AT THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 23335, 20 October 1937, Page 8

AT THE THEATRES

COMING ATTRACTIONS Jean Harlow will be seen in “Man in Possession,” in which she is co-starred with Robert Taylor, at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. Miss Harlow, hailed by critics and public alike for her talents as a comedienne, plays the role of Crystal Wetherby, an American harassed by debts. In an endeavour to keep up a “front” she runs herself even more deeply in debt, with the result that her creditors make use of the English custom of assigning a sheriff’s assistant to take up his post in her house and to watch her personal property to make certain that she does not sell anything. In desperation, Crystal resolves to marry Claude Dabney (Reginald Owen), an elderly, pompous Englishman whom she does not love but whom she believes to be rich. Taylor plays the part of Raymond Dabney, the sheriff’s assistant assigned to watch over Crystal’s belongings, and when she implores him not to “give her away” before the man she wants to marry he agrees to pose as her butler. The fun begins when Crystal’s fiance turns out to be Raymond Dabney s brother.

Directed by W. S. Van Dyke. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

The story of “A Star is Born,” which will begin its Invercargill season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, is of a small-town girl fired with the desire to see in person her film hero and to make good herself on the same medium. Aided by a far-seeing, sympathetic granny (May Robson), she gets to Hollywood, and starts her slow climb, step by step, of the screen ladder. Janet Gaynor gives an emotional and realistic portrait of the young girl who draws to herself the swelled-headed yet lovable Fredric March, the falling star, who is instrumental in her rise to fame, side by side with his headlong descent. Adolphe Menjou gives a splendid performance as the producer, a sane, supremely human portrait. May Robson is well to the fore as one of those de-lightfully-wise old people who are so unselfish and helpful to the young. Of special interest is the number of shots of famous spots in Hollywood, and the Academy Award provides a ceremony in the presentation to Janet of the award, a little statue, for the best performance in the year. Directed by William Wellman. A Selznick International Picture.

The romance of a threesbme whose escapades sell extras, Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Don Ameche, provides hilarious excitement in “Love is News,” which will begin at the State Theatre on Friday. With Loretta in the role of a beautiful heiress heckled and pestered by sensation-seeking newspapers, the pace is set at once when she vows vengeance against Tyrone Power, a reporter, who has just tricked her again into the headlines, without, however, reckoning with his hard-driving managing editor, Don Ameche. To give Tyrone a dose of his own medicine, Loretta determines to make him a public figure, and not only announces her engagement to him, but also states that she has presented him with a million dollars. Loretta’s revenge works itself up to a bewildering and amusing climax in which the tables are suddenly turned. Slim Summerville, Dudley Digges, Walter Catlett, George Sanders, Jane Darwell, Stepin Fetchit and Pauline Moore are featured in the supporting cast.

Driected by Fay Garnett. A 20th Century Fox Picture.

“Breezing Home,” now showing in a double feature programme at the Majestic Theatre, has William Gargan, Binnie Barnes and Wendy Barrie for its leading players. The story is about a boy who meets two girls; then they all meet a horse. A night club singer, portrayed by Wendy Barrie, is attracted to a horse trainer, played by William Gargan. Just when everything seems promising, another lady, Binnie Barnes, rich and attractive, owner of a race horse string, begins to grow fond of Bill. The drama develops quickly when a crooked bookmaker, enacted by Alan Baxter, gives Wendy a racehorse. He cannot race the animal under his own name, since he is a “bookie” taking bets. Wendy asks Bill to help her train the horse and he agrees. When the bookmaker causes the horse to lose, Bill gives up the job and starts training Binnie’s string. The climax of the story is reached during a race at the Santa Anita track. The question of which horse wins the race, and which girl wins the trainer, provides suspense in a lively finish. Directed by Milton Carruth. A Universal Picture.

Music lovers are certain to be carried away by the work of Ignace Jan Paderewski, the world-famous pianist, and captivated by his charming personality in “Moonlight Sonata,” which is coming shortly to the-Regent Theatre. There have been more exciting films, but none more beautiful. The story has been built around Paderewski and his music. Eric (Charles Farrell) is steward on a remote, picturesque Swedish estate of the Baroness Lindenberg (Marie Tempest), who encourages his affections for her beautiful granddaughter, Ingrid (Barbara Green). A plane makes a forced landing on the estate, bringing with it Paderewski, his secretary, and an elegant young man, Mario (Eric Portman). He completely fascinates Ingrid, and within a few short days of his stay persuades her to elope with him. But at the eleventh hour Mario is unmasked and Ingrid bitterly realizes what a fool she has been. She is too ashamed to confront Eric, but the magic of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” as played by Paderewski, shows the way to love.

Directed by Lothar Mendes. A United Artists Picture.

“A Woman Rebels,” the screen version of “Portrait of a Rebel,” which will be shown at the State Theatre next week, gives Katharine Hepburn, in the leading role, another chance to show her powers as a dramatic actress. As the Mid-Victorian girl who did not believe in the restrictions placed upon her sex in those days, she is admirably cast and gives a sincere and sensitive portrayal of a difficult part. Playing opposite her is Herbert Marshall as an English diplomat whose romance with Miss Hepburn follows the latter’s journey to Italy to escape the tyranny of her father. Donald Crisp and Elizabeth Allan are also prominently cast. Although its setting is Victorian the story is as modern as any. It is told in the modern manner, simply, concisely, and with the minimum of theatrical flourishes. Miss Hepburn as Miss Pamela cleverly represents the feminine rebellion against the strict conventions of the ’seventies. An K.K.O. Radio Picture.

“Sally of the Regiment,” which will open its first Invercargill season at the Civic Theatre on October 29, is a British picture that has not only spectacle, but action, tense drama, comedy and laughable situations. It is a film of life and adventure with the British Army. The story centres around Wallace Ford, who stars in the role of Jimmy Tracey, a Bowery tough fleeing from murder suspicion in New York, and joining the British Army under an assumed name to escape detection. Here he meets the sergeant-major’s daughter Sally, played by Anna Lee, and falls in love with her. He has a rival, however, in Bert, the lance-corporal (John Mills), and the competition between the two men for Sally’s favours, provides some of the most amusing scenes in the film. Jimmy’s past comes back to him forcibly when the girl friend (Grace Bradley) he left in New York, and who knows his secret, reappears. In a panic, he deserts the army and stows away on a ship, by mistake, finding himself on the same ship that is taking his regiment out to the East. Here follow spectacular battle scenes which have been described as among the finest yet shown upon the screen.

How a Welsh miner almost succeeded in wresting the heavyweight boxing crown from the head of Joe Louis is seen in the thrilling round for round film of the fight, which opens at the Civic Theatre on Friday. Every detail of the fifteen rounds is carefully caught by the cameras in one of the most outstanding fight pictures for years. A crowd of 35,000 people paid to witness the fight, and RKO Radio Pictures secured the film rights of the battle. Also showing on this programme is the comedy-drama “Everybody’s Old Man,” starring Irvin Cobb.