AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23952, 30 October 1939, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES ST. JAMES THEATRE It is doubtful if George Formby has ever been as funny as he is in " Trouble Brewing,” which is now being screened at the St. James Theatre. Aided by Gus McNaughton, George Formby tries to trace a gang of counterleiters, and in doing so gets into an extraordinary set of amusing adventures before the unforgettable climax in a brewery is reached. Three very tuneful numbers are rendered in excellent style by George during the course of the film, accompanied, of course, by his ukulele. Googie Withers, as the subject of George’s affections, has her best role to date, and proves a most attractive leading lady. There is an entertaining supporting programme. The box plans will be found at the theatre, the D.1.C., and at Jacobs's. GRAND THEATRE Where there’s a will there’s a way, as the new film. " The Flying Irishman,” now showing at the Grand Theatre, very conclusively demonstrates. The film depicts the life of “ Wrong Way ” Corrigan, the American aviator who flew from America to Ireland “ by mistake ” in a nine-year-old overloaded aeroplane. It is an enthralling story of a young man’s dreams and disappointments, and a lesson ’in courage and dogged perseverance. The second feature on the programme is “ Trouble in Sundown,” a Western film in which George O’Brien portrays a cattleman who succeeds in clearing up a mystery which involves the happiness of his sweetheart and her father, who is falsely accused of robbing his own bank. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. “ CLIMBING HIGH ” Following the success of “ The Lady Vanishes,” the arrival of the second production, released by G-B-D, is a matter of importance. This production will be the leading anniversary attraction at the Grand Theatre on Wednesday, and is a fast-moving, romantic farce, staring Jessie Matthews, one of the most popular stars on the British screen, with Michael Redgrave, the young West End stage actor, who made so promising a debut in “ The Lady Vanishes.” " Climbing High.” which was made for laughter purposes only, was directed by Carol Reed, and the impressive cast contains, in addition to the two stars, Noel Madison. Alastair Sim, Margaret Vyner, Mary Clare, Francis L. Sullivan, Enid Stamp-Taylor. Torin Thatcher, Tucker McGuire, Basil Radford, Athole Stewart, and many others. The associate attraction will be Juggernaut,” starring Boris Karloff, STATE THEATRE Based on the masterly novel by Emily Bronte, produced with a fine regard for the compelling beauty of the original story by Samuel Goldwyn. and directed with skill and rare understanding by William Wyler, the powerful emotional drama, “ Wuthering Heights,” is now being screened at the State Theatre. The successful creation of a tense, fateful atmosphere in the novel was assured by the vivid character portraits by Emily Bronte, and the stark, simple and essentially human drama of her story has been recaptured in the film by the consummate acting of a talented cast. The weird and haunting beauty of the sombre, forbidding Yorkshire moors forms an impressive background for the unforgettable story which reveals the strangely tangled destinies of five people, who seem to have acquired something of the weii’d spixit of the countryside which is their home. Merlo Oberon gives a flawless portrayal as the attractive and highspirited girl Cathy. As the brooding half-gipsy, whose tortured mind cannot stand the bitter blow of being denied her love, Laurence Olivier acts witl* Insight and poignant fervour. Other important roles are played with fidelity and sincerity by Floi’a Robson, David Niven, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Hugh Williams. There is an excellent supporting programme. and the box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. EMPIRE THEATRE A gem of a comedy, with Mickey Rooney giving an outstanding performance, makes the latest of the Hardy family series, ” Out West With the Hardys,” a popular attraction at the Empire Theatre. The story chronicles the adventures of the family, who visit a Western ranch. Judge Hardy tries to assist a couple of old friends to circumvent the racketeering ti'icks of a neighbouring rancher, and while he delves into the law of water rights and so on, the rest of the family goes ” haywire in the Western fashion. Mickey Rooney imagines that horseback riding and revolver shooting are easy. The deep silence and the limitless spaces get at Marian. The foreman cowboy is attractive until Judge Hardy, with the wisdom of Solomon, orders his daughter to care for the foreman’s family of one eight-year-old daughter and for his food and home. Meanwhile ths same eight-year-old kid is putting Mickey through his paces, and the citv boy consistently gets the worst of it. The machinations of the racketeer are overcome, and the family return home. But there are complications still, and the last scenes show Mickey in the painful circumstances attendant on adolescent love. It is fine, simple humour throughout, and some of the scenes are uproarious. A fine supporting programme, including an interesting funny Pete Smith odditv and “ The Life of Dr Jenner ” gives ’’ Out West With the Hardys ” even greater appeal. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. REGENT THEATRE It seems that Dunedin theatregoers cannot have enough of the brilliant musical feature, “The Great Waltz,” which is drawing even larger crowds than before to the Regent Theatre, where it is now in its second week. Presenting as it does the glories of the Strauss melodies, through the medium of the singing voice of Miliza Korjus. it must rank high in any estimation of the musical films of all time. Acting honours rest with the two most important screen stars in the piece—Luise Rainer and Fernand Gravet. others in the cast being Hugh Herbert and Lionel Atwill. This is the story ot Johann Strauss and his Poldi. from the time the great Viennese waltz composer lost his job as a bank clerk and took up music until his final honours at the Emperor's court. His marriage to a childhood sweetheart and his subsequent Infatuation for the beautiful star of the opera form the background for what is perhaps the most widely-loved music in the world. The music is outstanding, and is magnificently -presented by a *fuil orchestra. There is also a brilliant ballet. The supporting programme offers excellent entertainment. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE " Sing as You Swing,” which heads the double-feature programme at the Strand Theatre this week, is an outstanding example of the variety entertainment type, and not only .does it feature Claude Dampier In another of his extremely comical roles, but the film is studded with such well-known radio and stage stars as Clapham and Dwyer, Drian Lawrence, the Mills brothers, Evelyn Dali, Nat Gonelea and his Georgians. Mantoyanl and bis orchestra, and many others. All these stars contribute their particular form of entertainment In a manner which makes the production an excellent one, but, m addition, there is a story running through it that is stronger than is usually the case in such pictures. " Sing as You Swing” is delightful fare. The second attraction on the programme is of a widely different type, being a drama of slum life in America. One Third of a Nation ” features Sylvia Sidney, a sterling little actress, who made this film independently of any picture company, acting more or less as her own producer. Her role is similar to those she has portrayed in the past, that of the daughter of the slums whose struggle in life does not always end happily. On this occasion, however, her destiny is finally shaped by a millionaire, played by Lief Erickson, who comes into her life in an unexpected manner. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. MAYFAIR THEATRE Constance Bennett is starred in Universal’s " Service De Luxe,” which is now being shown at the Mayfair Theatre, and which introduces to motion picture audiences a screen newcomer. Vincent Price. Price is no stranger to Broadway, however. He gained a high reputation as an actor of exceeding merit through bis twoyear performance of the role of Albert opposite Helen Hayes in " Victoria Regina.” Price makes his kinema debut in a vehicle especially tailored for himself and Miss Bennett. " Service De Luxe was designed to launch the new leading man under the best possible auspices. The picture casts him as a naive, up-state boy who comes to New York trying to peddle a tractor Invention, and falling easily and quickly into the hands of designing women. Miss Bennett will be seen as Dorothy Madison, head of the Dorothy Madison Service, a firm which performs all kinds of personal services for its clients. In supporting roles will be seen Charles Ruggles as an eccentric millionaire engineer whose bobby is cooking; Mischa Auer as a Russian chef who calls upon a ghostly line of noble ancestors for guidance in his culinary endeavours;

Helen Broderick as Miss Bennett's hardboiled friend and confidante, and Joy Hodges as a giddy, man-crazy flapper who tries to marry every male who comes within reach of her arms. The second feature is “ Submarine Patrol,” featuring Richard Greene and Nancy Kelly. The box plains are at the theatre and the D.I.C.