M
QUELA'S
FROM TO-MORROW
ROMANCE! SONGS! LAUGHTER !
and 24 of the stunnin gest, cunningest co-eds who ever went to college just for fun in the rousing
musicomedy that marks the triumphal return to the screen of radio's Romeo.
Old Man Ryhthm”
with
CHARLES BUDDY ROGERS BETTY GRABLE - GEORGE BARBIER BARBARA KENT.
-NEXT CHANGE-
·DICK BARTHELMESS in "FOUR HOURS TO KILL **
TO-DAY KING'S
AT THE
OUT OF ONE MASTERPIECE.. ANOTHER HAS BEEN CREATED
LED MISERABLES
MARCH
CHARLES
LAUGHTON
CEDRIC HARDWICKE
DARRYL ZANUCK
production
Pressed by JOSEPH AL SCHENCK Belogen then-UNITED ARTISTI
20.
CEWIDT PICTURE
• ALSO WALT DISNEY SILLY SYMPHONY
"WATER BABIES” *
The Most Beautiful Technicolour Ever Prodaced
SHORT SHOTS
THE CHINA MAIL, FRIDAY, JANUARY
"LES MISERABLES" STARS
LAUGHTON AND MARCH
VERSATILITY OF JANE WITHERS. IN "THIS IS THE LIFE”.
RICHARD BARTHELMESS IN STRONG DRAMA
FOUR HOURS TO- KILL'
64
VICTOR Hugo's famous
classic, "Les Miserables," has been once more transferred to the screen and in the medium of the talking, is given
"
remembered in "Bright Eyes" and "Ginger" is seen in This is the Life," a story that xives her scope to show off her. talents as singer and dancer of
By Diane JANE Withers, who will be
its best portrayal so far. The box-office attraction for two years the randeville type cast is an enormous one, with Bow. Twentieth-Century-For, un- expert direction by Richard
•
this
are
One
We see the little heroine' ex- Boleslavsky. There is so much der the guidance of Darryl Zen-
nack, are exploiting this "miracle ploited by a couple who drama in this sordid story that)
night she gives shelter to a man he depends upon episodic treat child" for all they are worth and thriving on her earnings.
(running away-from the police and ment, which I always think she is making pictures as fast as she can reasonably do "so On detracts from the enjoyment.
when he jumps a freight train. set February 8 we are to
He finds later that she follows. As far as possible Twentieth amazing child-actress in a roman- Century have given as many of tie story laid in the period of the the child has been supposedly the episodes as they can cram into:
hours, but American Civil War, titled "The kidnapped, which means lots of trouble for them both. Eventually. the space of a few
Littlest Rebel?".
all ends in happiness. mainly it concerns "Jean ValjeanTM (Fredric March), the fugitive, Shirley szuggles her way into and "Javer (Charles Laughton), the hearts of friend and foe alike Jane carries nine-tenths of the her shoulders, but Everything else is in a dramatic story that will give picture on subordinate to the conflict be her a chance to show her talent Sally Blane and a newcomer, John McGuire are adequate in the She dances with of at its best tween these two. It is not
romantic end, with the late. Gor pretty tale, this tragic history of the one and only Bill Robinsondon Westcott and Gloria Roy in "Valjean" who is condemned to she sings and she acts divinely.
the pursuer.
the galleys for stealing a loaf of John Boles and Karen Morley the unsympathetic roles. (Alhazz-
[bra). bread for a starving child. We are her parents and Guinn Wil-
good chance. ! "It's In The Air” · follow his sufferings his release, liams is given
States in
his rehabilitation, his downfall Put this on your “must see" st. Jack Benny is the highest-paid and pursuit to the end by "Javert." You can't go wrong on a Shirley entertainer in the all told with steady interest amid Temple picture and it is a delight Radio. It is a pity M.G.M. have perfect settings and surroundings ful evening for the whole family-not exploited him properly in his It is unrelieved tragedy from the Starting on February 8 at the two films "Broadway Melody of beginning to the end; but if you King's and Alhambra.
like to see portrayed horror, sor-
TOR
and injustice, this Victor Hugo's masterpiece will prove worth your while.
"The Man-trailer”
1936" and "It's In The Air".: Judged by these, one wonders how jand why he is worth $100,000 fa picture, in addition to nearly
That capable outdoor star Buck $8,000 a week on the radio. Ted Jones is the hero in a Columbia Healer calls most of the laughs, Most of the critics acclaim film which gives this soccessor to while Jack Benny plays the lover. Charles Laughton, the British William S. Hart a grand chance He does well in the romantic role, actor, as one of the fer great to shoot, ride and make love.
•
artists. I recall thinking we had Opposite is pretty Cecilia Parker but to one knowing his reputation "Ifor wise-cracking be seevas a man on whom the mantle of and Arthur Vinton, with boas ex-wrongly cast Emil Jannings had fallen, when Iperience on Broadway, is cast as This is more or less a comedy- first saw him on the screen in the villain Paramount picture "Between the
Devil and the Deep." Now, after The story telis how "Dan seeing Mr. Laughton in many (Buck Jones) the outlaw films, I am convinced he can play straight, becomes marshal of Jonly one character convincingly-
He depends a great deal on the furtive look from half-closed eyes, that devilish smeer and quiet spoken, voice. Whether it be R. and Mrs. Franchot Tone (Josa The "Motion Picture Berald" after "Barretts
of Wimpele Street": the thorough investigation of Crawford) caused a sensationja wherever they appeared in New York Cinemas in the United States for the Les Miserables", or "Mutiny oz while on their honeymoon. Now past year, finds that Shirley Temple the Bounty". Laughton, to they are back on the MGM lot and the greatest box-office attraction, way of thinking. is all the time it is planned that they will appear
only acting, in other words he is together in "Elegance."
*
* *.
*
*****
with the Late Will Rogers second obviously "histrionics-conscious". and Ginger Rogers (with her part Judge from this-that I am not one -Constance. Cummings and her has-ners Fred Astaire) the first woman
zd- hand Bern Levy. the playwright, favourite. It is good to see that of Mr. Langhton's greatest have bought a lovely home in Chelsea both Joan Crawford, and Claudette mirers: but you will hear on all); and will spend half the year now in Colbert rank next in popularity.
London.
• {Continued on Page 15)
Rochelle Hudson and Fredric March Aare featured in the United Artists' release "Les Miserables,” which is now being SETBEN, ed at the King's Theatre.
one.
sides that he "steals the picture”.
Fredric March does sinceze! work as "Valjean". brt his Ameri- Ican accent is so marked that it
affects the reality of the charac-: terisation Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Jas the Bishop whose kindness
brings about the
of reform Valjean" contributes a fine' per- formance, even if z brief Others who count most are Rochelle Hudson, Frances Drake, Florence Eldredge (Mrs. March) John Beal Jessie Ralph. Marilyn Knowldez,
y Malyon and many more. After seeing a picture of this type I wonder exactly the purport of spending so much money and talent on its production. The film-goer hardly seeks sorrow and horror-it comes too
idrama which tells of two, gaz- Lee" blers. Benny and Ted Healy res goes pectively, trying to make a living ain the world of sport. Nat Pendleton is the Federal Officer jout to jail Benry for evading in- The rest of the plot ¿come tax
concerns the hero-gambler trying} to go straight in order to wie back his wife (played in grand The Hashion by Una Merkel).
highlight of the picture is the scene in the gondola of a balloon
Florence Rice takes the princi- Dal feminine role in the Colam- bia picture "Escape from Devi's
here shortly.
in which Benny claims he wil stage a. stratosphere flight.
Others in the cast incinde Mary If Carlisle 2nd Grant Mitchell You are a "Berry" fan you wil think this worth-while entertain- ment (King's).".
"Four Hours To Kil”
Richard Barthelmess makes one of his rare appearances on the screen and gives something Lew to his usual type- He plays a hunted criminal who is caught by a detective with pathetic swift- iness. We find the so-called hero handcuffed to his guard on his way to prison and the galows, with four hours to pass before Itrain time.
Everything takes place in a performance, theatre during a mostly in the lounge. There are several stories running through the plot, and good work is given. Morrison, Gertrude
often into small mining town and succeeds, by Joe his own lifebut, perhaps the after desperate fighting and Michael Ray Milland, Charles C. moral of the story to us in the thrills, in capturing the gang in-Wilson. (a human detective) Helen twentieth century is to be thank-tent upon looting the Bank's safe Mack, Dorothy Tree, and Roscoe ful we live now and not in Victor You have seen this sort of film Karus, All, these characters are in ngo's trazic day. (King's). dozens of times; but there is and out of the lounge to do their always excitement and when Buckbit for melodrama, and an exciting Jones is the leading player you climax
"Travelling Saleslady”
Blondell takes Hugh Herbert in bra).
A light and airy comedy in are in for an extra good exhibi- Richard Barthelmess chose this which "wise cracking Queen" Joan sion of horsemanship. (Alham-story himself, so you will see him jat his best, and he skilfully por- trays the pathetic character of the doomed man. This is gripping out-of-the-ordinary melodrama, with good acting from all concern- and guaranteed to gain in. in-
the toothpaste business with her.
and Hugh, flavouring the tooth-
paste like cocktails, has some of
This
"Gal In Danger"
Ralph Bellamy
zod
most amusing situations. Glends. Estrell is her usual alert Grey, with a
Donnelly is grand 23
mother Miss Blondell revels in comes involved in à fanout, jewel)ter ber role and it is must be stated robbery.
that Hugh Herbert is even funnier **Trent" (@alph Belläwy) is the than usual dis
develors Not to be
frwment. (Queen's),
“Old Man Rhythm"
detective sent to trace the thief. This is Buddy Rogers' - first The story hardly matters, but By trickery he learns of the Hollywood release after three Joan as a saleswoman has an owhereabouts of the jewel, but it years. (He is making his second portunity for her delightful pert- is only after a series of exciting British picture in London now).} ness, while William Gargan is an adventures, including a kidnap Buddy is making most of his excellent foul as à salesman who is ping (which stall seems me of money these days leading his ex- her rival in business but her Hollywood's stand-bys for a thrill) cellent little orchestra in night- heart interest in the evenings that we have the jewel found and club life He is a big favourite This comedy is well up to the the girl turning over a new leaf in London, and proves his versa Warner standard and should not we hope Bellany v is always tility and talent by playing every be missed
Jexcellent and among others. instrument in his band during the be found J. Carrni Reish, Charles evening. It is a pity this film Temple Sabin, Arthur Hohl d
[does not yn him much chance est Coming &to the Altzen
old Shirley
ved stop
the
(Continued on Face:13);
JANE COMES ALONG. IN ANOTHER HITT
She clicked as the screen's biggest like comic in "Ginge But when it comes to swell entertainment... this is it!
This is the LIFE!
JANE WITHERS
She Cances for you?.
too!
sings for you!" cuts up for you,
Paper
JOHN- MesUIRE
SIDNEY TOLER
SHOWING TO-DAY!
ALHAMBRA
Joan Blondell is in "Traveling Saleslady." Warner Bros.” production dealing with her exploits on the road, which is now be ing screened at the Queen's Theatre.
Jane Withone is desta
snow being