Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 86, 12 April 1941, Page 12

Amusements Reviewed

"STRIKE UP THE BAND." j ST. -(AMjits'. Jimmy Connors . Mickev Roonev Mdry Holdcn Judy Garland Himself Paul Whlteman Barbara Frances Morgan June Preisser Mrs. Connors Ann Shoempke: Willie Breaster Larry Nunn Director. Busby Berkeley (M.G.M.) The unchallenged drawing power o: Micky Wooiiev and Judy (Jniland as costars in _ "Strike I p the Band" tilled St. James I heat, e willi (Xuberjiit eapaci.y iiowds tor tin- inception of a .-park I i ic. holiday tenure, the like or' which lias not been excelled lor many unions. Wiiatevi : it i*t that constitutes the peculiai charm of these two talented youngsters findfullest scope tin exptossion in this newc-; picture, comma to us almost exactly a y £?8r alter their outstanding joint tiiumpii in ' [tabes in Aims" The same producci. Arthur I'reed, and the same director. Burby Kei kele.v. have excelled in launching them on a joyous adventure ol i iotous ih.vihm. ( ast as a youthful adherent to the ( hat ms of a band, and most especially oi the drums. Mickey Wooney revels in "hat is manifestly a labour of loco; tor in plivate life his most prized, hobby is the orga nisi nir. financing and conducting of his own jazz orchestra. And when it comes to iliytlim, who can be a more talenteul and bewitching partner than Judy Garland'' With them again. as in "Babes in Arms," are June l'reisser and Ann Shoemaker, while excellent performances are al/o given by William Trach and Larry Xunn. Womanee devolves from Judy Garland's slighted efforts in the direction of a lomantie attachment with the boy. while -he helps him in his endeavours to get his band to Chicago tor an audition before I'aul Wllitenian. To the screen comes Mr. Whiteman as band leader and adviser, and linally -is hero, giving Mickey's band first place iu a contest. Touches »f poignancy devolve from the wish of Micky's mother in launch him on a career of medicine and irom the sickness of one of his voting 11 lends, while thrilling features are the patriotic final sequence, in which tile Stars and Stripes are unfurled on the screen to the accompaniment of the title -onp, the work of George and Ira Gershwin: the melody and catchy lyrics of '"Out Love Affair." written by Freed anil Wogei Kdens; the mummery of a "Gay Nineties" melodrama put in by the east to raise money for their band, and the perform- . nee given by the youthful co-stars iu an exaggerated version of a La Conga da nee.

The excellent supports include topical scenes of military and naval interest with spccial shots of the great welcomc accorded hy the people of Sydney to sailors of the visiting U.S. naval squadron. "NO TIME FOR COMEDY." CIVIC. .Gaylord Esterbrook James Stewart Linda Easterbrook Rosalind Russell Fhilo Swift Charles Ruggles Amanda Swift Genevieve Tobin Clementine Louise Travers Morean Carrel Allvn Joslyn Director: William Keighley (Warner Bros.) "A highly amusing picture" was the verdict that many Auckland picture-goers pronounced after seeing Warner Brothers' sophisticated comedy. "No Time for Comedy," which opened to-day at the Civic Theatre. Titled for a stage play which made a reputation on Broadway, this is a comedy of situation and dialogue founded on a ypirit of iconoclasm. Small town writers who think they have "messages,"' misguided patronesses of the arts, the amazing town of Hollywood, and. to some extent, ihe institution of marriage, are amazingly and very wittily satirised in situations and spicy repartee that keep the audience continually chuckling. The plot has to do with the experiences of a youth from Minnesota who, upon attaining fame as a playwright in NewYork, becomes involved in writing a "drama with a message." and alienate* lor a time the affections of his wife. When Ihe play fails completely, the woman who has been his "inspiration" in the meantime gives him up in disgust and recoivcilhlion with hie wife follows. There is not a break in the fast-moving story. and belying the name of the film, tlie audience 'have no time for anything but comedy, more comedy, and still more i omedy. James Stewart turns in a very pleasing performance as the playwright rejoicing in the name of Gaylord Easterl>rook, and he has a line foil in Rosalind Russell a« his wife. Miss Russell's portrayal in this picture equals anything that she has ever done. A strong supporting <a«t is headed by Genevieve Tobin, Charlea Ruggles, AUyn Joelyn, Clarence Kolm and Louise Beavers.

Included in the entertaining supporting programme are an exciting short, "The Littlest Diplomat," and a quaint cartoon. "THE THIEF OF BAGDAD." PLAZA. Jaffar Conrad Veidt Abu Sabu Princes* June Duprez Ahmad John Justin Genie Rex Ingram Sultan Miles Malleson Director: Ludwig Berger (United Artists). Alexander Korda's technicolour fantasy, "The Thief of Bagdad," was enthusiastically received by Auckland audiences at its first showings to-day at the Plaza Theatre. Alexander Korda is reported to have said of this picture, "What Disney has accomplished with cartoons we have tried to do with living players. ... We carried one thought uppermost in mind: let the imagination run riot." And most of the Auckland filmgoern who saw the picture to-day were convinced that Korda has made good his promise in one of the most spectacular films of any kind ever to be shown in Auckland. The picture is fantasy in fact and without reservation, an exercising of imagination in the manner and direction of the Arabian Nights with the arts and sciences of the cinema ransacked for ways and means of creating effects beyond the normal. In its employment of the teclini-c-oloui" process the production surpasses any release to date. In its uses of double exposures it dares and succeeds beyond frontiers established by its predecessors and considered ultimate. Sound is made to contribute both ornamentation and realism to incidents and situations extracted from fancy.

The story told in all this splendour is of the adventure*) of a thief of Bagdad in the interests of his sovereign, a monarch dethroned and blinded by a usurper. Involved in the story are such things as the magic carpet and the flying horse of Oriental fable, the all-seeing eye, the genie imprisoned in the flask for 2000 years and released by the thief to participate in bis works, a magician who changes the thief i"to a dog and back again.

Conrad Veidt as the usurper, Sabu ae the thief, John Justin as the king, June Duprez as the princess and Rex Ingram as the genie are principals, and all turn in such fine characterisations that the magnificent setting in which the picture is played does not dwarf their performances.

ROXY—TIVOLI. In "So Yitm Won't Talk?" which is screening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres • foe E. Brown produces laugh after laugh lrom delighted audiences with his usual ease of acting and his deft sense of knowing just when to introduce another humorous situation with ite consequent roar of laughter. Joe E. Brown is said to be funnier than ever—'though ithe average audience wouldn't mind if he were only up to average—in this new film. He femes to the screen in a dual role. He ib a nervous, bespectacled, bearded book critic, and hard though it may be to imagine he is a sinister baron of the dark underworld in his second role. These roles do not seem to allow much ecoipe for I Joe E. Brown humour, but the situations are involved and extremely funny. Frances Robinson, lovely young star, is seen to perfection aa Joe E. Brown's leading lady and other valuable members of the east include Bernard Nedell, Vivienne Osborne and Tam Dugan. Second attraction at both theatre* is the 30th' Century Fox picture, "Viva Ci«co Kid." with Cesar Romeo m the dashing cabalerro back from the border. He rides, shoot# and faces dancer everywhere. The sight of a fair eenorita, however, is too much for the romantic Cisco and he is always in trouble.

"NO, NO. NANETTE." | CKNTCWY. I Nanette Anna Nefglt- i Tnm Richard Carlson William Victor Mature Mr. Smith Roland Yonn? ' Mrs. Smith Helen Broderic.- i Pauline Zasu Pitts I Director. Herbert Wilcox iRK. Radio). | The musical comedy ,-in-cess, "No. No.! Nanette." come- back with refreshing j • weet 11 ess as a m-i ecu play and was wcl- | i-umeil with acclaim by a large holiday! audicin-c at the Century Theatre. With j lln return of two lav-unites together, a' favourite musicale and a populat and winsome actress in Anna Ncagle. it made an outstanding hit with pa'.ioii- at Thursday's preview. It is presented with special attention to the ton edy side of tin- story.' A biilliaut east iin-lu-le- Woland \ Millie as Jimmy Smilh. the henpe.k,-tl husband whose misei ly wife keep- him dancing on a si ling after hi.- money has aont; in a bank crash. Out of pleasuratices in his past appears a Miceession ol gills whose piesence threaten his intuit' home happiness until liis niece Nanette (Anna Nea-jle) takes a hand lo involve both him and herself in a sei ies of exciting and ridiculous difficulties. With the natural comedy so naturally exploited by Woland tiling thrown into highlight by Anna Ncanle s infectious and bubbling gaiety, the action develops into delicious scenes ot mirth interspersed with romantic interludes arising out of Anna's glamorous attractiveness. and moments of occasional delight when the intcliy songs "Tea For Two' and "I Want To lie Happy" are inve.-tcd with joy teas dance settings. Wicliai 1 Carlson ami Victor Mature help along the romantic episodes in their rivalry for the attention of the elusive Nanette. Their tender love-making shows up in striking contrast to the rampant Womeo-isnt of Woland Young when he gets 10-ose among the lovelies. Yet another character in the story who is welcomed back with enthusiasm by patrons is Zasu Pitts, who deserts her customary fluttering role of ohl-maidenishness for something new m the guise of a sarcastic housemaid with a fund of dry humour. It is a long time since Hollywood has given us such a night of fun as "No. No. Nanette ' provides. "THE BANK DICK." M A.J KS'l'IC. Egbert Souse W. C. Fields Agatha Souse Cora Witherspoon Myrtle Souse Una Merkel Elsie May Adele Brunch Souse Evelyn Del Rio Mrs. Hermlsillo Brunch Jessie Ralph J. Plnkcrton Snoopington Franklin Pangborn Director: Edward Cline (Universal). Also. "THE LEATHER PUSHERS." With Richard Arlen and Andy Devine.

To monopoli.se your attention for 74 j minutes and have you adiinji with I laughter most of that time is no mean ] feat, but W. C. Fields ac.Twnplis.-he-: it ! successfully enough in "The Bank Dick," j which opened to a laige audience at the | Majestic Iheatre on Thursday evening. I it was the same old Field-', brimful of hirown distinctive gags, wisecracks and mannerisms which -have endeared him to an al my of fans the world over. This time the veteran comedian is cast as a tipsy bank guard. :t delightful old repr.bate who literally falls into the job and spends most of hi.s time preventing a bank examiner from discovering his prospe live j son-in-law's embezzlement. In su.'h a j role Fields is at his best, whether tern- ! porarily acting as director of a film, claiming a rewind tor not knocking out a bandit, seducing the bank examiner with '"highballs" in a sa'oon bar. or hurling flower pots at his long-suffering family (an old one. this, but Fields knows how to modernise slapstick). Una Merkel and Franklin Pa ng'oorn head a long list ot assistant funmakcrs. though Fields dominates every scene with hi.s inimitable personality. "The Bank Hick" is sheei enjoyment from start to finish. What would you do if you won a boxei in a raffle? Match hint with your mother-in-law? That i« one suggestion in "The Leather-Pushei?." the second feature of the programme. Richard Arlen has the role of the l>oxei. whose ability wa- so under-rated that he was raffle.l. but who finally makes good with the aid of a pretty girl reporter, who wins the raffle, and a bnnc-h of villainous-looking cx-pic.rilvt<. All the thrill.- and fast-moving action c/ the boxing ling are reproduced in this film with trimming-:. Andy Devine. childish and always amusing, is Allen's trainer an'd manager, and the honours for comedy are shored between Devine and the choice collection of "tough guys" aforementioned. They make it their business to see that Arlen wins the middleweight crown—and how! Astrid Allwyn. the attractive Scandinavian actress, who takes more than a managerial interest in the boxing hero, builds up the romantic touches effectively enough.

OXFORD-AVON. Magnificent spectacle dealing with tliat land or contrasts, Arizona, i.s fler.lt with in a film of that name which w showing at the Oxford and Avon Theatres. This section of the lands history was taken from its most colourful period -in the sixties of last century. Arizona was then a wild and lawless country. Very often your neighbour was as dangerous as the Indiana, who used to ambush the lonely wanderer in the vastness of desert 01 plain. Arizona was a lawless country, a country, for men alone. The dominating personality in this film is a woman, Phoebe Titus, played by Jean Arthur. Phoebe is somewhat of a wild cat by nature. Of course she needs to be. for she lives in the lawless frontier city of Tuscan, and she is respected not only for the excellent pies she sells, but for her dexterity in the handling of gun and stockwhip. But although she possesses more than her share of the manly virtues. Phoebe is sufficiently feminine to conquer men with far than firearms. The story has a magnificent open air background to it and is full of thrill and adventure. Screening for the first time in Auckland is "Blondie Plays Cupid." with Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton. The picture is a combination of situation I and oral comedy.

STRAND. Abandoning lior usual type of Maisie character Ann Sot-hern takes the part of a beautiful but dumb blonde in "Dulcy."' the Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer picture which commences a season at the Strand Theatre on Thursday. Dulcy is dumb, most certainly, but it i* doubtful whether the most intelligent being would be able to get thing* into more complicated tangles than she does. For some reason she has the urge to interfere in other people's business in order that she may help tlieni. Disorganisation, however, not organisation, is Dnicy's strong point. Ann Sothern stancta out in this picture for her excellent performance. This i* all the more remarkable, when the strength of the supporting cast is considered.. Included in it are other talented comedians. Roland Young, who is always amusing, plays the part ox a timid aeroplane magnate with his usual skill. Lan Hunter competently handles the role of leading man to Miss Sothern. Billie Burke and Reginald Gardiner also provoke considerable amusement. But it is the beautiful, brainless Dulcy who succeeds mor>t in drawing laughs from the audience. Her amazing efforts to render assistance to others, combined with a humorous script, make the picture good entertainment.

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. After so many seasons of '"The Gondoliers,''' which is being staged here this evening, ft is scarcely necessary to give any detail of the amusing story of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza Toro, their beautiful daughter C'asilda, their accompanying drummer, those two sprigs of Venetian socialism, Marco and (Suiseppe, and their young wives, and the Grand Inquisitor. Sufficient to say that the latest Williamson company does full justice to the whimsical tale and. both histrionically and musically, uphold the prestige of Gilbert and Sullivan as we have learned to know and appreciate it. On Monday afternoon and evening "H.M.S. Pinafore," preceded by "Trial By Jury," will be staged, and on Tuesday evening "The Yeomen of the Guard" will be revived. On Wednesday afternoon *nd evening "lolanthe"' will be .performed, and on Thursday night 'The Mikado" will Ix" staged.

"ARISE MY LOVE." REGENT. Augusta Lash Claudette Colbert . Tom Martin Ra >' MHland Shep Dennis O Keefe Mr. Phillips Walter Abel Pink ■ Dick Purcell Governor George Director: Mitchell Leiscn (Paramount). I Thursday's audiences at tin: Wcm-nt ! Theatre wet# completely enraptured by | llie contemporary coni< dy-di ama, "Arise j My Love" —o picture that has the] warmth, the hunianness and tin- enter- | tainment qualities that have alway - , maikcd the contributions ot Arthur Horn-, blow, jun.. 'io tin l prograium;l The iiii-111rt* concerns cl:<• I'.ui opean ( adventures <a' an American girl report "i .| played 1»y Clau.lctte Coibcr:. I'j<n the sake of a uoud story she poses as the wnc , ot' Tom Martin i Way Mii'lamti. an American. and a member ol the Spanish Lcpub- , licaii Air I'orce w'nom she lint's in a Franco exieiition cell on a charge «■! ' treason. She intercedes with tiie authuii-. tier;, eventually saving his life. T'ney reach ! I'aris amid the welter of the .incoming I - !in >►;it an conflict md later. Berlin. ju.it i as 1110 Polish invasion 1 >-.■ uill. Because ol j expert, direction, laughs are extracted From the script and the suilace ot tin- ! Kuropean conflict. as well as pr-'sent day j conditions skimmed over without bectKi:i iiu liogucd down in them. There an «:• si>i did scenes, the iilm being handled in a 111 i::ht and breezy manner, with miicii sprightly dialogue as it proceed.* at n : merry pace to its climax. Judging by number and volume ol lauuhs which greeted many ot' the mirth-pi ovi kinu. situations and tl:e reaction to the allusions ot i-unteinpiirary see] ics and personalities. the audience enjoyed '"Arise My Love" immensely. Ihe stars ot the production. Claude*, te Colbert and Way Milland. give excellent performances.

The secondary film subjects are I'oth interesting and entertaining, too. They iiu-lutle a Pat lie lilitish News, current woild happenings. a noveily. "Motor Cycle Stunts." an daiiolher of the popular Popcyc animated cartoons. "BACK STREET." KMBASSY. Walter Saxel Charles Bo>ct Ray Smith Marct.irct bullavan Curt Stanton Richprd Carlson Ed. Porter Flank Mcllugh Harry ' Frank Jcnks Richard Saxel Imi Holt Director: Robert Stevenson (Universal). Fannie Hurst's well known storv ol a woman who. for -•") years, lived in the back Street" of a .-Ut-ccssliil man's lil'e. has been given a powenul in;erjuetatioit in this new picturisat ion o: "Hack Street, which began an eagerly awaited season at the hmbassy i iiealre on I iiurstlay uigul. Many filiiigoeis will be interested lo compare 111:- version, which unites Iwo ot the screen's most brilliant stars. < narlcs Boyer ami .Margaiet Sullavnn. with the earlier lilm stalling John Boles and Irene Dunne.

The .-lory ha> Cii.n les Beyer as Wailei Saxel. a banker from New Orleans, meeting and tailing in love with Ka\ Smi'.h. a gay ami attractive Cincinnati gn I. nlayeil by Margaret Sulhiv.in. I i.ey plan 1" marry. Hut through a Magic o. cni i cue •. are prevented troni meeting at the appointed „tiinc. The bankei i etui lis to New York, matries and has a. son. five years later, they meet again, and. unable to give each other up. and Ray refusing to allow divorce to ruin Walters prom:--ing career, they become lovers. I lie si'.uation endures until Wallet .- arc grown up. and find out about the shadowy "(■ther woman* in their lathei s lite.

Margaret. Sullavan biings tenderno--and gaiety ami charm to the part oi the self-sacrificing girl who live- only tor love, and the loneliness of "women who can only wait" is conveved with he: customary poignant skill. Charles Hovers part* is rather less s\ moat bet ic than ti: -se in which we have hilhetto seen him. Walter Saxel. while cha>;ning_ as onl\ Monsieur I' (■; can make him. is uiulen:ably selfish, and the biilliant Flench actor portrays the character in compelling fashion.

A •dnsere peitormance conies tiom frank McHu:li as n .-.i'e-maii friend of Ra.v's. while other ■ in the cast are Ki-. bald t illson. Tim Hoi I. ami l'rank -lenks. Ihe atnios'-.het e of Cincinnati at the b ••.".nunc: of the ecntery i- weil captured, and there are sol"" Ueant.inl ohotograploc "Bad; Si. ret" i- a film for tNv-e who ■ -):ile sivon-r drama, and eni'■!ii.naib mat in e ac ting. The supporting !" ';-'n • ;••

includes overseas news, an exciting film about, polo, and a travelogue of Ari/ona.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE —"The Gondoliers." | CIVIC SQUARE-Amusement Park. | PICTURE THEATRES. I MAJESTIC —V/. C. Fields in "The Bank Di-k " . and Richard Arlen in "The Leather Pushers." ROXY—Joe E. Brown in "So You Won t Talk" , end Cesar Romero in "Viva Cisco Kid." 1 ST. JAMES* —Mickcv Roo'.ey and Judy Gnrlaivl in "Strike Up The Bind." REGENT —Claudattc Colbc»t and Ray Milland in "Arise My Love." PLAZA—Conrad Yeidt and June D;iprez in "Thief Of Basdad." OXFORD —Jean Arthur in "Arizona" and Arthur Lake in "Blondie Plays Cupid." EMBASSY —Charles Boyer an;! Margaret Sulla van in "Bact Street." STRAND—Ann Sothern and lan Hunter in "Dulcy." CENTURY -Anna Neagle in "No, No. Nanette." CIVIC —James Stewart and Rosalind Russell in ' "No Time For Comedy." REGENT (Ep-,om)—"Secret or Dr. Kildare" and "I Was An Adventuress. DELTA —"A Chump At Oxford" and -'Coast Guard" REGAL—"Dr. Erlich's Magic Bullet" and "Four Sons. TIVOLI—"So You Won't Talk" and "Viva Cisco Kid." KlALTO—"Hudson Bay" and "Cross Country Romance." RIALTO (Sunday)—" Tenth Avenue Kid" and "Laburnum Grove." STATE (Symonds Street)—" They Shall Have Music." STATE (Onchunffa) —"Return Of Frank James" and "Public Deb. No. 1." • STATE (Devonport)—"Band Wagon" and "Captain Caution." STRAND (Onehunjra)—"The Man From Dakota" and "Maisie." TUDOR—"Young Tom Edison." VICTORIA—"I Love You Again" and "Sandy Is A Lady." VOGUE—"Convoy. " AVON (Newton) —"Arizona" and "Blondie Plays Cupid." ASTOR—"Remember" and "Alias The Deacon. ' ADELPHI —"Four Sons" and "Dance Girl, Dance." ALEXANDRA—CIosed lor Rebuilding. AMBASSADOR—"Judge Hardy and Son" and "There's That Woman Again." AVONDALE—"Geronimo." "Tons Of Money." BIRKENHEAD—"CharIey McCarthy. Detective. * BRITANNIA—"I Take This Woman" and "The Village Barn Dance." BERKELEY (Mission Bay) — "Balalaika." CAPITOL—"South Of The Border" and "Cheer. Boys. Cheer." CRYSTAL PALACE—"Hudson's Bay" and "Cross Country Romance." DE LUXE —"Foreign Correspondent." GREY LYNN—"New Moon" and "The Lone Wolf Meets A Lady." GAIETY"—"The Shop Around The Corner." LIBERTYI—"Judge1—"Judge Hardy and Son" and "Doctor Takes A Wife." MAYFAIR—"Swanee River" and "Boy Friend." NEW ROYAL—"Balalaika" and "Too Busv To Work." PICTUREDROME—"The Sun Never Sets." i PRINCE EDWARD—"The Angels Wash Their Faces" and "Seven Sinners." PRINCESS—"Four Wives" and "Chan At The Wax Museum." SOUTHERN CROSS—"Another Thin Man" and "Tundra."

RADIO PROGRAMMES. 1YA—7.30 p.m., "Gilbert and Sullivan Cavalcade": 9.37. Lukewela's Royal Hawaiians; 10.10, Dance music. 2YA —7.45 p.m.. "Shall We Waltz" ("Harry Horlick's Orchestra); 9 25, Old-time Dance music; 10.0, Sports summary. 11X—7.45 p.m.. "Billy Bunter of Greyfriars"; 8.0, Saturday night variety. 12M —7.30 p.m., Orchestral recordings; 8.0, Dance session. Highlights from to-morrow's radio programmes are:— IYA—7.O p.m., Service relayed from St. Mary s Anglican Cathedral: Preacher, The Rt. Rev. Bishop Simkin; 8.30, New Symphony Orchestra, "Tintagel"; 9.36, Reginald Whitehead (bass). 2YA—7.O p.m.—Salvation Army Service, relayed from the Citadel: Preacher. Captain George Thompson; 8.0. Sir Hamilton Harty and the London Philhurmontc Orchestra; 9.27, Music from the Theatre." ITX—B.3O p.m., Choral recitals, with solo instrumental interludes; 9.0, Continuation of programme. IZM—7 p.m.. Orchestral music; 0.0. Conccrt.

STATE. Stan in--' Jaseha Heiietz and hie violin, "Thev Shall Have Music," Easter attraction at the State Theatre, -provides a very p'easiti"- sele.-tion of music. In addition to fhe" world-famous violinist the film feutu:e- the ( .vi.nrnia Junior Synipnonv I Orchestra. Heading the si ea.-t „-,c Andrea Leeds. Joel M. Cica and j ) AWiltei Isreiin.ni. j j VOGUE. j Ka.-te, a,:: a,-lion at the Y;.-'i,e Theatre j i- the B: it isli til 111 "l OMVI.V. with < li\ e | ! |5i 00-k in tie it-1 I in.: H'V. Mad.; Ult'a fie. I collalioration o: the Hi it.is'.i Ad ni ira It y. the. 'ii i-1 are d'amatisc- the vmk . the Loyal [ Navv in finvoyin-T merchant men in | | dan-ei -s'a c'.i wateis. A very interesting! I Story I- played e.:ain.-t an excitm- ami J topical b:iel:-:: tn in: I. i