ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22492, 29 January 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE.

A DAZZLING MUSICAL SHOW.

“STAND UP AND CHEER.”

An amusing and cleverly directed picture, “Stand Up and Cheer” forms the leading attraction on to-night’s programme at the Civic Theatre. The story deals with the depression in the most thorough manner, and in addition to telling theatregoers the story of this banishment of the demon, tells it in such a way that one is bound to be infected by the light-hearted and amusing revelling which is the keynote of the production. The talkie is claimed to be one of the most elaborate pictures ever created in Hollywood. There are certainly many spectacular revue scenes, scores of dazzlingly beautiful dancers and chorus girls, pretty ballets, sentimental songs, and much innocuous music. The forceful Warner Baxter has the star role as the newly-appointed Minister for Amusement, whose mission direct from the mouth of the President of the United States is to cheer the country up sufficiently to inspire enough confidence for a general recovery. The new Minister sets about the task thoroughly, rounding up an astounding conglomeration of talent, which is allowed to do its work on the screen for our entertainment. But there is opposition to this splendid scheme. The country’s financiers have gambled on the depression holding out; important contracts have been let which can be profitable only while the depressed conditions last. So these interests decide to break the new department of amusement with sly propaganda and ridicule. The new Minister, on the brink of success, finds his task becoming more difficult as the opposition grows. Then, at a moment when, disillusioned, he decides to give up his post, by some miraculous chance the •depression lifts and he is hailed as the national hero. Modestly he gives the palm to the young woman in charge of the children’s department of amusement, with whom he appears to be rapidly falling in love. In the presentation of this section of the production, Baxter has the assistance of a particularly strong cast, among whom might be mentioned names so well and popularly known as Nigel Bruce, James Dunn, Madge Evans, Mitchell and Durant and Stepin Fetchit. Last, but cleverest and most popular of all, is the child, Shirley Temple. Those who have not yet seen Shirely Temple can have little conception of the fascinating personality of this child genius. She is a whole entertainment in herself. There is nothing precocious about her acting, nothing that is artificial and nothing that does not have the appearance of being absolutely spontaneous. In the array of entertaining talent for which the story calls, the child takes first place, and there will be very few who will not wish that the producers had given her a bigger share of the camera. James Dunn is as full of exuberance as ever, John Boles is heard in a musical number, and Stepin Fetchit provides a generous share of his particular brand of fooling. Variety is the essence of the picture, and those who like quick changes should enjoy it. The supporting programme this week is an exceptionally good one. In addition to an interesting news gazette, there is one of the Magic Carpet series dealing with Siam and the life of its people. The cartoon is a particularly clever one, and the programme is rounded out with one of the News Cameramen series, dealing on this occasion with champions in the world of sport. The box plans for the season are at the theatre and at Begg’s.

NEXT CHANGE.

“WHEN NEW YORK SLEEPS.”

The next change is “When New York Sleeps,” and it should satisfy all types of movie goers—sensation seekers as well as lovers of real life drama. It bares for the first time things millions of men and women have wanted to know . . . amazing revelations by a woman about the joys, sorrows, heartaches, emotions .. . the great drama of a woman’s life behind the scenes of the sporting and night life of New York City. It sends a great actor, Spencer Tracy, soaring to stardom on the strength of his powerful portrayal of the picture’s protagonist, Murray Golden. It presents a kaleidoscope of drama, comedy, night life and sporting events of New York during the exciting years from 1910 to 1932. In its final denouement, it works up to a tremendous climax with the inexorability of a Greek drama. In brief, it is great entertainment. Spencer Tracy has been waiting for a role like this to display the full gamut of his dramatic technique. It is a fine, sympathetic characterization. Helen Twelvetrees plays the important part of the wife with a genuine appreciation of its depth. Alice Faye comes through her first dramatic role very well as the “other woman.” Since she is a night club singer, she has an opportunity to put over the song “Foolin’ With the Other Woman’s Man” with an emotional warmth that her fans expect after her interpretation of “Nasty Man” in George White’s “Scandals.” The capable supporting cast includes Robert Gleckler, Henry O’Neill, Hobart Cavanaugh, G. P. Huntley, jun., Clarence Wilson, Barbara Weeks, Vince Barnett and Shirley Temple. THE REGENT. “ROMANCE IN THE RAIN.” SPARKLING MUSICAL COMEDY PROVIDES BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT. Dash and verve of action that is seen in films only at rare intervals pervades “Romance in the Rain,” the delicious cocktail of youth, romance and bright entertainment which is screening to delighted audiences at the Regent Theatre. There is a happy spontaneity about this production which gives it the hallmark of an outstanding success, so that from the moment the first scenes are flashed on the screen until the intricacies of the novel plot are winding to a close the audience is lost in an uplifting panorama of sparkle and gaiety. Roger Pryor is perhaps the most engaging of America’s young actors to appear in this type of role, and from the very first he wins the hearts of his public. Heading the male cast, he plays the part of a young writer of fulsome confession stories, whose work is broadcast to millions of love-hungry girls by means of popular “real-life-story” magazines. Full of energy and imagination, he gets ideas at the oddest moments, and after a chance meeting with a pretty but lovely girl (Heather Angel) he conceives the brilliant idea of inducing his employer, the publisher of the magazine, to run a mammoth “Cinderella” competition. After a good deal of argument with the unhappy publisher, Pryor’s scheme is adopted and entries pour in by the thousand. Then Pryor remembers his own real-life Cinderella, the girl he has met in the theatre. He persuades her to enter the contest, and with a

little artful assistance from the handsome author of “livid love stories,” she eventually wins the contest, to the amusing annoyance of the. publisher, who has entered the beautiful girl of his heart’s desire “to keep the money in the firm”! Installed in her new home, she hopes to win the regard of the dashing Pryor, who, however, now decides on further publicity by running a “Prince Charming” contest, the winner to be married to “Cinderella.” This does not meet with the approval of Cinderella, but after a series of amusing and romantic situations everything ends happily. There are many novel and at times hilarious episodes—particularly those involving the publisher, who is a positive genius at characterization —and altogether “Romance in the Rain" must be classed as the most sparkling entertainment seen here for months. There is not a dull moment in the whole production. The supporting programme, too, is worth seeing on its own. There is. an uproarious comedy showing the trials of a newly-married couple trying vainly to escape from the wife’s multitudinous relations. The side-splitting antics of the characters in this film should on no account be missed. A . laughable cartoon and a budget of interesting newsreels round off a programme which could hardly fee beaten for genuine entertainment. COLIN TAPLEY’S REAL CHANCE. “DOUBLE DOOR.” MYSTERY THRILLER TO-MORROW. Mystery, drama, suspense., and excitement all have a place in “Double Door,” which will start at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. It is a thrilling and amazing story of life behind the sedate portals of one of New Yorks famous brownstone mansions. The principal roles are played by Mary Morris, Anne Revere, Evelyn Venable, Sir Guy Standing, Kent Taylor, and Colin Tapley, the New Zealander. Tapley, it will be remembered, was one of the successful contestants in Paramount’s world-wide “Search for Beauty” competition. Victoria . Van Brett, as played by Mary Morris, is the cold, inscrutable, almost fiendish spinster who rules the fabulous Van Brett fortunes. She is violently opposed to having anyone else share their wealth, and is enraged when her brother, Kent Taylor, brings-his young bride, Evelyn Venable, to the house. In her efforts to break up the happiness of the newlywedded pair, Victoria Van Brett vainly attempts to concoct an affair between Evelyn Venable and the family doctor, played by Colin Tapley. As a final effort, she attempts to murder the young bride. “Double Door” is a real “thriller. THE MAJESTIC. “TREASURE' ISLAND.” THRILLS AND ADVENTURE. ,

All the thrills and adventure of a search for fabulous buried treasure, which are contained in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story of adventure on the high seas, “Treasure . Island,” have been recaptured with their colour and romance in the film of the same title, which is now screening at the Majestic Theatre. Who does not remember with what delight he read of the tales of piratical raids with a picturesque band of ruffians, among whom the figures of Long John Silver, Billy Bones and the youthful Jimmy Hawkins have become immortal? To the Admiral Benbow Inn on the lonely English coast comes an old pirate with a long white scar on his cheek, a jolly man when he has a few noggins of rum, but a surly customer when sober, and fearful. For months the old “Captain” scans the sea, looking for sea-faring men, especially a one-legged man. The sea-faring men come. Among them are his enemies, pirates he has cheated, and they give him the dreadful summons, the Black Spot. The old fellow collapses with a heart attack, but before he dies he tells young Jim of the treasure in his chest. Before the pirates return to get the “Captain,” Jim and his mother rifle his sea-chest. They find little gold, but there is a map of buried treasure of the famous buccaneer, Captain Flint. The Squire of the village and the Doctor determine to hunt for it, and they take Jim Hawkins along, but they take also, as ship’s cook, the one-legged man whom the old “Captain” has feared, Long John Silver, the cleverest and the most blood-thirsty pirate of them all. Long John manages to get in the crew of his fellows, once all Flint’s men. Of all on board, Jim picks Long John Silver as his “matey.” On the night they sight the island, Jim overhears him talking to the others, and to his horror, discovers Long John is a pirate, and plans to kill the Doctor and the Squire once the treasure is on board, and they are headed for England. He tells the ship’s Captain and the others, and they prepare to fight. They seek refuge in a stockade Flint built on the island, but they are outnumbered and there is a cannon on board which, if brought ashore, will blow their fort to glory. From this stage the story moves on through many more gripping incidents and delightful episodes. The novel has always been cherished and particular care has been taken, lest any fond illusions may be shattered, and admirers of Stevenson may safely see this stirring picture without any regrets. With such talented actors as Wallace Beery, as Silver, complete with parrot, Lionel Barrymore, that fine charactor actor,'as the rascally Billy Bones, and Jackie Cooper as the daring Jimmy Hawkins, the film cannot fail to be marked by some really outstanding portrayals. Even the minor roles are taken bv artists of recognized ability, such as Lewis Stone, Otto Kruger and “Chic” Sale. The film should have a special appeal to children, but to those for whom the book still.holds its fascination, it should prove to be entertainment of a rare quality. The supports include an hilarious “Our Gang” comedy. ZANE GREY'S “WILD HORSE MESA.” Paramount’s latest Zane Grey film, “Wild Horse Mesa,” opens at the Majestic on Wednesday and, with its story of brave men, Indians and wild horses, will keep the audience at a high pitch of excitement. It’s Zane Grey at his best, and it is a singularly fine Western. Randolph Scott, the rangy young man who scored in the last Grey film, “Heritage of the Desert,” gives another fine performance in the leading role of “Wild Horse Mesa.” He appears as Chane Weymer, friend of the Indians, who makes it his business to bring to justice Rawlins (Fred Kohler) who has been rounding up wild horses belonging to the Indians. Sally Blane, the heroine of “Heritage of the Desert,” is charming in the romantic lead. James Bush does a good job as Chane’s younger brother and Lucille la Veme and Charley Grapewin contribute magnificent characterizations as the mother of the heroine and a retired sailor. The film has been directed with

speed and keen appreciation for its dramatic values. The scenic background, too, is of surpassing beauty. In short, “Wild Horse Mesa” is- directed, acted and photographed with an eye to your utmost enjoyment.