AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE COWBOY AND THE LADY." PLAZA. Stretch Gary Cooper. Mary Smith Merle Oberon. Katie Callahan Patsy Kelly. Sugar Walter Brennan. Buzz Fuzzy Knight. Elly Mabel Totld. Director: H. G. Potter (M.-G.-M.). Besides being notorious for hie maltreatment of the English language, Samuel Goldwyn, has a great reputation for the 'lavishnese and general high standard of the pictures lie produces. He lives right up to that reputation with his latest offering, "The Cowboy and the Lady." co-starring Gary Cooper with the Jot'tly Australian actress Merle Oberon. It had itfi local premiere at the Plaza Theatre last evening , , and the big crowd present sat back in their chaiis, and, as the American critics say, "behaved exactly like contented customers."' There is scarcely a dull moment from start to finish, and, judging by the reception accorded it last night, "The Cowbov* and the Lady' , should have a long and successful run. It is many years since Gary Cooper's name first appeared in big letters at the top of cast lists for important films, but he has easily maintained the high reputation he won with his eaily cowboy pictures. He has, indeed, won new admirers with almost every appearance. He is _of a type that is highly popular with Xew Zealanders—quiet and unassuanmg. His high-class acting talents are brought out to best .advantage in hie role in this h\Jm. as a simple young eowlxiv with something of a, fascination lor women. Matching the excellence of his performance, Mies Oberon is ideally cast as the bored young daughter of a wealthy candidate for presidential nomination who falls in love with the cow-hand when she meets him on a blind date with .her cook and maid. She acts naturally and convincingly throughout, and loo'ks, if possible, more beautiful than ever. A surprise for many of the faps last evening was the trim appearance of Patsv Kelly in one of the - leading supporting roles. Miss Kelly had been becoming more and more pudgy with every appearance, but she has taken a diet cure since her last film, and apparently it has had a wonderful effect. Walter Brennan is the other outstanding member of the j supporting cast, but Fuzzy Knight and Mabel Todd are also good. In a picture that is bristling with amusing sequences, the funniest is a pantomimic stretch in which Mr. Cooper furnishes an home on the range in jiis imagination, with gestures so convincing that half a dozen cow-hands come in and sit down on imaginary chairs to drink imaginary drinks from imaginary glasses. Interesting sidelights in the film include some singing and a measure of bulldogging, riding an d other items, which are introduced by members of the troupe to which, in the story, Cooper belongs. The production is, however, predoini- i nantly a vehicle for Cooper, who stands head and shoulders above everything, and almost everyone else, in it. The screen play, which was adapted by S. -S. Behrnian and Sonya Levein from an original story by Leo McCarey and Frank R. Adams, tells of the complications that arise after a wealthy young socialite marries ;i roving cowboy of the western jilains without telling him of her true position. The feature of the excellent supporting programme of featurettes is the first of the 1939 "March of Time 7, shorts. The first of a new type of travelogue series entitled "World Windows" is another attractive item. MAJESTIC. Several hilarious situations are interspersed in the simple plot of "Spring Madness, the light romantic comedy which is opening at the Majestic Theatre to-monow. The etoiy itsef is not unusual, but the picture is made line entertainment by the excellent performances of all members of the cast. A welcome feature is the fact that, although most of the action j takes place on oolite eroumls, the etory steers clear of the campoe activities that have become eo well known to local patrons after seeing them over and over again in college pictures. Pretty little Maureen O'Sullivan heads the feminine cast as a college student who falls madly in love with a Harvard senior, played by Lew Ay-res. He loves her, too, but will not admit it, as he and his room-mate (Burmese Meredith) have planned to sail lor Kuasia to study economic conditions 'there. How the girl student's friends scheme to make the Harvard man chance his mind and decide to stay in America I makes the thread of the plot. Truman Bradley is excellent in the main supportting role Die romantic drama, 'Woman Against VVoman," with Herbert Marshall V lngmia Bruce and Mary Aetor, ie on the* eame programme. ST. JAMES'. "Bigness" ie the keynote of "Marie Antoinette/ which is playing regularly to crowded houses at the St. James' Theatre. There % bigness in production, bigness in technique, bigness in backgrounds and settings, and, above all bienen in tile acting of the principals.' Outstanding in the cast ie Norma Shearer looking more lovely and glamorous than ever in the title role. After the death of her husband, Irving Thalberg, Miss bhearer temporarily retired from the screen, and her appearance in "Marie Antoinette-' is her first on the films for t*» years. She more than makes up for her absence, however, by giving the greatest performance of her brilliant career. The way in which she brings out the many facets of the ill-fated Queen's character is sheer artistry and she dominates the film throughout. Robert Morley 13 excellent as Louie XVI., making an auspicious screen debut. Tyrone Power, Anita Louise, Gladys George, John Barrymore and Joseph Sehildkraut also show up to advantage. MAYFAIR. For those in the mood for amusement ot the uproariously funny variety the latest comedy fro™ the 20th Centun-Fox studios, "Lp the River," which opens at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrmv will provide ideal entertainment. The storv focuses on a group of happy inmates of a mythical state prison in America, features of Which are radios in every room gates that are a most revolving doom, and the best football team amongst the surrounding gaols. Preston Foster is completely at home in his first light comedy role and the elongated Arthur Treacher as *osterei partner in crime and football" Rives hie beet performance in a far difl ferent type of role than any h e has filled. Tony Martin and Phyllis Brooke have th -fi r .? m i n . tlc leads - and both are good with Martin contributing a few new sonnumbers in his usual attractive manner Other featured players are Eddie Collins Slim Summerville Bill Robinson and Alan Dinehart. "Up the River" i s a welcome relief from the familiar cycle of prison melodramas. It ie a fast, boisterous socially unconscious, and wonderfully entertaining. - STRAND. Human appeal ie the outstanding feait1 re fi° f J Y l OUt, ? T t keea Flin S'" »**& haV Uβ bi-et local showing at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. The .toryfr chSniing in its eimphcity, and the characters are all understandable, everyday sort oi people, fall young Joel McCrea is 6 een at his best in the starring role opposite Andrea Leeds the screen sensation of last year, who has now firmly established hereelt amongst the top flight of Hollywood s stars. Frank Jenks, who has give.,, excellent portrayals in many "bit" narts over the past year or two. heads the sunporting cast, in which Dorothea Kent and Isabel Jeans are also effective. The staiv telh) how a romantic-minded voun" shoii girl, played by Miss Leeds,' sees' ,-, , young shipping clerk (McCrea) the answer to her prayers for a Prince Charming. lh e clerk can think of nothing but the sea. however, and there are many inter-i esting and amusing episodes before he I sees the light, and he marries the shopgirl. Charlie Buggies is the star of the