ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23199, 14 May 1937, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE TWO EXCELLENT FILMS “Everything is Thunder,” which is the chief film at the State Theatre at present,- has Douglass Montgomery, Constance Bennett, and Oscar Homolka in the leading roles. The story of the film deals with the escape of Montgomery, a prisoner of war, froin a German prison camp. He murders a sentry, and later reaches Berlin, where the loss of nis money nearly spells disaster. A young woman of the streets (Miss Bennett) befriends him, however, and after "shielding him from the military detective (Homolka) searching for the fugitive, manages to have herself and the young man smuggled over the frontier. The second feature is “Second Wife,” starring Gertrude Michael, Walter Abel and Erik Rhodes. BEGINNING TOMORROW JANE WITHERS IN “PEPPER” The talented juvenile star, Jane Withers, who is co-starred with Slim Summerville and Irvin S. Cobb, is seen at her breeziest and best in “Pepper, ’ a delightfully wholesome comedy, which comes to the State Theatre tomorrow. The film opens in a rush of excitement and comedy as Jane leads her “gang” through the streets, celebrating the Fourth of July by creating havoc in the neighbourhood. The fun ceases abruptly when Jane comes upon a family being evicted from the tenement flat and she sends the other kids out to raise the 11 dollars necessary to pay the rent. When they fall short of their goal by five dollars, Jane decides to get the money from Cobb, who takes the part of a dyspeptic millionaire. Amused at Jane’s impish antics, Cobb takes her to Coney Island and later they visit Jane’s home, where Cobb meets Slim Summerville, her uncle and guardian. Much against Cobb’s will, his daughter has announced her intention of marrying a millionaire. Summerville notices a picture of the engaged couple in a newspaper, and reveals that he has met the baron somewhat before—and that the baron is a fake. Cobb offers Jane and Slim 5000 dollars if they can expose the baron and prove him an impostor. How Jane does so with the help of her crowd of ragamuffins, provides a riotous climax to an hilarious film. Two songs are featured in “Pepper,” with Jane singing one and also collaborating with Cobb and Summerville in singing “The Song of the Coyotes.”

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“PICCADILLY JIM” SEASON STARTS TODAY Hollywood has learned to choose the best of stories and select the best material in them for its pictures. This is definitely demonstrated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s screen adaptation of “Piccadilly Jim” which opens at the Majestic Theatre today. The words of P. G. Wodehouse in the story made the whole reading world rock with laughter. The picture visualizes his comedy perfectly. A stellar cast is worthy of the inimitable story and the selection of its personnel was itself a stroke of genius. Robert Z. Leonard, the man who directed “the Great Ziegfeld,” followed with this new picture and his technique is evident throughout. Robert Montgomery, in the title role, performs his finest part Madge Evans opposite him is delightful. Frank Morgan, of “The Great Ziegfeld” cast, appears with Billie Burke, widow of the famous Broadway impressario, in her first role under her new M-G-M contract. Eric Blore, Robert Benchley, Ralph Forbes and others give remarkably good performances in their respective roles. The story of the clever young cartoonist created by Wodehouse is one that has sent uproarious laughter around the reading world. . On the screen it is even more hilarious. His romance that is nearly shattered when he caricatures the family of the girl he loves, is restored on a trans-Atlantic liner on a high and appropriate note of comedy. “Piccadilly Jim” definitely establishes itself as one of the most popular screen plays to reach this city in recent years. It is amusement of a high order, with no other purpose, and it succeeds admirably. A splendid and varied supporting programme has been selected.

REGENT THEATRE

POPULAR PROGRAMME

Those in search of lively and exhilarating entertainment could not be advised better than to go and spend an evening at the Regent Theatre. The main film is “Fugitive of the Air,” a full-blooded aerial drama with a desperate “killer” at large and a whole aeroplane of passengers at bay until at last the tangle of murder and violence straightens itself out in the most unexpected but nevertheless satisfying way. Warren Hull and Jean Muir are the featured players and each of them does some very fine work. The other feature, “Here Comes Carter!” probes behind the scenes of both radio broadcasting stations and moving picture studios, with Ross Alexander, Glenda Farrell and Anne Nagel in the featured roles. The picture is packed with thrills and rollicking humour from start to finish. The action centres in the activities of an ex-Press-agent of a film company who uses his knowledge of the movies to broadcast scandal and gossip about the stars. For his attacks on a matinee idol who had caused his dismissal because he refused to help the actor out of one of his many disgraceful escapades, he is given a terrific beating by a band of gangsters. An

amazing episode entailing a deadly gun fight—which unknowingly is broadcast on the air—winds up the story in a smashing climax. In addition, “The Changing of the Guard” is a most delightful piece of work. z SHIRLEY TEMPLE’S RIVAL “THE CAPTAIN’S KID” “The King’s People,” a film specially made in England by John Drinkwater for Coronation week screening, has just arrived by air mail and will be presented at both matinee and night screenings at the Regent Theare on Saturday, with “The Captain’s Kid,” in which May Robson, Guy Kibbee and little Sybil Jason play the principal roles. They combine to make “The Captain’s Kid” a delightfully funny comedy. The story, based on life, in a Cape Cod fishing village, tells of a murder of which the old waterfront character (Kibbee) is accused. However, great opportunity is taken to display Sybil Jason’s ability in this humorous picture. There is no doubt about her talent and her right to be considered as Shirley Temple’s most serious rival.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

“Jack of All Trades” with Jack Hulbert, Gina Malo, and Robertson Hare, which comes to the Theatre Royal, Winton tonight and tomorrow night, is an irresponsible story of an out-of-work’s masquerade as a magnate that results in the formation of an important company. Amusing is the characterization of the central figure, Jack Hulbert, and his airy schemes and satirical gibes at “big business” methods. The decorative aspects include a handful of tuneful songs and bright dancing, with wellstaged duet, slick dialogue and piquant romance in the musical comedy manner. There is a wholesale burst of farce in an hilarious fire-escape climax, where hoses, chutes and unmanageable ladders play a riotous part in genuinely mirthful situations. Sparkling stellar portrayal, engaging comedy support, resourceful all-round staging, very competent technique of camera-work and recording help to make the film a success.