Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 10

Amusements Reviewed

AMUSE-.IEXT GUIDE

I " MAGIC IN MUSIC ' ( IV If ' Ml' i.at-1 Matiiiy Alton Jones ToodiCo L.iVt-r-.e Susanna r'ostci Sylvia Wort il Margaret Lindsay Ooorce Thomas Lyane Overman Mairiie Duvalie Grace Braalev , Dr. Joseph E. Muddy William Collier, jun. I Diree'nr. Andre* .S'o.'.e (Paramount;. 1.. ' ''• tlil A.lan .lon-.- and .Susanna I'n.-tei. the in v. > out lit ni singing star, as . paiin-is in a 11:\ el >ii v or vocal numbi-r.s 'a;;.un.-l a backgi iiuml ot l ontiifnl j'ro!i•md musii a! ji.lliti'. "Magic |~ Music." : 1 II- 11-w big lllllllbel a!. ill,; ('ivic Tiicatl i. ' illy jli.-t ihes lis nam- l,v the mirth a'id -"inti it ci eatcil among patrons at tn-/.J'-ning session. A musical medley th/il ■-«.'"gs iioni the classical to the popular, it .-Weeps highbrow and lowbrow into a -"lily i', mi 1 oi inn and meMv. m m inch 'mutual prejudices am dissolved' in laughtii I "id luei ■•: inn. ii i hire o: harmony. l'ea':i '' ' •: ■ ■> si. i I light. ~ |'„pcj - c.iltooii and a coiiiuiunity -ing slioit commake the >1,1,11 one of the happiest • ni. l laiiiui-iits put l.eioiv pat! mis tor a ion g lime. --tori, which contrives in -.-t i great gathering of musical talent int.. •" V' 1 "- naturally has to do ii h the ,-|Vi, l a t a tia tinual niusie calup i >".-auna Foster a< fugitive in,in a relon, s-linol. and the upmar as her sponsor. Allan -rones, undertakes to lit the lit;;,. tough into the refined atmosphere of tlie camp of children from homes of the -ute. Susanna leads her mentor anil hitrioiuls a niorj y daitce. lint umlcr tlu» influence ol the all-round musical talent net- wildness is tamed, while she. in ! 'iJ'l l ' u '". s reinsfatenieiit. through her golden voice. Not alone arc Allan Jones .'Hid Susniniij. the ivnisica] cliarmors willi musical contributions, for talented violinists in Heiino Haitto and I'atricia Trarcrs , a pianoforte prodigy in Dolly Loehr. ami a notable young baritone m \Villiain < liaptnan have turns in the spotlight, while noted opera stars also come into the nictn: e in ~ g. and oper.it i - tina'e. | CENTURY | Tu New Vork ."'.lS.Oiifl people saw "I adv Hamilton'' in the first two weeks of tts I screening. Aiickland. too. has warmh welcomed this splendid film, which iscreening at the Century Theatre. .two stars in this picture. \'i\ien Leigh .an. Laurence Olivier, combine brilliantlv j and the production is on the same lavish . scale as is characteristic of Alexander | Kotda. All the intensity and dramatic ettect that have marked iss ],ci"h mi , With the Wind" and "Waterloo Bridge are recreated in Iter Lady H.unii- ■ 101 l role. In a film which is hcavilv on the dramatic side at all times, she is'outI standing. Laurence Olivier, who is conI one of the screen's most handsome leading men and a very talented actor, has the disadvantage of make-up to overconie m his portrayal of Horatio Nelson, linhke Jliss Leigh, who appears youthful and lovely throughout almost the entire length of the two hours of the film. Laurence Olivier grows old, suffers tinloss of an arm and an eye, and gets an ugly scar on his forehead. To give a fitting background to the acting of these two stars no expense has been spared. From the ornate and extravagant house ot Sir William Hamilton, British Ambassador to Naples, to the long lines of meiro'v/ar waiting to do battle at Trafalgar, the .picture recreates the historic Napoleonic eta. I ll ° cast, is uniformly good. Man Mowbray plays Sir William Hamilton. Ilcnrv i W ik-oxoii. Captain Hardy, and Sara Allgo:«l. Lady Hamilton's mother. The storv opens in Naples, where Lady Hamilton uses her influence with the Queen of Naples to obtain the services requited by Nelson for the historic battles which followed. The stirring romance between Nelson|and Jumna. Lndy Ifaiinilton. is. tho centre of practically .-ill interest until the Battle of Trafalgar is reconstructed ;u some detail. With the death of Nelson the romance is brought to a tragic close. STRAND A London blackout of to-day, one of the most amazing and thrilling scenes ever put on celluloid, is the spectacular opening of "Waterloo Bridge,' - dramatic new picture starring Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor, and showing now at the Strand Theatre. The famous Robert ]",. j Sherwood stage play, written before the present conflict, is not a war drama, strictly speaking. Jt. is a romance played against the exciting background of London as it was during the war year of 1917. But lb}' opening the film in London of |to-day_and then shifting the scene back j to 1017, the picture gains added vitality, | timeliness and realism. j From the first title, the eerie, psychological effect of a blackout is impressed on the audience. r J he credits appear on a murky screen, not flat black, but a blackness that has depth in it, like fog. The fade-in from the titles is on to oil empty screen, and a brief period of silence follows, unbroken by music or voice. Then, as the ' mist dissolves, after a minute or so of silence, the picture is started on its way by the voice of a radio announcer coming from a loud speaker over a shop door, around which are huddled a group of people listening with strained faces. One of the most effective openings seen in Auckland for some time. Featured in the notable supporting east are such screen favourites as Lucille W ataon, \ irginia Field. Mari-a Ouspenskaya and C. Aubrey Smith.

PLAZA THEATRE Screen mystery at its best is blended vith romance and comcdy in "Scotland r'nrd," 20th Century-Fox's fast-moving 'lirill drama which opened yesterday to >itf houses at the Plaza Theatre. Xancy volly, Edmund Gwenn and .John T>rxlrr lead a powerful featured cast. Bombacked, 'blacked-out' London is the backround for Uhe mystery challenging the i-orlcl's most famous detective ey&t.-in. A nissin« banker s face is stolen by a chaming gentleman bank robber, who plots the reatest robbery in history. Here's the lerplexinK but interesting (situation. Plastic urgeons unwittingly reconstruct the face £ a soldier bank robber and reconstruct t according to a photograph of a banker n a locket he had stolen. Thus, on his eturn to England the -bank robber disojeis among his newly found possessions lovely wife and an honourable and verv empting position as lioiul of Kritain's i eat est bank! JPhrill is heaped upon hrill as the drama speeds toward a sur>rise climax. When the long arm of the ■ estapo stretc-hcs across the Oliantiel the rama glows even more tense, and tlie enouement is both excifing and surprisng. Clever dialogue, a fast jiaco, niount'ig suspense and the expert direction of •Toi-man Foster, make all of the tense Unations and thrilling action in "Scotland r nrd" ling true. Ot'hers featured in a (jne case include lenry Wilroxon, Melville Cooper. Gilbert jjmery. Norma Yarden and Leyland loclgson. The film is «'i fine entertainment nd really worth seeing. OXFORD—AVON A true to life role is played bv Renee [onston in "Old Bill and Son.'' the main icture at the Oxford and Avon Theatres, liss Houston lias given over 50 concerts :»r soldiers at Home, and during the roduction of "Olcl Hill and Son." in hieh she sings "The Smile I Left liehind le, she fitted in programmes for the oys and then went back to the studio nd repeated the same Houston act. folic takes the part ot an entertainer to ie troops in the film. In the hands of lorland Graham, Old Bill as millions ave known him. comes to life, while the •presentative oi the younger generation, oung Bill, is played entertainingly by ohn Mills as the cocksure son. Bill's ife, Maggie, dogged but homely, is skililly played by Mary Clare. The popular utoon figure was originally supposed to pitomise the character of the British tidier of the Great War. but now that ; has been polished up and brought [) with the times it seems that he will -rve equally well as a representative F the British forces in the present conict. Presented in the film is much of ie humour which makes the British )ldier supreme over war's difficulties, as ie producers have not allowed war to it rude to such an etent as to let a •rious note dominate. Also showing at both theatres is the lirilling drama ;*Fm|uest," with Elizabeth kilen and Hay I*ctiie.

'* BOOM TOWN " ST. JAMKS* M r Mayers Clark Gable ovjitSiO «Jo.in Sand Soencp** Betsy Bartlrtt ... ClaiidcueColter: , .■ f "_ \ a "'V r . er Iledy Lamarr Tj'i'..', 1 ?. 1 w Frank Morpan . iia.iv tompicn Lionel Aiwiii Diiectcr. Jack Conway (M.U.M.j mH'T ""1. ■ it- ■. 1 tiv.- >-ii.i,T-l V,.- ; :•!>• liim t• 111i-ita:11111.•!11 v: l'■ i- ' ! I ' l ' ""'i'"'- -V:: • I il. is ill "liilui!] 'j 1 l -'" "• '■*' : ■ 1 ' •S-:• • Mtl ].n _'r ( rou.lf. ulici, .| '! "!" ■ i'' I ii-- - 1 i.— •■ i ai St. -1 .i! n- r-' TiioatiiI i I •!.<-. . 11l ttiw ili-'iuli: :'ijj Mi ::, . ; n-M.m !>! (~ln,-ni.ii appear ( !ai k (ia'ul.-, . I N-»l>v-r 1 1 ia:i.].-tt.' Colbert. H,..1v . ! * !■' "».| I -a l. !\ M,an.l in m. wa> .• m it. a c.w hi t u<. in.iu.v cook* ypoilin- the j 1 " An aii- c-t.ii.- m their ~\\ n i i--|it M'( l a-: a t•vim i!n-y >paik!.- In i!]ianll* . .| u 11:1 - 11 ''11 tail-til iu■ 111ii11t!i,. 1.i_r i-.i.-t i t , i n.> wonder thai "Hi.i,in Tuw 11" h.is been I i'-i-''l ;;u a 1 led. anil 11 r.iiinnt 1 t-a i. 1 til a t | .".xpt'i-t at: •i r i i-x. ■.i <-1 i i-a!i.-.i I inn. it is j-- n i t-i i a.unii-i11 T liar u i.; m-»lit- i-a>i iy t\- r-j-"lti'ti. ,\~ its naiiir ,-ii_;j,.,sjs. tin- pii-t ill <• i "i iiii- i>i!lii■ i■ i-s. It h-I!> in a j '--imps nil; nt ft lite, ir.ni prt i t ion. j''-ill" pi'v.- ami p1liii l . 'I',, Mm khrnnet. . \vl"■'■,• lln- <-iI liiifli. i-imi>• liable an.l |liai l , lull i ki; t hci■ fortune. \iiariru-! i 111, ill, follow.-, i.lst i.ll tin..,!- tiisi 111. .-tin-, hut j vviicii I}i• "»* .join i'oinv tiioy <t.»] t an ;is>n- i » ''-it inn that ciitlni i-> lhi uuiihmit. iin> j -'row t!i 111' ill,-, oil imliistrv. 11 is nut dilli-1 I ''U.t. I" niiaurm.. tin- com pi i•-a t i..|is tliat arise I "'"'Il Mi--.- ( i. ilkl lt. p!;iv iiiir a yuim- uoni.iii i til i'il ut .-I-liool te.ir'iin_'. arrives in !»nrkI "<■'!li.-r 111 meet Ti ai■ \ - . Ini: fin,ls (labie i im-tcad ami man ies kini forthwith. This. , however. in only tin- start of the film. l'our pictures i,, 0n,.. l-'urLunen are made ami lost, as the .-story inuve.s with -jiv.il -- pel 'il thiom-'li two (leia.les l.efoiv a lii-hiy] jS- at ivtnet I>r \- 1 iiiK'lnsiini is leaeheil. Il aj Jpii'tnii' t:iat. is eliockt ill ot aetion ami in i j part is a ea\ aleaile ni the oil | I Of outstanding interest in the liisl part 'hi tin- pi i.'_-raiiiiii.. is a lihn >liow inu' t lie I .splendid effort that A nst t alia is making I'"' ua; ' i ;ll! ''<■>' .-hips ami still I mule -hip;- - . I EMBASSY I,a lighter, tense drama, ami tin ills of tlie seiei it i lie worlil mingle in a rapid-lire pint in "I Jr. Kildare s Cri.-.is. newest in the medieal mystery series, which is the current attraetion at the Kmha>.-y lliealle, lieeanse ot the inionitanee ol these pictures, the cast was augmented l.y Robert Vuini;; as -nest st.'r. ! with Lew A\res. Lionel I!ari \mm r ainl j Larniiie Day. Yonii;; plays a new char- j act er us Miss Days brother, affixed froin I the West, who becomes the "mystery) patient of the story. In the picture I the wedding plans of Ay res and Miss Day I ate halted by the arri\nl of her brother, j who has developed a mental state identi- I lied as epilepsy. This semis the romance 1 ot the voting couple crashing, as epilepsy is hereditary, for whii-h reason Miss .Day reinses to risk marriage. I»nt .Barrymore, as the veteran Dr. (Jillespie, finds a cine which the younger dor-tor in his anguish | has overlooked and sokes their problem. One of the dramatic highlights is the near cure elicited on little links Watson, crippled hoy ot the series, who is seen receiving tin.- hydrotherapy treatment as successfully used in President Koosevelt's Warm Springs foundation and man;.' inipoitant hospitals and clinics. A complete hydrotherapy loom, anthenic in every detail, was constructed for the production and added to the hospital maintained at Mctro-Uoldwyn-Mayer for these pictures. The supporting cast includes such familiar laces as Nat Penih'lton in the role ot the comic orderly. Walter Kingslord as the hospital superintendent. Alma Krnger in charge of the nurses, and Hninia Dunn, as yoi: Dr. K ilda re's mother, who is always ready when he needs advice and sympathy. The associate programme includes the realistic documentary lilm "Heart of Britain." REGENT Smoothly blending, stirring drama and bright comedy. I'araniount's new teclinieoloiir production "Virginia - * is now showing at the Kegent Theatre, with Madeleine Carroll and Fred Mac Murray in the starting roles. Featuring Stirling Hayden. young screen newcomer, in mi important role, the picture tells an exciting story of a modern Southern gill, reared in the North, who oentes fa.ee to face with the problem of having to choose between the North and the South) romantically speaking. Beautiful Madeleine Carroll is the srirl W'ho finally deckles her heart 'belongs to the South land. Fred Mac Murray is the romantic interest, winning for the South over the ardent courtship campaign waged liv the handsome, dashing Stirling Ilayden. Hollywood's newest "tind." Adorable little Carolyn Lee. who was seen with Mac Murray and Miss Carroll in "Honeymoon in Bali."' is again cast as Mae- i Murray's daughter in this new comedy-! drama. '"Virginia"' also reunites producerdirector Edward H. Oritlith and author Virginia van Upp. who were responsible for "Cafe Society"' and "Honeymoon in Bali - ' with the same stars.

Occupying chief featured roles in tlie film arc Helen Broderick. Mario Wilson. Paul Hurst. Tom Kutlierfofd. Louise Heavers and Leitrh Whippor. A Kobert lienililey ''short'' and a jicwsreol dealin™ with tlie Prime visit to the Middle East arc included in tho supporting programme. Beticlilcy especially is good in olio of his first short, features for some time: "Trouble With Husbands."

REGENT—Madeleine Carroll and Tred MacMurray in "Virginia." PLAZA-—Nancy Kelly and John Loder in "Scotland Yard." OXFORD—Tohn Mills in "Old Rill and Son" and Elizabeth Allen in "Inquest." EMBASSY—Lew Ay res and Lionel Barrymore in "Dr. Kildare's Crisis." STRAND—Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor in "Waterloo Bridge." CENTURY—Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in "Lady Hamilton." ClVlC—Susanna Foster and Allan Jones in "Magic In Music." MA.IF.STIC —John Shelton in "Blonde Inspiration" and William Boyd in "Doomed Caravan." ROXY—Boris Karloff in "The Devil Commands" and Guy Kibbee in "Scattergood Baines." ST. JAMES'—Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in "Boom Town." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Keeping Company" and "Pygmalion.* STATE (Onehunera)—"Kittv Foyle" and "The Villain Still Pursued Her." i STRAND (Onchunjal-'Gunncr George" and " Knights of the Range." STATE (Dcvonport)—"No. No. Nanette" and "Ride. Kelly. Ride." SOUTHERN CROSS (Ellrrslie) — "Convoy" and "Man From Music Mountain." VICTORIA —"Back Street" and "Hullabaloo." TIVOLI—"The Devil Commands" and "Scattergood Baines." TUDOR—"The Sea Hawk." VOGUE —"Gunner George" and "Everything Happens At Night." AVON (Newton)—" Old Bill and Son" and "Inquest." AVON DALE—"His Girl Friday" and "Light of the Western Stars." ASTOR—"Rulers of the Sea" and "Two Girls On Broadway." ADELPHI —"Three Cheers for the Irish" and "They Knew What They Wanted." ALEXANDRA—CIosed for Rebuilding. AMBASSADOR (Pt. Chevalier)—"He Stayed For Breakfast" and "Ruck Benny Rides Again." BRITANNIA—"DuIcy" and "I Want, a Divorce." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—"Florian." CAPITOL —"Shop Around the Corner" and "Ramparts We Watch." CRYSTAL PALACE—"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" and "Remedy For Riches." DELTA (New I.ynn)—"Young Tom Edison" and "Saps At Sea." DE LUXE—"Judge Hardy and Son" and "Where's That Fire." FORESTERS (Birkenhead)—"Dodge City." GAIETY (Takapuna)—"Babes In Arm.-." GREY LYNN —"Constantinople Express" and "Busman's Honeymoon.'' LIBERTY (Parnell)—"When the Daltons Rode." MAYFAIR ( Sandringham)—"Edison the Mail" and "You're Not So Tough." NEW ROYAL—"Dr. Kildaxe's Strange Case" and "If I Had My Way." PEERLESS (St. Heller's)—" The Westerner." PICTUREDROME (Milford)—"The Dark ComPRINCE EDWARD—"Strike up the Band" and "Lone Wolf Meets a Ladv." PRINCESS—"It Ail Came True" and "Pier 13 " "°Ycsm" i WroSg.- Peop,e '' and " That ' s Ri e ht - BEfiENT (Epsom)—"Florian" and "Brieham Young, Frontiersman." RlA For°Rlchcs.- and MrS ' Smilh " an(l " R =mcdy RIALTO (Sunday)— Hollywood Stadium MvstPrv and "Amazing Quest OI Mr. Bliss,* • Mister * i

"BLONDE INSPIRATION" i MAJESTIC" ! Jonathan Biiggs Jolin Slielton Margie Blake Virginia Grey Phil Hendricks Albert Dckker ! "Bittsy" Conway Charles Butterworth "Dusty" King Donald Meek ; Heginald Reginald Owen 1 Director: B. Berkeley iM.0.M.1 Also. "DOOMED CARAVAN." viih William Boyd and Russell Hayden. Kuiiiantir i-iuiu'ily n;' a >,itis]'yinji stan'liiril i.~ i'lti-i i'il in t'hr Mi'tro-(ioldwyn- 1 Miiyor pvotliirtion, "lilnniU' I iiNjiii-at it>ll.'* j ■vliii-li hail its initi.i; in ■-mentation at tlit'| Maji'stir I ln-ativ ■ -r-It-i i!ay. Tlie pic-tmo ; jivi's the tiini a;n!ii.tiii- an itisiiK- view ot j ' in- J■ 1111> iiia-a/inr tii-M. (\.->tai l■ iiilt -John I Hn-lt.iii anil Virginia t.'ii.y. tllo pii-tnre airiii mt i oiliu-os tn tlie aiiilii'in-i' two new | -lar>. Shrllnii ] m>i t ia.\ - a yn'itiji writi-rj A iiii'iican iiiivcl. Imt wiio turns In- tlie! I>ll ip magazine ji.-1.1 tin- the iH'ce.;>.ii-y I i mills tn i-uiitiiiiie !ii< wi itinir. M ; ss (..'lev seen as tin- si-'-n-tary to tlie two 11li,■ \ ii.l; ' i.ublisiieis a I ion t to l..se tlieir busim .-.s. I a ml who ;i..-i-e]it the \uiir_: wi :fei '.s, .-roties | beeatiM" lII' till- two t! lou.-a 1 1.1 .|ol!a;s \i-|i'i-ii"|, 'i l ' lias iM-e-'jiteil n urn a relative. The . > ' 111 n author inns tin- l . < a ! .a' a. I\'ei 111: i i-. i . i inn Ijein- .-wlmlli-il ni'- jus stories am! 1 money to lieinir sent to 'even fur w-i k- 1 in.' a i il ill t iiitr pr-e<s in a vain attein]it tn' .-1 ■ Mi imlilieiitii-.il ot 11i- ]111\ eI in a niaua '.ine , whieli has lipi'ii stolen lie the publishers. I Dheeteil by liiisby 15ef1:.-lf>y. the tilm is j sjii-'Cil with i-Mineil> . 111■ 1 i t Dekuer anil | ( -hallos I in! lei'wm 111 as . u' m I e- vnib- | ash-is. I).»? i;i lil Meek a- tho inehriateil | l.'iip aiitiior. an.l louinai.l (hve'i as the : k'i'.!- : .i ,ii te.l uui le. all - mM! :iii:;, to Make | " 11 i < ■ i:. I e Inspiration" ,rj < - i i j •. \ a 111 • ■ lilm. i Ma: inn M.otiu is nlso j.: • i.. i' i> -:i. !y east. ! !• eat ureil a'.-M Mil 111 e lew pro-.TamiilP ! • s " I )• >mi 111 ■. I ('ai.i van.'" a Wistein .-id veil- I i ni e film with the ever populai William' Hoy,! portrav iim l laiwu-e K. Muir.,r,r> ' well-known eharaeter ol' lietimi. 11 ; ( assidy. Aet ion is pi ovi,|e,| in • measure i| (> I' i i s latest I 'a i a in - <i i Ii t oiil.lnor ' romanee. The stuM te!!> . ,i , ,-i mi aue. ais ! Wi.niaii, pla.veil by Minna < b.mbell. 0w1,.': ! .a' a t hri vim: ii eiLiht in-_r I: n-. U i:o is del or- I iniii'd to >tay :n business. i STATE j I in'' hilarious loinauln- eoineih "Keeping ( oinpauv " is t he x\ eek-end at t raet ion at i the State Theatre. Symoiids Street. The ; inimitable l''rank Mmuan takes the leadill 1 his l'a.-t-stepping, ipiiek-tirini: ; lilm. and Ann I!ul lie: ioi 11. .lolin Slielton ' and Irene I; if h. who head the strong sup- ! porting ra«l. d.. no! lar behind. Taking 1 s-eeoild 111 a ee on tin- iloul de-tea t ill e bill is' 111'"" nnloi lettable " I'y111 a lion " with the

] newcomer. Wendy Hiller. making an out | standing debut, as (Jeotfte Bernard Shaw': ' lamotis eharaeter. l.eslie Howard p-lays the part ut the with all I experimental tain ot mind to perfection in the stoiy ot how a tlower girl was : turned into a society queen tit to mingh with duehesses. The typically Shavian ' endinir is not. the least ii!t<'i estinff part oi a most interet-tin;.' tilm. Photography ineiik'titally. is well above the average ] while tiie scenes in which "Dtlftman i little" appears will never be forgotten. VOGUE i Lati-.-t "ictpie.-; " teat ure at the Vogiu j Iheatie is the i iin-packed tale ot Secret | Service doiinrs. "(Iniiner ( Jeorgc.'" in which j the one and only <;corge Formby sings land muddle-, his way throuuh a hilarious I tale \\ liicli. a 1111Miiuh tilnied before the outbreak ot' war. i> timely enough in its appli cation to-day. Asa uienilier ot a band from which lie be. nine- separated owing to the blackout and linallv ends np overseas in a no»l oi ant i-Britlsh agents. (ieorge is in his glory iu a rtory which allows liini /'•ppoi tuiiily for both singing and fooling w it It a dash o' drama sandwiched ill occasionally. Tin- lilm ends with a series ol la Huh-packed scenes at sea. culminating in 1 (leorg. being >hot from a subiuarine on to the deck of a Hritisth destroyer, much to the satisfaction of all concerned. A i stor\ that "ha- evei \ thing" is "Kverythinp Happens at Night." second feature, with [ Son.ia llenie. Kay Milium), and l'obert | I'liinniin-is. (Irace, beauty, mystery and excitement are all blended into the film, which 111ii-t have a univeisal appeal.