Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 183, 3 August 1940, Page 6

Amusements Reviewed

"IRENE." CENTURY. Ti-rtH- ODarr Anna Nnigle l>oll Marshall K ay MlMand Mr. Smith Roland Younjc i:«h Vinront -.*... A lon Marshall (rrann.v O Da re May Robson Mrs. Vincent Billio Burke Director: Herbert Wlloox. R.K.O. '•Jren*," the R.K.O. Radio production starring Anna Xeaglc and Ray Milland which opened to capacity houses at the Century Theatre , yesterday, is excellent entertainment. It has comedy, romance and good mueic, and the presentation is lavish. First Xntioiun made this picture mice before, in 1020, but in this latest picture BCVOIIII nltenitions, have been made in the plot, and these are for the best for the story new hold* one in suspense! I lie romance is decidedly pleasant, even though it is developed in the routine way with misunderstandings and final reconciliations. This time Irene is created by Anna Xeagle, departing about as far as histrionically possible from Nurse Edith (a veil and Queen Victoria, she is again a mercurial, impudent, blue-eyed and redhaired lass with the soft burr of County ('liiro on her tongue. Her .performance is really outstanding. As an upholsterer's helper she so intrigues a wealthy scion that he buys out a dress shop to ensure her a job as a model. Irene entere society through a. publicity hoax which poses her in the Irish nobility, attracts another wealthy young man, becomes the talk of the town, and almost marries the wrong man. But eventually boy gets girl, doubled in hearts. The high spot of th« musical comedy is .1 swing version by an all-negro cast of "Alice Blue Gown," the favourite son;; of the original popular galaxy. Subdued but in highly-competent support of Miss Xeagle arc Kay Milland, as the pursuer; May Robson, a clear-cut cameo as the Irish granny; Arthur Treacher, the omniscient and slightlycontemptuous butler; Billie Burke in her fluttery matronly role, and Roland Young 1 he slightly bewildered dress-shop manager. "Irene"' is definitely a. picture that no one in search of the best entertainment should in i<=s. The secondary subjects include a fine Sportscope, "Gnu Play," a Fox Australian Movietone, and a most amusing Donald Duck animated, coloured cartoon. ROXY-TIVOLI. Tn an outstanding programme, the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres feature two melodramas and a pleasant little singing cowboy film. First on the bill is "Framed," a etory of the machinations of a gang of blackmailers, which reaches great heights of drama. Robert Armstrong has pride of place in the cast, while others in the film are Constance Moore and Frank Albertson. Second feature is "Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise," another of the ever-popular Chan tales starring the redoubtable Sidney Toler. In this latest firm Chan lias one of his most baffling mysteries to solve. A Scotland Yard man is travelling on a world cruise, and the party which he is with is becoming lesser in numbers and harrowed in emotions by the disappearance of some of their number as the result of the operations of a gang. The Yard man is killed immediately after giving Charlie all he knows, and the Oriental hae to start from scratch almost to eolye the mystery. Marjorie Weaver and Lionel Atwill are featured. The einging cowboy film is "Cupid Rides the Range." starring Ray Whitley and his 6-Bar-B Cowboys.

"THE DOCTOR TAKES A WIFE." PLAZA. June Cameron Dorotta Young Dr. Timothy Sterling . . . Kay Milland John Pierre Reginald Gardiner Marilyn Thomas Gail Parrick Dr. Lionel Sterling .. Edmund Gwoim Sl3pcovitch Frank Sully Director: Alexander Hall. Columbia. The experience that the best comedy comes from the natural reactions of persona placed unexpectedly in embarrassing positions is well demonstrated by the spirited and spontaneous fuu elicited iby two such capable •'straight-acting'' artists as Loretta Young and Ray Milland in "The Doctor Takce a Wife," which captivated a large audience in its first appearance last night at the Plajza. Theatre. This full-time comedy is a sure cure for the blues, and it is accompanied by a varied and interesting supporting programme that makes a visit to the Plaza one of the memorable evente of the week. In the feature film one finds Loretta Young in ivli her glamorous giory as a fanatic feminist swept by circumstance into cohabitation with Ray Milland, who is trying to cloak his flaming youth with the cynical mask of the woman-hater. Conditions require them to present to tihe outer world an appearance of protended matrimony, which irks their artistic souls in the presence of t.he-ir smug friende, and privately to maintain their poses of snarling cynicism. It results in the screaming comedy that comee from the struggle to keep up appearances in the eyes of sympathetic but misunderstanding friends, while that old joker Propinquity keeps on at his sardonic job of raising the flowers of romance from platonical seeds. The character work of Reginald Gardiner, Gail Patrick, Edmund Gwenn, Frank Sully and others keeps the funpot bubbling aneri-ily, and the irruption of an unexpected baby into the muddled menage brings a boisterous climax. Brilliant dialogue of the sophisticated typo is also a striking feature of the play, which provides delightful entertainment.

Especially good things among the shorts of the supporting programme are the Mother Goose cartoon embodying a Hollywood gallery, a botit in America of teani wrestling, and a study of U.S.A. crime investigation methods. A Columbia tour of New Hampshire \e both beautiful and informative. REGENT THEATRE. Thrilling adventure and romance in primitive jungle lands are seen in the brilliant production, "Safari." which has now begun its second successful season at the Regent Theatre. Possibly the most impressive feature of the show is the allround excellence of the players. Madeleine Carroll and Douglas Fairbanks make a notable leading pair, while Tullio Carminati, the tenor, makes a good impression in his first dramatic role, after a lengthy absence from the film world. Othets in the cast are Lynne Overman, Muriel Angelus and Billy Gilbert. In the development of the plot we see a wealthy sportsman arriving in Africa in company with a girl who is mourning the loss of her lover in the fighting about Madrid. A handsome young American is engaged as guide on their big-game hunting trip, and he falls in love with the gifl. Action Moves fast during their safari in the jungle, and evente lead to an exciting climax. Excellent supporting items include latest newe and "Aqua Rhythm," a swimming sports feature.

"THE MAN FROM DAKOTA." CIVIC. Sergeant Barstow Wallace Beory Jennie Dolores Del Kio. Oliver Clark John Howard. ■\ estry Donald Meek. J'arsons Summers Robert Barrat I'rovost Marshal ... AdxMson Richards. Director: I>slie Fenton. M.G.M. The dramatic dialogue of "The Man from Dakota," which is a feature of the film's very evident success with Civic Theatre patrons, comes from the pen of Lawrence Stallings, one of the most famous journalists and novelists of the day. The film is a moving record of the American civil war, -which makes the background for the melodramatic adventures of two Northern soldiers (played : by Wallace Beery .and John Howard). They discover in their wanderings after having escaped from a Southern prison camp a valuable map on a murder victim. This helps them in their trek. Since its notations are in Russian, they find themselves compelled to take along with them the beautiful Russian woman (Dolores Del Rio), who had done the shooting whereby t!.'e map came into their possession. All of which is climaxed in the revelation that the map depicts a clever trap to be ! enacted by the Confederate troops against the Union Army. The rest of the film is concerned with the tremendously dramatic attempts of the two Northern soldiers to reach General Grant's headquarters to warn him, and with romantic by-play, of which the lovely Dolores is the mainspring, as a most acceptable leavening and interlude. The three principals are the film. The scenery could be criticised by a carp, but tho high standard of the acting and the brilliant direction of Leslie Fenton, the former actor, more than make up for the mediocrity of the scenic effects. The general appeal of the film, however, is as high as any shown recently at the Civic. A Pete Smith "Oddity" - entitled Cats College' and a story feature, Luck, head a good supporting bill. STRAND THEATRE.

Sequel to the popular "Invisible Man," screen version of the theme first developed by tho great H. G. Wells, "The Invisible Man Returns." which is showing now at the Strand Theatre, heads a fine programme. It has happened before that sequels have equalled their originals in popularity, and this might well be described as a case in point. Apart from the invisible man himself, acting honours in the cast must go to the veteran, Sir Cednc Hardwieke, in the part of the villain. In this show the mysterious drug is administered to a man who has been falsely convicted of murder. The condemned man sets out to unmask the man responsible for the crime, and there ase many thrilling sequences before the deed is accomplished. Vincent Price, ae the in the title, is the main player in the film, even though hie features are only seen in the final scene. Also being shown on the Strand bill is "Queer Cargo," a drama of adventure in the China Sea starring John Lodge and Judy Kelly.

OXFORD THEATRE. "The Amazing Mr. Williams," on* of the best light comedies we have seen in Auckland for many months, is the current attraction at the Oxford Theatre. Perfectly cast is a perfect team—Melvyn. Donglaa and Joan Blondell. Both of these players have gained extraordinary prestige as the result of their performances in recent comedy roles, and their parte in this show lead them to further acting laurels. Fast-moving from the start, the film is replete with snappy modern dialogue. Also being shown ia "Blondie on a Budget," one of the series of films taken from the famous Amarican comic atrip which reveals the doings of the Bumstead family. It is well worth seeing.

] "STAGECOACH WAR." MAJESTIC. Hopalons Cassidy William Boyd I'UcJsy Russell Hayd'on •T"l'« Julie Carter Speedy Britt Wood Director: Lesley Selander. Paramount. Also: "THE BIG UUY," starring Vtettt McLagten and Jackie Cooper. Exhilarating entertainment is provided on the new programme at the Majestic Theatre. Atmosphere and thrills are the outstanding features of three noteworthy productions. What can be termed the first feature on the bill is another of the Clarence E. Mulford stories of the ever-green Hopalong Cassidy. These Western films can always be relied upon to please, and the present one, "Stagecoach War," fulfils all expectations. As in former pictures of the Cassidy class, Bill Boyd appears in the leading role. In the course of the story he shows plenty of courage and is also seen in hard riding and hard fighting. The picture can be termed a Western thriller, as Boyd is seen in a desperate attempt to prevent the theft of a gold shipment and there is a spectacular race 'between two stage coaches, which thunder over dangerous mountain trails. In this same film is presented the popular radio quartet, "The King's Men," who sing tuneful cowboy melodies. With plenty of action and human appeal, i "The Big Guy" is a gripping melodrama. It ia a distinctly different type of prison picture and, although the plot is not novel, it has been produced so well, and ihe acting of the two leading players is so realistic, that one's attention is held tense throughout. The picture is unique in_ development and well supplied with prison scapes and the other ingredients of penitentiary melodrama. There are many exciting situations. Particularly thrilling are the closing scenes, in which a dangerous criminal tries to shoot- it out with the police, at the same time endangering the young hero's life. "Victor McLaglen is seen in the role of a prison warden, and Jackie Cooper has one of the best parts of his career.

The first episode of the popular figure, "The Green Hornet," figures on the new programme. In the opening instalment "Britt Reid." alias the "G.H.." is seen using hie vocational calling of a newspaper editor to mask his efforts to remove some minions of crooked business practices. "The Green Hornet" episodes should claim a wide following on the screen. RADIO PROGRAMMES. Ilig-hlifrhts from to-day's programmes:— IYA —s.(r p.m., "Memories or the Savoy. -, sonprs by Gilbert and Sullivan; 8.35, studio recital by .Tune Taylor, 'cello; S.r.n. Leonora Owsley, piano; 9.15, dance music. 2YA —B.O p.m.. "Krazy Kapers"; R. 30. "For the Film Fan"; 8.4 2. Alec Templeton. pianist, composer, mimic and musical satirist in anothrr variety presentation; 9.13, danre programme. 1YX —S.O p.m.. "Filmland Memories"; 9.0, "The Sentimental Bloke." 1ZM —8.0 p.m., dance session. Highlights from to-morrow's radio programmes are:—

IYA —ll.o a.m., Presbyterian service, from ft. James' Church; 3.0 p.m., recorded tnlk by Lord Elton. "Pictures"; 7.0. Anjrlican service, from St. Mary's Cathedral; 8.30. concert programmes: 9.15. recorded play, "Little Birds," by W. Graeme Holder. 2YA —It.O a.m.. Salvation Army Service, from the Citadel; 3.0 p.m.. a survey or New Zealand and Australian slans by Sidney Baker; 7.0. Presbyterian service, rrom St. Andrew's; 8.0. tho N.B.S. string- orchestra, conducted by Maurice Clare; 9.1 r., studio recital by Dorothy Downing-, pianist. IYX —B.O p.m., orchestral and vocal numbers. IZX —2.O p.m., selections from the shows and musical comedies; 8.0, concert session.

"THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER." ST. JAMES. , Klara Novak Margaret Sullavan Alfred Kralik .Tames Stewart Hugo Matusehek *>ank Morgan Kerencz Vadas .. Joseph Schildkraut E*>ra Sara Hayden Pirovjtch Felix Breesart Director: Ernst Lubitscli. M.G.M. "The Shop Around the Corner." And a delightful place it is to spend a film evening. Showing now at St. James' Theatre, t-he film of that title is one of the best light comedies of the year, and the players in it—Jaimes Stewart and Margaret Sullavan—play their iparte to perfection. The eeene is laid in a little shop in a Budapest street. The two leading characters are presented as the assistants of a harassed owner, a part played by Frank Morgan. The pair are for ever fighting between themselves. In reality, however, they are conducting an anonymous correspondence, which is in reality a sort of mental courtship. The trouble which ensues when they find out about each other'e secret activities can well be imagined, and it takes all the tact and understanding of the gentleman in charge of the shbp to fix things satisfactorily. Aβ always, Scewart turns in a neat job marked by the customary Stewart polish, while Mias Sullavan is just as good. Besides the reliable Frank Morgan, the cast features Joseph Sohildkraut ae the villain of the show, and here, too, thoee responsible for the casting have made a wise choice. Schildkraut has a host erf triumphs on the screen, daiting back to "The King of Kings," when he played Pontius Pilate, and his acting in "The Shop Around the Corner' , entities him to the role of No. 1 character actor in Hollywood. As well as the St. Jamee' news reel service, which features the arrival of the Pan-American Clipper in Auckland, the (Supporting items include a coloured cartoon, "Home On The Range,'"' and an interesting piece called "Northward Ho," which shows the making of the film, "North-west Passage." EMBASSY THEATRE. One of the most unusual plots ever presented is that of "The Earl of Chicago," starring Robert Montgomery, which is showing before good audiences at the Embassy Theatre. Montgomery's great portrayal in "Xight Must Fall" established him as a dramatic actor of the highest order, and he impresses more than ever in the name part of this show. The etory deals ' with a Chicago gangster who becomes h-eir to an enrldom in England when his uncle dies. He sets off for the Old Country Tinder the impression that lie may be able to sell it. Once there the strange surroundings and the men he has to deal with leave him in a quandary and he tries to rely on his lawyer. Hia lawyer and supposed friend betrays him. and the gangster-earl shoots him. Dramatic scenes follow as the gangster is tried in the historic old House of Lords on a charge of murder. In a notable cast are the English actor Edmund Gwenn, Reginald Owen and Edward Arnold. Arnolds portrayal of the lawyer is a masterpiece. The film is one that all should eee.

STATE THEATRE. "Another Thin Man." sequel to the noted 'Thin Man" picture which etarred William Powell and Myrna Loy. is the attraction now at the State Theatre, Symonds Street. The same stars appear with Asta, the dog star, and the result is a highly entertaining show.