AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 15, 19 January 1939, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMBASSY. The performances of Freddie Bart/holomew and Mickey Rooney in tihat great Him "Captains Oourageoua" were hailed with de.li«*ht by critics and public a.like, ami it waa generally conceded that they were among the best given by juvenile players of recent years. In their latest 00-starnintf vehicle, "The Boy From Barnardo's, ' however, they are «een in even better li«iht. The added experience and training that they ihavc had since the former picture hue K'ven them more naturalness and conviction, and they handle their difficult n>l ee deftly. Patrons at the Embassy Theatre have evinced sucfli enthusiasm and appreciation of tii-eii-tflvai'iicteriautioiiH that it has been decided to hold the film over for yet another week. The etory told is of tribe regeneration of a snobbish young bounder when he is sent to a Barnardo 'home for training for the mercantile marine. Teirry Kilburn and Herbert Mundin are good in the supporting cast. PLAZA. When Sonja Henie first brought her marvellous ice l>alW?ts to the screen, technical difficulties arose that almost equalled those on the advent of sound. Much experimenting had to be carried out before her first film, "Girl in a Million," could be released, and that experimenting farmed the basis for the evolution of a new method of filming fast-moving eequ«ncea. In the old days camera* were stationary, or moved on the end of a ponderous boom. For Sonja'e films, however, a special sled device was fitted with a camera, the contrivance to travel at 45 miles an 'hour. T'he wonderful effect nehii-eved by this invention is shown to beet advantage in "My Lucky Star," Sonjii's latent and most successful tihn to date, wthiic'h ia enjoying a ovu'c'h.ex tended season at the Plaza Theatre. The ahow piece of this is an ice ballet 'based on the "Alice in Wonderland" theme, in which al the characters ere portrayed on slfcatea. Bictvard Greene plays opposite the star in t'he etory of romance at an American college, and otihere in the cant are Buddy Ebeen, Ceaar Romero, and Joan Daivia. MAYFAIR. 'When a bluff, guileless old farmer from the waybacks mherite a modern dress salon in a big civy, and seta out to manage it, applying; to the business the tame principles as those on which he bad run nil) farm, strange tihtngs nvay be expected to happen. They do—.with hilarious comAißcations— in "Dad and Dave Come to flfown," at the Mayfair Theatre. That grand old actor Bert Bailey head* the cast aa Dad, and he plays t'he part that lie created for the screen in tfhe way that only he knows (how. While provoking continuous laughs, he at the eaime time dhows *he deep sincerity and honesty that ia an integral part of the nature of the true Australian email farmer, worn he epitomises. Fred Mac Donald is almost ae good as Dave, while others w.ho ably support the principals are Shirley Ann RsoUida, Alee Kelkway, and Billy Rayee. The film is outstanding m t'he quality of its technique, end it tnuet be classed ae the beat director-producer Ken G. Hall has yet turned out tor Cineeound.

CIVIC. Thousands of Aucklanders have already seen "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," in its extended season at the Civic Theatre, and thousande more will doubtless eee it before it finishes. It would be interesting, if it were possible, to find out just why all these people find Walt Disney'e work* eo appealing. One of the most attractive features about them is one that is not generally recognised by the average filmgoer. This is the manner in which the creator endows hie animals with human qualities. And it each lovable ereaturee as the seven dwarfs in this film could be called animals, the same statement wouM apply to them, for, although their physical ehapes are hardly human, their characteristics and saying* are possibly more life-Kke than Snow White herself, and the ethers who are in human form. To indulge hk penchant in this direction, Disney could not have chosen a more suitable story for development than Grimm'e folk tale. There are rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, deer and tortoises—and not a villain amongst them. The delightful way in which the animals overcome their timidity to befriend the terrified Snow White in the forest must be seen to be appreciated. STRAND That boisterous little bundle of mischief, Jane Withers, is eeen at her beet in "Miss Fix-It," her latest film, which is drawing good crowds to the Strand Theatre. As a student at a fashionable girls' boarding school, who runs away to Hollywood to rehabilitate a dimolute uncle of hers who is in danger of losing his position as a I film director, «he. is, given plenty of scope in which to display her unusual talents. Henry Wilcoxon and Gloria Stuart are featured in the supporting caet, which 'also includes Helen Westley, Jed Prouty and Douglas Fαwley. RCQENT. Whether Sir Robin of Locksley, more commonly known as Robin Hood, existed in fact or fancy is a moot point, but there is no denying the affection and honour with which he is regarded by everyone of British etock. One of the strongest inborn characteristics of all members of the British rare is a passion'' ate lave of freedom and a hatred far any Oppressor, and the figure of Robin Hood has long epitomised that spirit. That is one of the reasons why "The Adventures of Robin Hood" is drawing such big house* to the Regent Theatre at nlmost every showing. But it is only one of many factors which go to make it a great film. All the characters are ideally portrayed, the story, based on a collection of tales of Robin's exploits, is gripping from the start, the film is superbly directed, aad, with the use of Techni* colour, has been made one of the moat enectacular of reeent times. Urrol Flynn. portray* the hero perfectly, Olivia.. de Havilland makes a charming Maid Marian, nnd Basil RathbotlP. Claude Rains. Melville Cooper. Alan Hale, 'Patrick Kimwles and Eugene Pallette, to mention only a few, are excellent in supporting roles.