theatre to-morrow, with Constance Bennett of the latter production again cast in a light comedy role which permits her to go through a series of “ dematenalisations.” The new film, based on a screen play by Eddie Moran and Jack Jevne, was directed by Norman Z. McLeod, who also staged “Topper and other notable film productions. The supporting cast, redding like a blue book of Hollywood celebrities, includes Roland Young, Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray Alexander D’Arcy, Veree Teasdale. Franklin Pangborn and Paul Hurst. The story of “ Topper Takes a Trip” concerns the merry antics of Constance Bennett as Marion Kerby, and Roland Young as Cosmo Topper, on the sunny sands of the French Riviera, whither Miss Bennett has gone to “ do a good deed,” and where, instead, she almost upsets the Toppers’ lives. The production is a United Artists’ release. REGENT THEATRE Giving a performance which compares favourably with those which won for her the Academy award, Luise Rainer is the principal player in “ The Toy Wife,” which heads the current programme at the Regent Theatre. She takes the role of a frivolous girl who continues to live in a carefree manner after her marriage. Her home is neglected, and she becomes jealous when her husband suggests that her sister should be asked to assist in managing the household. In a rage she leaves her husband and child, and goes away with a former admirer. The picture is brought to a dramatic climax when she realises her folly and returns to ask her husband’s forgiveness. There is an interesting supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE SHINING HOUR” Five outstanding motion picture names are brought together to form the cast of “The Shining Hour, headed fey Joan Crawford, making first appearance before the cameras in almost a year. The other names comprise Margaret Sullavan. Robert Young. Melvyn Douglas, and Fay Bainter. Around these five is woven a ‘gripping story which for the first time in five years offers Miss Crawford a dancing role similar to those which gave her stardom. Based on the New York and London stage success by Keith Winter. “ The Shining Hour ” was adapted to the screen by Jane Murfln and Ogden Nash, and directed by Frank Borzage. A special musical score was written by Franz Waxman. Ultra-modern In its plots and problems. “The Shining Hour” moves against a background changing from the glamour of New York’s night life to the sweep of the farmland of the mid-west. Through this is traced a love story with an unusual angle—the story of a girl who marries to escape her surroundings, only to discover that she is faced with a situation mom hazardous, involving not only her own life, but those of four others. There are thrilling moments in New York’s

hotels and night clubs, with Joan Crawford dancing for the first time since "Dancing Lady.” In a spectacular number which includes five dances in one. she is teamed with the famous Tony de Marco. ST. JAMES THEATRE •‘Accidents Will Happen,” the new Warner Bros, melodrama, which is now at the St. James Theatre, takes its cue from recent American headlines and deals with the fake injury “racket” and exposes it, which has cheated the insurance companies out of huge sums, Heading the cast are Ronald Reagan, a handsome former radio commentator, who made his movie debut recently, arid has been greeted warmly both by critics and the public as one of the probable winners of 1938 stardom; and Gloria Blondell, younger sister of the famous Joan, makes her film debut. The second film is “ Say It In French.” a bright comedy featuring Ray Milland and Olympe Bradner. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and Jacobs’s.

STORY OF WIRELESS OPERATORS Telling an emotional story of adventure and thrills in the lives of wireless operators on American merchant ships, Universal’s production of " The Storm opens at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. Filmed against the colourful background of giant ships and thundering storms at sea, the narrative possesses power and realism. The cast includes Charles Bickford, Barton MacLane, Preston Foster, Tom Brown, Nan Grey, Andy Devine and Frank Jenks. It unfolds as one of the most virile action dramas to come out of Hollywood in recent months. Impressive scenes show a great steel freighter crashing into an iceberg and going down while Preston Foster sticks to his radio key sending SOS calls for help Bickford adds to his standing as a skilled portrayer of rugged he-man roles in stirring fight scenes along the waterfront and aboard ship. The story .•oncerns itself with the efforts of Bickford, an adventurous and hard-fighting wireless operator, to keep his young brother, Brown, from marrying the ship’s pretty nurse, Nan Grey. Probably the most intriguing of the many underworld stories that have served as a vehicle for Gordon Harker, the popular English comedian, is “No Parking,” which will be shown In association with “The Storm.” His Cockney characterisations have made him famous on stage and screen and once again his sleuthing leads him into a host of delightful situations before he ultimately gets his man. This time it is a gang of international jewel thieves who provide the many hairraising interludes while a strong romantic interest adds to the power of the story. EMPIRE THEATRE The immortal tale of the leader of the French beggars who, for a brief space of time, takes the place of his eccentric king, is vividly depicted in “If I Were King,” enjoying a successful run at the Empire Theatre. There are splendid performances by the principals—Ronald Colman, Basil Rathbone, Frances Dee, C. V. France and Ellen Drew. Star of such successes as "Prisoner of Zenda,” and “The Lost Horizon,” Colman is one of the most universally popular of all film actors, and he easily maintains his high reputation as the swashbuckling poet-rogue hero of this film. The two leading ladies are little, if at all inferior, while excellent supporting roles are given by such notables as Bruce Lester, Sidney Toler and Walter Kingsford. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “THE CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY” Courageously produced by Warner Brothers, “The Confessions of a Nazi Spy” will be the attraction at the Empire Theatre to-morrow. Inspired by recent exposures in the United States of the existence of a large and efficient spy ring, this remarkable film deals faithfully and directly with the ingenious methods used to break the ring and imprison its leaders. Actual names are used where necessary, an unnamed German refugee playing Dr Goebbels. News reel scenes have been used where it was necessary to portray Herr Hitler. Striking portrayals are given by Edward G, Robinson as the Federal agent. George Sanders as the chief spy, Dorothy Tree as the latter’s assistant, Francis Lederer as a Nazi informer, and Paul Lukas, the director of the spy ring. Their performances are even more remarkable when It is realised that they received numerous threats against their lives while the film was in course of production. and were forced to live in the studio under an armed guard until the photography was finished. STRAND THEATRE

There is excitement aplenty in the Strand Theatre’s current programme, which is comprised of two dramatic features, “Little Miss Thoroughbred and “Gambling Ship.” Janet Chapman, a talented child actress, has a leading role in the first feature. She is seen as an orphanage child who, in the course of a search for her father, becomes the mascot of two gamblers. There is a strong vein of humour in this film, which is eventually brought to a satisfactory climax. The associate feature, “ Gambling Ship.” concerns the activities of gangsters who transfer their sphere of operations to the hign seas. The cast is headed by Helen Mack. Irving Pichel and Robert Wilcox. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. GENE AUTRY VEHICLE The Stafford Sisters return to the screen in Gene Autry’s release. Gold Mine in the Sky.” which will be screened at the Strand Theatre to-mor-row. The Stafford Sisters are featured in the picture, and have several hi. tunes which they sing to perfection. “Gold Mine in the Sky” is the story of a young girl who goes out west to run her father’s ranch. She has her own ideas but discovers that Gene Autry, foreman of the ranch, also has a few of his own There are plenty of clashes between the two.‘but all is eventually “ironed” out, after an excellent story has been unfolded. Besides Autry and the Stafford Sisters, the cast includes Smiley Burnette. Carol Hughes. Craig Reynolds Leßoy Mason. Eddie Cherkose Robert Homans, Frankie Marvin. The Golden West Cowboys, and many others. The associate attraction is one of the "Crime Club” series. Preston Foster. Frank Jenks. and Joyce Compton have the main roles in “The Last Warning,” This film lives up to the standard of the previous two stories in the series MAYFAIR THEATRE Seldom indeed has the spirit of a great literary masterpiece been transferred so successfully to its film adaptation as it has been in ‘The Count of Monte Cristo.” which has returned to the Mayfair Theatre for yet another Dunedin season. This screen version of Alexandre Dumas’s famous novel is a triumph for everyone concerned in its production. The acting of the leading roles has been left to two extremely competent players, Robert Donat and Elissa Landi. and the supporting cast is an excellent one. Also on the programme Is an outdoor drama. “Born to the West.” starring John Wayne. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C.