AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS

THE CURRENT PROGRAMMES GRAND THEATRE One of the most amazing flights ever made forms the subject of an interesting story in “ The Flying Irishman,” which will have its final screening to-day at the Grand Theatre. The flight referred to is that made by Douglas Corrigan, the young American who flew the Atlantic in an ancient monoplane—and then said it was all a mistake. Corrigan is the star of the film, and a strong supporting cast includes Paul Kelly and Joyce Compton. The story begins with Corrigan’s struggles as a lad in San Antonio, Texas, and follows his life up to the time he makes his epochmaking ocean crossing. Corrigan does not have much to do in the way of acting, but he shows that he has an attractive personality, and skilful direction makes up for any lack of ability on his part. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. “ CLIMBING HIGH ” A feast of entertainment is in store for patrons of the Grand Theatre during November, when the theatre will celebrate its seventh successful anniversary under the banner of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd. Special programmes have been selected, embracing comedy, music, and mystery, and the first, “ Climbing High,” co-star-ring Jessie Matthews with Michael Redgrave. will be screened to-morrow. The " dumb ” wife in “ Three Men on a Horse ” is Tucker McGuire, and now she plays the part of Jessie Matthews’s not-so-dumb girl friend in " Climbing High." Tucker was born in Winchester, Virginia, and when she was 17 years of age told her family she was going to be an actress. A year later she went to England for a holiday and arrived at Oxford just in time to take Sir John Martin Harvey’s fortnight course in acting. Back in America she determined to go on the stage and finally got a part in “ Death Takes a Holiday.” Then she had seven ” flops ” in a row. It was “ between flops.” as she puts it, that Tucker got the job of being kissed by Clark Gable, He was in New York doing a personal appearance, and wanted a girl for his sketches; she was supposed to ask him for his autograph, get him to kiss her, and then faint. She did it six times daily for a fortnight, and had the satisfaction of 'being tire most envied girl in New York. She then came ot England with the “ Three Men on a Horse ” company. II was a big hit, and ran for six months, and as a result Tucker got a role in the G.B. film “Strangers on a Honeymoon.” Returning to America, she met and married a young English actor-author. Tom Macaulay, and early this year they came back to England to make their home there. Boris Karloff is starred as a doctor in the supporting feature. “Juggernaut.” The story concerns a plan which proves to be too big for Karloff and an adventuress who has her husband poisoned by him. Karloff's role is not entirely unsympathetic. as he is a scientist who needs money to complete an experiment which will confer a boon on mankind. Others in the cast are Monya Goya and Joan Wyndham. STATE THEATRE “ Wuthering Heights.” which heads flic bill at the State Theatre, has been acclaimed the most outstanding picture so far of 1939, because of its compelling artistry, its beauty, and dramatic power. Emily Bronte, the lonely spinster who wrote ” Wuthering Heights.” died 91 years ago at the age of 30, without ever knowing that her hook would become one of the imperishable treasures of English literature, and that she had given to the world a haunting, tragic love story that would thrill generations whose grandmothers were then unborn. Now as a motion picture it has become one of the outstanding hits in all motion picture history, Goldwyn gave the role of Cathy, the heroine of the story, to Merle Oberon. and he chose Laurence Olivier for the role of Heathcliff, and both give brilliant performances. Flora Robson, David Niven, Geraldine Fitzgerald, and Hugh Williams are also prominently cast. There is a strong 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 grand 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 oi old friends to circumvent the racketeering tricks 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. It is fine, simple humour throughout, and some of the scenes are uproarious. Lewis Stone again gives a sound performance as the head of this rather appealing family. and Rooney is as amusing as ever. There is an interesting and varied supporting programme, and the box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “SQARFACE” Racketeering in all its ramifications, particularly that branch which centres its activities in the illicit liquor traffic, is forcibly pictured in " Scarface, which will come to the Empire Theatre on Friday. Rackets, as newspaper readers have long since learned, are Illegal activities organised upon a business basis, and it is the working of this tremendous organisation which is pictured so forcibly in “ Scarface.” After all, it is admitted publicly that rackets are the bane of the country, and it is confidently predicted that “ Scarface ” is pictured with such powerful authenticity that it will go a long way towards correcting the evils of crime. While liquor and the collection, of protection is the source of the gangsters biggest graft, the tentacles of gangland reach out into all lines of business endeavour, padding the racketeers’ purse from many sources. If a gangster stole an automobile, he would be just a plain thief. But if through organised crime he steals an automobile over and over again, it is called a racket and he gets away with it. The completeness and the extent of the gangster system is the biggest police problem in the United States today. Hundreds of swindlers, pickpockets, dope peddlers, petty thieves and ladies of the evening are dependent upon the racketeer for existence. Even the hotels are not immune. The film points out that the gangster shows no mercy and none must be extended to him. Wipe out the racketeer, down with the gunman, and show no mercy whatever to the mobsmen who are responsible for the loss of millions of dollars in property every year, and the taking of innumerable lives. " Scarface ” tells of the rise and fall of Tony Camonte. and the leading role is played by Paul Muni, famous character actor; Ann Dvorak, a new leading woman, is on the cast, and William Boyd. Karen Morley and other players of importance. REGENT THEATRE The story of Johann Strauss, who won fame with the music of his lilting waltzes, Is unfolded' In the colourful musical' romance, “ The Great Waltz,” which Is continuing Its season at the Regent Theatre. Not only Is the fascinating life of Vienna in the days of the great composer faithfully reproduced in countless spectacular scenes, but the very spirit of carefree festivity which its citizens enjoyed has been recaptured, in the haunting Strauss melodies which are heard at every turn of an intriguing drama. The renowned composer lived as he composed, with a dashing spirit which was typical of Vienna in the heyday of a joyful age. In this magnificent film is revealed his storm of despair as he was forced to choose between the love of his early sweetheart, the beautiful Fold! Vogelhuber, and the fascination of the charming opera singer, Carla Donner. Fernand Gravel is cast as Strauss, Luise Rainer as Poldi Vogelhuber. and Mlliza Korjus, glamorous Polish opera star, as Carla Donner. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “HONOLULU” Eleanor Powell, the peerless tap-dancer, is seen at her best in her latest starring vehicle, “ Honolulu," which will be opened at the Regent Theatre on Friday, She is cast as a cabaret dancer, and, with Hawaii as an exotic background for several of her dances, she has captivated many new followers, One of the most attractive of the dance sequences is “Hymn to the Sun," one of tile most impressive seen in New Zealand this year. Robert Young is starred opposite her. in a dual role. He portrays a movie idol, and the actor’s double, a plantation owner from Honolulu. The actor is reaching the end of his patience with the adulation of his fans when he meets the plantation owner and arranges to swap places with him for a time. The screen play goes on to tell of the amusing and romantic complications that follow this change. George Burns and Grade Allen, the popular comedians, head the supporting cast. STRAND THEATRE English variety at its best is seen in the Strand Theatre’s current programme, in which " Sing as You Swing ” is the main item. Claude Dampier is seen in one of his comical roles, and with him are well-known radio and stage stars, Including Clapham and Dwyer, Brian Lawrence, the Mills Brofliers, Evelyn Dali, Nat Gonella and his Georgians, Mantovani and his Tipica Orchestra,, and many others. The second attraction on the programme Is a drama of American slum

life, entitled "... One-third of a Nation . . and starring Sylvia Sidney and Lief Erickson. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.LC. ST. JAMES THEATRE George Formby’s fast growing reputation as one of the great screen comedians of to-day is well justified by his hilarious performance in “ Trouble Brewing," his latest picture, which is now being screened at the St. James Theatre. George plays the part of a newspaper compositor who cherishes ambitions of becoming a detective, and he gets his chance when, through the connivance of the editor’s secretary (Miss Googie Withers), he is made a crime reporter. The fun starts when George sets out to catch a gang of counterfeiters which is flooding the country with forged bank-notes. Also on the programme is " The Warning,” a support' which gives a wonderful idea of Britain’s preparedness in these times of emergency. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs's. MAYFAIR THEATRE "Service De Luxe.” a gay. sparkling comedv, is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. The Madison Service in New York does everything for its clients from tying a dress tie to buying steam rollers, and supplies working minds for those not possessed of them. Lost necklaces, decamped flappers, mislaid passports, and a host of other annoyances are dealt with expeditiously and satisfactorily: but it is not until a young man from the country arrives with‘plans for a three-way tractor that things start to move. He appeals to be the one male out of captivity with a mind of his own, but when he meets and falls in love with the senior M’disort partner (Constance Bennett) he is unconsciously drawn in the clutches of the service. The second feature Is " Submarine Patrol,” an enthralling drama. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. “LITTLE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY” Producing satisfactory screen fare by their cavorting, dancing, and clowning, are the “ little tough guys '* of “ Little Touch Guys in Society, which will he-d the double bill opening at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. Smartly paced ,by three brilliant comedy stars—Mischa Auer, Mary Boland, and Edward Everett Horton —this comedy affords hilarious situations as the boys ride rough-shod through the realm of frosty socialities on a Long Island estate. The story concerns Mary Boland, a socialite mother who is worried because her sooilt son, Jackie Searl, wants I to spend bis whole life in bed. Upon the advice of Mischa Auer, a stupid psychiatrist, she invites a group of underprivileged boys from an East Side settlement. house to be guests at her fashionable home. The idea is that the boys will awaken her son to the joyous possibilities of youth. In a thrilling climax, when a thief tries to rob the place, the alley boys capture the thief and prove their regeneration. “Wives Under Suspion ”• is a drama which has as its theme the fact that many men who love their wives neglect them. In this case Warren William is a district attorney, and Gail Patrick is the wile “ under suspicion.”