Dick Powell and Joan Biondell are featured in Warner Bros* "Broadway Gondolier," a musical comedy which will be shown at the Queen's Theatre next Wedne: day.
Nino Martini, the handsome opera star, finds it hard to choose between Genevieve Tobin and Anita Louise in the Fox picture, "Here's To Romaner,” which will be shown at the King's Theatre
soon.
SHORT
SHOTS
had to linquish her pars in "Ramena” -owing to bad heaith, which may mean the screen for a
LORETTA You has
ber absence from year.
*
弊
You may recall the famous Broad-! way actress Grace George in her greatest part. “Divorcons." Now it is coming to the screen with Claudetty! Colbert and Gary Cooper co-starved
+
*
*.
Fredric March has the lead in "Anthony Adverse," buz Claud Rains
has the second most important role.
* *
*
Jackie Cooper will play the part of ar American boy in Little Lord Fauntlero in which Freddie] Bartholomew will be stared.
Carole Lombard: and George Pafi will play in another of those dancir¬ pictures titled "Concertina.”.
*
Mr. and Mrs. Joel McCres have
Mrs. McCrea
another
is
Virginia Bruce is Lawrence Tibbett's leading lady in "Metro- politan," the 20th Century produce tion which will be shown at the King's Theatre онд Christmas Day.
THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1935.
JOAN CRAWFORD EXCELS
"I LIVE MY LIFE”
IN
“BROADWAY GONDOLIER" BRINGS US DICK POWELL AND MANY STARS
"WAY DOWN EAST" RETURNS TO SCREEN AS
ENJOYABLE - TALKIE
LA
LOVELY and talented girl, Joan Crawford, a chid- genius. Shirley Temple, and two men. Clark Gable and Fred
Astaire,
are
head-
By Diane
THE activities of those who
of
THE
T
mike," the Big Brains who Įsponsor Radio programmes and the unfortunate staff who have
Hing the 1935 list for being Erzest Cossart of the stage is to put up with the tantrums of the world's greatest box-office capital as the English butler temperamental artists are fea- "smashers." Lucky we are in After seeing this entertaining film tured in the peppy little plot of Hong Kong to see so soon Miss you will think youth humourless, "Broadway Gondalier."
--Dick Powell, who is tremendous- Crawford's latest film "I Live stupid and conceited and that men my Life"
Against the usual over forts have a rich share of bopular locally, is in his best smart background which thehat it takes-especially when form and radiates charm. besides "fans" the world over seen to the hero is played so perfectly by countributing some catchy songs. demand in Miss-Grawford's-re-Herbert Marshall with grey hair Adolphe Menjou is excellent in a leases, we have our heroine ret the temples. Both he and Miss character role, while Joan Blondell
as attractive and clever asi valing in a brand-new sparkling Sydney are excellent, while Astridi character that of a smart but alwyn, Phillip Reed, and Holmes always. You will want to see this alone for the Four Mills Bros. wha snobbish society girl, who is the Herbert are adequate Possessor of undying sincerity The locale of the story is laid are part of the show; also Ted Fio if it can be found by the right amid luxurious surroundings, Rito and Louise Fazenda can al Jamong other scenes picturing a ways be relied upon to hand out) While on shore on a Greek 1s-penthouse and the city of million-langhs.. kand from her father's yacht aires, Santa Barbara. Worth see- (Frank Morgan) she meets a hand-ing." (Queen's).
person.
some Irish archaeologist (Brian Ahearne). She gives him a bogas
name but he takes their ardent
Airtation seriously and finds her
"Diamond Jim" -
character
There is laughter and sweet music-what more can one ask?
I guarantee this to be enjoyable all the way, even if the story seems
Here is a tale of the "Gay Nine-a little improbable. Just the pic- out in New York We go throughties," with its central figure a dia-re for this time of festivities. taken and you world regret missing it. the usual procedure of similar mond-bedecked
"Powder-Smoke Range" stories-smart talk, idle rich and from life. Jim Brady-or Dia-(Queen's). all the accessories-but Director mond Jimis played by one of the van Dyke has given the star-the the most popular actors an farandest acting chance and she is screen to-day, Edward Arnold, and (specially strong, in her dramatic
scenes.
What always has pleased me most about Miss Crawford is her iroiden speaking voice there is Most none better on the screen. people rave about her appearance and gorgeous clothes. but I am lenamoured by her voice, grace and atural beauty. Also there is this to be said in her favour she has no cause to fear anyone "stealing the show from her, and has the courage to surround herself with a super-cast
Brian Ahearne has never had a better chance or the screen since his Erst Hollywood appearance with Marlene Dietrich in "Song of Songs", and be proves himself werthy of being cast opposite this Frank zlamorous MGM Star. Morgan, Jessie Ralph (never-to-be forgotten in "One Night of Love") and Frank Conroy are to be com- mended also for grand support.) Easily the best Joan Crawford pie- ture this year. Not to be missed. (King's)
"Way Down East"
Flirtations Genevieve Tobin finds the paths of romance rough. in the Fox production "Here's To Romance," which will be shown at the King's Theatre shortly.
Hard riding, straight shooting and tender love scenes keep this Itried-and-true Western at a high; pitch. As usual it is a hard-fought battle between bergic cattlemen Land: crooks, but the story has
several neat 2nd expected! touches.
Guinn Williams (seen here re-. cently in "The Glass Key") Harry Cares, Hoot Glosor. Boots Mallory, the late Sam Hardy and Bob Steele bead a grand cast. The children will-specially like this one (AL hambra).
"The Girl Friend"
Mostly a musical burlesque skiti about Napoleon Story tells how! hero Roger Pryor, an actor with out a job, poses in a small town as a big producer and rashly. pro- aises to produce Jack Haley's play. Complications arise when he falls in love with the sister, played charmingly by Anze Sothern.
Among others in the cast will be found Thurston Hall, Ray Walker (seen here in Music is Magic"), Iner Courtney and Margaret Sed- don This entertaining musical gives a good chance to comedian Jack Haley, who has been Bed in his successful series of "Shorts" and "Here Comes the Groom". their Lillian he is the pivot of the show. His Hero and fair heroine do which brought fame to Gish. Dick Barthelmess and the shrewdness of finance, passion for best with rather limited material late Lowell Sherman, not forgetting diamonds and his huge appetite are (Alhambra) the then-famous director D. W Grifith, has been remade by Foxx with Henry King directing, and Rochelle Hodson, Henry Fonda and Edward Trevor in the principal
This "classic”
rules.
screen
drama
exploited in a partly fictional but certainly colourful drama,
"Alice Adams"
It is good news to hear that the Jean Arthur, Binnie Barnes, Booth
Tarkington story Alice Cesar Romero, Hugh O'Connell, Adams" is due socn. Here is the George Sidney, and dozens 2018 greatest picture Katharine Hep surround the star. It will be Ed-burn has had" since "Morning “Little Women”. Frances Dee, last seen here in "Becky obtain thrills out of the certainly appreciate a masterful Langhable yet heartbreaking, this
I believe that cinema-goers will ward Arnold you will go to see and Glory" and
·Sharpe"
wronged heroine, the storm, the performance Advised. (King's) haman story. written by a master Bumour in Hollywood is that the ice-foes and the bucolic comedy re- Clark Gables will divorce as soon lef. Against the pleasant domes- possible, although he tells the Press the backgrounds of country life we it is only a separation Dorotay Lee the romance of the farmer's critics say, is the finest musical yet has divorced her third husband. -
The star of this TweD- som and the heroine whose life is staged.
+
“Metropolitan” "Metropolitan", so the
best
and acted by a great star, will make, everyone recognise the pecu- liar genius that belongs to Miss Hepburn. Coming to the King's.
Oriental
starring
John Barrymore is likely to play in almost ruined by the gassiping tieth-Century-Fax picture is Law an independent studio, in a she bas-busybodies when they discover herrence Tibbest, who has formerly "No More Ladies," ed on the life of the famous Johnpast" Don't let me spoil your been seen in M.G.M. releases, the Joan Crawford and Robert Mont- Brown
pleasure when you see the thrilling first being "The Rogue Song, zomery, with Franchot Tone, Edua May Oliver and Charles Ruggles in rescue of the lovely girl from the which revolutionised musicals.
Tibbett is acknowledged to be chief-support. Sprightly, smart Countess Zanardi Landi, the mother breaking ice and the atonement of Elissa Landi, who recently died in made by the villain.
the greatest baritone in the States, and sophisticated, with super act:
of her death.
*
1
Hollywood, was only 58 at the time Rochelle Hadson, in the part and more than holds his own with ing from all concerned. Strongly
Janet Gaynor refused to play, the best of any nationality. This advised Charlie Chaplin's long-awaited film shares with Henry Fonda (seen is the first picture he has made for This is followed by a typical nearly four years (his" last was Mae West vehicle "Goin" to Town", Modern Times" was to start at the here in "The Farmer. Takes
his offering little that is new, except Landon Tivoli on December 16, and Wife") the acting bumours and "Cuban Love Song") and Harold Lloyd's "The Milky Way" in they make their characterisations glorious voice records better than that Miss West tries to sing Christmas week
natural and sincere. Edwardjever The score includes such "Softly Awakes My Heart," from and Delish"," Pazl Trevor Spring Byington. Russell popular favourites as an aria from “Savosen Fred Astaire's E.K.O. contract is Simpson, Margaret Hamilton, Al Barbier de Seville," The Road to Cavanagh, Monroe Owsley and Gil- 2000, and be will then demand Lydell and Andy Devine, do grand Mandalay" and "Glory Road and bezt Emery with a few others are $250,000 per picture. I EKO will
The also excerpts from "Exust and allowed some moments when the not pay this enormous gua, many work in supporting roles. other studios are enly too willing, as adaptor, Howard Estabrook, and "Carmen", all sing perfectly by star has & rest For Mae West all his pictures are record-breaks the director make a pleasant and the star.
#
adazizers
I am told that in the final scene For the Christmas
Eobert Young is the latest Holly wood player to go to London in the big hit of the movies in a manner when he (as the hero harassed by Oriental are giving,
Exchange arrangement Ganmont British and M.GMH (Alhambra).
interesting attempt to resurr
between
acceptable, to the pre
"Accent On Youth Herbert Marshos
to play in Secret Agent" with Made: leine Carroll and John Gielgud For the frst time in his screen éxrerr:ho |will each the part of the villain..
Charles Bickford was recently ilymauled by a’Den while in the co
ef filming a scene, but is now
taste the strain of running of an Opera quest, me of the
Company whose backer has desert-the child-genius ed him) comes on to the stage to “Now and Forever sing the Prologue frum. “Pa pisywright you will be
thrilled than
NEXT CHANGE
KING'S
More GLAMOROUS Than Ever!
Beautifor Jean in her most exciting love-drama! Shè har money te been — but whe does shát nelp her when she falls in love?
MY LIFE MYLIF with BRIAN AHERNE
FRANK
ALINE
MORGAN MacMAHON
ALSO LATEST HEARST METROTONE NEWS
QUEEN!
THEATRE
TO-DAY ONLY
THE PERFECT MARITAL COMEDY
“PEOPLE WILL TALK'
with CHARLES RUGGLES — MART BOLAND TO-MORROW
A GREAT PROGRAMME of ENTERTAINMENT- “ACCENT ON YOUTH”
SYLVIA SIDNEY
with
HERBERT MARSHALL
Joan Crawford and Frank Morg aware fa "I Live My Life". be showing next Sunday at the King's Theatre.
fist to direct the