"THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES."

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 56, 8 March 1941, Page 6

"THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES."

CENTURY. Ffrank James Henry Fonda Eleanor Stone Gene Tierney Si*™ • • • Jackie Cooper Major Rufus Todd Henry Hull Bob Ford John C&rradine George Runyan .... J. Edward Bromberg Director: Fritz Lang (20th Century-Pox). Tense, dramatic, and exciting from tile opening to the closing scene, the new 20th. Century-Fox special production, "The Return of Frank James," conimeneed a season at the Century Theatre yesterday. | Filmed in technicolour, the picture is even more colourful and action-packed than the unforgettable "Jesse James." The stofy of "The Return or Frank James" is the story of Frank's determination to avenge the cowardly murder of his-brotlier Jesse, shot in the hack by the traitorous I'ord brothers. .Always maintaining a high pitch of excitement, the picture follows Frank over all the lawless West, with tremendously stirring scenes of robhery. murder, gun-lights, man-hunts, train hold-ups, escape and pursuit. The east is identical, as to principals, to that of "Jesse James," and the story <>£ the James boys is picked up where it was left off and told in the same manner. There are, too, scenes of gentle romance in "The Return of Frank James," and the picture s climax is tense and dramatic. Henry Fonda, who_ played the role ot Frank in the first picture, is presented here as .determined to lead a life of rectitude, but ! forced to take the trail in- pursuit of his brother s killers when they are wanted a pardon for the killing. Second in prominence in the casting is Henry Hull, and Gene Tierney ig seen in the feminine role. The supporting programme of sjvort films is also of a high standard. STRAND. An entertaining musical comedy with some very original twists is Metro-Onld-wyn-Mayer's film "Hullabaloo" which is now showing at the Strand Theatre. Central figure of the story is an improvident actor portrayed by Frank .Morgan. He has some crazy experiences in trying, successfully at last, to achieve a radio c:ireer in the interests of three ex-wives, his children, creditors, associates and friends. Romantic responsibilities arc well looked after by attractive Virginia Orey anil Dan Dailey. jun. Billie Burke, X.vdia AVestman and Ann Morriss arc sound at the head of the supporting cast. Appearing in the course of the film is a negro tenor, Charles Holland, who is the possessor of a remarkably fine voice. Humour, of course, is the keynote of this picture and Morgan supplies plenty in playing one of the best roles of his career. The comedy assignment is, indeed, shared by the entire cast and it would be hard to find five minutes of the picture that does not contain a laugh. Catchy tunes are another feature of the production, including "We've Come a Long Way Together," an especially fine number. OXFORD-AVON. An exceptionally fine progromme is provided for patrons of the Oxford and Avon Theatres now that 20th Century-Fox's Tcchnicolour film "Maryland'' and G.B.D.'s thriller, "The Chinese Bungalow," are screening at both theatres. The first film is a stirring story which captures all the romance, colour and traditions of the porud State and and traditions of the proud Staie and famous Maryland Hunt Cup race, with multi-coloured silks flashing against blue sky and green turf, forms a breath-taking climax to the film. Featured in the cast are Walter Brennan, Fay Bainter. Brenda Joyce, John Payne, Charlie Buggies, Hattie McDaniel and Marjorie Weaver. Henry King directed. The other film is a dramatic love story of the Fast. Paul Lukas. who is noted for many fine characterisations, chalks up another with his performance as Yuan Sing. The talc deals with a mandarin's vengeance on his faithless wife by killing her lover while elaborately pretending that he is unaware that she is untrue to him. Great entertainment is vested in the suspense and dramatic tension arising from the mandarin's "cat-and-mouse" treatment of the guilty lovers. VOGUE. An entertainment item of particular interest to lovers of fine horse* and containing a beautiful lovp stow thai should have a wide nnpeid. M'-ti o-l JoldwynMaycr's historical drama "Klorian" is the current attraction at the Vogue Theatre. Scenes of expert horsemanship and an imperial ballet sequence help to make this production an outstanding film. Robert Young and Helen Gilbert have the leads. STATE. At present screening at the State Theatre is Mftro-Goldwyn-Mayer's tinu-iy thriller "Xight Train to Munich." Bex Harrison and Margaret Lockwood are responsible for fine performances in the leading rfiles, while Basil Badford and Naunton Wayne supply amusing comedy relief. At the evening* sessions Mr. Bon Boyce entertains at the Hammond organ.