Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 181, 2 August 1941, Page 11

Amusements Reviewed

"POT O' GOLD" civic a.-cgsss ,, . •.....••....■.. .f^xss wffiS? Mccorkle- .•.•.;;;;;..■•. Fr^ c k k MeHon Director: George Marshall (United Artists). Tuneful and melodious comedy, together with muHc.cnn he found in James Roosevelt s tiist Hollywooil offering, 'Tot o" Gold/' which is featured on the new programme at the Civic Theatre. The production, in fact, is a presentation or music and dancing, inn and laughter, romance and youth. Brilliantly directed by George Marshall. Tot O' Gold"' has a creat acting cast, headed l.y .James Stewart and Paulette Goddunl ami featuiin* the fanious m,i*i c oi Horace Heidt and his musical knights.- there is not a dull moment throughout the M-eening of this most entertaining Km. ''Pot O' Gold- unwinds a story packed with 'humour and exi-itcmcrt and interspersed with K ay and lijflit-heurted musical and daiieiim sequences. The plot revolves around the fortunes of an impecunious dance band which practises its programme on the row-top of a third-rate boardinghouse. Paulette Goddard turns in one of her hncet performancee to date a* the comely boaidinghou.se lass, and Stewart's Po™-ayal ot an improvident music store prop ■etor, who is mixed un in the affairs which take place at the boardinghouse w superb. Charles YVmnmjier. who heads the cast of supporting players, appears in the pon,i c ,-o!e of Stewart's wealthy uncle. lh c story moves alonjr at a faM i-lip. and when Mies Goddard meets Mcwart and when he nets mixed up with the toid and its troubles there is more tun Their romanre causes „ merry mixup for all concerned and provides '.plenty ot fun and melody. All the tunes and ■onei are brilliantly delivered. "Pot O 5 Gold must be rated as a first-class production, which entertains audiences of all

The support in* piogr.niinio is also of a. ■IJ'ph-clase standard. Thcro is variety and entertainment in the latest Paramount News reel. , eoinmunity *\ r', , fcaturotto, pictures of Hus-ia"* air force" and the stasc presentation "ISai, bow Khaxisorlies. ST. JAMES" "It's Knottier Tracy picture" is a phrase nlmgoers have got into a habit of using to moan that a theatre season is likelv to be indefinitely extended—and so it ' | lns been with ••Boom Town'" at the St ■Tames' Theatre. "Boom Town," however is more than just another Tracy pietut'.-. -Not only is Tracy conspicuously in the loreground of tlic story, hut so also is the universal favourite Clark Cable, with no less than four other stars in (heir own right all taking main parts. These are Claudcttc Colbert. Hedy Laniarr. Frank Morgan and Lionel Atwill, all of whom ' turn in sound performances, as ini"lit l>o expected. The story is more or less the story of the oil industry in America, and moves through two decades without lingering unduly while fortunes are won and lost ass they are on the oilfields. Cable and Tracy start off by being bitter rivals, but make it up after a preliminary ruiijih house, and, joining forces, start an association that endures throughout the hectic growth of the industry in which they are both engaged. Miss Colbert, in the early stages, looks like causing trouble for a time by thoughtlessly falling iitflove with the wrong man, but it all turns out for the best, with Hedy Lainnrr tilling her place to everyone's satisfaction. "Boom Town" is an epic tale and its pieturisation is well worths' of the plot. This film, with six stars all batting in the same team, will not soon be forgotten. If nothing else it disproves rhe old adage that too many cooks spoil the broth so far ae ecrecu personalities arc concerned. There is no scene stealing and the harmonious way in which all six work in' together is a little object lesson all by itself. "Swing Social,"' an M.C.M. eolourcvl eartoon, is a highlight on a well-varied supporting programme, which also includes the . latest St. flames' airmail review. CENTURY Miklos Rozsa, eminent Hungarian composer, created the musical score for Alexander Korda's production of "Lady Hamilton, ' the film play based on the immortal romance of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, which is enjoying a successful season at the Century Theatre. The inspiration for Rozsa's score centres about Italian folk songs of the period, in keeping with the Neapolitan settings and stirring martial airs, and although it is not widely realised Kozsas part in the film has not been the least important in making it the hit it is. Laurence Olivier, who plays the role of Lord Nelson, not only presents a perfect portrait of the heroic British admiral, but in one scene displays also what the welldressed Britisher slept in at the end of the eighteenth century -which is worth seeing in itself. Not a pair of pyjamas by any stretch of the imagination, but more after the style of u long, voluminous nightgown, tied at the neck and wrists and containing enough material for several pairs of modern-day sleepers, Olivier's getup is enough to make any man glad he was not born when such a get-up was "the thing." Vivian Leigh, as Lady Hamilton, reaches new heights in dramatic interpretation which compare more than favourably with her unforgettable showing in "Gone With the Wind." Equally outstanding in a hand-picked .supporting cast are Alan Mowbray as Lord Hamilton, Gladys Cooper as Lady Velson Heiuy Wilcoxon as Captain Hardy.' and Heather Angel as a street -ill Korda directed as well as produced "'Lady Hamilton," and has made it one of the most thrilling motion pictures on record. Of material he had plenty, and he has concentrated on a love story that has few. parallels for exciting and colourful incident. OXFORD—AVON \ story literally carved out of tillrugged history of America, a story telling not only of the eternally-moving romance .between a lusty frontiersman and a gracious Virginian girl but also of America and the early Americans who fought tor its «frtmce with the belief that freedom, above all things, must nourish on the earth—euc-h i<s "The Tree of Liberty, at .both the Oxford and AvVm Theatres. The film follows closely Elizabeth Page"s memorable story of the trials and tribulations of the -Howards of Virginia" at the time of the American revolNfat't Howard was a .pioneer and, in portraying him. Cary Grant" has done a fine job of work. He brings to life the son of the soil whose earnest and ardent belief was in a democracy which would <pemiit of rule by the majority. Martha Scott, of "Our Town" feme, ia convincing as the .beautiful young Virginian who tollowb the man »he loves into the rugged West and who. although she has now become a .pioneer, cannot forget the tact that the older society into which she was born has always eroveijied. "Glamour for Sale." with Anita Louise and Roger Trvor, which also ebows, is a darin<r expose" of a section or American societv w'hich lias not before been touched ■upon "in films of this nature. VOGUE The fact' that a film has the "Lubitseh touch" means nothing to the man in the street, generally speaking, but to film fans who know their job it spells comedy with 111 the "musual twists and unexpected complications that might be expected to be associated with such an unnronoimcable name. -Bluebeard s Eighth tt ife " at the Vogue Theatre, is just such a him with just such a touch and -possessed ot a sterling cast headed by Gary Cooper. Claudette Colbert and David Niven. These three have formed a splendid team before and with east and director balancing so happilv it would be surprising indeed it the result'did not spell entertainment. Combining the colour of 1850 with the sneed and movement of 1941. 'btand Up \r)A Fight." the second feature, stars Wallace Ticny, Robert Ta\l,.r and Hoieace Rice.

"WASHINGTON MELODRAMA , ' ■ MAJESTIC Calvin Claymore ... Frank Morgan Sff, rie T? a ™ Ole Ann Rutherford Halt rnome Kpnr Tnvlnr Whitney King .. ..... D an Da?ley Jun Ronnie Colton ... Lee Bowman Mrs. Claymore . ' Fa v Ho Id en Director: s. Sylvan Simon i'm O M > Also -MEET THE CHUMP" wih Hugh Herbert Plentiful entertainment oi widely varied nature is provided by the new programme at the .Majestic Theatre in a double bill featuring Hugh Herbert in an extravaganza of his .special eccentricities, followed by the murder-mystery "Washington Melodrama," in which romance is mingled wfth the thrill, mtiigtu- and glamour of night life in a great city. The controversy which is ovor.-»liadmvin K all el<se in America to-day, that of what is In be the; part of the United .States in the war. is the background for "WasliiiiKton .Melodrama." Frank .Morgan has the biy role or a senator haratysed to breaking point, by a combination of .political strife and m loneliness caused by the protracted holiday-making of his wife and daughter. then taken by a friend to a cabaret for mental diversion, and innocently projected into the threat, of notoriety that would be fatal to his good work in the Senate. Tcnec and powerful dramatic scenes by Morgan and Ann Rutherford. his daughter, grip the attention of patrons in the course of a lierce police and JVpks campaign to link him up with the crime and Ann's daring incursions into the haunts of the denii-mondailie to' liol|» i establish her father's innocence. Ann's subterfuges to lure her newspaper lover oft" the trail, and Lee Bowman's .spectacular failures as an amateur clime reporter supply some enjoyable comedy interludes as well a.s delightful romance. In the other bi.tr feature oi' the projri amine. ".Meet the Chump." that prince ot startled comedy just breezes his farcical way in cliai actci istie fashion from one darned mess to another, leaving a lorn; trail of laughs in his wake.

REGENT Clever fooling, with occasional catchy tunes breaking up the action. "(Jo West,' - at the Kegent Theatre, is definitely a picture for the times. Chico. Uroiicho and Ilarpo, the Marx brothers who have made their mark in screen comedy, are a.s crazy as ever, and for the greater part of the iilni crazier—and none the worse for that. A big railroad deal out west is the basis of the story which brills to life all the shady characters that lived and died in that part of the world in the 'seventies — luckily for wild west writers. In the cour.se of the hilarious rnix-up srlorilied by the title of plot, the three brothers become the lightlieai ted defenders oi a strip oi highly-coveted land which had been thought to be worthless and also render invaluable - if unconventional — assistance in the settling once and for all of a boy and romance that looked like prolonging itself indefinitely.

The lilni is a well-balanced affair, with such tuneful numbers us "As It' i Diiin'i Know'' and "Von Can't Argue With Love' , bobbin" up ever so often to break tilings 111 > ami give the audience a breather in preparation for yet more | laughs. Particularly well done is the Marx vcivion of '"Kidiii , the Rainze." Outstanding in an impressive supporting: cast are John Carroll and Diana Wilson. The supporting programme includes a colour cartoon, "You Can't Shoe a Horsefly," ami one of the latest I'athe British News. "Going Places," h short travel feature with Trinidad as the main theme, is ako worthy ol mention, while ulie musical "short." "Pickled Pinky," i* a gem among tVatui etteis. PLAZA How disruption, bitterness and suspicion were introduced into au ideally happy family by an unprincipled and perfidious young woman is the theme of the Colunnbia film, "Adam Had Kour Sons," which opened at the Plaza vewteiday. Starring the lovable In-grid Beivman. this picture is a frankly-told story i>: :i stock ■broker and his four sons, a governess and a •wanton girl ■who marries one of the sons and comvpts another. In the earliest scenes, when the century is young, the boys are seen in their tender years, ibut. following the death of their mother and the pre-war collapse of the stock exchange, an interval ensues and the action swings into *he last two years of the 1914-18 war, with the lads in uniform. Meticulously made and dressed, the film ie produced on a high standard, with painstaking attention to period detail. Tension and suspense are elements cleverly manipulated, and some of the more dramatic situations call for ;i degree of emotional acting seldom demanded. Warner Baxter, as the father, and Susan Hayward, as the wicked wife, give convincing portrayals. An 'hilarious animated cartoon in colour. '"The Carpenters," and an up-to-the-minute Australian newsreeh showing- Australian troops in action in Syria, add to the attractiveness of the programme. The Australians are depicted under fire, rushing positions held by snipers, mopping up in villages and hauling heavy artillery. One most realistic series of "shots" depicts (successful ,'ii'tillerr action against a tank attack, and the film gives an excel•lent idea of the peculiar difficulties o>f •a campaign in rugged terrain, where the civil population carried on unconcernedly while the fighting continued. STRAND With several academy awards to their credit. Ginger Rogers and James Stewart play the leading roles in R.K.O.'s "Vivacious Lad}%" the new feature at the Strand Theatre. One of Miss Rogers' first films in which she had not the sn-pport of dancing partner Fred Astaire, she is cast as a singer in a New York night club. A professor in botany from a small country town, whose life had consisted of just one exciting butterfly chase after another, falls madly in love with the ginger-headed singer, and after a night of celebration in the city the pair are surreptitiously married. Complications arise when the couple return to Sharon, the professor's family I home, with the glittering night club beauty ' as puzzled about small-town life as the inhabitants are intrigued with her. As the inarticulate but purposeful young professor, James Stewart was the obvious choice, and lie fits the Peter Morgan personality like a glove. Ginger Rogers is happy in the type of role which calls for a display of grey matter as well as dancing feet, and that is the way the fans like i her. too. James Ellison plays the part of the irresponsible Keith, cousin of the professor, while Charles Coburn and Beulah Bondi. as his father and mother i respectively, do everything that is required of them. This is a welcome return of a I film which made an immediate hit as a rollicking comedy when it was shown in Auckland a year or so ago. It is giddy and capricious amusement. and the enjoyment of filmgoeis is increased by the element of surprise that spices the film. Webster's Dictionary lists "spirited, i sportive, gay and merry" as synonyms ot ; "vivacious." They are of the character of entertainment in "Vivacious , Lady." ' j The supporting programme includes "Wrong Room." a Leon Errol comedy. and "Cupid Rides the Range," an entertaining short feature. STATE The unforgettable film wli.jse story hinges upon a mood. "Rebecca" makes a timely return at the State Theatre. Synionds Street. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine take the leading roles in the tale of a couple who were haunted ! by the", pretence of the man's previous wife. Except for an acceptable twist in the ending, the film follows closely the original novel which created such a furore some years ago. and, as might be expected, provides entertainment which must be rated infinitely better than the usual run of I films if only for its unusual approach. It is ■ always difficult to put a psychological study on the screen, but the director of • "Rebecca" has succeeded in no uncertain . fashion and in so doing has given filmt goers something that tTioy can remember ■ ' and be grateful for. A well-vai ied selection i of. ieatuielUs completes the protamine.

EMBASSY In other hands, the story of "The Lady Eve"' at the Embassy Theatre might have emerged in any rut of routine from tbc risque to the dull. In director Sturges" hands, however, it is made to sizzle, to sparkle, to amaze sometimes and always to amuse and entertain. It is permitted at in• time to be taken as other than comedy or as fashioned for purposes theatrical. The pictuie has. in common with - other Smiles successes, the uncommoiiiiess of viewpoint, approach and treatment, of means ami method of expression. which distinguish the Sturges way from the Lubitsch touch, the l)e Mille manner. the Pasternak and all the other styles of past and present which have accounted for consistency in profit-making throughout the history of the screen. The pei fdi mances of the players contain surprises -as well as diversion for the customers, liarbara Stanwyck exercises tho wiles of Kve of tradition in the technique and laimenl of 1941. surpassing in expertness and appearance most of the actresses who have made th.eir reputations as sirens. Henry Fonda steps out of the earnestness in which he lias specialised to participate in slapstiekeiy. as the butt of the same, ami again, at the dose o\ the film, to manifest the attributes of Adam to Miss Stanwyck's Eve. Charles Coburn as a card-sharp. Kiiuene I'a'lette ~« a capitalist out of harmony with his setting. William IVmaiest us a' body-uard. and Eric Blo.re as a conlidence man add portrayals that ti'ivc the picture depth, vijjnnr and vitality. Most of the action takes place on shipboard and on a millionaire's estate. Topics dealt with are topics adults deal with, and lio meat effort has beea made to interest children, although a picture-book serpent is used once or twice ill the early stages. Alrofrether, the ron.edy. both witty dialogue anil uproarioa* fd.rpi.tiek. the polished presentations of the cast and the scintillitiirj lilot. are combined into a piclure that should stimulate any audience To ;ml(*s of laughter.