AT THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 23389, 22 December 1937, Page 8

AT THE THEATRES

COMING ATTRACTIONS A terpsichorean love affair between a famous ballet dancer and a noted revue favourite, which becomes the biggest news story of the day, is told in “Shall We Dance,” latest of the Fred AstaireGinger Rogers musical films, which will begin at the State Theatre on Friday. With catchy song numbers composed by George and Ira Gershwin, and featuring some of the most spectacular dances the two stars have ever presented, the new picture is said to be a tuneful triumph. Harriet Hoctor, America’s greatest ballerina, is seen in two numbers—one of them a duet with Astaire—and Astaire has two solo dances as well as three numbers with Rogers. Since both the principals portray famous personages in the theatrical world, their smallest actions are news, and when the rumour spreads, that they are married, it becomes a headline affair. Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore, both of whom have added much to the merriment of previous Astaire-Rogers vehicles, have important roles. Directed by Mark Sandrich. An R.K.O. Radio Picture.

Virginia Bruce is the star of “When Love is Young,” which opens in a double feature programme at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. This picture achieves the perfect blending of music, romance and comedy. It is the story of a country girl who, snubbed by school mates, goes to New York to study singing. She finally gets her big opportunity through a Broadway Press agent, played by Kent Taylor. Much of the high comedy is supplied by the inimitable character actor Walter Brennan. Dazzling beauty is added to the offering by the colourful climax in which Miss Bruce , makes her Broadway debut. In this elaborate stage scene, Miss Bruce dances for the first time in her screen career. Two songs were specially written for her, and have an important bearing on the story. Virginia Bruce and Kent Taylor are supported by an excellent cast including Greta Meyer, Christian Rub, William Tanner ana Jean Rogers.

Directed by Hal Mohr. A Universal Picture.

Joan Crawford and Clark Cable have the time of their lives in their new co-starring picture, “Love on the Run,” which opens at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Acted to perfection by its ace team of stars with the support of Franchot Tone, Reginald Owen, Mona Barrie, and others, the new offering has that combination of wit, charm, and pulsating action which marked such earlier hits as “The Thin Man” and “It Happened One Night.” Joan Crawford has never been more vibrant than in her role of the American heiress who, on the verge of marrying a nobleman, finds out just in time that it is her money rather than herself that he is after. In an attempt to escape from interviewers she rushes pell-mell into the arms of Gable, playing an American correspondent, and consequently finds herself immersed in a series of hair-breadth escapes involving Franchot Tone as a rival reporter, and a clever pair of Continental swindlers. In the tangled events that ensue Gable captures not only a first-rate story for his paper, but also a charming bride. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

“Said O’Reilly to McNab,” which will be shown in a double-feature programme at the Civic Theatre on Friday, is one of the.funniest.films ever produced in England. It was written especially to suit the outstanding talents of two famous humourists, Will Fyffe and Will Mahoney. The Irishman’s son wanted to marry the Scotsman’s daughter, and that sounded the gong for the first round. A difference of opinion over the rival merits of Scotch and Irish whisky saw the end of round two; they couldn’t agree over golfround three, and the superiority of the Sword Dance over the Irish Jig brought round four to a speedy climax; but when it came to business the rivals found themselves on common grouna. The marriage was sanctioned, the profits began to mount, the G-men called on O’Reilly, and that nearly saw the partnership dissolved. Other excellent work, in addition to the humour supplied by the stars, is presented by Ellis Drake as Mrs McNab, Jean Winstanley and James Carney as the romantic young people, Marianne Davies and Robert Gall. The last mentioned, a particularly bright and talented young player, has all the makings of an outstanding comedian, A Gainsborough Picture.

Those whimsical comedians, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, are featured in the lively full-length musical comedy, “Pick a Star,” which is now at the Regent Theatre. The story concerns the misadventures of a smalltown boy who tries to get his sweetheart into pictures. He goes to Hollywood, where he becomes a waiter in a fashionable hotel. While there, he is discovered by the girl and her sister, who arrive unexpectedly, and, through a series of humorous events, he manages to get a job at a studio. Finally the would-be star gets her big chance and deserts him. From that point the story moves at a fast pace, with spectacular musical numbers, glimpses of studio life, and an ever-running current of delightful comedy. Rosina Lawrence and Jack Haley, provide the romantic interest, while Patsy Kelly and Mischa Auer aid and abet them in their adventures. Laurel and Hardy appear in the principal sequences, in one of which they portray bandits, and engage in a fight. From beginning to end the film is full of laughter and merriment, with sparkling song hits and dances.

Directed by Edward Sedgwick. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.

To film the greater proportion of the tropical scenes for “Uncivilized,” now showing at the Majestic Theatre, the entire company journeyed to North Queensland, but there were certain sequences which called for the use of equipment available in the studio. So that the correct atmosphere would be maintained, arrangements were made with the Queensland Government to allow the aboriginals to journey south, a condition of the arrangements being that natural foods and shelter be made available to them. The story is intensely dramatic. It centres around the adventures of Beatrice Lynn (Margot Rhys), a best-selling novelist who goes into the wilds of Northern Australia in search of “copy” for a new book. She finds Mara (Dennis Hoey), a strange white man who has been adopted by the natives as their chief, and is soon involved in strange adventures with Afghans, Malays and

natives. The story is full of action, and the backgrounds are magnificent. Directed by Charles Chauvel. Released through Universal Pictures.

Children and adults all over the world have responded to the tenderness and charm of Johanna Spyri’s story of Heidi and the colourful folk who lived and laughed and loved high up in the Swiss Alps, just beneath the stars. Shirley Temple has achieved her greatest triumph in the screen version of this famous story, “Heidi of the Alps,” which comes to the State Theatre next week. The picture tells of an embittered mountain-top exile, brilliantly portrayed by Jean Hersholt, reclaimed from his fierce hatred of the world, of a young girl who finds the strength and courage to walk again, and of the little heroine who brings everyone new zest for life. Arthur Treacher and Helen Westley play prominent roles in the story, and Pauline Moore, Thomas Beck, Mary Nash, Sidney Blackmer, Mady Christians and Sig Rumann are also featured in the cast. Written into the screen play by Walter Ferris and Julien Josephson are two dance sequences. “In our Little Wooden Shoes,” the specially composed song by Lew Pollack and Sidney D. Mitchell, gives Shirley a gay and charming interlude in the dramatic story. Directed by Allan Dwan. A 20th Century-Fox Picture.

A light concoction of laughable entertainment is provided by the comedy “There Goes Susie” which comes to the Civic Theatre in a double feature programme on December 28. The fact that Gene Gerard, the famous English musical comedy star, plays the leading part in this picture is a sufficient guarantee of its quality. It is a light-hearted story of a wealthy girl’s masquerade as a model to a poor artist. There are lilting songs plus romance, with Wendy Barrie supplying the heart interest. The theme moves to a successful climax through scenes of gaiety, and there is romance in full measure.

Directed by John Stafford. A Fox Picture.