AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 90, 17 April 1941, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

i , | REGENT. j lo lie idle_ in one of Franco's executio cells because you have been a member c I the Spanish Republican air force, an 1 then to be rescued by an American gii | reporter, whose sole motive is apparent! jthe desire t'o get a scoop, is distinct! extraordinary. This is. however, the cas in "Arise My Love, winch is screenini at the Regent Theatre. Claudette Colber plays the part of Augusta Lash, the gii reporter, and Ray Milland as Tom Martin the American airman. The story has a it's background the contemporary Eurc pean situation—but over this has beei cast a veil of very real humour whicl lias obscured its more tragic side—an< Augusta Lash discovering the America] Ito be in Franco's clutches rescues liin from .a doubtful death by posing as hi wife and then 'having extracted him fron Spanish clutches tries t'o reach Paris ii the welter of the oncoming European con nict. But, although there are allusions ti contemporary European scenes and per sonalities, the humour of which is no missed by the audience, the main them< of the film is light and humorous ant develops to the full the romance ant •humour inherent in a boy-meets-girl situa tion. With its sprightly humour and fast moving action, its romantic complication! and its sound acting, "Arise My Love' makes good entertainment.

EMBASSY.

Translated into almost every civilised '^ IKI ! ag <s Fannie Hurst's famous novel, Back Street," enjoyed an immense popularity, and in the earlier days of motion pictures a screen version was made of it. Now Universal has made a new film of this great novel, and it is showing at the Embassy Theatre. Teamed together are Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan in the roles of Walter Saxel and Ray Smith. These fine actors have, it is said, lost none of the original tense drama of emotional climaxes which characterised the novel. It is a picture not only full of strongly emotional scenes, but also those of more delicate and lighter nature. With poignant skill Margaret Sullavan plays the part of a self-sacrificing girl who lives in the back street of a famed man's life, suffering from loneliness which is her lot while he is busy with business and family affairs. The tragedy was brought about on account of a mishap which prevented the two marrying. The, couple meet later and find that although Walter Saxel is married they are unable to give each other up. Divorce is impossible and the two become lovers. The situation endures until Walter's children have grown up and found out about this "other woman." These able actors are backed by a strong supporting cast. STRAND. With a convincing and exciting documentary background, "Contraband," which will commence screening at the i Strand Theatre to-morrow, is said to be J : one of the finest films produced in a British studio. The authenticity of this I I film—quite often found to be lacking in . I a spy melodrama—has been made doubly secure by the ful' collaboration which was ; given it by the British Admiralty and the 1 Royal Navy. Dramatising the adventure! which most will admit lies in war, the pic- I ture is in cssence a-spy melodrama, which | | provides excellent entertainment for film-' Ptoers. In the leading roles are C'onrad Veidt, as handsome Captain Andersen, and Y.alerie Hob son, as a most charming girl engaged on work for the British Secret ; Service. The drama unfolds itse't rabidly , and moves quickly from shipboard life to \ the city of London. The crisp and 1 luminous photography which showed to; such advantage in the naval scenes main- ' tains its standard, and there are j some most interesting scenes of a fashion- : a.HIe of London in the blackout, j But el'ief interest, of course, centres; around the charnvng Miss HoHson and Cn.pfn l ii Aridm-sen who become enmeshed! in the toils of a Nazi organisation. The

swift and tense -"t : OTi which folHws is ( ci ciliated to nnke th° most lil-se of j audiences sit forward and enjoy theinse'ves. J CENTURY. Romance and an anti-blackmail scheme ' comprise the_ dual themes of "No, No, I Nanette, ' RKO Radio's scintillating film, ■ which is screening at the Century Theatre, j In the leading role is the talented star, ! Anna Neagle. Topping the success of her j recent film, "Irene," the vivacious star ; brings another gay characterisation to the j screen, that of a busy "Miss Fixit." who ; seeks to get her wealthy uncle out of a i financial jam into which some golddig- ; gers have manoeuvred him. The girl's plans for straightening out involve an artist and a theatrical producer, both of whom promptly fall in love with her. I How the romance as well as the efforts of the golddiggevs are brought to a ; hilarious conclusion make for the high ; speed plot of the film. The catchy hit i tunes of the original Broadway success, | "Tea for Two," "I Want to be Happy." | and "No. Xo, Nanette," are skilfully 1 woven into the picture, together witli a ! remarkable dream dance sequence. Her- I bert Wilcox produced anil directed the | film, while Ken Englund was responsible for the screen play. Richard Carlson and j Victor Mature have the romantic leads | opposite Miss Neagle. and Roland Young, i Helen Broderick and Zasu Pitts head the j featured cost. I

ST. JAMES'. Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland,' aided 'by other clever youngsters, were, highly successful in rocking theatre audiences with their film '"Babes in Anns," and in the new film in which they are \ again teamed they are no less successful. ' This tuneful musical is "Strike Up the , Band," which is showing at the St. i James' Theatre to delighted audiences. | Songs, laughter, heart throbs, and ' romance of youth are all delightfully . mingled in such a way as to make it the ' best at" light screen fare. Mickey and | Judy, having more originality than the average high school student, organise a swing band and. hearing of Paul Whiteman's contest for school bands, they decide that they must get to Chicago and | compete. So they stage a concert to raise , the money for travel expenses. Included : in their performances is a most amusing travesty on old-time stage melodrama, with such song gems as "The Curse of an Aching Heart" and "Heaven Wi'l Protect a Working Girl." The director is Busby Berkley, who directed "Babes in Arms." A lavish musical finale accompanies the dramatic climax, which is reached in a radio station. when Gershwin's "Strike Up till e Band" is played while the Stars and Stripes unfold on the screen. OXFORD—AVON. Taking full advantage of Leon Errol's gift for 1 comedy and impersonations. "Mexican Spitfire Out West," which will begin showing at the Oxford and Avon Theatres to-morrow, carries on with more and even funnier adventures of tliat crazy trio, Carmelita, Unc'e Matt, and Lord Epping, with Lupe Velez playing the Mexican spitfire and Enrol giving four characterisations, one as funny as the other. The story opens with Carmelita flying into a rage and rushing off to Reno because her husband has neglected their first wedding anniversary in favour of trying to keep the newly-arrived Lord Epping from filling into the hands of a business rival, who also wants the nobleman's million dollar contract. The whole film is an affair of mad fun with no time for anything but comedy from opening situation to fade-out. The strong associate attraction is "You'll Find Chit." a mystery musical, which has not only Kay Kyser and his band, but, en masse, those three bad men, Boris Karloff. Peter I Lorre and Bela Liieosi. The combination ( of melody and thrills and mysterv makes I an unusual and entertaining film. In 1 contrast to tihe bad men ; s beautiful Helen I Parrish, who provides the romantic j interest together with Dennis O'Keefe. •' VOGUE. I Screening finally at the Vogue Theatre to-day is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "New Moon," with Nelson Eddy and Jeanette . MacDonakl. The glamorous voices of the two stars finds wonderful scope in the beautiful music of this film, which has in; addition a good plot. The story has been left almost unchanged from that of th<# original opera, in which a-.young French aristocrat renounces his claims to nobility.

I PLAZA. | Alexander Ivorda, whose new techniI colour production "The Thief of Bagdad" j is now playing at the Plaza Theatre, is ! indulging in what is for him a familiar j occupation, namely, finding new worlds .. and then conquering diem. Korda is the man wlio made tiie British film industry t a serious rival to Hollywood, and now that 1 the war has hampered production lie has y. shifted to Hollywood, where he completed this magnificent picture. It is a picture f magnificent not only for its spectacle but s for its colour and the quality of its acting. t The ibrilliant and imaginative tcchhicplour t of t'liis film has been the source of much j , favourable and amazed comment, and the , : like of it lias probably never before been s j seen on the screen. When the magnificence . jof this colour is combined with the trei ■ n\endous spectacles incorporated in. the , film a very nearly perfect vehicle has j j'been created to allow* the audience's , I imagination to run riot'. In addition to the i I greatness of the technical achievement is 3 a strong cast of actors, included among i are Conrad Veidt, Sabu. .Tune i Wupiez, John Justin and Rex Ingram. . This is a film which breathes the magic > and breath-taking colour of Mie East, the , magnificence of whidh lias been done full t justice. t ; MAJESTIC. I Franchot Tone, in the first Western role . of his career, stars at the head of an im- ■ posing cast in the new Universal frontier s epic, "Trail of the Vigilantes," which ' opened at the Majestic Theatre to-day. In the picture with Tone are "Warren Wil-

liani.. Broderielc Crawford, Andy Devine, Mischa Auer, Porter Hall and Peggy Moran and other well-known players. Tone portrays an undercover agent sent by a newspaper to.the frontier in quest of the murderer of a reporter, and his adventures lead him inio conflict with a gang of cattle rustlers, crooked head of which is Warren William. "Trail of the Vigilantes'' was directed by the veteran Alan Dwan. Photographed by j. .Valentine and M. Krasner, noted Hpllywood cinematograpliers. the film contains many picturesque outdoor scenes made in the high mountain regions of California. Several of these scenes in which Tone. Crawford, Devine, Auer and Peggy Moran appear are said to have the most spectacular backgrounds ever transferred to the .screen. The strong associate film is "Meet the Wildcat," with t Ralph Bellamy and. Margaret Lindsay, a fast-moving mystery told in. and around the famed art galleries of Mexico City.

RADIANT REVUE. Lovers of variety will be offered an entertaining revue by the Radiant Revue Company of 22 star artists "on Saturday next. The performance, which is being given to assist the Fighting Forces Fund, consists of comic items, sketches, ballets and scenas, while a special feature is the elaborate dressing and lighting effects. Among the leading acts is that of - the "Risley Five," a troupe of tumblers, and Ron Baker and his Boys in a musical act. Jack Riley, Adele Taylor, Joy Collier,

Clyde Curtis and Sylvia Poynter all help to make the revue bright and breezy, which is assisted by a ballet of eight attractive girls. Plans are now open at Lewis Eady, Limited. SKATEWAYB. For lovers of skating, the gala opening night of Skateways, which is situated at the top of Khyber Pass, was most certainly a great thrill. A festive air prevailed, and when the doors opened on a large waiting crowd, there was enjoyment for expert and novice alike. The new floor was said to be aa fine as any skated upon m the Dominion, aud the good music lent a happy air to the gay scene. There is a very fine skating band, and during the season it is hoped to produce some verv beautiful skating ballets. The opening -night was notable for its large programme and for special attractions, which included novelty items. Particularly amusing was Byko, in a novelty balancing act. Skating is often associated with circling continually round a floor, but at Skatewavs with their band every evening, and their fine floor it as even more a sport of pleasure. STATE. • Beginning to-day at the State Theatre is the M.G.M. film, "Andy Hardv Meets a Debutante, with Mickey Roonev and J-udy Garland. This further addition to the Hardy scries is fully up to the excellent standard set- by the previous film ar jd has wonderful' entertainment value with its comic and more serious situations. There is a splendid supporting programme, including a Pete Smith film.