FILM AND STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 10

FILM AND STAGE

Tender Romance. The tenderest romance of our time lives again on the screen when ‘•Seventh Heaven” opens to-day at 8 and 10.30 p.m. at the State Theatre, with Simone Simon and James Stewart in the starring roles. As the little street waif, Diane, Simone Simon surpasses all hopes expressed for this sensational French screen find, touching the deepest places of your heart and emerging gloriously as the screen’s newest and greatest star. Opposite her is James Stewart—tall, laughing, grey-eyed—as Chico of the valiant spirit and the shy, yearning love. Montmartre, most exciting of all sections of Paris, serves as the background' of “Seventh Heaven,” a background rich in picturesque settings and characters. There, in 1914, Chico spends his days working in the huge, subterranean Paris sewer. Chico saves Diane from being beaten to death by the owner of the notorious “Hole in the Sock” cafe, who has

Spectacular Scenes. In most motion pictures the stress is placet! upon the gowns worn by the leading lady, but in “Cod’s Country and the Woman,” corning to-day to the Regent Theatre, the leading man is the tashion plate. Beverly Roberts, who has the principal feminine roll in this tcchnioolour production, demon strates what the well-dressed lady tiin her boss will wear in convincing fashion. “Goa’s Country and the Woman’ presents many spectacular scenes among which is the flight of a runawa, log train plunging into a gorge and forming a gigantic log jamb, and the dynamiting of the jamb to set froe

reared her from childhood. When gendarmes start to arrest Diane for throwing wine in the face of a customer who annoyed her, Chico saves her by posing as her husband. Chico finds himself stuck with his story, and is forced to live it out, taking Diane with him to the little garret from which he watches the beauties of the. heavens at night, to forget the dank sewer in which he toils all day. When the war comes, and Chico is called to the army, he realises that he is in love with Diane. Few scenes in motion pictures are more moving

timber that, must he at tidewater by a certain .date. It is said that more than 100 technicians journeyed 1200 miles from Hollywood to a point near Longview, Washington, to build a railroad of their own for the runaway scene. One of those who saw a Hollywood preview of “God’s Country and the Woman” made the remark that tlie colour is as natural as the talk, and that the gorgeous forest scenes are the nearest approach possible to a trip to the Great North-West. Snowcapped mountains, blue or cloudheaped sky, tumbling waterfalls, giant

t.han that in which Chico returns to Diane. An authentic native Hawaiian ’ wedding scene, with plenty of dancing, is one high spot in the new Bing Crosby picture, “Waikiki Wedding.” Among the most export aviators in Hollywood are Robert Cummings, Ray Milland, and Harvey Stephens. Cummings and Milland own aeroplanes, and all three are licensed pilots. Stephens is a glider expert. Dr. Axel Munthe announced at a literary meeting in London that he had finally submitted to Hollywood’s demands to make a film off his autobio-

trees in tlieir glory or falling by the woodsmen’s axes, tones of flesh and of costumes, of fire and the debris hurled by dynamite, all appear in the subdued but satisfying beauty as though seen by the natural eye with no other medium. “God’s Country and the Woman” is declared to he not only the most difficult colour ..picture ever filmed, but the most beautiful. “Moonlight Sonata” is finished and has been shown in London. This is the production which stare Paderewski, with Marie Tempest, Charles Farrell and Barbara Greene in supporting roles.

graphical work, “The Story of Son/ Mr Cecil Kellaway, who made his Michele,” on condition that the pro- reappearance hero in “The Merry needs were devoted entirely to propa- Widow,” has been offered an extenganda for kindness to animals, portion- s j vt . contract to star at Hollywood. Jarly birds. H • will 1 eave in August for the Th© war lias proved a fascinating Ini ted States. 1 lie offer came after theme and a never-ending source of “Tt fsn’t Done ’ was shown to the dramatic fodder for film producers, trade in Mew Wk. A South African We have had epics of the air, sagas of I'.rtli, Mr Kellaway has been loathe sea, and Flaggs and Quirts. Yet turccl ... Australia and Mow Zealand with one unpretentious exception, one lor lo years in J C. Williamson V xi_ 4. rr rirotm« nF the stage productions. He is one of four of the most absorbing dramas of the t 1 brothers-Oecil, Jack, Leon Mar. has been neglected, that Jnck Kellaway’s wife, story of the Q I• • , Sylvia, is also well-known to Austrasiioii is rectified and some of tne mj a j t er y removed in “Dark Journey.” ban and New Zealand aud.ences.

| Tropical Romance. Combining the colour of America’s naval air forces with the romance of the tropics in a highly dramatic story, “Wings Over Honolulu” opens at the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday with Wendy Barrie and Ray Midland in the leading roles. Milland is remembered or his work in “Three Smart Girls.” The U.S.S. Ranger, giant naval airraft carrier, is the locale of a number f the picture’s outstanding sequences, everal of her officers and enlisted permnel appear in the production. Notable among them is Captain P. N. Jj Bellinger, commander of the ship. In addition to Miss Barrie and Milland, tlie Hollywood members of the cast include Kent Taylor, William Gargan, Polly Howies, Mary Philips, Samuel Hinds, Margaret McWadc, Clara Hlanclick, Joyce Comoton and Louise Beavers. All the male actors except Taylor portray naval officers in the picture. .Miss Barrie is seen as the wife of a young lieutenant, played by Milland. Miss Rowlcs is cast ns the daughter of an admiral and the sister of Milland’s ’best friend and brother officer, portrayed by William Gargan. One of the most elaborate navv pictures ever filmed, “Wings Over Honolulu” was adapted from a Red Book magazine novel of the same name. Painstaking care was exercised by the studio and the navy to prevent technical errors in the picture. Joseph Valentine, one of Hollywood’s ace cameram'en, handled the photography in “Wings Over Honolulu.” Valentine also photographed such notable films as “The Moon’s Our Home,” “Three Smart Girls,” and “Top of the Town,” remarkable for their photography.

Popular Team Return. Popular demand has elected Myuna Lov and William Powell as the ideal married couple of the screen. Boxoffice returns have proved they are the “best sellers” of man-and-wife teams in pictures, and they now repeat their two previous appearances in their third co-starring vehicle, “Evelyn Prentice,” which opens on Wednesday at the Regent Theatre. First, there was the melodramtie success, “Manhattan Melodrama.” It portrayed Miss Loy as a dutiful, thoughtful wife and Powell as her politically ambitious husband who rose to great public office. Their success in this picture led to a second one, “The Thin Man,” with Miss Loy and Powell again as husband and wife. In it Powell and Miss Loy presented characterisations completely contrasted to their first appearance together. “The Thin Man” brought them back as a pleasure-loving couple. And now, in their third appearance as a team, they appear as husband and wife in “Evelyn Prentice.” Powell again is seen in the role of a lawyer, a role in which he excels, and Miss- Loy is his erring wife who becomes involved in a murder scandal. The now picture has a supporting cast including Una Merkel, Henry Wadsworth, Isabel Jewell, - Harvey Stephens, Rosalind Russell, Edward Brophy, Cora Sue Collins and Jessie Ralph. Tense Drama.

Unforgettably portrayed by the star of “The Informer” and an inspired cast, “Nancy Steel Is Missing,” opening on Tuesday at the State Theatre, presents a powerful drama of vengeful hate baulked by its own fury and punished by man’s greatest love. The performances of Victor McLaglen, winner of the Motion Picture Academy award for the best performance of 1935 ; Walter Connolly, outstanding actor of stage and screen; and Peter Lorre, Europe’s one-man chamber of horrors, make “Nancy Steel Is Missing” a tremendous document of emotion-lashing power, filled with tense thrills and strong passions. June Lang and Robert Kent, rising young players, are featured in the film. The twenty-year span covered by the picture begins in the troubled days of 1917, when America was gripped by war hysteria. Tlie daughter of Walter Connolly, a munitions magnate, sensationally disappears. Shortly afterward, Victor McLaglen, a hulking giant whose knowledge of the horrors of war lias embittered him against all those who help to make it, becomes involved in a brawl with police and, because he is accused of being “pro-alien,” gets an unnecessarily severe gaol sentence. The action thereafter is fast moving. Cowboy Star. To-day, after many years of screen stardom, Ken Maynard, popular cowboy actor, starred in “Avenging Waters,” coming on Saturday ro the Kosy Theatre, is still the same “broncho-bustin’ ” cowpunclier of the days before his initial appearance before the cameras. Given a day’s rest, Maynard will journey to his .Diamond K ranch near Hollywood and spend his time l rojiing broncos, branding steers or riding his favourite horse. Born in Texas, O.d West traditions are part of the cowboy star’s heritage. When he was old enough and strong enough for rodeo competition, Maynard joined a Buffalo Bill show, touring the United States and Canada. But success was a tough goal for a cowpunclier. He hug ditches, washed dishes, did almost any available work, until he tied up with Ringling Brothers’ Circus, in which show he entertained audiences with his riding and roping tricks. After serving in the World War, Maynard joined the circus again. When the troupe came to Los Angeles, Maynard was spotted by a motion picture scout, and his circus days were finished. Fighting, riding, shooting, lie rose to fame on the silver screen, liis daring stunts thrilling audiences the world over. Lovely Beth Marion is Maynard’s new leading lady in “Avenging Waters.” Included in the strong supporting cast arc Ward Bond, John Elliot, Zela Russell. IVally Wales and Eddie Herne.

Dorothy Lamour, a former radio singer, who is featured in “The Jungle Princess,” once won the title of “Miss New Orleans” in a beauty contest. Gary Cooper and Fred Mac Murray will be next-door neighbours when the latter, who is playing opposite Claudette Colbert in “Maid of Salem,” builds his new home in Beverly Hills. Ngiel Bruce, the noted British actor, who has spent the last three years in America, returned recently on the Queen Mary to Hollywood. He went to England some months ago and joined the cast of “Thunder in the City,” in which Edward G. Bobmson is starring. The following new films are scheduled for the Dominion: “The Show Goes On,” the life story of Gracie Fields, supported by Cyril Ritchard; “leather Your M'est,” an original comedy starring George Formby, the popular comedian; “Midnight Menace,” a spectacular production, starring Charles Farrell and Margaret Tyner; “The High Command” (previously entitled “The General Goes Too Far”), adapted from Colonel Lewis Robinson’s hest-sejler, Seciet Lives,” thrilling espionage romance, co-starring Brigette Horney, and Neil Hamilton; “Cafe Collette,” costarring Paul Cavanagh and Greta Nissen, is a powerful story.

A Novel. Theme. “Saints in Exile’,” which opens tomorrow at the Kosy Theatre, presents one of the most human stories ever to reach the screen. It centres around George Bancroft, who gives one of the finest performances of his career. He portrays a minister’s son who becomes a big-time racketeer and discovers that, as a natural orator, lie can easily exploit the simple faith of his neighbours. With him is his girl, expertly played by Wynne Gibson, who is reunited with the star lor the first time since their sensational “Lady and Gent,” made five- years ago. Ilis activities involve Evelyn Venable, who

gives a brilliant performance as a small town organist. She innocently becomes Bancroft’s shield - and helps create a tense tria.ngle. Just as the long arm of Washington is closing in on him, '-Bancroft’s character undergoes a change. Torn with remorse, lie decides to reform, only .to plunge himself and the others into a new situation, with justice having its due in the story’s surprising climax. The picture is lav-

ish with comedy. Bancroft and Miss Gibson inject much humour into their roles, and two of Hollywood’s vetera.n comics, George McKay and Richard Carle, get more than their usual laughs. George A Hiss, who has begun the last film of his present contract in England, says lie may go fo Holly-

wood in November “to pick up a humble shilling or so.” He may also reappear on the English stage; Evelyn Waugh, the famous author, traveller and special correspondent, is working in a picturesque Devon town on the script for “Lovelies from America,” shortly to go into production. William lverncll, who wrote the lyrics for “Ramona,” is collaborating with him.

War-time Story. The terrifying crash of their captain’s combat ’plane averts a scene between a French World War pilot and liis youthful observer, whom lie suspects of. stealing his wife’s affection in “The Woman I Love,” tlie drama co-starring Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins, with Louis Hayward in featured support, which comes next Friday to the State Theatre: Using tlie exploits of a French air squadron as a background, “The Woman I Love” is the story of a French pilot. Muni, and his observer, Hayward, who are the closest of friends but love the same woman, Miriam Hopkins. Hayward, after a furlough to

Paris, finally discovers he has fallen desperately in love with liis best friend’s wife, which seriously complicates their relations when he returns to tlie front for “the big drive” on tlie Germans. The story in its original form was a novel, “L’Equipage,” by Joseph Kessel, which enjoyed the distinction ot®a bestseller in France. It was produced as a motion picture in France and has been adapted for the American screen

version by Anthony Yeiller and Ethel Borden. Anatole Litvak directed both pictures. Luise Rainer has signed a new threeyears’ contract, with semi-annual options. 81 le has been threatening to leave the company unless her salary demands were met. The terms are believed to be from £20,000 to £25,000 a

picture, limited to four films annually. Her previous salary was £l6O a week. Hollywood announces an all-techni-colotir production of “Gold is 'Where You Find It’” Clements Ripley’s notable romance of adventure, to go before the colour cameras and the microphones in the near future with. George Brent and Olivia de Havilland heading the cast, and Donald Crisp in a featured role.