THE THEATRES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 809, 8 July 1933, Page 18

THE THEATRES.

AN AMAZING DRAMA. “I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang.” stiii ring' Richard Dix and Ann Harding will be shown finally to-night at the Majestic Theatre. No more telling indictment of a social wrong has ever been made than “ I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang,” the amazingly realistic film which will begin at the Majestic Theatre on Monday life-history of Robert E. Burns, the film exposes in an intensely moving and dramatic manner the evils attached to the convict system of certain American States. In the principal 1 } aul Muni gives a characterisation which has never been excelled for its power and sincerity. He shows the gradual transformation of an upright and brilliant young citizen into a hunted and tortured outcast from society, living an existence from which all love and happiness are banished. But the film is far more than a protest against human cr.uelty masquerading as justice: it is a thrilling drama, full of incident and suspense. As James Allen, a young engineer thrown out of employment by the difficulties of post-war conditions, Muni is forced into committing a crime which earns him ten years' imprisonment with hard labour. His entry into the “prison camp” means the beginning of a life of brutality which could hardly have been surpassed on the slave galleys. He refuses to allow his spirit to be broken, however, and by superhuman courage and ingenuity he plans an escape. With all the State's forces against him, he is nevertheless able to reach safety, and over a period of years, under an assumed name, he builds up his life anew in a distant State. Through a woman’s treachery, however, his identity is revealed to the police, but this time the Governor of the State refused to grant his extradition to the authorities in the State by which he was sentenced to imprisonment. Unfortunately he is lured into giving himself up on a promise of release after ninety days. Once in the hands of the officials whom he has exposed, his lot is made more unbearable than before. Again, however, he outwits them and in an escape which is even more daring than before he reaches comparative liberty. But this time he cannot show his face in the light again. 1 He is condemned to a life of hiding and subterfuge and constant fear. Box plans at The Bristol.

A GRIPPING DRAMA

Frarikau’s “Christopher Strong.” “ Christopher Strong ”, an excellent screen adaptation of one of the most widely-read and most popular novels by the well-known author Gilbert Frankau, is the featured attraction at the Regent Theatre to-day. It is a gripping drama that is most brilliantly acted. A specially chosen cast, almost entirely English, is headed by Katharine Hepburn, who is fast becoming one of the screen's most polished and most-sought-after actresses, and it looks as if the picturegoing public of America, England, Australia and New Zealand will clamour for more and more of her films. She was last seen here in “A Bill of Divorcement ”, in which she scored an instantaneous “ hit.” Brilliant as was her performance in that film, in “Christopher Strong ” the star rises to even greater heights. In “Christopher Strong ” Katharine Hepburn is seen as a titled English girl, whosfe passion is aviation. She later falls in love with a married man, Sir Christopher Strong. And then the real story starts. No one could possibly see this picture and remain indifferent to the performance of the star or those who play with her. No less convincing a performance is given by Colin Clive, the English actor, who plays the title role. Billie Burke repeats her phenomenal success in “ A Bill of Divorcement ”, and Irene Brown, who appeared in New Zealand with Julius Knight, has a good part in the show. Helen Chandler, Ralph Forbes and Jack la Rue, a new screen “ find ”, also have prominent parts. The settings and photography are excellent, and the direction faultless. Box plans at The Bristol.

MUSICAL COMEDY

“ Maid of the Mountains ” Returns. The favourite musical comedy, “ The Maid of the Mountains,” began a return season at Everybody's Theatre to-day. The picture worthily upholds the high standards of British production. There is some fine photography, an appropriate and well-syn-chronised musical accompaniment, and the singing voices of all the players do full justice to the melodies that were so popular ten years ago. Peculiarly enough, an Australian fills the role in which Gladys Moncrieft won fame. Nancy Brown, a new screen discovery, has a combination of physical and musical excellence that satisfies both camera and microphone. She is gifted both histrionically and musically, and has a mellow and appealing quality of voice and sings expressively. Her acting is of the magnetic type, alluring and fascinating, a combination so essential to a successful presentation of the gipsy character Teresa. All her solo numbers are delightfully sung, while her duets with Baldasarre, head of the brigands and her lover and hero, are ' musical gems. Harry Welchman is an ideal Baldasarre, and the comedy roles are finely delineated by Gus M’Naughton and Wallace Lupino. Another notable member of the cast is Betty Stockfeld, an Australian actress, who has become a great favourite with cinema patrons. She has an excellent part, to portray in Angela, and her interpretation is interesting and highly entertaining. Harry Welchman has a fine stage presence and a good voice, and he enacts perfectly the role of the devil-may-care brigand and lover. There is not a weak link in the cast, while the spectacular and lavish character of the general settings is worthy of all praise. Box plans at The Bristol.

EXCELLENT ACTING.

Joan Crawford and Huston in “ Rain.” Joan Crawford and Walter Huston are featured in “ Rain,” the great drama which commenced at the Theatre Royal to-day. The picture, an adaptation of the famous story by Somerset Maugham, is set against the colourful background of a South Pacific isle, and it is there that an emotional duel Is fought out between a man and a girl. Everything centres

around the doings of the attractive and seemingly irrepressible Sadie Thompson (Joan Crawford), a girl of American parentage, who cares little for the conventions of ordinary life. Her coming has the effect of a cyclone upon island society, and, though she receives an immediate welcome from the sailors, there are some who frown upon her. Among these is one who takes it upon himself openly to reprove and reform her. Such an effort gives scope for powerful acting on both sides, and the character study of Joan Crawford and Walter Huston in these opposing roles leaves little to be desired. The girl, with undoubted charm but off-hand manner, is no easy victim to the stronger will of the man, yet she does not choose-to throw contempt upon his efforts. To do such a part properly, without tearing passions to tatters, is difficult and exacting. If over-done, it would become ridiculous; if treated lightly it would lack sireerity. Joan Crawford strikes the balance in a series of scenes which entitle her to the highest praise. The very naturalness of her portrayal is its great merit. If she is not a likeable type at times she is always interesting, and the same can be said of Walter Huston, for they both cover a wide range of emotional acting. One of the striking features of the film is the sudden change of Joan Crawford from one type of character to another, and back again, and the glimpses she gives of a girl struggling with her deeper feelings. Admiration of her work, however, does not blind one to the artistic merit of the picture as a whole. A palm-fringed sky-line is always a delight, and to add to the tropical nature of the atmosphere, there is the occasional singing of native harmonies while the moon shines on a silver sea,

“TO-NIGHT IS OURS.”

Plaza has Witty Romantic Story. “ To-night is Ours,” which is the headline attraction at the Plaza Theatre to-day, is a witty, romantic story of clever, intelligent people. It is a picture containing the brightest and most entertaining dialogue, written as only Noel Coward writes, while the story maintains inter-

■ est from start to finish with a delightful and highly original sequence of • events. It opens in gay Paree—in a ballroom—where two people meet rather romantically. And then the gay whir! of the French capital . . . and then Fredrie March, the man, learns that his companion, Claudette Colbert, the woman, is a princess of a Balkan State. But that matters little, and they are on the point of marrying when the woman, Nadya by name, has to return to her native State to assume the duties of sovereign. The scene changes, and ' some time later Sabien Pastal, the man. ■ finds himself drawn irresistibly to ! Eastern Europe, and once again comes in contact with Nadya. The finale cannot be disclosed, but it is sufficient to say that it makes a highly satisfying and logical conclusion to one of the most cleverly conceived screen plays seen for some time past. Fredrlc March as the Parisian plays an exceedinglvclever role. Claudette Colbert, if anything, excels her brilliant characterisation of Nero’s wicked wife in “ The Sign of the Cross”, and these two are responsible for one of the most speaking and intriguing love stories of th® season. Claudette worries little about the cares and responsibilities of a kingdom, and resolves to make as much of Paris and its thousand gaieties as possible. Alison Skipworth takes the important role of the Grand Duchess Eniilie. “ To-night Is Ours ” provides firstclass entertainment, and should not be

“CROOKED LADY.” Crystal Shows British Comedy-drama. ** The Crooked Lady,” the British comedy-drama, which commenced at the Crystal Pala.ee Theatre to-day, is reported to be excellent screen fare. The picture has some inimitable Cockney comedy interludes. It tells of the adventures of Captain Kent, and his batman. Slim Barrett, who, after the war, become members of a gang of criminals. The leader of the gang, realising that Kent's excellent appearance is a decided advantage, orders Kent to go to the home of Sir Charles Randall, where the famous actress, Miriam Sinclair, is staying, to steal the latter’s jewels. Kent does steal the pearls, but returns them when he discovers that the actress is the widow of a soldier who had once saved his life at the war. Kent then decides to reform, but that is not the end of the story, for the plot takes a series of startling and entertaining twists before a satisfactory climax is reached. George Graves, famous English stage favourite, has the role of Sir Charles Randall, and Isobel Elsom, another stage star, is cast as the actress, Miriam Sinclair. Austin Trevor, who has appeared in many English screen productions, is Captain Kent, whilst Ursula Jeans plays opposite him in the romantic role of Joan Collinson, the detective. Slim Barrett is portrayed by Alexander Field, a brother of the famous Ben Field. Many picturesque scenes of London and the English countryside are a feature of the production. The supporting programme Is hehded by “ The Letter of Warning. Box plans at The Bristol. VARIED PROGRAMME. “Forbidden Trail” and “ Lucky Devils.” A well-varied new double-feature programme is offered at the Liberty T/beatre. The major attraction to- “ Lucky Devils,” starring IT-ill Boyd and Dorothy Wilson, and yhis fine production is supported fy Forbidden Trail”, a Burk Jones western drama. There are names which fio not appear in the newspapers or upon /the programme; the great majority live (and die) unknown to the average pic-ture-goer, yet In films of a certain type they take easily the most important [part They are the “stunt” men of Hollywood, men who daily risk their lives doing daring, reckless deeds in order to give the audience an extra kick and thrill. An insight into the lives of these poorly-paid daredevils is given in “ Lucky Devils ”. To them the carrying out of a stunt is just another job; at least that is apparently their view until the nervous strain of their dangerous work begins to tell on them. It is then that their particular brand of superstition begins to show itself, and the breaking of a bottle is looked upon as a most unlucky sign. In “ Lucky Devils ”, Bill Boyd, as Skipper, the most daring of all the "stunt” men, tries to break down the superstition that marriage and his particular work do not mix, but. his wife's anxiety as to his safety finally weakens his nerve, with trie result that his best friend nearly loses his life. In the Western drama “Forbidden Trail ”, the popular Buck Jones is seen in one of his most interesting characterisations, that of a happy-go-lucky cowboy who runs into a nest of excitement and trouble because of a beautiful girl, Barbara Weeks. Others In the cast are Mary Carr, Frank La Rue, George Cooper, Frank Rice and Ed Brady. Box plans at The Bristol.

SEASON EXTENDED. “ Flag Lieutenant ” Now in Second Week. Owing to the success of the British Dominions Films brilliant talking reproduction of the English naval play, “The Flag Lieutenant,” the run of the piece lias been extended for another week. This is the seventh production in six months that has won an extended season at the Civic Theatre. The story of “The Flag Lieutenant” is as fresh and popular to-day as it was when it captured London twenty years ago. Henry Edwards heads an able cast of characters, and as Dicky Lascelles, his original role, he is brilliant. For his leading lady he has the charming and gifted actress, Anna Neagle. The work of this pair of lovers is delightful. Everything about the play is bright and breezy, the Flag Lieutenant retaining his humour even through the dramatic moments of the story, which may be described as a naval officer’s act of self-sacrifice so that his friend may obtain the opportunity he had sought throughout his naval career. The supporting programme is of an exceptionally high standard, and worthy of the main feature. There is a film showing the gems of Canterbury, England, which is a masterpiece of film photography. A New Zealand publicity film, showing how a would-be climber of Mount Cook is prepared for her adventure, is worthy of note, and there is also a Novelty News reel. Box plans are open at the Civic Theatre from 10 GEORGE WALLACE FILM Clever comedy is the keynote of “ His Royal Highness,” starring George Wallace, the popular revue star, which began a return season at the Grand Theatre to-day. The versatility of George Wallace is remarkable and he plays his role of a tranip suddenly made king of a European kingdom in a manner reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin at liis best. Even his baggy trousers are similar. From first to last the picture is a riot of joyous gaiety. Few more comic portrayals have reached the screen than George Wallace’s study of the down-at-heel and ! out-at-elbow Tommy Dodds, whose engagement as a stage hand is the prelude to a remarkable series of advenUires amid the prodigality and splendour of the kingdom of Betonia.