THE THEATRES

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 659, 12 January 1933, Page 3

THE THEATRES

MODERN CHINA DRAMA “War Correspondent” Stars Popular Team.

“ Salomy Jane,” featuring: Charles Farrell and Joan Bennett, will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for the last time on Saturday night. Thrills coupled with a stirring story characterise “ War Correspondent,” which will be the major attraction on the new programme to be screened at the Majestic Theatre on Monday. The

: on Monday. The recent civil wars in China are made the background of the story, which is the age-old eternal triangle theme. The two male angles are those celebrated screen rivals, Ralph Craves and Jack Holt, who will be remembered for the thrills they provided in “ Flight,” '* Dirigible ” and “ Submarine.” The former in the present picture is a radio war correspondent, something new since the days of the Great War, whilst the latter is a fearless dai-e-devil American aviator, who, having thrown in his lot as a soldier of fortune with the Chinese, receives for his exploits in the air the highest decorations China can give. Some of these exploits open the film, and one sees the intrepid aviator bring destruction single-handed to a whole squadron of hostile bombing aeroplanes, many of which are actually seen to fall and crash in flames. But this is only a small part of the thrills of the film. The apex of the triangle, and an attractive one, too, over which these two hemen plot, plan, scheme and fight, is the beautiful Lila Lee. Which of the two will win in the end may be guessed by the shrewd from the outset, but the final discomfiture of the loser is not brought about until after many tense moments and exciting scenes, which include a capture by bandits and a rescue by aeroplane. Box plans at The Bristol.

BRITISH SUCCESS. Last Two Days of “ Sunshine Susie.” To-day and to-morrow will see the last screenings of the outstanding British success, “ Sunshine Susie,” at the Civic Theatre. The story breathes the spirit of happiness from its lilting refrains, the humorous characterisations of Jack Hulbert and Morris Harvey, and the romance of Renate Muller, the little typiste, and Owen Nares, her bank director. Victor Saville, the producer, richly deserves the unstinted praise that has been bestowed on him by critics and audiences. “ THE FAITHFUL HEART.” On Saturday next, at the Civic Theatre, British Dominions Films will- present “ The Faithful Heart,” the Gainsborough film version of Monckton Hoffe’s successful stage play. After many obstacles had been put in the way of production this beautiful romantic play was filially staged at the Comedy Theatre, London, in 1921. Its success was instantaneous and ten years later it was revived, when it enjoyed another triumphant run. Produced by Victor Saville, who has scored so magnificently with “ Sunshine Susie,” this picture is considered another triumph. Edna Best and her husband, Herbert Marshall, portray the leading roles. Known as Britain’s perfect screen lovers, through all their work runs that deep undercurrent of mutual trust and affection which has coloured their lives ever since they first acted together. Edna Best will be remembered for her convincing performance in “ Loose Ends.” ** The Faithful Heart ” tells of a young officer and his first love, how fame and fortune came to him, and finally how an unexpected link w’ith forgotten days altered a great man's destiny and the course of three lives. Box plans are now open at the Civic Theatre from 10 a.m. daily.

SYDENHAM TALKIES.

“ The Easiest Way ”, featuring Constance Bennett, Clark Gable, Adolphe Menjou. Anita. Page and Robert Montgomery, will be screened at the King’s Theatre, Sydenham, to-night and Friday only. The excellent supporting programme includes Australian and American news reels and a special Charlie Chase comedy. Coming attractions include: “Sin of Madelon Claudet ”, “ Daddy Long Legs ” and “ Hell Divers ”. “ON OUR SELECTION” Crystal Palace Shows Fine Australian Film. This week, the Crystal Palace Theatre is screening the outstanding Australian talkie, K On Our Selection.” Mum, Dad and Dave have become almost national figures through the pen of Steele Rudd, in a story of happy contempt for hardship and disappointment. Every actor contributes his portion to the humour. Bert Bailey as Dad, Fred Macdonald as Dave, Alfreda Bevan as Mum and William Driscoll as the uncle, all play their parts exceptionally well, and the serious theme adds the ntecessary balance to the train of lighter incident. The photography merits praise out of the ordinary, and the Australian pastoral scenes give the film a particular interest to New Zealanders. The picture opens on the Rudd selection, where all the family do thteir best to get into scrape after scrape, while the love affairs of the son and daughters give another twist to the already tangled skein of the picture. It is a glorious cartoon of life in the backblocks, and if accepted as such, can be appreciated to the full. The venerable Dad, with flowing whiskers and genial outlook, is a captivating figure as he tackles his many setbacks, starts afresh when ruined by the drought, and finally ends as a mtember of Parliament. It is a picture everyone from the youngest to the oldest will enjoy. There is a good supporting programme. “GRAND HOTEL.” The story of " Grand Hotel,” the great M-G-M talking picture, which will begin on Saturday week at the Regent Theatre, takes place entirely within the confines of a fashionable Berlin hotel, and embraces the lives of a varied group of persons, including an exotic Russian dancer whose romantic interlude with a neckless baron saves her from suicide but results in her lover’s murder. Involved in the drama are a scheming business man, a seductive stenographer, a consumptive clerk spending his savings on one last fling in life, a shellshocked doctor, and the hotel’s head porter. How these people are all brought together and how thfeir various intrigues and adventures change the course of their entire lives forms the theme of the plot. Greta Garbo heads the cast in the role of Grusinskaya, the Russian dancer. John Barrymore plays opposite her as Baron von Gaigern. Joan Crawford essays the part of Flaemmchen. the stenographer. Wallace Beery Is seen as the industrial magnate, Prevsing, and Lionel Barrymore has the role of Kringelein the factory clerk. Important roles are also filled hv Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt. The preferential box plan for ‘‘Grand Hotel” Is now open at the Regent.

GRACIE FIELDS AGAIN “Looking on the Bright Side” Coming to Plaza. With ever-popular Maurice Chevalier, more roguish than ever, in the leading role, “ Love Me To-night,” Paramount’s saucy musical-romance, will be screened for the last time at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow night. Looking on the Bright Side,” another of those British masterpieces that have done so much to place England firmly on the map of the film world, will begin on Saturday at the Plaza Theatre. “Looking on the Bright Side ” is an ideal production for Gracie Fields, the famous revue and musichall star, for it gives .her plenty of scope to be both humorous and serious. She is excellent in any mood. As for her voice—well, everyone who has heard her records and radio broadcasts knows how entertaining her Lancashire accent can be. “ Looking on the Bright Side ” is said to be one of the most entertaining films ever sent out from a British studio. The dialogue is clever, the music exceptionally tuneful, and the settings most unique. Gracie Fields is the dominant figure in the show, and she makes the most of all the scenes in which she appears. The theme song is “ Looking on the Bright Side,” a cheery number that should prove very popular. Other songs are “ He’s Bead, but He Won’t Lie Down,” and “After To-night We Say Good-bye.” Gracie Fields has the able support of Julian Rose, the well-known Jewish comedian, who has appeared on the stage in New Zealand. “ Looking on the Bright Side ” tells the story of a manicurist who rises to fame as a revue star, and a hairdresser who writes her song hits for her. The hairdresser proves to be fickle, and breaks with the manicurist, who, of course, is Gracie Fields; but he finds that his numbers are failures when sung by any other person. However, after further quarrels and reconciliations, all ends happily. The picture is one that should prove even more popular than “ Sally in Our Alley.” There is one thing about Gracie Fields that appeals to everyone—that is her complete lack of “ staginess.” She is one of the most natural actresses ever seen on stage or screen. Formerly a winder in a Lancashire factory, earning 24s a week, Gracie Fields is now one of England’s highest paid stars. Her early life was a hard struggle, particularly at the outset, but success eventually crowned her efforts, and for some time she has been the foremost character vocalist and revue artist on the British stage. GAYNOR AND FARRELL. Popular Stars Featured at Regent. The popular Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are co-starred in the delightful picture, “ Tess of the Storm Country,” which heads the bill at the Regent Theatre this week. ” Tess of the Storm Country ” is a wide departure from the customary type of film in which these players have been so popular in Christchurch, and provides in its story plenty of dramatic climaxes and romantic and picturesque settings. Most of the action takes place aboard a big schooner and around a. rocky cove on the New England coast. As a result the settings are vividly realistic and form a perfect background for the screen’s popular team. The story, which has been adapted from the novel by Grace Miller White, offers plenty of thrilling moments along with its vivid romance. Janet Gaynor plays the daughter of a sea captain who comes to live ashore for the first time in his life. The pair establish themselves in a little cottage on the coast, from which they are ejected by an irascible millionaire who lays claim to the property. Charles Farrell, naturally, is cast as the millionaire’s son, and the Cinderella theme which develops still retains its charm. There is more in the picture than its charming romance, however. Janet Gaynor, as usual, gives a perfect performance, while Charles Farrell is the ideal Prince Charming. The supporting items are varied and of a high standard.

TWO GOOD TALKIES. “ Igloo ” and “ Mouthpiece ” at Liberty. Two good talkies, “ Igloo ” and “ The Mouthpiece,” are being screened at thte Liberty Theatre this week. "Igloo ” is well worth seeing, if it is only for the intimate view of the stern existence lived by Eskimos of the Far North, which it affords. The story deals with the migration of a village of natives in search of open sea and food, and the picture reaches a dramatic tensity through a succession of dangerous and thrilling events. The latter part of the story, in addition to showing encounters with whalfes, walrus and polar bear, finds the entire party of Eskimos making a dangerous trek across melting ice in the ocean. The hero is Chee-Ak, a brave Eskimo hunter. In his quest for love he runs into danger, faces terrific odds, and rescues an entire tribte before he brings his love idyll to a happy conclusion. Chee-Ak and Kyatuk give polished performances, especially the girl, who has never done any acting before, and in this picture reveals herself as a natural-born actress of real ability. Warren William, who is well remembered for his portrayal of the swashbuckling captain in “ Honour of the Family,” has the title role in "The Mouthpiece,” the excellent drama which is also on the programme. BRIGHT COMEDY. Everybody’s Has “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford.” Three delightful rogues, a pretty girl and two score minor characters contribute to the gaiety and rollicking action of “ The Further Adventures of Get-Rich-Quick- Wallingford,” the bright comedy which is now showing at Everybody’s Theatre. William Hainesivnamic and debonair, has never been seen in a more fitting role, and, with radiant Leila Hyams playing opposite, he has everything in his favour. Playing solo, Haines is an ample laughmaker, but for good measure a generous director throws in Jimmy Durant, a comedian of rare qualities, and the elongated Ernest Torrance, who makes one laugh while feeling sorry for him. Since the verv mention of " Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford ” was synonymous with boundless effrontery In the realm of crimes of confidence long before talking pictures were heard of, it is unnecessary to even hint at the plot. It will suffice as a recommendation for a capital picture to say that the printed word, the stage and the already halfforgotten silent screen, though they made " Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford ” almost a figure of speech, failed to make the character so vividly alive as does the talkie. The action swings along on wings of laughter, never for a moment ! sacrificed that the stars may enhance a : reputation for a classical profile or other ' one-time prop to popularity.