AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 85, 10 April 1941, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC. i'nk'u with the whimsicalities that W. C. Fields always imparts to a picture, Universal s "The Bank Dick," is showing at the Majestic Iheatre. For years Fields has 1 >.:T'ii acclaimed one of the greatest ■ "if.linns on tlio American stage and ' 1 * 11 " • Ihe lionour lias never been dis-|-ii!'-'l. but it any proof were needed, it is • i<• in Ilis latest picture. More typically I' n ids materia I than any of the more re<ent productions he has the bulk of the s in.i< dto can y throughout the picture. I lu; original screenplay by M. K. Jeeves, '"II ill opportunities fiur the comedian I'la.v Ids effective spontaneous type of comedy. Second attraction at the Majestic is I nix ei s.ils new prize-tight drama. "'J'he Lea i In-r I'ushers." Alive with thrills and 1; waiter, it, literally carries a punch in • ■vei-y scene. Co-starred are Richard Arlen and Amly IVvine. Set against the colour*nl ''•ick.iniund of the prize-ling, the film ll ""' s tli rough a series <vf exciting sc'iiiiiiers climaxed by a thrilling battle h' to. ei'ii Al len and an opponent for the i"'-ht tn battle the champion. Humorous and romantic sequences are expertly inter- " Vl 11 throughout, the feminine rule being I'laj ed by Astrid Allwyn. ST. JAMES'. -Ma-key Kooney and Judy Garland, head--1 a 11olicsoine juvenile group, provide music with lauglis in "Strike Up The T?'ind, a gay musical romance of youth, v.'ll ich commenced screening at the St. •'ame.s' Theatre to-day. Mickey and Judy, aided and a bet led by June I'reisser and ci.ier clever youngsters, many seen with Inein 111 "Babes In Aims," organise a sv.'mg hand m high school. 'I'heir adventures range Ironi staging a comical travesty on old-time plays, to smart ballroom work, modern smug hits such as Nobody ' and "Our Love Affair" and a '* 1 — climax in a radio studio where they win IViul \\ liitcmnu's prize with Ciershin s "Strike l. p The Hand." cniliellished by <• ot111,• specialities. Busby Berkley, who filmed "lollies In Arms" and "Forty Little Mother.---, directed. The cast includes Paul V\ hit i ni.i n. his famous orchestra. June I'reisser. William Tracy, Larry Nunn, Margaret Larly. Ann Shoemaker and many others. Mickey Fooney plays an amazing drum solo in the "Drummer liov" number by his orchestra. Paul Whitemnn and his orchestra contribute "When Dnv Is Doim" and ",\Jy Wonderlul One." There ;, re a number of other songs, bofh new ••'■d old. in this elaborate production. I iere is also an old-time melodrama with Hero, heroine and buzz saw, and Judy tied to the railroad track.

STRAND. f" Mi-trn-fJolrhvyu-Marer's film •Dulc-y," nii ii c.at the Strand Theatre Ami Si.ithern dominates the screen in no uii> ortain ivav, in spite of the fact I.i,ii tiicrc .".re [an Hunter, Roland Young, Jj.rninld f.ar.iiner and Rillio Burke inclcdcd in the cast. Miss Sotliern plays the part, ol a beautiful young woman who fries to look after other people's biisilirs.s not in the usual objectionable way of ionise-and only succeeds in making; the simple complicated, and the i-onipli-cati'd. ten time more so. Altlioimh her theory t.l trying to do the greatest good lor tlio ptcalest number unfortunately di'n s not Mem to work out in practice, in l !' ell(it Is to make ,'t work are most amusing, the comedy is fast and furious, and it seems that effect has not been strained ailfr in the slightest to get the laughs_ which rise so naturally at this br ant it ul tool, who simply can't keep herself, or those with whom she is connected, out of trouble. Miss Sothcrn is supported by an exceptionally strong cast of comedians. Iler leading man is lan Hunter, who turns in yet another sound performance. T'oland Young is fully up to his excellent slant lard as a nervous aeroplane magnate. The performances of Billie Burke ami Reginald Gardiner are also notable. EMBASSY. W hen Hollywood set about making "Buck Street '' it was extremely careful of t\vo things. Firstly, to find a combination of actors who could not only play to perfection the heavy emotional scenes, but ones who could also portray the delicately sketched scenes, which are to be found in this great story. Secondly, they were careful to retain the vivid emotional climaxes, the dramatic situations and the excellent characterisations which went so far to make Fannie Hurst's novel famous. The of this novel, which was translated into almost every civilised language, began at the Embassy Theatre to-day. "JSack Street," which lirst appeared in serial form, was the centre of considerable comment from literary circles. It had a bold theme, the situations were unusually candidly handled, and critics generally agreed on its literary merit. The story is of a girl who sacrifices her life to help a man of world-wide reputation in his career. Living only in the back streets of this man's life she lcad« a lonely unnatural existence. This difficult part is played by Miss Sullavan, whose performance is most creditable. Charles Boyer is seen in the role of Walter Saxel. OXFORD—AVON. Xot only by virtue of her position in the film, but by (sheer performance does •Jean Arthur dominate Columbia's picture, "Arizona." which will commence screening at the Oxford and Avon Theatres on Saturday. M ies Arthur, who will be remembered for the exceedingly talented p;irt she played opposite James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," plays the part ot a lone white woman, Phoebe Tif-us, in a country which is meant for men alone. The story takes i>lace in the mighty desert and plains of Arizona around about the 'sixties in the last century. when old Tuscon was a lawless frontier city and Indians roved the country and ambushed the unwary. Pliocfee Titus settled in Tuscon and established a reputation not only for the pies she sold, but for her handling of a rifle and a. blar-ksnake whip. The story is an absorbing one, rich in colour and adventure. Also screening for the first time in Auckland is "Blondie Plays Cupid." The picture is a combination of situation and oral comedy, with "BlondieV efforts to kfop fireworks away from the family. The film was directed by F. R. Strayer and the story adapted to the screen by Richard Floiitnoy and Karen DeWolf. VOGUE. With Margaret Lockwood and Rex Harrison in the star roles, Train to Munich" makes its final appearance at the Vogue Theatre to-day. It is topical thri thrill-packed drama. The Easter attraction, commencing on Saturday, will be the great British film, "Convoy," with Ciive Brook and John Clements. This naval melodrama has a generous measure of action and thrills. STATE.

The Easter attraction at the State Theatre. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "They Shall Have Music," stars Jaselia Heifetz and hip violin, a combination making a Tare perfection seldom encountered in this imperfect -world. In addition to the music r>f this master there is a fine supporting cast and there is also featured the California Junior Symphony Orchestra with 4.5 .musically gifted youngsters.