AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20893, 24 November 1937, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS

THE MAJESTIC “THE 13TH CHAIR" Filmland, the city of lights, has earned suddenly the technique of filming pictures in semi-gloom. The usual custom of flooding a set with light during the making of a picture has been reversed for “The Thirteenth Chair,” which comes to the Majestic to-day. The mystery picture, which is an adaptation of the famous play by Bayard Veiller, has two important sequences which were photographed in semi-darkness. The only light on the set filtered in through a window from a street lamp. As a result the thirteen people seated about the table where a seance was being conducted by Dame May Whitty, famous English actress, were scarcely distinguishable. The cameraman had quite a bit of trouble arranging his lens to catch the outlines of each person in the room. It was absolutely necessary that each of the actors bo clearly defined, yet there could be no light to spoil the impression of a real seance. After the scenes had been shot, Madge Evans and Elissa Landl both stated they almost forgot their lines because they expected any moment to be struck by the boom. Henry Daniell and Thomas Beck both insisted that they could hear the rush of air past their ears as the “mikeman" frantically swung his boom back and forth.

“Saratoga” Behind the release of the new Metro-Qoldwyn-Mayer picture, “Saratoga,” which opens on Saturday at the Majestic Theatre, with Clark Gable and Jesjn Harlow in the starring roles, lies one of the most unusual technical tasks ever attempted in a Hollywood studio. When the flood of letters began pouring into the M.-G.-M. studio demanding the release of this picture, Director Jack Conway was faced with the problem of devising a means of finishing the few uncompleted scenes without the feminine star. The solution lay in re-writing these sequences to eliminate as far as possible the character she played; re-editing scenes already filmed to conform with the new treatment; and the use of several technical devices. Fortunately ,the ending of the picture with Miss Harlow and Clark Gable had already been filmed. Miss Harlow was in all the scenes up to the next to last reel of the production. A double was used in the few re-written scenes, but her appearances were minimised. In these instances, only “long shots” were made, the double appearing with her back to the camera. In no place is her face seen. The story deals with a wealthy girl, financial troubles, plots to victimise a man at race betting, and a final romance between the girl and the bookmaker who started as bitter enemies. Settings range from great hotels in New York and London to jockeys’ quarters and stables.

STATE THEATRE "HOLYWOOD COWBOY” “Hollywood Cowboy” will be screened at the State to-day and to-morrow. Although the action takes place in typical cattle country, the story of “Hollywood Cowboy,” George O”Brien's new outdoor film, is the last word in ultra-modern westerns. Motivating much of the action are such up tothe minute problems as a strike among cowboys, professional agitators attempt to prolong the situation, and Chicago racketeers moving into the range to shake down cattlemen for fake protection against strikers. And the cowboys use aeroplanes as well as bronchos. George O’Brien is cast as a movie cowboy who takes a vacation in Wyoming and becomes entangled in the turbulent range war. Cecilia Parker appears opposite O’Brien, while Maude Eburne, Joe Caits, Charles Middleton and Frank Milan have important supporting roles. Ewing Scott directed “Hollywood Cowboy,” a George A. Hirllman production for RKO Radio release.

‘‘Shall We Dance” Accenting the story plot and the merriment to a greater degree than in any of the Astaire-Rogers former hits, "Shall We Dance,’’ which opens at the State on Friday, is said to ofier a wealth of novelties. The story deals with a tempestuous love affair between a famous ballet dancer (Astaire) and a celebrated revue artiste (Miss Rogers). Just as the romance reac" -s a satisfactory point, hint that the two are secretly married, and a series of mirthful complications follow. Woven into the tale are six brilliant song numbers composed by the noted musician, George Gershwin, with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and eight dances, performed by Astaire, Miss Rogers and Harriet Hoctor as solo and duet numbers.

REGENT THEATRE DOUBLE PROGRAMME The new programme at the Regent to-day will feature “Empty Holsters” and “The Walking Dead.” As the titles suggest, the films are brimful of action, and provide fine entertainment. In “The Walking Dead," Boris Karloff has the stellar role, while the brilliant cast Includes Ricardo Cortez, Edmund Gwean, Marguerite Churchill, Warren Hull, Barton Mac Lane and Henry O’Neill. The picture has as its central theme the bringing back to life of a man who had been electrocuted for murder, but whose innocence of the crime is proved immediately after his execution. The theme is hair-raising enough in itself, but the strange occult methods by which the “dead” man proceeds to avenge himself Is calculated to freeze the blood and make the flesh quiver. The process of bringing the man to life is shown in detail, and is done along the line of scientific experiments conducted by eminent doctors in the past several years. The singing cowboy, Dick Foran, riding, singing and fighting his way through the bad hombres again m “Empty Holsters.” Devotees of the outdoor film will enjoy this one. The fight scenes are well staged and there arc the usual smart gun slinging episodes. This time Dick returns bright and happy from the round-up, only to have a run-in with the leading bad man of the town, who keen on the young cowboy's fiancee. Several things follow, principal of which is

the hold-up of the stage and a couple of killings, with the men fixing the blame on the cowboy. He is convicted and sent to gaol for ten years, but after five is let out on parole.

THEATRE ROYAL CONCESSION PROGRAMME A fine double feature programme is being shown at the Theatre Royal, the main films being “Car 99" and “Ready for Love.” Richard Arlen and the young English actress, Ida Lupino, are seen in the new Paramount picture, “Ready for Love.” Supporting the two young stars is Marjorie Rambeau, one of America’s stage and screen’s best-known character actresses. “Ready for Love” tells the story of a girl who unwittingly loses her reputation. Instead of being overcome by this apparent disaster, she turns '( to her advantage. She is headstrong, gay and likable, but she refuses to allow a bad name to Interfere with her activities. Even the young editor of the local paper plays up the scandal in which she appears as the central figure until he falls in love with her. Then he is forced to change his attack and Instead of fighting against her, he rallies to her defence.

The second feature is entitled “Car 99” and deals with the exciting work of the Police Patrol of the Highways and how they track down a gang of bank thieves. Fred McMurray, Sir Guy Standing and Ana Sheridan play the main roles.