"THE GRAPES OF WRATH."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXXI, 14 September 1940, Page 6

"THE GRAPES OF WRATH."

CIVIC TUEATBE. Tom Joad Henry Fonda. Ma Joad Jane Harwell. (Casy John Carradtne. Granpa Charley Grapewln. Rosasharm Dorrls Bowden. Pa Joad Russell Simpson. T Director John Ford (20th Century Fox). I, Powerful dr?ma, enriched by polished 2 acting, is offered by "The Grapes of T Wrath/' which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Critics have been eloquent on the subject of the film ? version of the book, which was John 2 Steinbeck's masterpiece. They have described the production as daring, signit licant and controversial, and •these three words are quite as pertinent to this picture as to the book, as the film is an extremely literal and very nearly complete transcription of Steinbeck's work. The production is engrossing screen entertainment. "The Grapes of Wrath" comcs to the screen with drama, swift action, suspense, tears and laughter. The story starts with Tom Joad returning from prison to the Oklahoma farm. It goes on to tell of the misfortune of Joad's farming family, who decide to travel to California. Tlic family possessions and personnel are placed aboard a conveyance and the journey follows. The , grandfather dies and is buried by the : roadside. The grandmother dies and her 1 body is smuggled atop the lumbering t vehicle past the Californian border, i Poverty breaks down the family unit, ; .brings despair, desperation, and finally [ crime and flight, and the story ends with only "Ma Joad/' brave and courageous, ' speaking the final keynote. "We are the • people." Naturally enough "The Grapes J of Wrath" has its sad moments, but its I value as entertainment cannot be denied. Henry Fonda as Tom Joad and Jane • Harwell as Ma Joad are seen in leading L roles, while John Carradine, Charley • Grapcwin. Doris Bowden and Russell i Simpson fill important roles. \ REGENT. L Following after "The Life of Emile ' Zola," "The Story of Louis Pasteur," and similar biographical films, filmgoers arc now presented with "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet," current attraction at the Regent Theatre. The story is a "straight" biography of the life of the discoverer of the "COG" treatment and tells of his early struggles and disappointments and liis final, although somewhat belated, triumph over the forces of smug officialdom. Taking the main character roic, Edward G. Robinson has turned out a performance remarkable for its sheer brilliance of acting as compared with his totally different previous parts. Ruth Gordon, Otto ' Kruger. Maria Ouspenskaya, Donald ' Crisp, Donald Meek and Sig Kumann also j ■ give faultless portrayals, while no criti- . cism can be levelled at the remainder of r the unusually large cast. Biographical . films, it appears, arc here to stay, and the story of Dr. Ehrlich will remain long in the memory as one of the greatest. EMBASSY. ; Still experiencing success in its extended season at the Embassy Theatre, "The Old [ Maid," taken from Edith Wharton's brilliant novel of the same name, tells the story of a so-called old maid who brings [ up her child to regard her as an aunt whon in reality she is the girl's mother. < This deception has a subtle effect on her • own personality and also on that of her' i cousin, who comes to regard the child as ilier own. Edmund Goulding, _ who is responsible for the direction of ' the film, treats tho theme sympathetically, while in the leading role that great actress, Bette Davis, has a part worthy of her talents. She is ably supported by Miriam Hopkins and George Brent, while others in a capable cast arc Donald Crisp, Jane Bryan, Louise Fazenda, .Tames Stephenson ami Jerome Cowan. It is a sombre story, naturally enough, but is transformed by the sheer acting ability of the players and the skilful direction. t PLAZA. Very few men would care to be even an unintentional bigamist and some of the terrible, though farcical, adventures that may follow arc a warning to all those • ■ ambitious men who view "My Favourite Wife," the feature at the Plaza Theatre, j This is comedy in the daring style and I there is a laugh to every inch of celluloid. , I Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, who were j tho laughter-makers in "The Awful Truth," arc at their best in the film. There is plenty of fun. for instance, in the scenes where Grant is having a difficult . timo explaining to his "bride" just why their honeymoon must be postponed. In the next room another wife is doing some swift .calculations in connection with persuading her husband that the seven years she spent in the South Sea Islands with ono of those "he-men" were seven harmless years. The plot becomes explicated at times, without losing any of its clarity, and film fans forget that the whole thing is improbable. On the flcreop the situations look to be the most natural ones in tho world. There is also a strong supportj ing programme. | STRAND. I Those who laughed at Steele Rudd's famj ons books that crcated a furore a couplc of decades aco will laugh still more when I they see "Dad Rudd, # M.P.." at the Strand I Theatre and recognise the figure made , famous in the "cardboard backs' that sold :by the thousand. The great hayseed character decides to run for Parliament and ! the difficulties he has in adjusting himself } to the petty politenesses and nicetics of [ modern society—especially those demanded j from a tactful politician—make scrcaming I fare. One must not forget heavy-handed Dave, who attempts to "barge in" on j society. The result of the whole men-y mix-up is a riotous show that starts with a snigger of merriment and ends up on the note of peals of laughter. The leading role is taken by the veteran Bert Bailey, armed with the necessary whiskers. lie hns played the part so often on stage and sereen that he almost bcjicve« that he .is down on the selection. Fred McDonald is. Dave—and a good one, too. OXFORD. Transferred from the Century Theatre, the rccord-brcaking musical comedy "Irene" is now continuing its extended Auckland season at the Oxford • Theatre. First produced as a musical _ comedy, "Irene" has proved itself a living testimonial in favour of the re-shooting of former favourities. In the leading role Anna Ncagle, fresh from recent triumphs, adds to a growing reputation for success in light portrayals, while capable support is forthcoming from Ray Milland (of "French Without Tears"), Billie Burke, Arthur Treacher, May Robeon and Roland Young. "Alice Blue Gown," presented : in old-time and modem tempos with all the added advantages of modern scrccn showmanship, is a number which has found well-deserved popularity, while other unforgettable song hits, lavish sets and a story abundant with amusing situations make memorable entertainment. The record tally of audiences which have viewed the new "Irene" speaks for itself. STATE. Robert Taylor, Greer G arson and LowAy res make an attractive leading trio in "Remember," now showing the State Theatre, S.vmonds Street. Associate attrac- . tion is "Bad Little Angel," starring I Virginia Weidler. j HAWAIIAN REVUE. ' Refreshing in its novelty, the musical • "Hawaii Sings," with the graceful Momi I Kaaimoku and Aliiloa Lincoln's Alolialani j Hawaiian.* continues to please Auckland . audiences nightly at His Majesty's Theatre. Hr.unting Hawaiian songs, oldtime and modern hula danccs and the swingy instrumental numbers all bring with them a breath of the "Paradise of the Pacific." Xumbers which have found special popularity arc Miss Momi's hula dances, tenor-falsetto, solos by Aliiloa Lincoln and steel guitar items by Dan Kaeka.