1933-05-12 — Page 5

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THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1933.

CINEMA "SHOTS" AND "SEQUENCES" MAJESTIC

Charles Laughton's Brilliant Character Study

Spencer Tracey, one of the most talked af actors now working in

PAYMENT DEFERRED

Magnificent Picture

BUT NEARLY RUINED

AROUND THE REST OF THE SHOWS

ATTRACTION AT THE KING'S

(By "Celluloid")

hos

Colony view pictures in any sort of analytical way and find appeal only through visual and round reactions to what is projected on

Bonnie Kjerulf, the child harpist, who is making a hit at the King's the screen, last Saturday night

Theatre with the "Hollywood Scrap-book" company who appear daily, the Hollywood studios. This shows him as he appeare in "Face in the tended to indicato that this was not

Shy" with Marion Nixon and Stuart Erwin at the King's Theatre, entirely so. Compared with some bered by the majority of those, THAT old comedy team Victor McLaglen and Edmond Lowe of the cartoons which we sec, who saw the film here. One has entered the Queen's Theatre shed light upon our former dark- yesterday to see the first (ness. With William Marbie as the Mickey the Mouse and Father no hesitation in claiming him as are together again, this time with!

Neptune contain in actual drawing the star turn, and his terpischo- showings of Payment Deferre central figure of the story, it in

only to be expected that Charles no more skill than their contem rean interpretation of St. Louis the aid of El Brendel, who with a keen feeling of anticipa- Laughton occupies a similar posi-poraries. The great appeal of Blues is an extremely clever and never yet touched the same heights tion, stimulated by recollections tion regarding the scling. This is

Disney's work is the wonderful way ingenious affair. Bonnie Kjerulf, as in Just Imagine, chiefly I think in which, through movement, and the child harpist, dancer and sing- because be has not been given of the Hongkong A.D.C. stage a markedly clever characterisation,

sound synchronisation the artist er, is worthy of the applauso she aufficient feature parts. They ap presentation of this intriguing featured by such restrained his-

UAEs his figures an aymbola. This received yesterday, and everybody psychological study a year ago. trisnics that at intervals he ap-

muy

not have been consciously enjoyed the comedy turns by Ma-pear together in Hot Pepper, Sun- at the King's Would Charles Laughton, that pears in danger of appearing too exceptionally gifted netor give casual. But when it comes to giv-appreciated by the whole of the dame and Monsluer de Tour. Quite day's attraction ds a deeper insight into the inga sustained Impression of stark dience who joined in the applause a bright little show and a decided Theatre. I haven't seen a preview

on Saturday night, but it demon-attraction.

of this film, neither have I noticed fear, Charles Laughton enjoys a extraordinary mental processes triumph which few other actors

started that something of this im-

any press comments but if the of William Marble? Should we could hope to share. He doesn't pression was left with them. SOME of the happiest news Lowe-McLaglen combination is na get any nearer understanding always succeed in convincing one that almost divine simplicity that his reactions are typical of a PERSONALLY I offer my heart-Hongkong for a long time is con- good as it used to be in the days iest congratulations to the tained in the announcement that of Flagg and Quirt, then no disap- and trust of Annic Marble type, but he never fajla to make one through Dorothy Peterson? believe in them. ile is magni-King's Theatre for having brought starting on Sunday, the Central pointment awalts visitors to the Would the screen adhere faith-cently artistic in his scenes with Disney to Hongkong. His work, Theatre is displaying Jack Bucha- theatre.

which is the pioneer of sound and nan's comedy Yes, Mr. Brown.

LTHOUGH Irene Dunne has fully to the stage version of the Mme. Collins, the French girl friend

talking cartoon, still stands out as London and the provincial critics who "keeps the little shop". play, or would it, as its Amer-

supreme, both in sheer entertain-have raved about this picture, and been given the headlines on the ment as a series of amusing figures there is no doubt that it is one advertising posters, I shouldn't ican studios are so often fond of

and from the point of view of its of the jolliest strips of celluloid be surprised if Hongkong dis- doing, bring some of its imagina-

pare cinema. The more we have let loose from the English stud- covered more to interest in Lionel tive forces to bear and introduce

of the Disney cartoons, the better.ios, Jack Buchanan made himself Atwill when The Secret of Madame its favourite melo-drama and

famous on the stage with his dan Blauche is shown at the Queen's soba scenes? The picture gave the answers.

DOROTHY Peterson as Annie Marble offers a most fascinat- ing study. In her secluded and detached way she is as great an actress as Laughton an actor. Ifer portrayal of a childlike trust and spirit which only breaks down in the knowledge of her husband's AMONG the mans attributes of Infidelity is both realistic and this M.G.M. sereen manifesta balling. Her's is a really sincere tion, is its faithful allegiance to piece of work, yet one is constantly the original stage version. But endeavouring to make the charac some of my unhappiest fears were ter fit. realised, when, just as I was about

•

Maureen

to remark as Charles Laughton's remainder of the cast are

perfectly suitable. terrible ironial laughter echoed good round the cinema "That's

O'Sullivan is petite and attractive finish," the picture faded out into as the daughter, and Veree Tens- another scene the last fearful dale adeguinte as Mme. Collins, farewell of father and daughter in Ray Milland makes the utmost of a the prison cell. This was Hollyrapid entry and a fearful exit us wood playing its real cards, and it James Medland, the nephew who went as near ruining a magnificent comes back from Australia to die at the hands of his relation, and pictus as one could wish.

Billie Bevan is breezy s Ham- start with, who wanted amand, the estate agent. prison sob scene? Then again what did it add to the value of the PEING nothing but a singe play.

and requiring the film? A negative

but slight story or reply sufficed both queries. Mau-technical treatment, the picture reen O'Sullivan is a delightful little naturally offers little in the way

то

PICTURES SHOWING AND COMING

"Face in the Sky...

TO-DAY.

SUNDAY.

"Payment Deferred"

Queen's "Secret of Madame

King's Blanche

Queen's

"Little Orphan Annie

and

"Hot Pepper"

"Yes, Mr. Brown"

Central "Tess of The Storm

"Maybe Its Love"

Star Country ...

"Ben Hur"

Oriental "Grand Hotel'

"Society Girl"

Majestic "Huddle'

King's Central.

Majcstic Star World

"Easy Street"

actress, but not when it comes to, of usual direction or photography, farewell scenes in death chambers. But Lothar Mendes, apart from the and although Charles Laughton insertion of that Inst scene, handles emorged successfully from the the whole thing cleverly if not ordeal, it was obvious that he dis-pretentiously. I think the photo- liked the whole thing. The stage graphy could have been made some. play was content to leave the ears what more dramatic in certain of the audience tingling with that scenes by a better use of lighting awful mad laughter, and credited effects and angles, but the technical the hearers with aufficient imagina- aspect of the picture displays tion to guess the rest. But M.G.M. efficiency. were determined that people should

• +

· *

cinema-goers have heard in

brilliant

N Face in the Sky Spencer Tracey eing. Who will forget his superb Theatre on Sunday, Atwill, who has a typical James Dunn dancing in "Sunny"? In Yes, Mr. is an Engilsh actor, will be re- character to portray, although Brown, Jack, the hero of Monte membered for his past Tracey genuine artist as he is. Carlo, is seen in a typical dance, work. Nevertheless, Intere certance, always keeps the part within Featured with him in his film is puts in a very useful performance, limits, 80 leaving the audience Elsie Randolph, atrendy a favour and doubtless the flappers' hearts with the feeling that conceited ite with Hongkong cinema fans, will suitably react to that matinee though he may appear, he is not and I have no hesitation In reconi-idoi Philip Holmes, who made a a bad sort of fellow. But putting mending this as a first rate pic-name for himself in Au Americon this aspect aside, the picture, ture.

Tragedy and The Man I killed. which is now showing at the King's Theatre is an excellent light romance-comedy, with a neat story well dressed in Fox's best style. No matter what type of role Tracey is given he always succeeds in extraeting samething from it, or by the same toben, pulting something into which makes it fit him like a well tailor ed suit. Hollywood seems to by taking a long time satisfying it- self that this young man is really a first class netor, and actor worthy of specialist roles. So far the only picture which Hongkong has seen him in to offer any feat scope is Quick Million. He re- ceived another fair vehicle in p the River, but since then has not been very well treated.

ACTUALLY Tracey has advan

ced far beyond the stage for dabbling in such roles as given him ju Face in the Sky. One can see that he is just toying with the whole thing, and never taking it very seriously. But his work is entertaining and very satisfying. Stuart Erwin, who is becoming. indispensable to pictures of the style is first rate. As the dumb,

docile, worshipping assistant of Tracey he infuses a humour into the performance which does qultej

lot to brighten up the whole Marion Nixon is Aweet, show. (another Janet Gaynor), although at times a trifle anaemic, that is judged from the academic stand- point of histrionics. But there is!

got the thrill of seeing Charles THERE is no doubt that long-some likely dialogue, planty of Laughton's lips tremble and that

kong enjoyed its introduction action and a delicate

+ •

ho should, just tu case the relevancy to Walt Disney's cartoons, 08 I of the title had escaped us, deliver forecasted it would last Friday. a couple of dozen lines of gallant it says something for the supreme oratory on paying his debt.

akll of the creator of these car- toons when, after the plethora of PART from this stupid addonda, imitations which wo have had for AP

the makers of the picture have the last two years, the audience at displayed excellent appreciation of the King's Theatre on Saturday the intricacies of the story, whilst night 1torally applauded the Dis. the players have quito obviously ney features,

made not only a deep study of their

characters, but have delved suf- AITHOUGH lots of people won't ficiently into their paychology as to have it that Alm-goors in this

romance

themo which all contribute to a

picture which roaches the average Hollywood standards even if does not rise to new heights.

SUPPORTING the pleture is a elever little troupe who give

a stage presentation under the title of "Hollywood Scrap-Book." Principal intereat In centred in Clayton Homler, whose cecontric dancing in Paul Whiteman's King of Jazz is probably still remem-

Mitzia 'Croso, on extreme left, with some of the other members of the juvenile cast who appear in Little Orphan Annie", at the Central

Theatre.

"TELEGRAPH" ART SUPPLEMENT

The Governor's Tour of Shing Mun

The feature of to-morrow's Pictorial Supplement will be a series of informal "anapa" taken during the visit of His Excellency the Governor (Sir William Peel) to the Shing Mun Valley Inst week, when he, undertook an exhaustive tour of Inpection of the works In connexion with the con- struction of the Gorge Dam. Other events Illustrated are the inter-school sports, when St. Joseph's College won the Governor's Shield and a series of recent local weddings.

1933-05-12 — Page 5

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