ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23305, 15 September 1937, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “AFTER THE THIN MAN” A gay and laugh-provoking picture is the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer mysterycomedy, “After The Thin Man,” which stars the ever-popular William Powell and Myrna Loy and is attracting big audiences to the Majestic Theatre. Cinema-goers will be well acquainted with Nick and Nora Charles, the cheery, private investigator and his charming wife. The mystery in this film is as thick and dark as one could wish; it provides problems which keep Nick thinking to the final scenes; and the denouement is genuinely surprising. It begins with some family trouble among Nora’s relations. There is a ne’er-do-well cousin who falls into low company and is duly murdered. ' His wife is charged with the crime, but while she is on trial two more murders happen amid mysterious circumstances. By this time Nick is in the thick of things. There is a group of suspects to keep the detective busy prowling into dark rooms, investigating clues and escaping bullets that come suddenly from the shadows. The strange thing about Nick is that he seems to be getting nowhere while at the time, in his sleepy way, he is finding his threads through the labyrinth. But although the mystery in this film is good enough to provide the sinew of a first-class thriller it is really the character portrayals of William Powell as Nick, and Myrna Loy as Nora, that make the picture something quite different. They banter their way through situations that would be trying to most tempers; in a miraculous way they maintain their poise and are just two nice persons who may yet come to be known as the screen’s ideal married couple. The dialogue is extremely clever and witty and an outstanding cast includes Elissa Landi, Joseph Calleia, James Stewart and Jessie Ralph.

CIVIC THEATRE

“UNDER PRESSURE”; “PUBLIC ENEMY” One of the most thrilling and colourful pictures to reach an Invercargill screen in seasons began an engagement at the Civic Theatre yesterday. This is the new Fox Film production, “Under Pressure,” which stars Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen, supported by a finely balanced cast. This time Lowe and McLaglen are “tunnel men”— leading a crew of husky workers through silt and bedrock many feet below the river. One hour a day in the lives of these intrepid men is reserved for death while they pursue their perilous work. The other 23 are given to life and love above the river. Now there is subject matter magnificently suited to the Lowe-McLaglen talents. Different from any story in which they have appeared, “Under Pressure” at the same time gives them the chance to be devils with women and dare-devils with men. But, even more than that, “Under Pressure” is a big and thoroughly human drama, with a love interest that is thrilling and comedy that is quickwitted and fastmoving. In addition a strong drama of the underworld, “Public Enemy,” starring Preston Foster, is shown. It proves to be no less exciting than the associate film. Tense situations, vivid personalities and thrilling climaxes make it a feast of adventure.

STATE THEATRE

“CRIMINAL LAWYER”

“EVERYBODY DANCE” Action, thrills, romance and dramatic suspense are found in “Criminal Lawyer,” one of the two grand films on the current programme at the State Theatre, with Lee Tracy and Margot Grahame in the leading roles. Three court room scenes furnish thrilling dramatic highlights. One gives an intimate and colourful conception of a night court after a raid on a fashionable gambling club. The others are superior court scenes, where the lives of two murderers hang in the balance. Tracy, playing a brilliant but unscrupulous lawyer, is elevated to district attorney by the leader of a gambling ring. His court triumphs as prosecutor pave the way for his election as governor. He awakes one night to find himself married to a girl whose father can aid his political career. When the gambling leader, whose “mouthpiece” he formerly was, is brought up on a murder charge the district attorney prosecutes him with all his vigour and cunning. He is dumbfounded, however, when his own secretary is placed on the witness chair to testify for the murderer. A first-rate cast supports the principals, including Eduardo Ciannelli, Erik Rhodes and Betty Lawford. The associate feature is “Everybody Dance,” in which Cicely Courtneidge returns to the screen. “Everybody Dance” is full of scintillating wit, hilarious sequences, and bright, tuneful melody. As “Lady Kate,” a night club queen, Cicely Courtneidge finds herself saddled with two American children who are not aware of her notoriety m London circles. She poses as a woman farmer of impeccable morals, and r is made happier by the presence of Wilbur,” Ernest Truex, who has been sent to take the children back home.

REGENT THEATRE

“MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW” EVERY FAMILY’S PROBLEM Notable for its splendid characterization and emotional story, Make Way for Tomorrow,” which will open at the Regent Theatre today, provides particularly good entertainment. In the words of an American critic it is the sort of picture that does honour to the motion picture industry.” The leading players include Beulah Bondi, Victor Moore, Thomas Mitchell, Fay Bainter, Barbara Read, and Maurice Moscovitch (the brilliant Russian actor). Each gives a powerful interpretation of strongly individualistic roles. The deals with the adventures of an old couple to whom time and fortune nave not been kind. Nearing the end of their long lives they find themselves bereft of the comforts of life, and with considerable reluctance turn to their sons and daughter for help. With one in the home of their daughter and the other in that of a son the inevitable quarrels between the “in-laws arise. The solution finally reached is revealed in situations full of pathos. And yet, much robust humour has been introduced into the picture. The film brings real life situations to the screen, and points a moral powerfully by the grandeur of its story. Rich in action and melodrama, it is a production which brings credit to its author, producer, and the players. In the roles of the old man and his wife, Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi, respectively, are responsible fo? fine dramatic portrayals,

and in the supporting cast Fay Bainter and Thomas Mitchell are impressive, and Barbara Read reveals acting talents of a high order. Strong supporting features add variety to the programme. These include a “Popeye the Sailor cartoon, “Underwater Romance (sportlight), “The Hollywood Star Reporter,” and the Regent air mail service. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre (telephone 1938). x

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON

Tonight at Riverton two features will be screened—Tim McCoy in “Law Beyond the Range,” a thrilling Western drama, and “Toll of the Road,” featuring Randolph Scott and Frances Drake. The latter is a thrilling drama of danger and romance. The “hit-and-run” girl is rich, reckless and beautiful; nothing could stop her until she crashed into the headlines as a murderess.