entertainments

Southland Times, Issue 23306, 16 September 1937, Page 12

entertainments

CIVIC THEATRE “UNDER PRESSURE” Tonight “Under Pressure,” with Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, and “People’s Enemy,” with Preston Foster, will be screened for the last time at the Civic Theatre and tomorrow night a special treat is in store. “Monte Carlo” is the name of the new Paramount picture. Named after the famed town of the tiny principality of Monaco, playground of the rich, comic opera land of princes, princesses and blue horizons, this picture has been deftly directed by Ernst Lubitsch. It is a musical romance. A bride runs away from her wedding, gambles her fortune on the spin of the wheel, and falls in love with a hair dresser. That in itself does not sound intriguing, but the charm and skill of Lubitsch make “Monte Carlo”, one of the greatest films. Jeanette MacDonald is the runaway Countess Vera. Jack Buchanan, London musical comedy favourite, shares the honours as the prince of an unknown kingdom posing as a barber. Others ™ the cast are ZaSu Pitts, Claud Alhster, and Edgar Norton. Several catchy songs are introduced, sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Jack Buchanan.

STATE THEATRE

TWO EXCELLENT FILMS “Criminal Lawyer,” one of the two grand films which conclude a season at the State Theatre today, has Lee Tracy and Margot Grahame in the leading roles.- The story involves. a brilliant lawyer who becomes district attorney through the aid of a gambling ring, and then turns on the gang when its leader has committed murder, lhe 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. t GEORGE ARLISS TOMORROW “HIS LORDSHIP” A mixture of thrills, real drama and fine comedy, with the incomparable George Arliss in his greatest performance yet, constitutes “His Lordship, the G.B.D. special attraction which opens a season at the State Theatre tomorrow. Rene Ray and Roimlly Lunge head the supporting cast. The story deals with the efforts of two Englishmen (both roles played by Arliss) who were mixed up in an affair in the Near East, to prevent the brother of one of them, Lord Duncaster, the British Foreign Secretary, from plunging Britain into war with the Eastern Power. Set in London, with scenes of the Near East, the story develops round the differences in the totally dissimilar brothers and the romance of the youthful adventurer with Duncaster’s secretary. Richard, the ne’er-do-well brother, impersonates Duncaster and causes a successful climax.

REGENT THEATRE

“MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW” A PICTURE FOR THE FAMILY A fine cast of character players interprets the forceful story of Vina Delmar’s screen play, “Make Way For Tomorrow,” which is now at the Regent. Victor Moore, the well-known stage actor, whose forte has always been broad comedy, undergoes a real. metamorphosis in Paramount’s production. As the kindly but sometimes bothersome Pa Cooper he finds himself in. a role different from anything he has done, but happily, a role of the type he has always wanted to play. As Barkley Cooper, lie is head of a large arid lively family, which, like many other families, is entangled in the inevitable battle which must arise when the different generations come into conflict. Moore brings to the screen ail the genius which has made him famous .on the stage. Although there are many humorous moments in “Make Way For Tomorrow” and much good fun in the theme, there is also a real life pathos in it which must strike a chord of sympathy in the hearts of all who see it. The story deals with the adventures of an old couple to whom time and fortune have not been kind. Nearing the end of their long lives they find themselves beret 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 “inlaws” 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. 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).

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“AFTER THE THIN MAN” Excitement admirably combined with brisk humour make “After The Thin Man,” which is now being screened at the Majestic Theatre, the brightest comedy-thriller since the ever-memor-able “Thin Man.” William Powell and Myrna Loy have the same roles and gambol through hair-raising adventures with all the cheerful inconsequence that marked their performances in the first film version of the “thin man’s” escapades. As Nick and Nora Charles, the cheery private 'investigator and his charming wife, they encounter experiences which raise the excitement of the picture to fever pitch. The mystery provides problems which keep Nick thinking to the final scenes; and the denouement is genuinely surprising. A comprehensive programme of short pictures comprises the first half of the entertainment. “TOP OF TOWN” COMING SATURDAY The newest thing in screen musicals, Universal’s “Top of the Town,” has been booked for Saturday. The offering hits a high note, emphasizing swing music, varied types of comedy developed by 10 different comedians and a dancing, singing chorus that captures the eye and ear. Doris Nolan, new screen find who scored on the stage in “Night of January 16th,” plays the feminine lead. George” Murphy, successful in the New York stage plays, “Of Thee I Sing” and “Roberta,” as well as several screen offerings, has the leading male role. Gertrude Niesen, exotic star of the Ziegfeld Follies, nationally known because of her radio singing, is prominently cast and sings some new appealing lyrics. Ella Logan, popular radio singer of tunes that “go to town,” sends notes hurdling over music bars with gay abandon. Each of the 10 comedians in “Top of the Town” has a brand of humour all his own. The comics in-

elude Hugh Herbert, Gregory Ratoff, Henry Armetta, Mischa Auer, the Three Sailors who answer to the names of Jason, Robson and Blue; Ray Mayer, Richard Carle, famous for his stage comedy; Jack Smart, know for his radio work. “Top of the Town” is directed by Ralph Murphy.