1934-12-31 — Page 5

Page

"SMARTY"

Now Showing At The Alhambra

One of the merriest of comedy romances, with situations "so Hilariously ridiculous as to be side splitung, is the attraction at the Alhambra for the last time. to-day under the title of "Smarty," Warner managed to find a most unique angle in modern marriage tangles on which to base the plot of the picture. The conception of a ro- tating wife, while it has been paralleled in real life, is so un 'usual in

screen fare that it is

Bros.

fairly startling.

have ngain

The role is made to order for

Miss Blondell. who excells in fast talking, smart cracking repartee and rough and tumble, catch as

catch

car action Claire Dodd, the stately blonde, acts as an excellent foll, to Miss Blondell as the habitual divorece who takes her love affairs as casually as the purchase of a new hat.

AT THE KING'S

"Down to Their

· Last Yacht***

"Down To Their Last Yacht" is a musical extravaganza which is as spectacular as it is romantic. The picture is enjoying good hou- "ses at the King's Theatre, 'and is full of mirth and wit in addition to songs and romance;

The action takes place on the Island of "Malkamokalu, a mythi- cal paradise in the South, Seas where both time and thought are devoted "solely to romance.

On this idyllic island, bedutiful native girls and handsome, bronzed beach boys disport themselves, now in pairs and now in ensem- and bles, singing and dancing abandoning themselves to pursuit of romance.

the

The island

is ruled by a lovely white queen who is more than a trifle balmy She gally sets the local styles in romances, her wont being to ac- quite a new husband at least once

week. When tired of them, she has a govel and starting method of getting rid of them.

To the shores of this island comes a Facht. Its passengers have been recruited from the

ignorant, rich disciples of the crew and Cash Register, and its servants from the impoverished Scions of the Social Register.

It

is as motley an assemblage of ex- treme types as may well be ima- gined.

Warren William appears in a role entirely new for this usually reserved actor who has almost always appeared in gentlemanly parts. In Smarty, however, he portrays & hot tempered, two Asted he-mad who learns how to handle his women without gloves. and shows his versatility as an actor by throwing himself "com- pletely Inte the spirit of the character, giving a performance The plot of this merry musical that completely wins the sym-cocktail takes many hilarious and pathy of the spectators.

unexpected twists and turns be- Edward Everett Horton is ex-ginning with the queen's selection

the cellent in

recent the heavy role of of a new mate from

Her threat is that un- "husband No. 2, though the usual arrivals. formula of hero and heavy is less the man of her choice sub- blandishments and reversed in this production, the mits to her

becom consents to

her lawful hero being the wife beater and

husband for a few days, she will the villain the

exterminate sating quality.

the entire Darty

man of more

Frank McHugh injects no in- considerable amount of fun lato the picture by his dumb antics and inane laugh, playing the part of a sort of kibitzer of other men's "marital mix-ups.

Joan--Wheeler, who recently made a hit on the Broadway stage in "Growing Paina,” gives promise of becoming one of the

forthwith. The manner in which her choice shifts, now to this man. now to that, furnished much of the fun

Mary Boland, Polly Moran, Ned Sparks, Sidney Fox, and a very strong cast provide the wit and humour in this picture..

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1934.

TO-DAY

ONLY

AT 2.30.5.10.7.15 & 9.30 P.M.

RKO RADIO PICTURE

KINGS

RIPPLING WAVES

STORMS

OCEANS anche aphro

"DOWN

THEIR LAST YACHT"

Produced by Lou Brock,, creator of "Flying Down to Rio"

With MARY BOLAND, POLLY MORAN, NID SPARKS, SIDNEY FOX,

"THE MERRY WIDOW"

Excellent Film At The Queen's

Full houses were the order of the day at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday and again yesterday when the much-heralded picture "The Merry Widow" was, and is being, shown.

The picture offers a lavish brand of entertainment and deserves all the success it has so far attained Although the plot has been

"DAMES"

The Alhambra's New Year Draw

Guy Kibbee turned cheer-leader in the Warner Bros. special musical "Dames," New Year attraction at the Alhambra. One sequence requires Guy, to lead a Cheer In approved fashion at a meeting nifty people.

collegiate of about

Is

BOOKING SAT THE

THEATRE TEL No. 25313 25932

TO-MORROW

Fox Film Presents

365 NIGHTS in HOLLYWOOD

with

JAMES DUNN ALICE FAYE

ALSO

BUSTER KEATON -

IN

"THE GOLD

"GHOST"

365 NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD

The King's Attraction

To-morrow

Mitchell and Durant, durable young throwabout comedy team, have counted up recently and now are willing to make a cor- rection in their boast that they have never suffered serious i. jury while performing their laugh provoking antics.

The rotund comedian stickler for realism and rather than get before the cameras and not make a good job of it, Guy had оде pf "the cheer-leaders from University of California come out to the studia and give follows: Over

him some polhters on the job.

changed-even the characters are not the same--the famous music, known and loved all

the

future stars of the screen by her "STUDENT TOUR" world-remains the same and

work in the character of a woman with an Inhibition" to sin.

There is an added attraction in the unique style sbow which is "one of the features in the ple- | ture. It is staged by a score or more of beautiful manikins whe display the latest creations in gowns, wraps, hats and lingeria,

BRITANNIA OF BILLINGSGATE

Showing At The

Star Theatre

"Britannia of Billingsgate," bas- ed on a play by Christine Jope Slade and Sewell Stokes relates with much humorous incident and detall the lives of the Bolton family when they soar to affluence on the strength of Mrs. Bolton's rise to fame as a film star.

Coming Shortly To The Queen's

W

Hailed as

оде of the most "intimate" musical shows that have come out of Hollywood' this season, "Student Tour," produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer is com- ing shortly to the Queen's Theatre. Comedy, melody and pulchritude vle for supremacy. The cast in- cludes Jimmy Durante, Charles Butterworth, Maxice Doyle, Phil Regan and the loveliest co-eds in America, recruited from colleges and universities.

The picture introduces the "Carlo," sensational new ballroom dance now sweeping, the world, and half a dozen other song hits by that well-known team of song writers, Nacio

Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. At least six new screen stars will be on parade and the tender romance introduces a new team of sweethearts in the

This bald recital of the story persons of Maxine Doyle and Ohil } gives no idea of the wit and hum- Regan, possessor of a Hiting tenor our, the sparkling portrayals of volce. He sings several of the the players, and the general all-new songs. round excellence of the picture.

herein, it is safe to say, lies the main attraction of the film. No doubt there will be some who will be annoyed because Lubitsch's "Merry Widow" is not the "Merry Widow" "of a quarter of a century ago: is not even anything like her. Yet aside from this, the picture is entertainment in the proper sense of the word, direct- ed with sweep, with imagination and with splendour. The waltz scenes will long remain memory as examples of

your screen spectacle which have never been surpassed The dialogue is witty at times, but the "main

humour comes from the cunning use the cameras, and the delicacy with which each grimace; each movement, and every line of dia- logue is tlined...

of

Maurice Chevalier's. Danilo la a gay, breezy rendering of this famous part. He gives a charac- teristic study of an amorous army officer, a role which he has since attained world-wide fame in "The

SHOWING

TO.DAY

The story concerns a group. of

Violet Loraine makes a triumphant college boys and girls on a roundi- first appearance in films, and the-world cruise. proves herself a great artist. Her their professor

With them are of philosophy,

tuneful numbers are presented Charles Butterworth "and their

with ari artistry that 13 inimit-

able, Gordon Harker, who

athletic trainer, Durante. Com- complicating situations arise at al-

stars, is Britain's star player of most every port of call and the Cockney roles. His performance picture is described as

19

sheer delight. He has the youth in action."

ability to get right under the skin of his characters, and hi "Mr. Bolton" is a portrayal that

will be viewed with delight every- where

On the product side the film excels with scenes filmed at Bill- ingsgate Market, at the Lea Bridge Speedway, at the Gaumont Palace, Hammersmith, and at the Gaumont-British

studies Shepherd's Bush. This is not the first time the public have been taken behind the scenes in a film studio, but it is safe to say

at

"vibrant

Charles F. Riesner directed.

· BEST FILM OF THE PAST YEAR

"Man Of Aran''. Awarded First Prize

London, Dec. 29. The British film "Man" of Arai,

that never before has the vast which is based on the life of s ness of a great studio and its er folk on a lonely island of the many resources been so adequate North West coast of Ireland, hes ly fimed, the

been awarded first, prize of merit

Admirably directed by Binclair by the United States- National Hill, superbly photographied and Board of Review for motion pic- recorded, "Britannia of ♬ Blilings- Fures and is declared the best ilim gate” is a big popular entertain of the past year. This is the first ment abounding in laughs which Elme « British film has won such should in no wise be missed it distinction

LA

de at the Star Theatre to-day firituh Wireleu,

Guy practised for hours and by the time he finished practising, he was thoroughly hoarse and he was unable to make the scene which was postponed watil the next day.

"Dames" carries an all star cast headed by Joart Blondell, Dick Powell and Ruby, Keeler. The picture is a rollicking musi- cal comedy romance with specta cular numbers created and staged by Busby Berkeley, in which 300 beautiful girls appear. The music and lyrics were written by three ace Song teams. Warren and Dubin, Fain and Kahal, and Dixon and Wrubel.

1.

During the 15 years they have teamed together in circuses and on the stage and screen, their "minor" Injuries have been as

Jack Durant (the big fellow): One Wrist fractured, one hip fractured, one knee cap fractured, one nose broken twice, a dozen or more knockouts through falls. Frank Mitchell (the Little fel low): Both eyes cut, requiring stitches: mouth cut, requiring eight stitches; pose broken; col lar bone broken; both shin bones fractured; both ankles fractured; both arches fractured; both wrists fractured; 'right fractured; knocked unconscious

thumb

a dozen or more times.

"But never anything serious," they still insist..

Mitchell and Durant are featur- ed in their third motion picture, "365 Nights in Hollywood," which arrives at the King's Theatre on Tuesday. Alice Faye and Jarhes Dunn head the cast.

Love Parade." Jeanette Mac- Donald was

charming as the widow, singing well and bringing

Edward Everett Horton enormous vivacity into her acting...

was ex-buted in no small measure, to- cellent as the ambassador, while wards the success of the flim. George Barbler as the King and Una Merkel as the Queen contri-

which everyone should see..

"The Merry Widow" is a picture

QUEEN'S

MAUETUI

CHIVALINE

JANDI'S 5

ERNST LUBITSCH

Production

Franz Lehoch den sortuk ruangan

of levi un rosebuddy in manytime

With the

Purgin

7504.

CENTE

MERRY MADOU!

AT 2.30, 5.10,

7.20 & 9.30

P.M.

TO-DAY AT THE CINEMA

HONG KONG

MAJESTIC:

MAJESTIC

THEATRES N Nathan Baad Kowloon. Tel 57822 TO-DAY TO WEDNESDAY At 230;.5.20, 7.20 & 9.20P.M

KING'S:

"Down To Their Last Yacht"

QUEEN'S:-

"The Merry Widow' ORIENTAL:-

"Wonder Bar

KOWLOON

Niva VILLA!

Sanat Mayer Picture

WALLACE

BEERY

STARTING OUT WITH FIVE MEN ON STOLEN HORSES - KE CONQUERED A.. NATION! WI H. A WOMAN TO 'SHARK' EA STEP IN HIS TRIUMPE!

"Viva Villa" ALHAMBRA :--- "Smarty"

KING'S:-

Coming

"366 Nights In Hollywood"

ORIENTAL:-

"Silver Dollar”

ALHANIBRA:-"

"Dames"

* SHOWS Y DUE 1.20-+5.69

TAKE A TEAM OF HAPPY VALLET BUS

ORIENTALE

THEATRE

2 MORE TO-DAY & TO-MORROW

DAYS

THE CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT

IN SCREEN SPECTACLE! Everything you like in entertainment you'll find in this massive show-great stars, songs, dances, comedy, spectacle and glorious. girls,

THE MOST SPECTACULAR ATTRACTION THE SHOW WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN!

THIT IGAST, THE WORLE ̈IN DRAMA; SONA:ANG, LAVANTIN AW WARMER BROS.”... SUPREME 'SINGATION OF THE 'CINTURY AUDUS THE "SHE" AND "ORIT

WONDER BAR

RICALSO CONFEZ» BOLOLIS BILBO » AL JOLSON • KAY PANDI EHCE POWELL

CHAPLIN FILM

SECRECY

Script Locked Up Every Night

(Special Air Mail Service)

London, Dec. 12.

The mystery of Charlie Chap lin's picture, now in the making. is still being carefully preserved,

There is more in this than the eccentricity of a Garbo or the desire to arouse popular curiosity. In the past Chaplin's pictures have taken anything from 18 months to 2 years to make and by the time they were finished some

se of the ideas had long since been stolen by other producers and used on the screen

This time Chaplin is taking no risks. The script the first he has ever used, the other startes having been shot bit by bit, or, as | the trade says, “of the cuff *—is locked-up in the company's vault each night, and even the title has |been kept a secret: The only omelal information is that on the studio's schedule:

Production N5

Cast. Charlie Chaplin, Pau-

lette Goddard.

Director Charlie Chaplin, Original screen play by Charlie

Chaplin.

Producer: Charlie Chaplin. Certain other facia, howev ure already known Though producers have doubted bility of Chaplin alorie silence in world talk, his new pict

be devoid of there will be

Goddard will have a more impor tant part than is usually allotted to an actress in a Chaplin nim that of the homeless wet the Ittle tramp befriends"

Obcing

Bus Conductor (to old lady who has just handed him two half- pennies and four farthings in "payment. for a two-penny fare)

That's all right, mum, anything will do. Next time bri two empty jam jars."

ALGAMBRA

UNSERE

TO-DAY ONLY THE MERRIEST,

HONIAK

•MIXUP EVER SEEN

· OM ANY SCREENI

JOAN BLONDELL WARREN WILLIAM

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