Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 13

Amusements Reviewed

"THE GREAT DICTATOR" PLAZA &^LP iC ™i?f. of T ° mi «>la • - Charles Chaplin Mapalonl. Dictator or Bacteria ... Jack Oakie 'IrhuLv, Reginald Gardiner spr?w b Henr y Daniell lerring Billv Gilbert vladame Napaloni Grice HiyU Director: Charles Chaplin (United Artists). Charlie Chaplin, the world's leading ostle of laughter in silent picture days, en mime jester supreme, whose mana has tlived a long period of comparative activity and change, comes again to his oring public in all the fun-panoply so sentially his own in 'The Great Dictar. Chaplin is himself again, and his ngdom of devotees rocked with jov when is Jong awaited picture made its first pearance at the Plaza Theatre last night. was the Chaplin they had known and •aid about that patrons applauded in e early stages of the comedy; onlv to id themselves thrilled as well as entetlned as their idol suddenly switched from s puppet role to come alive in a speaking aracter of scathing niimierv of Public iiomy Xo. 1; and then to find themselves irred to the depths when Chaplin broke to a fervid spoken humanitarian appeal. I'he Great Dictator" was revealed as an itertaining comedy and a blistering satire, ch comedy and such satire as only Char- ) Chaplin could produce. The genius of the native Cockney for ltting his oppressors to shame by laughv, a gift that has been immortally enuined in the shrewd mimicry of Chaplin the past, appeared at its ridiculous best '"The Great Dictator." Long has the orld awaited the actual voice of Charlie liaplin, and his admirers are moved to ansports of delight when at last his voice heard speaking as the voice of London gushes of inimitable gibberish, an unistakeablc mimicry of certain dictatorial ghts of rhetoric let loose upon a trembng Europe; an epic of ridicule. Finally, liaplin appears in the role of orato'r in s own right, pleading seriously for a new dor in the world predicated upou umanity to man. But comedy, the >medy ever associated with Chaplin promotions, is the mainspring and memory : the entertainment, and apart from the ?aks of personal triumph for Charlie, lore are highlight* when Jack Oakie nnes into the picture as a Mussolini-like ctator. It sweeps away fears in great usts of laughter." Accompanying the picire is a tine supporting programme which s made notable by "The Inspiration of ,nzac," in which the Hon. W. M. Hughes ays eloquent tribute to the Anzac men. "THE INDIAN NATION** MAJESTIC. Dave Morrell Richard Dix Kate Cross Florence Bice Coy Barrett Victor Jory Tex Crawford Andy Clyde Abe Gabbert George E. Stone Hawk Morris Ankrum Director: Lesley Selander (Paramount). Also: "Sandy Gets Her Man." with Baby Sandy nd Stuart Erwin. Paramount's "The Indian Xation." ■ hich opened yesterday at the Majestic "lieatre is a thrilling romance of the West l the days when outlaws ruled the plains, t brings to the screen Richard Dix in vole he can get hie teeth into and which c seemed to enjoy to the utmost. This s truly a red-blooded picture offering any mount of excitement. Richard Dix has lot played in a Western for some time, rhicli is unfortunate as he is eminently uitable in the he-man role, quick on the Iraw in the defence of law and older, nd not averse to a little romance with my good-looking girl who happens to be {found. Herman Sherman, producer of iYesterns for many years, notably the "Hopalong Cassidy series, has produced his film with its abundance of comedy. •omance and drama. Sherman makes the Vherokee Strip to settlers the background )f this story, and it is interesting to not* ;hat this picture was originally called th< 'Cherokee Strip," but had its nam< •hanged to "The Indian Xation" for over seas consumption. The story has beei embellished with Florence Rice. Victo' Jory, Andy Clyde and George E. Stone ii addition to Dix. Leslie Selander. win directed the film—and who has directed many of the "Hopaloni Cassidy" pictures —had the duty of instilling in this one all the action, suspense, romance and other elements calculated to add to the appeal of drama* dealing with the wide open spaces. Fulfilling the promise of her earlier pictures. Baby Sandy romps through her most hilarious role to date as the star of Universale new comedy film, "Sandy Gets Her Man." which is the associate attraction. Presented in a stream-lined story which blends comedy with faat action and a certain amount of suspense, the child star has expert support from a good supporting cast. Complications in the story centre around the rivalry of the fire and police departments; Each sends one of their men to try and marry the eity finance commissioner's daughter, Mis* Merkel. in the hope of getting a bigger slice of the eity funds for new equipment. The fun begins when Miss Merkel, a widow, decides to let Sandy take a hand in selecting a future stepfather. There are some hilarious scenes in which Erwin tries cave-man tactics in his courtship, and those where police officers try to amuse Sandy. ST. JAMES' When one thinks of "Gone With the Wind" it is rather of the novel by Margaret Mitchell than of anything elae. Probably of equal importance compared with the book is the truly great film version which has been made and is screening at the St. James' Theatre. Hollywood has spared neither time nor expense in its production, and it has at the head of its cast Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard and Olivia de HaviUand. The result of a]! Hollywood's efforts has shown itself in the universal applause accorded to the film and in the 10 academy awards which it has received. In a film of such merit it is dangerous to emphasise any one feature more than another, but of special note is the quality and depth of the technicolour in which the twenty thousand-odd feet of the story have been filmed. As one critic says, " 'Gone With the Wind' is not properly to be broken down into constituent elements. One does not ask what Rembrandt's paints were'made of, or what quarry furnished Angelo his stone?" Sufficient be it to say that it provides 220 minutes of entertainment, the length of which passes unnoticed in the immensity of its achievement. EMBASSY Olivia de HaviUand and Jeffrey Lynn are teamed together in one of the brightest, lightest and merriest pictures to come from Hollywood for a long time. It is "My Love Came Back," which is screening at the Embassy Theatre, and if any proof of its value as entertainment is needed, it is to be found in the fact that, after screening at the same theatre for three weeks, it has, after a month's absence, come back again. And with its coming is the certainty that those who go to see it will find a haven and a refuge from the everyday trials and tribulations in the enjoyment of the entertainment. There is room in this picture for laughs and plenty of chuckles. The story, which is so competently acted, ia of a young musical student. Amelia Cornell, played by Miss de HaviUand. who has considerable difficulty in supporting herself and family while she is studying music. Her wants become known to an elderly gentleman who decides to release her from her financial difficulties in a secret manner. By so doing he gets both himself and Amelia into a series of humorous complications, the difficulties of which are in no way lessened when Jeffrey Lynn falls in love with her, and draws conclusions which under the circumstances were not unreasonable. UNIVERSITY REVIEW. Beginning a season of six nights in the Town Half concert chamber this evening is the 1941 capping review of lie Auckland University College Students' Association, "East of Sewers" or "Confidentially It Sphinx," which has been written bv Mr. Charles Zambucka. Always popular for its originalitv and witty entertainment, this year's review promises patrons the glamour and mystery of the East. A cast of 50 players is featured 1 and included in the programme is th« i famous Blushin' Ballet. Booking ments for this novel entertainment art advertised.

"YOUNG PEOPLE" CEXTURY Wendy Shirley Temple Joe Ballantine Jack Oakie Kit Ballantine Charlotte Greenwood Judith Arleen Whelan Mike Shea George Montgomery Hester Appleby Kathleen Howard Director: Alan Dwan (20th Century-Fox.) Packed with songs, dances and fun, "Young People." the 20th Century Fox film which opened before a large audience at the Century Theatre last night, is a tonic for the times. It has with truth been hailed as "Shirley Temple's happiest picture," but it is not for little Miss Temple's fans only. Jt is a show for everyone who loves to laugh—and we'd say that means everyone. There is some snappy dancing by Shirley and her costars, Charlotte Greenwood and Jack Oakie. and fivo grand songs hits are featured. At least three of them, "Fifth Avenue." "I Wouldn't Take a Million" and "Tra-la-la-la," are destined for the nation's popularity. In addition, the film boasts a good story, which bears a resemblance to the course Shirley's real life has taken recently. It is interesting to see some shots from Shirley's earlier films incorporated as part of the story. Jack Oakie and Charlotte Green .vood are seen as two vaudeville troupers, who adopt a baby, Shirley, who glows up to take part in t leir act. However, they decide that she should have a normal home and education, and retire to a farm. They do their best to get ou well with the small-town people, but are met with hostility, and make up their minds to return to the stage. Their heroism in a hurricane, however, wins the town over to their side and they proceed to beinn the old-fashioned residents "up-to-date." Shirley is as sparkling and lovable as ever, with a growing poise and ability as an actress. Her voice, light and sweet, shows marked improvement. Jack Oakie is his amiable self, and Charlotte Greenwood's angular antics add to the hilarity. In support are good-looking George. Montgomery. Arleen Whelan and Kathleen Howard. An interesting ••first-half," includes a feature. "The Inspiration oi Anzac," "The Anzncs Land in Greece," "Valley of 10.000 Smokes" (an Alaskan voyage of exploration 1, a cartoon and a midget motor racing short. STRAND Light romance, humour, and a certain amount of drama, are to be found in "Arise My Love." Paramount'.* excellent film, which is screening at the Stran-1 Theatre. N'o better combination o! actors could have -been found for the lead ing roles in this picture. Claudette Col belt and Ray Milland have been chosen and they .both give delightful perform ances. Hollywood is always on the look out for something new, and when thej brought this story to the screen the\ certainly added somethins to their score for originality. The story is of ai American girl reporter, played by Claud ette Colbert, who finding a fellow Ameri can imprisoned by Franco rescues him by posing as his wife. The two fice iron S-pain and their adventures in Europe con tinue. The outstanding feature of thi film is that a story which i- in esseno one of the boy-meets-girl type is playei against the setting of the European back around just before the outbreak of war Rut adding to the inherent freshness ■> the story are the witticisms and illusion which have been cleverly extracted iron the smart script. Rather in the same wa; , as a gangster's life may appear funny. s< too the grimness of Europe has beei used to produce comedy o:' the first ordei , when combined with the freshness of , romance. CIVIC 1 Giving its versatile star a most dramati and most sparkling human role. "Kitt 1 Foyle." which is screenins at the Civ: 5 ' Theatre, presents Ginger "Rogers as th [\eroine of Christopher Morley's best-sellin novel, with a fine cast enacting the su\ porting roles of a white collar girl's caree: The book ha* been praised as "the nntur. history of a woman" and this telling phra? fits the picture perfectly. The story dea with the life of a'spirited Irish girl i Philadelphia, her stormy romance with blue-blooded scion of wealth, and the r enrring conflicts that romance brings aboi in her effort to adjust herself to life. Boi "tn the wrong side of the tracks." Kitl envies the Philadelphia socialites as youngster, and later as a working girl fal in love with one of them, Wyn Straffor only to be disappointed in him when 1 fails to propose. She goes to New Yor but Wyn follows, and after a romant interlude they are married. But the different spheres of life prove too gre and a separation follows. Kitty is final faced with a vital decision, whether ■ run away to the south with Wyn—wl has since become married—or to marry person who has been faithful to her f many years. How she decides makes t' gripping climax of trie picture. ROXY-TIVOLI. Screening at the Roxy and Tiv< Theatres is a picture with thrills ai shudders in plenty. "The Case of t' Frightened Lady" is a screen version of : Edgar Wallace thriller, and make i mistake, it is a thriller. The combir tion of a masterly pen and an intellige interpretation of the book have given film making great entertainment. Gaumont-British film, the cast is head by Helen Haye, John Warwick. Dudley Ward and Marius Goring. This last actor has won fame in what became probably the most widely-listened-to radio programme in England. His was the voice of Hitler, but one would never guess it in the polished performance that lie gives in this thrillincr film. Also showing is "The Villain Still Pursued Her." which has been produced according to the best old-time melodrama tradition, in which the villain. Lawyer Cribbs. by means of the use of demon rum attempts to diddle the rightful heir out of his inheritance. There is, of course, a saintly heroine, on whose home the villain holds a mortgage on which be threatens a foreclosure unless . \ . and a true friend who stands by the hero and heroine thronarhout their troubles (induced bv the villain, curse him), and whose efforts finally foil the evil machinations. Hugh Herbert. Anita Louise. Alan Mowbray and Buster Keaton head tke cast. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. To-night the Auckland Symphony Orchestra will be presenting its first concert of this season. One of the features of this all-British proeramme will be the "Irish Rhapsody." by Stanford, a work which is based upon the tunes of two traditional Irish folk-tunes. There will be soprano solos by Alison Cordery. and later in the evening numbers by the baritone. Stewart Harvey. The composer German (whose real name is German Edward Jones') is represented by two numbers. "The Theme and Six Diversions" and the "Ndl Gwyn Dances." both of which arc truly typical of his joyous and tuneful music. Other British composers whose works will be drawn from are Elgar. Alfred Hili. Mackenzie. Grainger and I Sullivan. Colin Muston is the conductor. j Prices and booking arrangements are advertised. VOGUE A double-feature programme is screening at the Vogue Theatre. "Fast and Loose." with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, and "Shooting High.'' with Gene Autry and Jane Withers. The former is notable for the different types of entertainment which it provides and is best classed as a comedy melodrama The second film will be of especial pleasure to Autry fans. STATE "The Westerner," which is screening ai the State Theatre, is concerned with i fierce battle between the forces of righi and WTong in which Gary Cooper take* the leading part. Packed with rousinj excitement, it is also, notable for its excel lent acting. Hollywood has taken seri ously the production of this outdoor filn and*has produced a masterpiece. Then I is also a strong supporting programme.

"NORTH-WEST MOUNTED POLICE" REGENT.

Dusty Rivers Gary Cooper April Logan Madeleine Carroll 1 Louvette Corbeau Paulette Goddard . Sergeant Jim Bret Preston Foster Constable Ronnie Logan Robert Preston . Jacques Corbeau George Bancroft Director: Cecil DeMilte (Paramount). | Fascinating and entertaining fittingly • describes "North-West Mounted Police," j tiie Cecil B. l)e Mille epic production j which commenced a season at the Regent . Theatre yesterday. There are several . factoid which place the picture in the j highest rank of Paramount productions. I Tlie liim dca's faithfully with an actual incident in the life of the North-West J -Mounted Police— the Kiel rebellion and j the ambush ot the police at Duck Lake—' and is filmed in gorgeous Tech tricolour. • Stocked with players whose names are' of great significance and filmed in terms of action with the scat let tunics of the. Mounted Police running like a colour • theme tiirough sequences thronged with i Indians ami half-breed*, and photographed ' against backgrounds as brilliant as their, costuming, the dirot tor has achieved something on a scale seldom attempted before. | The picture is a dramatic uioii of llie Kiel i Kebellirm of ISB.I. wliieli threatened to I wipe out every white person in the North-) West territories, and was put down by the North-West Mounted Police in a man-j net- celebrated by Canadians in song and story. Although (!ary Cooper is given first j billing and plays a Texas Hanger, the only j American in the story, script and diver-1 tion arc such a« to distribute emphasis ', evenlv amoti!! the principals. Preston i Foster and Hubert Preston have the two! | principal police roles. Akin TamirolT audi I r.ynne Overman as hah'-brceds and scout I 'supply both humour and pathos. George j I Bancroft the major \i!!ainy. Madeleinej i Carroll is pleasant to the eye an the s" 1 J | beloved by two heroes, a competition ter- ' minatins contrarv t<> expectation, and] Paulette Oodlard's poitiaval of the half-I •breed wln.se passion de<trovs its object. | | eclipses her pre\ ions endeavours. The! I production comb'ues the opulence o\ thei i early I)e Mille siwctaclcs with the action ! towaril which he has tended in recent! I years. . | j Tn addition to the mam attraction, a I film depicting tin- arrival of the An/acs I ill Greece and a most attractive musical I film ill colour, fciturinrr a famous all-girl orchestra, are a'sn screened. OXFORD—AVON A person could ask for little more in entertainment than that which can be found in "The Thief o\ Brr-'dud" which is ■ screening at the Oxford and Avon | Theatres. Alexander Korda. always ; reliable in hi* production's, has excelled •in this film which has at the head of its leapt Sabti. Conrad Veidt. June Duprez and | Rex Incram. "The Thief o> Bagdad" has 1 in addition to the inteiept of its Arabian Nights story scenes rich in spectacle ami l colour, which has been iho source of mu.-h favourable and amazed comment. Two ' years in the making, the picture has been ,so desicne.l a? to let. the audience's | imagination run riot. Korda has captured | the beauty, colour and romance of the East. and brought it to the .ocreen as never be- ] fore. .-In addition there is an abundance lof magic, which is* inclined to leave one gasping and wondering just how it can be done. Particularly impressive are the : I scenes in which Sabu is seen with the ( Djinni. Sabu. the young Indian actor. • j gives a pleasing perfoi manee as a small •j thief who becomes engaged in the support • ! of a sovereign drthionc.l and blind, d by a i ' usurper. The cliai m of "The Thief of - i Bagdad" i J in no small measure due to ;. its story which has the element of fantasy >|so pleasina in a light but spectacular entevI i t a in m en t. .. . ... ._ , AMUSEMENTS GUIDE . ' CIVIC SOVARE— Anniscrr.cn - Park. , ; TOW'S HALL—Auckland Symphony Orchestra [ ' Concert. '* TOWN HALL (Concert Chamber)— "East ol I | Sewers.'' 1 ! FICTURE THEATRES REGTNT—Garv Cooper and Madeleine Carroll ir ' ( "North-West Mounted Pol'ce." j PLAZA—Charlie Chaplin and Paulette Ooddarc in "The Great Dictator" i OXFORD—Conrad Veidt and June Duprez ir c ! "Thief Ot Bagdad." y EMBASSY —Olivia de Havllland and Jeffrey Lynr ~ I in "My Love Came Back." „ j STRAND—Clnudette Colbert and Ray MUland ir I "Arise My Love." 8 CENTURY—ShirIey Temple and Jack Oakie ir )- I "Young People" and Stuart Erwin in "Sand; •. ! Gets Her Man." II ClVlC—Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan it I "Kitty royle." I MAJESTIC—Richard Dix in "The Indian Nation' lft | and Stuart Erwln In "Sandy Gets Her Man.' II ROXY—Anita Louise in "The Villain Still Pur a I sued Her" and Helen Haye in "The Case o e . I the Frightened Lady." ~ .' ST. JAMES'—Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh ii lt ' j "Gone With The Wind." n STRAND (Onehunga)—"Broadway Melody of 1940' ■>" j and "Adventure In Diamonds." a TIVOI.I—"The Villain Still Pursued Her" an. l s : "The Case ot the Frightened Lady." ;', TUDOR —"Foreign Correspondent." ,e VICTORIA —"Dr. Kildare Goes Home" and "Sport i | ing Blood." • ' VOGUE —"Fast and Loose" and "Shooting High. '• l ; AVON (Newton) —"Thief Of Bagdad." 'V ASTOR—"It 1 Had My Way" and "Saps At Sea. i ADELPHI—"I Married A Nazi" and "The Grea lv i Profile." ALEXANDRA—CIosed lor Rebuilding. AMBASSADOR—"The Light That Failed" an I "Maisie." AVONDALE—"Dad Rudd. MP." and "Safari." BRITANNIA—"Spring Parade" and "Zanzibar." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—"2l Days Together." i CAPITOL —"Congo Maisie" and "Dance Gir ! Dance." 1 CRYSTAL PALACE—"No. No. Nanette." DE LUXE—"Dust Be My Destiny" and "Doctc Takes A Wife." DELTA (New Lynn)—"Judge Hardy and Son" an , "Ghost Breakers." FORESTERS (Birkenhead)—'At The Circus." OBEY LYNN—"4O Little Mothers" and "Chrlstms I In July." ' GAIETY—"Young Tom Edison." i KING'S (Northeote)—"Tin Pan Alley." ' LIBERTY (ParnelD—"Secret Service of the Air | and "Buck Benny Rides Again." . MAYFAIR (Sandrlngham) —" My Son. My Son ' and "Juarez." ; NEW ROYAL—"Congo Maisie" and "Sued F< ( Libel." PRINCE EDWARD— "Andy Hardy Meets A Debt j tante" and "Untamed." PEERLESS (St. Better's) —"Public Deb. No. 1" an "Window In London." PRINCESS —"ihe Sea Hawk" and "Ride. Kelt Ride." i PICTUREDROME (Mllford)—"The Under Pup ■ and "'Sea Scouts." j REGAL—"Bluebird" and "Castle On The Hudson. i REGENT (Epsom)—" Judge Hardy and Son" ar | "Four Sons." I RIALTO— "No. No. Nanette." ; RIALTO (Sunday)—"A Bride For Henry" ar | "Millions." ! STATE (Symonds Street)— Gary Cooper in "Tl Westerner." STATE (Onehunca) —"All This and Heaven, Toe j and "The Wildcat Of Tucson." I STATE (DeTonport)—"The Mark Of Zorro" ar "The Chinese Bungalow." RADIO PROGRAMMES. 1YA—7.36 p.m.. Studio recital by the Celes Quartet;- 7.53. Studio recital by Wlllia Armour (bass); 8.5. Studio recital by Zei Flnlay (pianist); 8.21, Studio recital by Jor O'Malley (tenor). 2YA —7.49 p.m., "Landon Ronald": A music miniature; 9.25, 2YA Old-time Dan Orchestra; 10.10. Continuation of Old-tlr Dance. 1YX —7.45 p.m.. "Billy Bunter ot Greyfrlars 8.30. "The Dark Horse"; 9.30. "Fllmlat Memories." IZM—7.O p.m.. Sports results: 7.30. Orchestr programme: 8.0, Dance session. Highlights from to-morrow's radio programm j are:— i IYA—7.O p.m.. Roman Catholic Service, relayi 1 from St. Patrick's Cathedral. Preacher: H ; Lordship Bishop Liston; 8.30. John Barbin j and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. i 2YA —7.0 p.m.. Church of Christ Service from tl ! Vivian Street Church of Christ. Preacher: I Stafford: 8.5. The Opera. "Orpheus and Eui i dice" by Gluck; ft.27. Continatton of opera. ' IYX—B.3O p.m.. Concerted vocal recital, with sc , instrumental interludes; 9.0. Continuation programme. I IZM—7.O p.m.. Orchestral and instrument ' numbers', 8.0. Concert.