AT THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 9

AT THE THEATRES

COMING ATTRACTIONS There are many good things in “Hellship Morgan,” which begins today at the Majestic Theatre; but the outstanding feature is the ocean background against which is unfolded an exciting story. The tuna fishing ship Southern Cross goes into storms and calm weather; its crew battle with the sea and work hard to fill the holds with fish. The captain is “Hellship Morgan,” played by George Bancroft. This is the kind of vigorous role which suits Bancroft admirably. He portrays the complex .emotions of a man who finds himself divided between love and friendship. A penniless girl crosses his path soon after he has befriended a down-and-out sailor. Marriage follows, and he takes the girl on the ship for a honeymoon at sea. Drama develops when his wife and the first mate find themselves in

love with each other. They struggle to remain loyal to the man they both '* respect; and their difficulties are finally solved in the darkest moments of a storm. Victor Jory plays the first mate, and Ann Sothem is charming in the feminine lead. Directed by D. Ross Lederman. A Columbia picture. * ♦ ♦ *

“Adventure in Manhattan,” now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is one of those fast-moving comedydramas in which American producers have never been excelled. Stolen jewels, a police reporter with an uncanny flair for knowing what will happen next, and a beautiful young actress are the chief ingredients in an unusual story. Suspense and laughter follow in quick succession, and there is an exciting climax. The leading roles are taken by Jean Arthur who will be remembered for her excellent work in “Mr Deeds Goes to Town,” and by Joel McCrea, whose portrayal in “These Three” brought him to the front rank of screen stars. They are supported by a large and competent cast, every member of which contributes to the success of the film. Directed by Edward Ludwig. A Columbia picture. ♦ ♦ ♦ * Australian films have come a long way since the silent days, and those who have watched their rapid development will feel that the New Zealand premiere of “It Isn’t Done” at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday will be something of an occasion. Advance reports speak highly of the picture and of its reception in Australia. The story is rich in comedy. Cecil Kellaway does excellent work in the role of an Australian squatter, Hubert Blaydon, who inherits an estate and title in England. He is rather reluctant to leave Australia, but after much persuasion on the part of his wife and beautiful daughter, Patricia (Shirley Ann Richards), decides to go to England and reside in his manor home. Many amusing complications occur, and a rare vein of laughter and romance is threaded throughout the film. Shirley Ann gives a delightful performance as Patricia Blaydon, and her cultured voice and charming ways suggest that she will climb to heights unprecedented for an Australian actress. John Longdon stars opposite her as Peter Ashton, a young Englishman to whom her charms are irresistible. Campbell Copelin gives a remarkable performance as Ronald Dudley, a self-assured young Englishman. Cinesound have made memorable pictures already: “It Isn’t Done” brings them into line with the world’s best. Directed by Ken G. Hall. A Cinesound picture.

George Arliss needs no introduction to theatre-goers. In “East Meets West,” which comes to the State Theatre on Saturday, he makes use of an unusual story as the framework for another of his masterly portrayals. The background is exotic. Renang is an East Indian state looking across a narrow strait to a British possession. As the Rajah of Renang, George Arliss negotiates with British and Japanese diplomats for harbour treaties. His son Zezim, who has been educated at Oxford, falls in love with the beautiful wife of Carter, a drunken customs officer. Carter has been smuggling liquor to the natives, and when he is caught red-handed he becomes an important factor in the Rajah’s plans. The Japanese emissary persuades Zezim to stir up a revolution in order to have Carter lynched. Up to this stage George Arliss has played with his customary smoothness and certainty; but when he is threatened by an angry mob and by his son’s treachery he rises to great heights. With revolution outside his palace walls he negotiates calmly with the rival diplomats and continues to win concessions from both sides before striding out to deal with the mob. The eastern backgrounds are colourful, and the supporting cast has been carefully chosen. The story is dramatic and well-contrived; and George Arliss gives a polished performance.

Directed by Herbert Mason. A Gaumont-British Picture.

William Boyd is coming to be identified with Hopalong Cassidy as closely as Warner Oland in the role of Charlie Chan. In “Trail Dust,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, he rides once again on the trails that lead to adventure. This time he finds himself at odds with a group of profiteers who are trying to take advantage of drought conditions to force up the prices of beef. Cassidy, Nelson and Windy ride to the railhead to bring relief to the southwest, but the profiteers “frame” Cassidy and have a warrant issued for his arrest. The cowboy evades arrest; but this is only the first move in a long game that has to be played out in mountain passes and on lonely trails where rustlers are riding and bullets come from nowhere. Nelson finds himself involved in a new romance, this time with Beth, a sheriff’s daughter. And at the finish there is a struggle to prevent the mining of a mountain pass through which a herd of cattle is on its way to the starving district. William Boyd rides and fights with his usual vigour; Jimmy Ellison is still impulsive and romantic; and George Hayes is in good form as Windy. Hopalong Cassidy pictures are in a class of their own, and “Trail Dust” is one of the best of the series. Directed by Nate Watt A Paramount picture.

“Along Came Love” will be shown in a double feature programme at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. It tells a charming story of the dreams and aspirations of Emmy Grant, a young girl employed in a large departmental store. She notices in the heavens the constellation Orion, and decides that she has fallen in love with the heavenly inhabitant and is sure that she will meet

his counterpart in real life. Her prediction comes true in the person of Dr John Patrick O’Ryan, a struggling young interne. Many obstacles are put in the way of the young couple, but, notwithstanding a scandal in which Emmy’s mother figures, the course of true love comes to its own romantic conclusion. Supporting the leads, Irene Hervey and Charles Starrett, are Irene Franlin, H. B. Warner, Doris Kenyon and Frank Reicher.

Directed by Bert Lytell. A Paramount picture. * ♦ ♦ *

A picture beginning with a graveyard scene in which a notorious woman diamond thief and a reporter who has made her the subject of his best stories meet over a grave where the thief is supposed to be buried is bound to develop into something rare and exciting. “The Return of Sophie Lang,” now showing at the Regent Theatre, lives up to the promise of its opening sequence and unfolds a story of crime and detection which must stand high in the lists of recent successes. Sophie Lang is in hiding, but this does not save her from being involved in a jewel robbery. Although she is innocent, she is in danger of being exposed, and it is only through the reporter—now deeply in love with her—that she comes to be saved. The climax is unusual and exciting and gives opportunities for some splendid acting by Gertrude Michel, Sir Guy standing and Ray Milland. Also in the cast is the New Zealand actor, Colin Tapley, who has already made a name for himself as a dependable player. The story provides action of the best kind and is full of unusual' developments.

Directed by George Archainbaud. A Paramount picture.

A light-hearted story is unfolded in “Walking On Air,” now showing at the State Theatre. Ann Sothern plays the part of a beautiful but temperamental heiress. Her father hires a college to the girl; but in the meantime she has graduate to act as secret bodyguard hired another graduate to pose as an obnoxious French count and convince her father by force of contrast that the man she wants to marry is not so bad after all. Complications are bound to follow, especially when a radio programme is interrupted while one of the graduates broadcasts a frantic appeal to the heiress, with whom he has fallen in love. Clashes between father and daughter are followed by impulsive action, but love tames the headstrong young woman and smoothes away the difficulties she has placed in her own path. Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond both have pleasing voices and are heard in some attractive numbers. The story moves rapidly, is full of amusing situations, and provides ample scope for a cast of talented players. Directed by Joseph Santley. An RKO Radio Picture.