Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 92, 19 April 1941, Page 14

Amusements Reviewed

"THE INVISIBLE WOMAN." CIVIC. Kitty Carroll Virginia Bruce Professor Gibbs John Barrymore Richard Russell John Howard George Charlie Ruggles Blackie Oscar Homolka Bill Edward Brophy Director: A. Edward Sutherland (Universal.). A comedy potpourri with an unusual twist. "The Invisible Woman," which opened at the Civic Theatre, yesterday cannot help inn iniu lavonr locally, mainly on account of the wide variety of the attraction it offers. Uungiug from ship-.-■tick ti) sophistication, the tastes of ail ,iiv catered for in the course of a mad, merry story which, incidentally, ha- nothing to do with the other Invisible Man series. -1 o 1111 Biirrymore is absolutely at home in the role til an eccentric -to | ;it it mildly—(scientist, who is backed b> a wealthy vuiniir man il' his elVort to lin.l a formula to make hum.ai being- invisible. The formula is found and then the iiin commence!?.

Virginia linirc nw a model. i.< induced to boccriue the human guinea pig for' the experiment and idle soon proven hersci; in be us hilarious when she cannot be seen a* she is lovi'ly in the lle.-h. M.Utcit, bceome complicated wiicn Miss Bruce, while invisible, decides to take revenge mi a former employer, falls , in love with the f.cientist's barker- handsome -John Howard

--and spoils everything by tailing to materialise , ;it the right inoiiiout. The plot becomes move involved when a gasi,; loader exiled to Mexico .sends liics licucliinen tt> the l : nilod States to steal tliO machine to use it on himself so lie (.-an return to Chicago unseen by the police. Comes the climax, when the "guinea piy" and the profetoor. kidnapped ami taken to Mexico to make the machine work, aie ievened by the young man.

The leading trio turn in splendid performances, while Charlie Kujigleß, Occur Homolka and Kdward Brophy help the comedy along in typical fashion. The s.ippoitiny programme, includes an excellent short feature "Class in Swinjr." while Howard Moody, at the organ, plays witlt his usual appeal.

REGENT. A contemporary comedy -drama provid- j ing excellent screen entertainment. "Arise I My Love'" is (showing at cli; Uegent Theatre. Filled with those warm and human qualities which are given a Splendid opportunity to display themselves in any Him which has as its maiu plot a j breezy boy-meete-girl story, the picture j has to ensure its success two conipefent' actors of comedy situations. Claudette Colbert and Kay Milland. Tho background to the comedy it tetms hard to believe-— is Europe in all its troubles. In the role of an American giii report-/: , , (.'laudetl'a Colbert rinds that a fellow American whe I has been serving in the Spanish Republican air force has been imprisoned by Franco and ie awaiting a death sentence, on the charge ot treason. For the sake of a good story nhe bluffs the authorities into thinking that the airman, Tom Martin, played by Ray Milland, is her huslnind and succeeds in saving him from an unpleasant death. Together they make their way to Paris. On the outbreak of the present European conflict the girl reporter makes her way to Berlin jubt as the J'olieh invasion is launched. The story works Steadily to its climax, and it its a story full of laughs, for the European situation has been treated skilfully and lightly, in such a way as to make it humorous. ST. JAMES'. To the average audience Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are a delight'at any time, and in their latest film, which is screening at the St. James' Theatre, they have made no exception to the rule. It is a gay and merry musical of youth entitled "Strike Up the Isand." The same two young etatfl were lcsponsible for giving the world the outstanding picture-: "Babes, In Arms,'' which was greatly by film-goers the world over, and judging from the reaction of Auckland audiences this picture is considered equally amusing, and a first-class entertainment. Mickey, Kooney has always had rhythm in hie bone*, and no better partner for any music:'.! enterprise could be found than Judy Garland. The story avound which numerous melodies, both old and new. are woven deals with Mickey's and JudyV successful efforts in the formation of a swing band at a high school. Hearing of a Paul Whiteman contest for school bands at Chicago they decide to put en a phow fo rake the necessary money for travelling expenses. Matters do not run as smoothly as fchcy hoped, but in t'he end difficulties are overcome. The picture tnvbodies all kinds of mueic. ranginc from ''Heaven Will Protect a Working Girl" to Gershwin'e "Strike Up the Band." CENTURY. The highly amusing efforts of a henpecked millionaire to keep his wife from knowing about hie entanglements with a trio of mercenary young women, form a comic basis for "Xo. Xo. Nanette,' RKO Radio's picture with Anna Xeagle as the star performer. Thie auburnhaired, attractive and talented actress plays the part of the millionaire's helpful niece who makes up her mind to take a hand in the affair nnd rescue him from his predicament. Things, however, do not go according to plan, and ingenious as her attempts are they only serve to complicate matters, for she gets romantically involved with two young men who fall in love with her. These two rivals employ hilarious tactics in endeavouring to out-manoeuvre each other, and a general mix up ensues. Interspersed with the catchy musical numbers from the original musical show, the picture offers many novel features in its story and treatment. Besides the title tune of "Xo. Xo. Nanette." such favourite melodies as "Tea For Two' , and "I Want to be Happy" are sung by Miss Neatrle and other principals. As with the star's previous filing. "Xo. Xo. Xanette" was produced and directed by Herbert Wilcox. with Ken. England writing the screen play.

MAJESTIC. Packed -with thrills and comic touches, a Western film which is screening at the Majestic Theatre has as its star performer a newcomer in this field. In the loading role of '"Trail of the Vigilantes" is Franehot Tone, and an excellent performance he turns in, together with notable presentations of members of the supporting cast, which includes Warren Williams. BrodeEJek Crawford, Andy Devine, Mischa Auer and others. The story is that of an undercover agent who is sent by a newspaper to discover the murderer of a reporter. His arrival at the frontier town is not a usual one, and lie finds the sheriff and his deputies handcuffed to posts in the main street. In the picture Warren William does an excellent job as the crooked boss of a cattlemen's association. and an equally good performance is turned in by Broderick Crawford as a cowboy. Also screening is the Universal film, "Meet the Wildcat,"' with Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay, who are seen as a pair of adventurous Americans who arc trailing art thieves in Mexico City. The picture turns the spotlight on little-known underworld rings who specialise in the theft and sale of priceless art treasures. STRAND. A first-class spy melodrama is showing at the Strand Theatre. It has in addition to the thrills that race through it a note of authenticity and topical interest which greatly improve its entertainment value. Cor.taining all the thrill of adventure ■which lies behind war, "Contraband"' was .produced with the full collaboration of the British Admiralty, and the methods o>t the Royal Navy, in contraband detection are careniUy sho>wn in scenes which are partieufarlj- notable for the excellence of the photograiphy, which is in fact a notable feature throughout the whole picture. Scenes of London in the 'blackout are also included and are of great interest. But apart from its technical excellence the film is fortunate in its competent actors and in the swift action and suspense of its plot. The two principal actors are Conrad Veidt, -who plays the part of a dashing ftanieh skipper, and Valerie Hobson, who is a charming and plucky girl engaged in the work of the British Secret Service. In the earlier part of the picture naval sequences predominate, but the scene soon moves to London, where Veidt and Miw Hobson are trapped by Xazi agents. The action 'which follow **-extremely exciting.

ROXY-TIVOLI. Smiley Burnettc continues liW blundei - - injr \va.\« ai> Gene Autiy's pal in "Colorado Sunset," Kepublii: musical western which ie scieeninji at the Koxv ami Tivoli Theatres. Ciene and the 'J'ex.is KangoiH, famed hill-billy band, send Smiley to puicha«c a cattle ranch, but lie pun/hasee a cow farm ni.ttead, tintl the bo.ve , ail ventures fullow in ,i milk war. an a result ot tlie error. Ihe combination or' action and niiisictil < omponition In tliin lilm make it an ideal one for the Aut: .' lan«. Tin. fun beiomes lar-t and unions when tiene linds that a veterinarian i^

controlling (he delivery i>: milk to liis own ! >al isl'action. by means ot a Gene <-t.ni.ls for oherifT and ha* the MipV)ott ot a music.il campaign launched by Smiley.' Palsy Montana and the Texas Iv'angei*;. The plot steadily mounts to an exciting climax. -Also svieeuinn at both theatres is Cohinibiii's '"The Wildcat of Tucson," with Kill Elliott starred as Wild Biil Hickok. slow- npeakiiijr, hard riding, and riuick crime tighter of the lawle* frontier. Thie newest Hiekok adventu'«j "ilh its t htindei inji thrills raeins in «wift suspense across the screen, ud-.ls another sound pei ion nance to the career of Bill Klliott. PLAZA. ■Spectacle as magnificent a.« anything th.it has been brought to the screen is con-, tained in "The, Thief of Bafrdad," which in ("erci'iiiiiK at the Plaza Theatre. Alexander. Korda in the production of thie picture, which took two years in the making, spared neither time, expense nor effort to make it the great masterpiece that it is. Ihe indefinite vague and yet wonderful dreams that people have eeein to have been (livui a concrete form, and ae in a dream, nothing has been too great or too extraordinary to lie brought to the aereeu. An enchanted city rises from stoney barren deseit. a flying carpet travels in ;iDro]>laiu> fashion from city to city—the chain of inajdc is as endleAs as that of the wonder.-! to be found in the stories of the Arabian Xijjhtn. But picture audiences have become so accustomed to mifrhty spectacle , staged b.v Hollywood producers, tli.it it is possible that the immense spectacle of "The Thief <>f Bafrdad" would uot impress them immensely—though they would have to be blase indeed-—but there is at least one thing, apart fi om the fine actors of the picture, which is likely to make a lasting impression of the niinde of an audience. It is the magnificence of the colour which can be best described as an imaginative and very wonderful teehnicolour. EMBASSY. Telling a truly great love story which came from the pen of Fannie Hurst, "Back Street.'' I'niveisal's tino film, is screening at the Knibassy Theatre. "Back Street" enjoyed immense popularity in serial form and was afterwards published as a novel, which assumed beet seller proportions ami wns translated into almost every civilised language. An earlier film version than the present one was produced in which .John Boles and Irene Dunne starred. In the new Universal version two of the screen's most glamorous stars are teamed—Charles Boycr and Margaret Sulla van. Charles Boyer in his portrayal of a banker from New Oilcans is undeniably a pei feet lover and Margaret Sullavaii as an attractive and charming Cincinnati girl is perfectly lovable. All the drama, the fine characterisations, the tense nnd the languid situations, the emotional climaxes have been carefully rendered, thanks to the brilliant acting and to the equally brilliant technical handling. Richard Carlson, Frank McHugh. Tim Holt. Frank .Tenks, Ksther Dale and others are seen in supporting rolep. The producer. Bruce Manning, rose to fame ae scenarist of six of Dcanna Durbin's pictures and in addition to producing "Back Street" he helped hi writing the screen play.

STATE. One of the extremely amusing Hardy pictmes is showing at the State Theatre. It is '"Andy Hardy Meets a Debutante." and in it Mickey Rooney lias the support of the usual actors who have contributed so much to these films. This highly amusing picture has to support, it a very fine programme, including h Pete Smith film and an "Our Gang"' comedy.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE. CIVIC SQUARE—Amusement Park. PICTURE THEATRES. EMBASSY—Charles Borer and Margaret Sullavan In -Back Street." STRAND—Conrad Veldt and Valerie Hobson in "Contraband." CENTURY—Anna Neagle in 'No. No. Nanette." ClVlC—Virginia Bruce and John Barrymore in •The Invisible Woman." MA jr STlC—Franchot Tone in -Trail of the Vigilantes" and Ralph Bellamy In "Meet the Wildcat." i ROXY— Oene Autry in "Colorado Sunset" and Bill Elliott in "The Wildcat of Tucson." j ST. JAMES - —Mickey nooney and Judy Garland in "Strike Up The Band." REGENT—Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland in •Arise My Love." PLAZA —Conrad Veidt and June Duprez in "Thief J Of Bagdad." OXFORD—Tyrone Power in "Brighem Young. Frontiersman" and Ned Sparks in "For Beauty's Sake." GREY LYNN—"I Take This Woman" and "The I Man From Dakota." ! GAIETY—"My Son. My Son." NEW ROYAL—"The Secret of Dr. Kildare" and "The House of Seven Cables." PRINCE EDWARD —"The Old Maid" and "Sporting Blood." PRINCESS—"I Married A Nazi" and "That's : Right. You're Wrong." i PEERLESS (St. Heller's)— Foreign Corresponj dent." PICTUREDROME (MUford)—"Only Angels Have Wings." ' REGAL—"Four Wives" and "Band Wagon." ' REGENT (Epsom)—" Lillian Russell" and "There's ; That Woman Again." I RlALTO—"Return of Frank James" and "Pop Always Pays." RIALTO (Sunday)—" Ask A Policeman" and "Bank Holiday." STATE (Symonds Street)—" Andy Hardy Meets A Debutante." STATE (Onehnnga)—"The Mark of Zorro" and "They Came By Night." STATE (Devonport)—"Dr. Erlichs Magic Bullet" and "Public Deb. No. 1." STRAND (Onehunra) —"The Road To Singapore" and "The Man With Nine Lives." TIVOLI —"Colorado Sunset" and "The Wildcat Of Tucson." TUDOR—"Dr. Kildare's Strange Case." i VICTORIA —"The Ghost Breakers" and "The Amazing Mr. Williams." VOGUE—"Magnificent Obsession." AVON (Newton) —"Brigham Young, Frontiersman" and "For Beauty's Sake." ASTOR—"Turn About" and "Congo Maisle." ADELPHl—"Bluebird" and "Dust Be My Destiny." ALEXANDRA —Closed for Rebuilding. AMBASSADOR—"Swiss Family Robinson" and "Blondie Brings Up Baby." AVONDALE—"Honeymoon In Bali" and "Cat and the Canary." BRITANNIA—"New Moon" and "Double Alibi." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—" Drums Along the Mohawk." CAPITOL—"2I Days Together" and "The Secret Of Dr. Kildare." CRYSTAL PALACE—"Return of Frank James" «nd "Pop Always Pays." DE LUXE—"Captain Caution" and "Millionaire Playboy." DELTA (New Lynn)—"Balalaika" and "Buck Benny Rides Again." FORESTERS (Blrkenhead)—"The Earl of Chicago." KING'S (Northeot*)—"Tr.e Sea Hawk." LIBERTY (Parnell)—"Lone Wolf Strikes" and "Maisle." MAYFAIR (Sandrlntham) —"Judge Hardy and Son" and "Chump At Oxford." 1 RADIO PROGRAMMES. 1YA—7.40 p.m.. studio recital by the Celeste Quartet: 8.12. Studio recital by George Greenaway: 10.10. Dance time. 2YA—7.45 p.m.. Shall We Waltz?: 8.29 Saturday night variety; 9.25, Dance programme. IYX—B.3O p.m.. "The Dark Horse"; 9.30, Filmland memories: mil Palmer in songs from "Vienna Sunset" and "Going Greek." JZM—7.O p.m.. Sports results; 7.30, Orchestral music; 8.0, Dance session. Highlights from to-morrow's radio programmes IYA-7.0p.rn., Presbyterian Service relayed fro* St. David's Church, preacher: Rev. W. Bows* Black; 8.41. John Armstrong (baritone); 9.38, Studio recital by Henri Perm. 2YA—7.O p.m.. Methodist Service relayed from Trinity Church, preacher: Rev. Walter Parker--8.28. Bruno Walter and the British Symphony Orchestra: 9.27, For the Open Lover? IYX—B.3O p.m.. Light orchestral music, with ballad IZM—7.O p.m., Orchestral and Instrumental items' 3.0. Concert session: 8.0, 'Legends of the Western Isles"; Talk by A. J. Hoeltdr.

OXFORD—AVON. A film dealing with a story of immense magnitude is showing at the Oxford and Avon Theatres—"Briprlimu Youuff." Tyrone Power iK starred in this stirring saga, which opens with scenes of the persecution of the Mormons by religious bijrots. Tired oi a life ot persecution and wktbinu to find some better life where they would be able to follow their own ways of living, the Mormons <-ioss the frozen Mississippi to lowa and tlu-uee continue their wonderful trek until they finally settle at Salt Lake City. The Mormons how their hist crops and endure a hard winter, only to watch the urn in devoured by a mighty mvniin or' locusts. This blow. which had followed hard on many others, is depicted as breaking the spiiit of Brijtham Younjr. «■!,,■, cajls his i.eople around i Iniu. M-itJi the intention of tellinji them ~1, his unfitness to lead them, when ■~ miracle I happens. It is the climax of the picture and the turning point in the fortunes of! tne Monnons. I t is a K'm mijthty in its. charac-tei isation and in its \l.s ( , ! showin- for the first time in Auckland . is the romantic conn-fly, "For Beautv's ■ Sake." with Marjoi ie Weaver Xed ' Sparks and .10.,,, Davi«. The combination | ot a him with a story of spectacle and I power, together with a lisrlit. humorous and j romantic picture, should prove buck! entertainment. VOGUE. Dealing with the story of a yonujr doctor with an ideal ■Wh.unilicent Obsession" is' sereeniiiK nt the Vngtm Theatre. In the I star roles Hie Robert Taylor and Irene ■ Dunne, both of ivhom «ive excellent performanees. The plitiiie has been the source of very favourable comment and makes jrood entertainment.. Of special note is the supporting programme, which ! includes "Christmas Under Fire." j