AMUSEMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21449, 13 September 1939, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS MAJESTIC THEATRE

“HOTEL IMPERIAL” Isa Miranda, whose initial American film opens at the Majestic to-day, tops a cast with Ray Milland, Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart and J. Carrol Naish. A European frontier town on the edge of no-man’s-land, with two mlghtly nations locked in a llfe-and-death conflict—that’s the spectacular setting for the drama. Miranda and Milland play a pair of lovers caught in the turmoil of a world at war. Owen is an eccentric Russian general who regards Miranda as the most beautiful human he has ever seen and uses her to further his intense artistic ambitions. The tides of war bring the three together in a dramatic clash of emotions. The lovers are rescued from the impasse when the heroism of Milland proves stronger than the laws of nations and marching armies. The Don Cossack Male Chorus makes its first screen appearance since “Maytime.” The chorus was originally formed of Russian Cossacks who had become interned in Turkey during the Russian Revolution. Originally a church choir, the Cossacks began "singing for their supper” when the' French government moved thousands of them to Belgrave. They soon became the foreign colony’s : tost sought-after entertainers. “Stolen Life” A British picture has turned London West End theatre policy upside down. The success of “Stolen Life,” the great Elisabeth Bergner film which was first shown in England early in January, has surprised even the most optimistic. Although it started its run early in the New Year, at the end of April, it was still taking big money at the Carlton Theatre in the fourth month of its London run. Meanwhile “Stolen Life” was being given preliminary runs in the Provinces and at Glasgow it had an extended run. It is rare for any picture to run for more than a week in any provincial centre, but at Glasgow it took more money in the second week than in the opening week of its run. Similar reports of the picture’s success came in from Cardiff. Newcastle and other big provincal key cities. Many famous people have seen “Stolen Life” during its run. The King and Queen had a special performance at Sandringham and recently the Duke and Duchess of York visited the Carlton to see the film. “Stolen Life” will open at the Majestic on Saturday.

shWte' theatre

'?• "1 W GREAT MAN VOTES” A father’s love for his children, an ingenious political scheme, a schoolboy feud, a family quarrel and a youngsters’ plot to make their faihei an important man, all are prominem threads In the theme of “The Great Man Votes,” new screen vehicle for John Barrymore. These variegated strands are deftly woven together to make the picture an unusual piece of screen-fare. Barrymore plays the part, of the father, a broken-down wreck of a man who was cnce a leading educator, and who again becomes a prominent figure as a result of acumen displayed by his hero-- mrshipping children, who takes advantage of an opportune political situation. Peter Holden, a newcomer from the Ne , • York stag: and Virginia Weidler, ._?■■ respectively seven and eleven, play the roles of Barrymore’s two youngstr--Donald Macßride is the political boss in constant conflict with them all; Katharine Alexander, Granville Bates, Luis Alberni, J. M. Kerrigan and otn noted players hea-’ the support!-g east “Annabel Takes a Tour” Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball who recently met with outstanding succ-ms in “The Affairs of Annabel,” repeat their original roles in a sequel, “Annabel Takes a Tour,” whlcl is said to be as genuinely enjoyable as the first film In this screen comedy ceries. Further depicting the hilarious adventures oi an impulsive film star and her harebrained press agent, played by Miss Ball and Oakie respectively, the new picture depicts the adventures of these two while -n a personal appearanc tour in the East. The star is scheduled to appear at a Chicago theatre in junction with one of her pictures. To publicise the affair, Oakie launches a series of wild stunts, all of which b’ckfire, involving the pair in all kinds of trouble. “The Stdry of Alexander Graham Bell" “Talk through a wire? The man’s crazy!” To the accompaniment of this phrase an others expressing the world’s ridicule began what was to become the world’s most thrilling story—that of Alexander Graham Bell, the man who dreamed of spanning continents witli the human voice, and the girl who believed in his genius. Out af the greatness of their love came a miracle of achievement, a stirring romantic drama now brought to the screen in “The Story of Alexander Graham Bell.” Another immortal character joins the motion picture gallery of the great in this production opening at the State Theatre. Don Ameche portrays the inventor of the telephone, with Loretta Young as the girl who inspired his achievement, and Henry Fonda as Thomas.... Watson, Bell’s invaluable aide.

THE REGENT

SOCIETY LAWYER” Motion picture patrons who like their murder mysteries baffling have something to outguess them at the Regent Theatre where "Society Lawyer,” featuring Walter Pidgeon, Virginia Bruce and Leo Carrillo is now showing. This laugh-provoking and thrilling murder mystery is superbly cast both in its major featured players as well as in its supporting cast. Walter Pidgeon was never seen to better advantage than in his role of lawyerdetective in this film. Virginia Bruce sparkles with engaging vivacity and even discloses one of her hidden talents when she sings as a night-club entertainer. And Leo Carrillo is at his topmost form in a warmly human characterisatir-’ as a reformed gangster. The story reveals the efforts of Pidgeon, Miss Bruce and Carrillo to save the life of a client of Pidgeon’s from the chair on a framed murder charge. Miss Bruce and Carrillo, her night-club

employer, assist Pidgeon in finding the real murderer, setting a trap for him in which they themselves threaten to be caught. Carrillo loses his life in seeing the ingenious plan carried through, but the murderer is brought to justice. “Live, Love and Learn” Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell appear in “Live, Love and Learn,” now showing, with Robert Benchley and Helen Vinson topping the outstanding supporting cast. As a penniless young Greenwich Village artist who marries a rich society girl, wins startling success overnight, is lionised by the “400,” and loses his head, his talents—and almost hs wife —Montgomery is offered the greatest opportunity of his career to display JI his genius for comedy and melodrama. Miss Russell, as the rich society girl who renounces wealth and position to share the harum scarum life of a Greenwich Village Bohemian artist and who watches wealth ruin the fine talents of the man she married, has been provided with a vehicle which permits her full scope to show her talents. One of the largest supporting casts to feature a Hollywood production in many months is head' I by Benchley and Miss Vinson. Benchley, amous for his comedy shorts and humorous writings, plays the role of “Oscar.” Montgomery’s bibulous boon companion. Miss Vinson is cast as Lily, friend of Miss Russell who tries to take Montgomery away from his wife. Others in important roles include Mickey Rooney, one of Hollywood's favourite juvenile actors, Monty Woolley from the Broadway musica 1 comedy hit, “On Your Toes,” E. E. Clive, Charles Judels, Maude Eburne, Harlan Briggs, June Clay worth and Al Shein. THEATRE ROYAL “SWING HIGH, SWING LOW.” AND “THREE MARRIED MEN” Beautiful Carole Lombard sings and dances for the first time in Paramount’s “Swing High, Swing Low,” one of the current features at the Theatre Royal. The vivacious blonde plays the part of a night-club entertainer in Panama, who falls in love with Fred Mac Murray, an ex-soldier, and the role calls for the singing of several new “torch” melodies. Mac Murray, long-recognised as an outstanding saxophonist, proves tl\at he can also play the trumpet. I Charles Butterworth, screen funny man, also gets an opportunity to display talents no one knew he possessed. Mary Brian appears in “Three Married Men” as the blushing—and laughing—bride of Roscoe Karns in Paramount’s comedy of married life. The pair share top honours of the fun film with William Frawley and Lynne Overman, cast as brother of the bride. “Three Married Men” tells the story of a couple who wed despite family objections on both sides, and then quarrel and separate on their first night together The quarrel begins when Karns, hoping to impress his bride, appears in a set of pyjamas patterned after those worn by a famous screen lover—and Miss Brian laughs. Events of the day leading up to the marriage, and the day following, make up the plot. George Barbier, Marjorie G' ter'n and a score of excellent players aid the principals in packing the programme wiht laughs.