AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23882, 9 August 1939, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE The return of "All Quiet on the Western Front" is timely and Erich Remarque's story is proving popular in its season at the Empire Theatre. The film is a gripping study of the tragedy of youths who. on the threshhold of life are brought face to face with death in all its most horrible forms, thrown into the trenches to kill and be killed without even knowing why It shows, with gripping realism, the private soldier's role in modern warfare, and, although written by a German, it presents no difficulties to an English audience, for Fritz in his coal-scuttle helmet saw the war very much as did Tommy Atkins on the other side of "no man's land. In the leading role. Lew Ayres's performance is the finest of his whole screen career. It was. in fact, his acting in 'All Quiet on the Western Front" that lifted him to stardom. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. " KING OF CHINATOWN " Anna May Wong, one of the screen's favourite Chinese actresses, gets involved with one of gangland s wors. hoodlums, but comes out the winner in her latest picture. "King of Chinatown" which Paramount will present to local audiences on Friday at the Empire Theatre. Cast in the role of a woman surgeon Miss Wong faces a dramatic dilemma when called upon to save the life of Chinatown s most vicious racketeer, knowing that he is her father's mortal enemy ana a coldblooded murderer as well After her professional code has forced her to perform the necessary operation an exciting series of events, in which she plays no small part, leads to the breakdown of the gang and the realisation of her intense ambition to send an ambulance corps to war-torn China The cast, under the direction of Nick Grinde, includes Akim Tamiroff, J. Carrol Naish, Roscoe Karns Anthony Quinn. and Philip Ahn. GRAND THEATRE "Land of Fighting Men" is the story of a range war that develops when Eastern racketeers try to take possession of the West. "Land of Fighting Men " will be commenced at the Grand Theatre to-day. Prominent in the cast are Jack Randall, who introduces three new cowboy songs. Louise Stanley. Wheeler Oakman Lane Chandler and Rex Lease The Colorado Hillbillies furnish the musical background. Western fans will find their diet well balanced when they see "Land of Fighting Men," for there are enough fist fights, gun fights and just plain fighting to satisfy any lover of the " horse ODeras." Herman Brix, who plays Jack Randall's friend, was the 1932 Olympic champion shot-putter Those men who may have wondered what goes on in the inner sanctum of a luxurious beauty salon will have their curiosity rewarded with the showing of RKO Radio's "Beauty for the Asking." the associate picture, in which Lucille Ball plays the top role. Most of the action of this entertaining film takes place in a fashionable beauty establishment where the latest and most involved devices for beautifying milady are shown in action. And such screen beauties as Frances Mercer. Whitney Bourne. Leona Maricle and Ann Evers do the demonstrating with reducing machines, vibrators, steam cabinets and paraffin baths! Other featured players are Patric Knowles. Donald Woods and Frieda In escort. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE The stirring tale of Indian adventure " Gunga Din " continues to Drove popular at the State Theatre. Marching gaily through its many dangers are three sergeants, played by Gary Grant. Victor McLaglen. and Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. who invest their parts with customary dash. After so many campaigns toeether. it can be imagined how dismayed the other two £.re when they learn that Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. is proposing to leave the army and get married, and their subseauent efforts to dissuade him provid* much of the humour, and lead up to the dramatic climax of this fine production. As the water-carrier. Gunga Din. who wanted to be a soldier and finally justified his claim. Sam Jaffe gives a splendid characterisation, and proves a worthy pivot for the theme. There is a good supporting programme. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg's ST. JAMES THEATRE Filled with music and the fun of a showboat on the Mississippi River, the current film at the St. James Theatre has Dorothy Lamour as a famous Broadway singer who runs away because she is weary of appearing as a South Sea maiden. Stumbling upon a showboat which has been cast up high and dry by the floods, she decides to try to start a fresh life here, but finds that she is regarded as an amateur in the art of entertainment, and is refused a part in the presentations given on board the boat. Lloyd Nolan and Tito Guizar are in the supporting cast, while strengthening the musical side of the production are "Tne Kings Men," Matty Malneck and his orchestra, and the famed negro combination, the Hall Johnston Choir. "The Gaunt Stranger," the supporting film, is a story of a master criminals vengeance on a dishonest lawyer for the betrayal of his sister. Adapted from " The Ringer," one of the most popular of all Edgar Wallace novels it provides stirring entertainment literally packed with mystery and suspense, me tale turns on the threat of a supposedly dead killer The box plans are at the theatre. D.I.C. and Jacobs b. ACADEMY AWARD WINNER STARRED The indomitable determination of a poor factory worker to become a second Eleanor Duse is graphically told in "Dramatic School." which will be opened on. Friday at the St. James Theatre, with Luisc Ralner and Faulette Goddard starred in a strong cast. With Duse and Sarah Bernhardt as her inspiration. Miss Rainer plays .the role of Louise Mauban, who toils in a gas meter plant in Paris through the night to earn money to study dramatics in the daytime. Pauletle Goddard. who sprang to screen fame from obscurity as Charlie Chaplin's leading lady in his comedy. "Modern Times," appears as Nana, the envious rich girl who places the obstacles in Louise's path towards becoming a great actress. Alan Marshal. rising young Australian leading man. who recently made his screen debut in "Garden of Allah." plays the wealthy Marquis d'Abbencourt.- who falls in love with Louise The supporting feature is a comedy with a lighthearted story—" While Parents Sleep ' —a series of clear-cut situations which are well spiced with wit and humour The cast is headed by Jean Gillie, Mackenzie Ward, Ellis Jeffreys, and Enid Stamo-Tavlor. REGENT THEATRE The most interesting aspect of "The Ware Case," which is showing at the Regent Theatre, is the acting of the three principals, Clive Brook. Jane Baxter, and Barry K Barnes.

They bring the characters to life so persuasively that they give meaning to a tale which leads nowhere in particular. Ostensibly, a murder mystery forms the incentive of the whole production. The film begins with Sir Hubert Ware sitting glumly in the dock, being tried for his life. The Jury retires. The foreman announces that he will review the evidence "from A to Z." The audience reviews it, too. Clive Brook has never done a finer piece of acting than he presents in " The Ware Case." Miss Baxter has an especial quality of fragile loveliness that makes her acting distinctive. Mr Barnes is remembered in Londorii lor his stage appearances with Margaret Rawlings and Gabriel Toyne. In appearance he is mild and not more than usually handsome. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C

"INVITATION TO HAPPINESS' "Invitation to Happiness." the Irene Dunne-Fred Mac Murray starring vehicle, opening next Friday at the Regent Theatre, is the dramatic conflict between a great athlete and his wife, who are both deeply in love with each other. The Spartan regime of the ring prevent the fighter from living a full normal life. Most of the time he is away from home. And when the baby is born the father is miles away fighting another challenger The years slip by. The prizefighter and his wife begin to feel like strangers, for they see each other only at rare intervals. The child, now an intelligent youngster of 10 years, has begun to dislike his father for causing his mother untold misery. The pugilist is aware of this, yet h§ cannot help himself. His heart is set on the championship. He feels life would be empty without that. The gap betwen husband and wife and between father and son grows wider and deeper. Tragedv seems inevitable. Wesley Ruggles has done a masterly piece of directing in " Invitation to Happiness." His efforts were greatly facilitated by having such expert and intelligent actors in the cast, as Irene Dunne and Fred MacMurray, who both render excellent characterisations as wife and prizefighter. Charlie Ruggles shows a remarkable versatility as a seriousminded, pessimistic fight trainer. Others in the cast are also top-notch, namely. William Collier, sen.. Billy Cook, and Marion Martin. Claude Binvon wrote the script of the screen olay.

STRAND THEATRE There is a wealth of good entertainment in the double-feature programme now being shown at the Strand Theatre. The principal attraction is "I Am a Criminal." in which John Cgrroll is cast as a gangster in whose Club a young gambler is killed. Carroll is charged with manslaughter, and. while he is awaiting trial his friends trv to win sympathy for him by advertising him as a great lover of children. A voung newsboy (Martin Spellman) comes forward to prove their story, and his good qualities so impress Carroll that he reforms. The associate feature is "Thanks for the Memory," which features Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "RACKET BUSTERS" Humphrey Bogart is an affective racketeer in " Racket Busters," which will be screened at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Heading the cast which supports him are George Brent. Gloria Dickson. Allen Jenkins, and Walter Abel. Bogart portays a man called Martin who uses a motor truck business to dishonest ends. Walter Abel, playing a special prosecutor, is appointed to end Martin's activities, but he cannot get witnesses because independent truck owners prefer to wage a private wax on the racketeer. Allen Jenkins ana George Brent play the parts of honest truck owners who are pitted against Martin The gangsters threaten Brent's wife (Gloria Dickson) and she collapses and is taken to hospital. Brent, to pay expenses, steals money from Martin's office and places himself in his enemy's power. Martin calls a strike which will cut off the city's food supply, but Brent inspires the men to break it. In the final scenes Martin is brought to justice and the " racket" is broken. Set against the background of an exclusive school for young ladies, Columbia 8 "Girls' School," which is the associate attraction, deals with the gaiety and romance attendant to a feminine seminary. With this theme in mind Columbia selected the most beautiful group of young women ever to be engaged for a motion picture to play the many roles. " Girls' School" features Anne Shirley, and Nan Grey with Ralph Bellamy occupying the leading male role. The direction, by John Brahm. could not have been surpassed. He has caught and held the rose-tinted spirit of youthful feminity in superb fashion. Others in the cast include Gloria Holden, Margaret Tallichet, Dorothy Moore, Dons Kenyon and Noah Berry, jun. MAYFAIR THEATRE Entertaining fare will be offered in the attractive double bill opening at the Mayfair Theatre to-dav. when mystery forms the basis of the programme. Peter Lorre again takes the lead in " The Mysterious Mr Moto." continuing the series which he inaugurated and once asain he provides an abundance of thrills. Henry Wilcoxon and Mary Magulre give excellent support in this dramatic tale of murder which must ipnk among the foremost of such productions. "Sky Giant," the associate feature, is the tale of murder at an up-to-date flying school. Against this unusual background is unfolded a mystifying tale of intrigue, ably presented by Chester Morris. Joan Fontaine, and Richard Dix.