THE CIVIC

Southland Times, Issue 22156, 26 October 1933, Page 12

THE CIVIC

Now Showing: “Aloha” (Celebrity— Ben Lyon, Raquel Torres, Robert Edeson, Thelma Todd, Alan Hale). Commencing Saturday (double feature): “The Power of Evil” (Col-umbia-Constance Cummings, Lee Tracy, Alan Dinehart); “Mussolini Speaks” (Columbia). Coming: “Big Money” (Pathe—Eddie Quillan, Robert Armstrong, James ‘-- Gleason, Miriam Seegar); “Mind Reader” (Vitaphone—Warren Williams, Constance Cummings, Natalie Moorhead, Clara Blandick); “Ladies They Talk About” (Warner Broes.—Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster, Lyle Talbot, Harold Huber); “Kiss me Again,” all Technicolour (Warner Bros. —Bernice Claire, Walter Pidgeon, Edward Everett Horton, Frank McHugh, June Collyer, Albert Gran). * * * *

“Aloha,” the celebrity picture featuring Ben Lyon and Raquel Torres, now showing at the Civic Theatre, tells the story of a wealthy young American. who marries a tropical beauty and takes her to his aristocratic San Francisco home. Comedy blends with romance and drama in this original story by Thomas H. Ince, and the cast includes Robert Edeson, Alan Hale. Thelma Todd and Otis Harlan. Al Rogell directed.

There is a double feature programme at the Civic on Saturday. “The Power of Evil” is a Columbia production feat-, uring Constance Cummings, Lee Tracy and Alan Dinehart, and of more than ordinary interest is the film “Mussolini Speaks.” This is claimed to be the first complete, authentic and exclusive record of one of the most outstanding men of our generation. For the first time a great man is recorded on celluloid during his lifetime (writes a reviewer). And with what results! The Prime Minister himself plays the chief role—“himself.” The gestures, actions and speeches of this international figure are delivered with that vivid, fiery gusto that is the man Mussolini. No actor, no matter how gifted, could have been trusted with the characterization. The personality of Mussolini is so dramatic; he endows his every movement with colour; he reveals in his every gesture his innate trait to do everything with a grand gesture. The man’s life is extremely dramatic —and he is a natural born actor. The son of a blacksmith, his first duties were at the forge. We next find him a school teacher, an active politician, a revolutionist, a soldier, the leader of the Fascisti movement and Dictator of Italy. The producers of this picture have not been hampered by a lack of colour in the man’s life and the absence of adventure and romance. Mussolini combines with his abilities of statesmanship, the love of adventure. Sportsman, playwright, dramatist and economic adviser. All the elements of drama are combined in the man himself—and “Mussolini Speaks” reveals it all .learlv, distinctly and powerfully. The truth is tremendous, far more fascinating than fiction. “I shall make my own life my masterpiece,” said this great contemporary, and those who see his cinematic autobiography will be amazed how successful he has been. Who is he? Where did he come from. What has he done? How did the blacksmith’s son become dictator of a great nation and an outstanding world personality? All these questions are answered in “Mussolini Speaks. An assemblage of some of the worlds greatest figures surround Mussolini in this film. Among them are such royal people as King Emanuel and Queen Helena of Italy; Crown Prince Humbert of the House of Savoy; His Holiness Pope Pius XL; King Boris of Bulgaria; Princess Giovanna of Italy; King Albert and Princess Marie Jose of Belgium; Balbo, Minister of Airways; and Dino Grandi, member of Mussolini s Cabinet. Lowell Thomas, well-known commentator, describes and interprets the action. ♦ ♦ *

Three noted comedians are featured in the Pathe comedy drama. Big Money,” which Russell Mack directed and which comes to the Civic soon. Eddie Quillan, James Gleason and Robert Armstrong head the cast. * ♦ * *

Filmed in Technicolour, “Kiss Me Again,” the first of Victor Herberts successes to reach the talking screen, comes to the Civic soon. Bernice Claire and Walter Pidgeon head the cast.

RKO. Radio Pictures have just bought John Galsworthy’s story, “Apple Tree,” and intend adapting it to the screen in the near future.

Roland Young as a bold bad burglar, supported by Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack and Laura Hope Crews form the cast of “Blind Adventure, a thriller for Radio.

Three song hits are included in “My Weakness” the Buddy DeSylva musical production for Fox starring Lilian Harvey and Lew Ayres These an? “Gather Lip Rouge While You May sung by Miss Harvey; ‘How Do I Look?” sung by Dixie Frances, and Be Careful” a novelty song. All three were written by DeSylva, Richard Whiting and Leo Robin.

“Through the generosity of Jack Warner, of Warner Studios, Paramount is fortunate in obtaining the services of Ann Dvorak to replace Sylvia Sidney in Maurice Chevalier’s picture, The Way To Love.’” This announcement was made recently by Emanuel Cohen, vice-president in charge of production for Paramount, who stated that the English version of the Chevalier picture will resume immediately under Norman Taurog’s direction. Miss Dvorak climbed to screen fame with Paul Muni in “Scarface.” Since that time, she has played important leading roles in “Three on a Match, The Crowd Roars” and “Stranger in Town, for Warner Studios. She has just returned to Hollywood from an extended world tour.