AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 102, 1 May 1940, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE FIRST REBEL." KOXY-TIVOLI. Janie Claire Trevor Jim Smith John Wayne Captain Swanson .... George Sanders Calleudar Brian Donlevy -\lcl>ougle Wilfrid I.awsou Duncan Robert Uarrat Director: William A. Seiter. U.K.0.-Radio. Also: "OUTSIDE THE THUEE-MII.E I 1.1M1T." with Jack Holt and Harry Carey. One of tlie strongest attractions prejsented at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres | for some time, "The First Rebel" opened a season before appreciative audiences today. Claire Trevor and John Wayne, who, as a romantic team, won many fans after their successful appearance together in "Stagecoach," head the cast of the new film, which was directed by William A. Seiter, with l'andro Bennan in charge of production. Wayne and Miss Trevor make full use of their opportunities in "The First Rebel," to add further to their respective reputations as unusually promising young players. Wayne is cast as .James Smith, taciturn leader of the l'ennsy Ivania settlers, who, in tlie 17ti0's. took up arms against the British Crown because army officials refused to stop dishonest traders from suppl.,'.%ig Indians with arms and ammunition. Miss Trevor plays the daughter of a colonist, a fiery-tempered girl in love with the "rebel" chief. Her efforts to win his affections and keep him from his dangerous escapades provide some of the lighter moments in the fast-moving drama. The screen play, based on documental facts contained in Neil Swanson'n novel "The First Rebel," depicts one ot the most stirring chapters in American history— one mat, strangely enough, is rarely recalled. George Sanders is excellent in his role as the pig-headed English officer, with good performances as well by Brian Donlevy, Wilfrid Lawson, Robert Barrat and Eddie Quillau. Action is the keynote of the second feature "Outside the Three-mile Limit." Jack Holt, Hairy Carey, Sig Kumann and Irene Waie are the stars, and tile story centres round the efforts of the "G-meu to check the activities of the proprietor of a gambling ship on which couutcifcit money is passed. CENTURY. An impression of lite as it is lived oy the "binule stills" ot the California l alien country is the theme ol "Of Mice and .Men, which opens a season at the Century Theatre on i-riday. "iiindle stitis are, in shoit, men who work hard tor long Hours at small pay in harvesting tlie various crops grown in tlie Slate, i heir lives are depicted as desperate, lulure.coo, under-piivileged, and Hie men as pnys'.caiij slrong, mentally weak, innocently aiiunai, victims ot their position in tlie social ecale and blunderingly aggiavatmg it. the story is taken ironi tlie book by Jouu bteinbeck and lial Roach is lesponnOie tor placing it on the screen. iiuigess Meredith, Betty Field and lain Lhancy, jun., lake the mam roles and inletpict lhem latthtul.y. IHe stoiy is aboul two labourers, one a moderately blight lelloxv and the oilier a hall-wit who doesn t Know his strength and trequently Kiiis the object ot ins liuantile attections by uncomprehending exercise ot his gigantic gentleness. His companion is pal t Inend, pait guardian, and when the hulking imbecile inadvertently kills a gill tne climax is so extraordinaiy thai uoiniug like it has been seen in films bet ore.

EMBASSY. The tragic love story of Prince Rudolph ot Austtia and iuvclj \oung iSuioncss .Mai te \ clsei a is uniokled in gripping laslnoii ui "-Uaj erlmg at the .fc.inujs.-y I UeaU e. l'l oilucea 111 i-rancc, with the dialogue ill l'leucli, tue pictuie is made understandable to Luglisu audicucte by the super-imposition 01 i-ngiisu translations ou the nliu. ttoyer auu Mile. Hameux, both oi whom have established reputations m American riuiis, pcilorm biii- ' Uantly to make tne iilin one i>l the most 1 impressive ot its t\ P c ever seen here, ihe story opens ill l»oS with tue accidental meeting ot tile young baroness and Prince Kudolph 111 a puulic parK. A heir acquaintance smou develops into all-consuniing Jo\e that cannot be consummated as Kudolph is already 'married, alueit unhappily. Kudolph d request to the I'ope lor an annulment of his marriage is reiused, and the him works up to a powertul dramatic climax, busy l J rtui, Jean Fax and Gabrielle Dirziat are the mam supporting players. REGENT. "Gulliver's Travels,'' Jonathan Swift's famous story ol an English sailor s adventures in the strange land ot Liliiput, inhabited by people averaging six inches 111 height, comes to the screen as a lulllength animated cartoon, ill Technicolour, in the Paramount production which opens at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Swift penned the story as a bitter satire of the human race ill general, and British politics in particular, but it has become a classic more because of its extraordinary fantasy, humour and romance. The screen version of the book covers the first halt of Swift's work, and traces Lemuel Gulliver's shipwreck, his early adventures in Liliiput, his growing influence over the little people, and tne way in which he averts an impending war. An excellent musical score features "Its a Hap-Hap-Happy Day," already heard on the gramophone, "Bluebirds in the Moonlight, and "1 Hear a Dream." Max Fleischer was the producer. SWITZERLAND ICE BALLET. Probably the most popular and spectacular production sent to Xe\y Zealand during recent years, J. C. Williamson's picturesque extravaganza "Switzerland" is drawing crowded houses for its farewell season at His Majesty's Theatre. After the present season it is unlikely that Aucklanders will be privileged to see such a display of artistry on the ice, as is the backbone of this show. The outstanding artistry of Megan Taylor is one of the main features. She reveals the excellence of balance that is part of the make-up of every successful ice skater and performs amazing evolutions 011 a restricted area. Phil Taylor, it is claimed, is the world's greatest trick skater, and his stilt-skating act and barrel jumping arcleading features of the production. At times it seems as though he would be unable to stop himself —but that is only hie little trick. Just when the crucial moment arrives he veers off at an incredible angle and the audience breathe.again. With his friend Egbert, the educated horse, made up of Eric Gerrard and R. Coldicutt, Eddie Marcell helps the fun along. There are glorious ice ballet scenes and several outstanding vaudeville turns with Connie Graham, Hal Scott and Russell and Marconi. MAJESTIC. When '"Blondie Meets the Boss" there is bound to be plenty of fun, and it cer- ■ tainly occurs in the picture of that name I which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Minute for minute and I inch for inch this second film fashioned ; in the format of Chic Young's comic car- , toons matches any family series on the jmarket laugh for laugh. It is like none of the otihers, nor like any other domestic comedy and stands in a separate class as far as appeal is concerned. Drawing upon ; its cartoon derivation for the privilege to j do things with camera and incident, commonly denied directors employing living actors, Frank R. Strayer contrives amusing effects. He uses slow motion, invisible wires and camera tricks in running sequence with humorous .dialogue and comic situation. He blends slapstick and parlour comedy wirh complete nonchalance. The (screen play, from a story 'by Ray van Ripper and Richard Fournoy. opens with '"Dag-wood" quitting his job and "Blondie" going to see the boss about getting it back for him. The boss gives it to her instead. That is the stall' of the fun, and Penny Singleton, Arthur I-»ake and Larry Simrns make it fast and furious.

UNIVERSITY REVUE. So groat has been the demand for eeate for the revue stayed by st'uiients oi the Auckland University College at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, that it has been found necessary to extend the season for two nights, on Saturday and Monday next". The hall hae been booked out for the performances to-night and tomorrow night, and those wishing to see it on Saturday or Monday would be well advised to book early. "Hell Hath No Fuehrer," or "The Wizard of Oztria," as the revue is named, deals in satirical vein with tfhe modern version of the ancient game of power politics. Alan Gifkins, Dave Houston, Vorn Rout. Ted Kcoting. Betty Sweetman, Edna de Man- and Graham Speirzht are the principals. PLAZA. E. \Y. Hornung's gentleman crook is the central figure of Samuel (ioldwyn's presentation of "Raffles." the feature at the Plaza Theatre. Rallies is as well-groomed ami aristocratic as one could wish and he has all that suave polish that one associates with the English aristocracy. Dapper David Xiven makes the crook a wholly ! credible person, fascinating and mannerly. I The super-thief has been battling Scotland Yard for months with his daring and spectacular robberie--. But just when he becomes engaged to Owen Manders, sister of his school chum, and decides to withdraw from a life of crime, he furnishes Inspector MacKenzie. portrayed by Dudley Digges. with a clue which finally leads to the door of the amateur cracksman. Most i»f the action of the picture takes place on the beautiful country estate of Lady Melrose, an eccentric dowager noted for her bizarre parties and her brilliant jewels. Prior to the bin jewel robbery the picture focuses on a real cricket match in which David Xiven proves himself an expert at the game. Two cricket coaches and a great supply of cricket paraphernalia were shipped from England for the scene. This is a film with sport, thrills and adventure to satisfy all tastes. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE. CIVIC SQUARE —\niu-:emcnT TarK. H.M. THEATRE—The Switzerland Ice Show. PICTURE THEATRES. MAJESTIC —"Hitler. Iteast or Herlln" and Jaeiclc Cooper In "What a l.iTe." ROXY-n eorK-e saiuters In "The First ] Hebcl" and Jack llolt in "outside tlie Three-mile l imit.'' ST. JAMES'—HiII Powell and Myrna I.oy In "Another Thin Man." OXFORD —Charles I.auphton in "The Hunchback or Notie Dame." REGENT—I.csIIe Banks and Kay Walsh In "Sons or the Sea." PLAZA —David Nlven In "RnfTles." EMBASSY—Charles Hover and Danielle Darrieux In "Mayerllup." STRAND—Ceorge Fortnliy In "Come On, George." CENTURY—The nitz Bros. In "Pack Up Your Troubles." ClVlC—.loel McCrea and Brcnda Marshall in "Ksplonage Agent." DE PARIS —continental Films: "The Legend or Prague." ADELPHl—finest Night. ALEXANDRA—(iuest Night. AMBASSADOR— (iuest Night. ASTOR—"Bulldog Drununnnd's Revenge" and "Sinners In Paradise." BERKELEY (Mitaion Bay)—" Gone to the Dogs." BRITANNIA—"The Three Musketeers" and "Death or a Champion." BIRKENHEAD—"VaIIey or the (iiants." CAPITOL—Guest Night. CRYSTAL PALACE—Guest Night. DE LUXE—"Stolen l.irc." EMPRESS—(Iuest Night. GAlETY—"Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse." GREY LYNN—Guest Night. LIBERTY —"Song or the plains." MAYFAlß—"Sergeant Madden" and "I.cave It to Me." NEW ROYAL—Guest Night. PRINCE EDWARD—(iuest Night. PRINCESS— (iuest Nifrht. PEERLESS—"Four tilrls In While." PICTUREDROME—(iuest Night. REGAL—Guest Night. RIALTO— (iuest Night. REGENT (Epsom)—(iuest Night. STATE (Devonport) — (iuest Night. STRAND (Onehunga)—Guest Night. STATE (Onehunga)—Guest Night. STATE (Symonds Street) —"Andy Hardy Gets spring Fever." ®TAR—■'' Boys' Town" and "The Ice Follies SOUTHERN CROSS—"shipyard Sally" and "The Family Next Door." TIVOLI— "The First Hcbel" and "Outside tlie Threc-inilc I.imit." TUDOR —"The Four Just Men." VICTORIA—Guest Night.

RADIO PROGRAMMES.

p.m.. Klena (ierliardt. mezzosoprano; s.Nancy Heed, piano: 9.50 "Those We I.ove"; 9.r>o, the Mastersingers Vocal ensemble.

2YA—S.u p.m., celebrity concert, featuring lleddle Nash, tenor; Isobel Halllle. soprano; (iladys llipley. contralto; Oscar Natzke, bass, and the Centennial Festival Symphony Orchestra, under the eonduetorship of Anderson Tyrer--Kxploits or the Black Moth"; !).."> I. "The Moonstone." IYX—S.« p.m., band iniiMe; P. 30. "The Hunchback or Notre Dame"; 9.34, "Personal Column." IZM—T.i." p.m., "Search ror a Playwright"; s.u. peep into Itlmland with "Blllie"; 9.0, humorous selections.