Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 51, 1 March 1941, Page 14

Amusements Reviewed

"GOLD RUSH MAISIE." MAJESTIC. Maisie Ravler Ann Sothern Bill Anders Lee Bowman Fred Gubblns Slim Summerville Jtible Davis Virginia Weldlcr Sarah Davis Mary Nash Bert Davis . John F. Hamilton Director: Edwin L. Marln (M.U.M.) Also: -SOUTH TO KABANOA." with Charles BlckJord. James Craig and Lull Deste. Exhilarating riitertainment can be found in the double feature programme which cominonced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Heading the bill in "'Cold Hush Maisic." a Mctro-Uoldwyn-Mayci pidiliiution fciituriim Ann Sothern in the lead inn role. The film is n comedydrama of outstanding merit. It is .1 story of 11 stranded showjiirl. and .Mis.s Sothern characterises the rule with more success :■ n<l hilarious resillln than bcl\ii c. Tin: story has such a ca|itivatiny effect that iindieiincs may ask why inoiv- pictuicf like this arc not produced. In the film storv Maisie i.s en route to 11 cafe in Arizona, where a sinning job awaits her. The car she occupies: breaks down near an abandoned mining town which experiences a boom precipitated by rumour, drawing thither a number of families discouraged by conditions in tin- crop ureas. Touched by their distress. Maisic lakes charge of one family, captains its cause, shares its fortunes, challenges the icserve of a \ oniij; hermit whose ranch posses-pos a water supply which, made a\nilnblc as a result of her efforts, facilitates homtv-teodiiic of the area by the itinerants and supplies a happy ending.

Aprain Mis> Sutheiii employ« tlic \cinaciilar uf the Miiisie chamcter and the manner of th' , previous Maisic portiaxal.s tliroiijibout. Then, iiunin. the story is so constructed ms to j;i v,, her opportunity to enact, a lady. The nature of the story is such as to claim the s.\mpaiby t>l the audience for the unfortunate uiiuriints.

The siipi'in tin- roles arc taken by L«-c Bowman pliiyiiiK the male lead as the rancher. Slim" Smnmevville m< .1 farm hand, and Viriiiuia Weidler us the daughter of a poor migrant family. The associate feature film is L'nivei sal's exciting stiiry. '"Sinitli to Karnuga." It is n talc of adventure, mystery and romance. Laid in Africa during a native rebellion.

"South to karanga" is an action melodrama based on the efforts of a croup of white men to <|iicil an uprising, save a mine and open a railroad through the jungle. Charles Bit klord cii.t ts the pi incipal n>lc. that, of an Ainerii an consul. and James Craig. Luli Dcstc, John .Sutton and Maurice Moscoviih are in the cast. In the course of the story two minders are committed, the native* unsuccessfully attack tin- train, and the passengers arrive at the mine in lime to rescue the beleaguered miners. "THE CHINESE BUNGALOW. - ( K.VITKY. Yuan Sins Paul t-u*as Charlotte Merlvale J"J>e B»Mcr S.»dlc Mcnvalc K»X Walsh nichßrd Morqiicss Robert Douela* Harold Marquess Wallace Doiißla* Doctor James woodDurn Director: George King (0.8 D.l J'lic f.i.-Kin.ition and mystery of lurking evil that iro to the making »f thrills in Chinese nielodiania aio presented in the highest device n "Tne Chinese Blingalow,"' a famous stage p!a\ transi'evievl to the screen, which t>pcue>l .i season at the Century Theatre las-t night. Through striking scenes oi luxury and bizarre life in China patrons see tlie sadistic pleasure with which Chinese vengoaiive lor domesti<! infidelity is piled m> in a succession of thrills to a sensational climax. Accompanied by an interesting selection <►!

"shortii." iiu-liulina the latest overseas news, it makes snappy and memorable entertainment.

Outstanding in tlic film is the portrayal of Paul Lukas »f a C"hine.«e inand.uin of wonlth and i-iilturc, uiaskina by eniyinntic suavity, a canldion of scctliins emotions arousoil l>v discovery of his Kuiopeau wife's disloyalty. A tans'cd web of Kastern and Wotern intrisue is ppun in rxotic surroundings as the mandarin falls under the spell ot his wife's sister what time his own spouse indulges in flirtation with an Knjilish euept, and tlio master of the lumiso ovcrivhelnis that pucst \vit4i Oriental hospitality having a poison cup as its e'imax. Suspense and dramatic tension run through the action t-o build no a thrilling finale and Iviikas' study oi Yuan Sing, combined with the artistic support of Kay Walsh (the wiflO. the wife's sister (Jane Bn.\ter) and the wife's lover (Rf>l>crt Doiifflael. Lirips the interest of iKltrons and holds it to the final sensational t limax--ill the Cniinesc Irunjralow.

True to the good-niensunj tradition of tho Century, the supporting programme adds to briefs of notnble current events overseas a hijshly-r.alisfaetory blend of hiiiiiour, travel and eib'cation. Interestin.; studies of t:ie industry of casting ships' propellers, of pigeon life in London streets ami parks, and of thp Knslish herring fleet nt work ure roiindeil off with an entertaining: and tuneful Teny cartoon. ST. JAMES , . Continuing a very successful season at the St. James' Theatre, Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr'e screeu version of Ethel Vance's expose of the effect of Nazi doctrines and methods on peoples under their control, "Kecapc" is thrilling large audiences. In this film a fine cast does full justice to the gripping story. Aβ Countess von Treck,' Norma Shearer yives a performance that surpasses in persuasive perfection and power any of her previous port iay .• Is. Robert Taylor once more reveals hie definite ability for serious acting n« Mark Preysing. Jn an unsynipathetic- role Conrad Veidt is responsible for a mastci iy interpretation. lie plays a typical, inhuman Prussian general. Filmgoers will find the most pleasant surprise in the oast of thie picture in the return of Mine. Nazimova, the great character actress, to screen parts. She is very effective as Emmy Hitter. Preserving the melodramatic pain and suspense of the original, best-selling novel, the film concerns the desperate efforts of an American son to save his German-born mother from the death penalty when she pays a business visit to tbe Fatherland. There is no ' relaxation until the very end of the picture. ROXYTIVOLI.

With those eccentric screen sweetiiearUj '.'iivd Nolan and lovely Lynn Bru i on mud to battle not only each other but also ibot.isc in the skies. "Charter Pilot" is 'loviding last and funny entertainment at lie Koxy and Tivoli Theatres. Nolan is tarred in the new Twentieth Century-Fox ilin, while Lynn heads a tine featured cast, including Alleen Wliejan and George Montgomery. The thrill-packed picture sparkles with smart dialogue nud is liignlichted by a spectacular climax set iu Honduras. Xohm and Miss liari stop lighting only when they discover that a saboteur has put poi.«on gas in the oxygen tanks of an aeroplane ready for flight. Also screening at both theatres is the moving story of a homeless, hungry boy, with no money, no past and no work,

"Street of Memories." As an outcast, boy who has lost his memory .lohn McGuire Jails in love with Lynnc Roberta, a lovely, spirited girl whom he meets in a pour quarter ot the town. Her attempts to rehabilitate him and their stirring fight tor a chance in life provide a very unusual and entertaining love story. That popular veteran Guy Kibbep playe a leading featured role and Kd. Gargan and Hobart Cavanaugh are sound in support. NATZKE-NEATE CONCERT. At His Majesty's Theatre to-night an extra concert will be given by Oscar Natzke and his associate artists, Kenneth Neate and Henri Penn. The two singers will be heard in a further selection of operatic excerpts, including the duet from Bizefs opera, "The Pearl Fishers."' Mr. Natzke will sing "Here Me, Ye Winds and Waves" and "Silent Worship," both by Handel, "O, Tu Palerma" (Verdi) and "The Town of Kazan" (Moussorgsky). Mr. Keate's numbers will include arias from "La Boheme , ' and "Martha," "La Danza" (Rossini) and "Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss" iLchar). Mr. Henri Penn will present piano solos by Bach. I "VVitiber and Cliopiu. On nest Tuesday night thie trio of artiste will give a conI cert in Hamilton, and will then conduct a tour of the Dominion.

"A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN." REGENT. MiHff# ■ Gloria Jean. J?'? ee Robert Start. Director: Andrew Marton (Universal). When Deaun.i Durbin nkyroekctotl to world fame with "Three Smart (Jir.s people said she couldn't last. But >-i'«" kept it up until they said that never asain uould an awkward-ase star attract an >he had done: never again wowld a rival arise. That ku before "The L nuevpup." which, just to show that it could repeat the impossible, the Mine studio— Univpwal-nloo produced. And in it a veiv youthful .-t:.r was into the M)ii-lite.-t vincina tiimament. tilonn .lean bciTime overnifrht « fashionable "niac. And now. the same producer, -'oe I'a.-tcr-link lwho. be it added, was always behind Deanna Durbin triumphsi. has uivon his faithful public a sequel film. a?ain with Gloria .lean sinjrinf: and charming her dainty way across its highly-entertain-ins S4 minute* of iscreentna time.

Gloria .Ir-.m is. r>: rouvse. a little =ii 1 uitli a voirc, but she it. mm e than that. Slie is much more the actress than *h< - was in her debut. "The L'ndcipup." and as a Irneniont \oungster who become* a famous Vadio personality she has plenty of opportunity to demonstrate the wonderful voral qualities which a'onr would make liov Dcanna'K serious rival. She ha.« cood looka and several year? in her favour, moreover, and makes the be*t use of them.

The star more memorable miniLoin, incliidine '"Pawn of l.ove -, f'Eli. F.li") «ith elinral and oi<-hr»stral backciouri'l: the Knn:. "A Lit tip Bit of ITp.ivoii " "Aft*"r Kvrry Tiainftorm." •What l»ul Wr Learn at School." and ■'Mi-.-li School CarlMs" (revived from "The I'ndcrpnp.' , ).

Hugh Herbert. C Aubrey Smith. Nan (Jie.v and Frank Jonks portray the roles of (iWi.Vs i elativcs. while Robot t Stack ami Stuart Krwin are a mnst effective team as radio partners who give the little girl hrr bur chance. Eupene Pallette is a tonic as .in amusing radio executive. The Repents supporting bill of fare includes a feature showing Bin? Crosby at golf with Walter Hagen and other famous personalities. also "War and Order.' , a British study of police emcrnoiir.v activities in vmtinie. PLAZA. Current attraction at t.iic Plaza Theatre is Dai r>l F. /JanuckV production of :20th Conturj -Fox's speet.nular and entertaining tilii). "Maryland." li, brilliant hucM o< fechnicolour. the picture captures all the traditions and natural beauty of the proud State. One of the most thrilling and colourful horse u.ing sequences ever tilmed is the climax ' t>! the picture. It is the Maryland Hunt Cup, , America's mo»«t famouD anil sri«-llinp .*teep!e»-ha«o. Brilliant filks tt.it-'li afminot -rrren tun" and lilue .«ky a» stout-hearted ihorotiKhbredji ftrive for the loveted trophy. The absorbiinT and moving rtor>' concern* a mother's hatred of hr»srs after her husband is thrown and killed in .1 fox hunt. Her *on becomes an expert hoix-mnn. and. to fiirfher complicate matters, falls in love with i lie. frra ml-daughter of a liorne trainer. Kvery foot of '.he film holds the audience's attention to the thrilling ending. Wnlun Itrennan is pel fe< tlv cast .is a kindly old hoi so trainer, r.nd Fay Bainter. adroit infcipieter of didicillt character lole*. presents another tine portrayal. Brenda .Joyre and -Tolm Payne capably handle the romantic leads, and comedy is supplied by .i estrone supporting cast. VOGUE. Hilarious comedy, catchy tune* and magnificent spectacle are combined to make n very entertaining picture o: Kddie Cantors film. "Strike Me Pink." which i.« tiic current attraction at the Vogiie Theatre. Cantor is funnier than ever. Sally ~;*cr-: g-ves fine support and there is a beautiful background supplieil by hundreds of lovely girl?