THE THEATRES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 851, 26 August 1933, Page 24 (Supplement)

THE THEATRES.

“LIFE IN THE RAW” George O’Brien Featured in Zane Grey Story. So This is Africa,'• Wheeler and Woolsey’s latest comedy, will be shown finally to-night at the Majestic Theatre. George O’Brien, the popular Western star, is featured in “ Life in the R4w.” the romantic drama which will begin at the Majestic Theatre on Monday. The story concerns a young and attractive girl who find's herself among the more or less primitive elements of the western wastes. She no sooner arrives iri this strange territory than she becomes the centre of attraction. obvious newness to her surroundings, and her need for protection are the agents Kiat bring her and O'Brien together. In a series of adventures that involve a number of the most hair-rais-ing feats of riding yet filmed, O’Brien established his pre-eminence over the rest of her admirers. The performance of O’Brien in this story from the pen of Zane Grey established him as the premier portrayer of western roles. In “ Infe in the Raw ” O’Brien has a new leading lady, and she proves herself entirely worthy of the hope that the Fox studio holds out fbr her. Claire Trevor makes her screen debut in this picture, and as the tenderfoot girl reveals the training of the legitimate stage that is part of her qualifications. The supporting cast includes Greta Nissen, Francis Ford, Warner Richmond, Gaylord Pendleton, Alan Edwards and Nigel de Brulier. Every boy and girl attending the afternoon sessions next week will receive a George O’Brien jig-saw puzzle. Professor Barnard will present “ The Chinese .Death Box.” an amazing illusion, at the matinees only. Box plans at The Bristol. Kite-flying Competition. The Majestic will conduct a kite-flying competition in Sydenham Park on Monday, at 11 a.m. The prizes will be: First, a boyproof watch; second, a fountain pen; third, two tickets to see." Life in tlie Raw.” Kites must bear the words “ George O'Brien.”

“MURDERS IN THE ZOO” Thrilling Mystery Drama at Theatre Royal. Jungle hate strikes in the heart of a great city in "Murders in the Zoo," the thrilling mystery drama which heads today's new programme at the Theatre Royal. Charles Ruggles, Lionel AtwiU, Kathleen Burke, Randolph Scott and John Bodge are thefr featured players. The slithering Green Mamba, hungry crocodiles and a bone-breaking python are the weapons of terror born of the perverted mind of a jealous fiend in this startling drama of hate in a city's menagerie. Jealousy is the motive for the crimes committed in the zoo. Every man who dares look at the beautiful wife of Eric Gorman (Lionel- Atwill) meets death; and, since Atwill Is himself a scientist, a “ bring ’em back alive" collector of wild animals, the producers have devised ingenious methods of killing that pique the imagination. Kathleen Burke, a newcomer to the screen, portrays Evelyn Gorman, the wife. Charles Ruggles is most effective as Peter Yates, the inebriated Press agent of the zoo, who runs a benefit banquet in the. carnivora house to raise an endowment fund for the animals. Here take place the killings that keep the beholder on the edge of his or her seat from thrilling start to absorbing finish. As far as Ruggles i* l concerned, all comes out well in the end, for, though afraid of animals, he musters sufficient courage to hit a lion on the nose. u Peter Pan ” at Matinees. Sir J. M. Barrie’s delightful fantasy, “ Peter Pan," will be the featured Item of the special children’s programme to be presented at the matinees at the Theatre Royal next week. This tine film should prove very popular with children. “CAVALCADE” SEASON. Remarkable Film Opens Next Friday Night. The box plan is filling rapidly at the Regent Theatre for "Cavalcade”, Noel Coward’s remarkable play, which, will have its initial screening next Friday night. Carefully analysed reports prove that “ Cavalcade ” is one of those rare motion pictures which draw to the cinema people not in the habit of patronising places of amusement. It is not difficult, however, to appreciate why a film dealing as does this one, with the lives of a typical English family and the struggles and triumphs through which they passed as a part of our great nation, from the year lf>oo up to the present time, should grip the imagination of the varying sections of the human family. There is entertainment in every foot for those wishing to be entertained; there is thought-provoking material for those preferring intellectual satisfaction; there is something to make the patriot proud: something to feed the pacifists’ zeal for international peace: there are lilting old songs and ballads of the bygone days, and tunes which tickle the ears of the modern crowd. Above all there is such sweet sorrow. The acting of all the leading artists is acknowledged everywhere as superb, and that again makes all Britain proud, for Diana Wynyard, Clive Brook, Herbert Mundin, Una O’Connor. Ursula Jeans, Irene Browne, Merle Tottenham, Tempe Pigott, and the children in the film are all British.

MARK TWAIN CLASSIC. Four delightful child actors and a distinguished cast of adults enact “ Huckleberry Finn,” the enjoyable picture which began a return season at the Grand Theatre to-day. ” Huckleberry Finn ” is the second of the Mark Twain classics to come to the talking screen, and it offers a shining jewel of entertainment for every member of the family. There are laughs, tears, thrills and deep-down emotions in the adventures of Mark Twain’s immortal young heroes. Jackie Coogan is again oast in the role of Tom Sawyer, in which he ma.de such a success in the talking picture of that name, and Junior Durkin continues his portrayal of lluck Finn.

NEW DOUBLE BILL. Liberty Has “ Lucky Dog ” f and “ Sailor be Good.” “ Sailor Be Good,” a .Jack Oakie comedy, and ” Lucky L>og,'' a story of devotion with Charles (Clue) Sale, comprise to-day’s new douole bill at the Liberty Theatre. ‘Sailor Be Good” is reported to be a rollicking comedy dealing: with sailors, pretty girls and prize-fighters. It has a splendid cast, headed by Jack Oakie, Vivienne Osborne and George K. Stone; a wealth of hilarious situations and sparkling dialogue. Oakie has never been seen in a better role than as Jonesy, a *‘ wise-cracking ” sailor with a penchant f <*r lighting. Vivienne Osborne has the feminine lead. When Oakie is not sparring or getting into trouble, he is exchanging rapidfire wit with George K. Stone, who portrays a Hebrew tight promoter known as Murphy. ” Lucky Dog,” a story of the love which exists between a man and his dog, is bound to appeal to every class of picturegoer. In this film Charles ((Thiel Sale, as the owner of the dog. appears without make-up for the first time. The portrayer of ancient and creaky-backed characters reveals himself as a young and briglit-eyed man and as a marvellous actor without his whiskers, cane and banter. Buster, the dog, is a wonder. From the opening scene subtle suspense is built, and there are many dramatic incidents as man and clog become outcasts. Box plans at The Bristol. ROMANTIC DRAMA. Fine Cast in “ I Loved You W ednesday.” “ I Loved You Wednesday,” a talking picture adaptation of the successful Broadway stage play of the same name, is the featured attraction at the Regent Theatre -to-day. The allstar cast of ” I Loved You Wednesday '* includes Warner Baxter, Llissa Land!, Miriam Jordan, Victor Jory and Laura Hope Crews. The story revolves around the glamorous figure of a Parisian ballet dancer, who, seeking to heal the wounds left by an unfortunate love affair, goes to South America to launch on a professional dancing career. There she meets a handsome engineer, who falls in love with her. Their work separates them, but they meet later in New York, each of them having a measure of fame. They are about to embark on a honeymoon trip aboard his yacht, when her Paris

lover puts In a sudden appearance and I complicates matters. The manner in i which four worldly-wise people meet ] this situation—the dancer, her engineerflamise, her former lover and his heauI tiful but neglected wife—is said to be I absorbingly interesting, and the deI nouement is surprisim;. Two unusual features of the film arc a dramatisation of the work at Boulder Dam and the Dance of the Maidens. With the former, the entire scope of human advance is woven into the stqry. The dance, participated in by hundreds of Hollywood l.eautb s. is reported to lei the most elaborate of its kind ever presented in a screen play. l Box plans at The Bristol. “LEAVE IT TO ME.” Gene Gerrard Comedy in Second Week. “ Leave It To Me.” Gene Gerrarcfs latest comedy, entered the second week of its season at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day.. “ Leave It To Me ” abounds in screamingly funny situations. It is the kind of entertainment that the majority of theatre patrons enjoy best of all. Gene Gerrard is well remembered for his comedy roles in " My Wife's Family,” “ Lucky Girl * and "Let Me Explain, Dear,” and in Leave Jt To Ale,” which is an adaptation of I’. G. Wodehouse's ” Dave It To Psmlth.” he has unlimited opportunities for doing those absurd things that have built up his reputation as a first-class comedian. In this film Gerrard. of course, is ” the life of the party,” but he is aided and abetted by a capable east of supporting players, including George Gee, Molly Lamont, Olive Borden. Gus M’Naughton and Melville Cooper. The star has the role of Sebastian Help, who has established a thriving business assisting people to overcome their troubles. However, he lands himself in a seething mass of trouble when he impersonates a spring poet at a big house party and. as a result, becomes involved in a burglary. Gene Gerrard keeps the fun going at a furious pace and his antics and peculiar mannerisms are a constant source of delight. Paul T. Cullen, a popular attraction at the Crystal Palace, presents some new numbers, and the supporting programme indudks a special number of the New Zealand newsreel containing •• shots ” of last Saturday's Shield match. Box plans at The Bristol.

SPARKLING COMEDY. John Barrymore Starred in “ Topaze.” Delicately satirical in conception, and wholly delightful in execution, “Topaze,” which commenced at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, is a masterpiece of comedy, adapted from a stage play of the same name by Marcel Pagnol. The picture is an ideal vehicle for the genius of John Barrymore, who gives a distinguished performance in the whimsical role of Professor Topaze, a simple-minded French schoolmaster, who leaves his little world of copy-book maxims ’ for the hard facts of the business community. No one but a Frenchman could have written a play which is completely unmoral, and yet a most amusing comedy. “ Topaze ” does not sparkle with wit in the style of some sophisticated comedies. The humour is more subdued, and finds its mark slowly and surely. M. Topaze is a most estimable man, whose scientific attainments are remarkable; but outside his classroom lie is a scholarly lamb in whiskers and glasses. His simple belief that the moral maxims he teaches to his pupils are the only things which . make for success in life, suffers a rude shock when he is dismissed for thinking that “ honesty is the best policy” regarding the marks of a dunce with an influential mother. A baron who is looking for a scientist to attach the eminence of his name to a worthless tonic water, which is being placed on the market, finds the childlike Topaze fair game. Given employment as chief chemist, Topaze discovers a pure but expensive tonic water, which he thinks is being sold to the public under his name. Flashing electric signs tell all Paris to drink Sparkling Topaze, and sehoolmaster-setentist is awarded a high honour by the French Republic. Disillusionment comes at last, and Topaze tears up his copy book with a vengeance. He annexes the baron’s mistress, and completes his metamorphosis by warning his former pupils that virtue is not always rewarded in the outside world. The story is a triumph for John Barrymore, who dominates it throughout. Myrna Loy and a brilliant supporting cast add to the success of the picture. The supporting programme is excellent. “ SALLY BISHOP.” E. Temple Thurston Story at Civic. To-day the management of the Civic Theatre offers the classic, “ Sally Bishop,” by E. Temple Thurston, in talking picture form. A notable cast is headed by Harold Huth and Joan Barry, who scored such a magnificent success in “ The Outsider.” They are now in England and America adding still further laurels by outstanding performances in “ Rome Express.” “ Sally Bishop.” their second starring production, with its sumptuous settings, delightful romance and appealing story, is said to be one of the finest pictures that has been seen this year. “ The acting of the whole cast can scarcely be faulted,” writes one critic. " Harold Huth. as the barrister, could not be excelled, while Joan Barry’s emotional acting reaches a very high standard. She skilfully avoids the danger of overacting. achieving an outstanding success in the final scenes, when after one climax has been reached, she manages to steer clear of what would, with many actresses, descend into an anti-climax. Benita Hume and Kay Hammond also contribute splendid performances, while Emlyn Williams, last seen in ‘ The Frightened Lady,’ is an object lesson in effective economy of gestures: he can convey an emotion with a twitch of his lips.” “ Sally Bishop ” shows a definite advance iri technique, with its fine photography and excellent sound recording. The usual supporting programme of shorter British films completes an unusually varied and interesting entertainment. Box plans are now open at the Civic from 10 a.m.