Amusements Reviewed.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 187, 9 August 1941, Page 10

Amusements Reviewed.

• BARNYARD FOLLIES" MAJESTIC Bubbles Martin Mary Lee Bucksaw Beechuood Rufe Davis Louise Dale June Storey Sam Jed Prouty Hiram Crafctree Victor Kilian Pappy Harry Cheshire Also: "DARK STREETS OP CAIRO, ' with Sierid Gurie. Presenting pjy'soyalitics enlisted from radio, perfoi in consonance with Hollywood actgiPp "Barnyard Follies,'' wliic h is tire fenfure attraction on the in w programme at the .Majestic Theatre, is a. piclllll' of exceptionally high quality. I: i-' a musical comedy staged in a barnyard, and is a Republic product. Being in a cense a novelty comedy it affords excellent entertainment for audiences of all ages. It is a .-ti.ry about an •orphanage whose manager, under pressure fur financing hi.- charges in farming projects, iuil1■ i its a night < lull and with it responsibility fur emptying on the farm the per-t-iiniiel of the club. I'nfortunately, the night club turns out to be insolvent, but the i lub performers decide to help the orphanage by means of a benefit performance. Solution of problems which multiply as the story progresses is achieved by the youngsters when they stage a show in the but n. Humorous scenes follow- each other in rapid succession during the screening ot the enjoyable film. A feature of the picture is the scheme adopted by Mary Lee. who has the mle of Bubbles Martin, ti> ensure that the performance will take plai e. Seven musical numbers are prc-,-entcd in the course of the picture, all in the character and spirit of the scene. Maty Lee lias the leading role, and llariy Cheshire, well known American ladio performer, is cast as the benevolent head of an orphanage. Other American ladio personalities who acquit themselves admirably are the Do /in ik sisters who yodel and imitate various instruments. The associate attraction on the new ptograuiine is the thrilling mystery film, •'Dark Streets of Cairo." Another episode of the serial "Creeu Hornet Strikes Again" is also screened. OXFORD—AVON Horatio Nelson owes his place in history to the battle of Cape Trafalgar and' to the words he addressed to his command that momentous day: "England expects . . ." But Nelson the naval hero lias been relegated to a place behind Nelson the lover in "Lady Hamilton," now transferred to the Oxford and Avon Theatres. It is with the romance of Lady Hamilton that this lilm is mostly concerned and a very "meaty" role is therebymade automatically for Vivien Leigh, who beads the cast. All the intensity and dramatic effectiveness that marked Miss Leigh's portrayal 'of Scarlett O'Hara is recreated in her Lady Hamilton. She is outstanding in a unique production. Laurence Olivier, considered one of the screen's most handsome leading men. has the advantage'of make-up to overcome in his portrayal of Nelson and, unlike Miss Leigh, who appears during most of the two hours of the picture the same lovelygirl ns she was at 18. Olivier grows old ■with the years minus an arm. blind in one eye and with an ugly scar on his forehead. It is to his credit, therefore, that he does n'ot suffer alongside Ulc performance of Miss Leigh. Production values have not been stinted. From the ornate home of Sir William Hamilton, British Ambassador to Naples, to the long line of men-of-war waiting to do battle at Trafalgar, the picture recreates the Napoleonic era. The cast is uniformly good.

"LITTLE NELLIE KELLY", ST. JAMES' Nellie Kelly . . . Judy Garland Jerry Kelly George Murphy Michael Noonan Charles Winn in £e r Dennis Fogarty Douglas McPhail Timothy Fogarty Arthur Shields Maiy togariy .. Rita Page A large audience at the St. .lames' Theatre 'ast night was audible in demonstrating its enjoyment reaction to "Little Nellie Kelly." the Meti o-Uoldwy n-Mayer iheadliner 011 the new programme, by iictjiicnl bursts ,ii natural and full-ranged laughter. This i- a picture to w.um the cockles <»;' any moviegoer's heart, whether Hibernian or otherwise. Inspired irom the musical offering of George M. Cohan, the picture offers several substantial surprises be-uies its i icli, warm Irish wit and sentiment. In "Little Nellie Kelly, .In ly (J.irland advances to maturity be pla.wng a dual role of mother and daughter. I his dilli ult matter of casting is soon remedied by the early elimination -i'' '; 11 ' maternal aiig'e. and Miss Garland i.- \ic-wed iu a role more in keeping with her juvenile years and talents. She sings sever,ll songs delightfully and with great appeal. George Murphy plays husi'oand and lather to Judy s dual assignment and on such a double level lie is both natural and appealing. .Much ol the humour and humanity exuding trom the story's script comes from the rollicking characterisation o> Chillies Winninger as Nellie's grandlather. In this role lie acts remarkably. Douglas M.I 'hail lends his fine baritone tone.- and young appearance to accommodate .Mis,- Oarland in several musical and romantic intei hides. "Little Nellie Kelly" is a grand entertainment. I lie secondary lilm -übjeets include an oxccllcMit Australian Bureau of Inform.ithni picture, showing Australians in the Syrian campaign and the capture of Beirut a highly instructional film "Willie The Mouse. demonstrating how "white mice are used in American educational methods. i> c {'.° ens. and another of the famous Ludolt Ising animated eo'oured cartoons. EMBASSY Jhe up-to-date story ot Adam and Kve is the theme ot Ihe Lady Eve," now in its third week a.t the Embassy Theatre. 'I his more or less adult comedy has stimulated audiences everywhere to gales of laughter and there must be millions of theatregoers yet who remain to be convulsed. for this is one of Preston Sturges' best—a sizzling, sparkling, sometimes amazing but always amusing story which is permitted at no time to lie taken as 'other than comedy or as fashioned for purposes other than the theatrical. The performances of the players contain surprises as well as diversion for the customers. Barbara Stanwyck exercises the wiles ot Eve ot tradition in the raiment and with the technique of 1041, while Henry I-onda steps out of the earnestness in which he has specialised to participate in slapstick—even at the receiving end of the jlie throwing. Depth, vigour and vitality are added to the picture through the portrayals of Charles Coburn as a card-sharp. Eugene l'allette as a capitalist out of harmony with his setting. William Demarcst as a bodyguard and Eric Blore as a confidence man. Here is Sturges' talent for humour at its best, surpassing even his '"Great McGinty."' with which "Lady Eve" has in common the * uncomnvonncss of approach, viewpoint and treatment, of means and method of expression, which distinguish the Sturges way. Apart from the well known nam or. on the cast. Luis Alhcrni. Dora Clement. Robert. Grcig. Janet Beccher and Martha O'Driscoll did sound work.

"TOPPER RETURNS" CENTURY Gail Richards loan Blondell Cosmo Topper Roland Young Ann Carrington Carole Landis Mrs. Topper Billy Burke Bob Dennis O'Keefe Maid Patsy Kelly Director: Roy Del Ruth (U.A. —Roach). The ghostly comedy conceived by the late Thome Smith and made famous in the '"Topper" films, is carried to greater heigli'ts by Hal Roach adaptations in "Topper Returns." the big feature this week at the Century Theatre that delighted audiences at yesterday's sessions. With Roland Young at his best in the lead a.* the haunted man and Joan Blondell as the '"haunt," the laughter hits up a furious pare when Billie Burke shows up in her "dumbest"' mood and Kddie Anderson and Patsy Kelly have ghost jitters. It is uproarious entertainment, and a fitting climax to a highly 'interesting programme that includes enjoyable topical and other numbers. Opening with murder and melodrama, the action of "Topper Returns'* plunges into mystery and eerie thrills that alternate with bursts of laughter as the wraith •of the deceased girl (-loan Blondell) returns to heckle Topper, the police and (lie plain and coloured help with pranks of invisibility. It grows into a stream of uncontrollable hilarity with the contrasted reactions of the interested parties. Rolnntl Young's distraught explanations of his troubles to the ilelieiotisly silly prattle of his wife (Billie Burke) and the sceptical queries of the police sergeant are only equalled in joy by Billie Burke's precious inconsequence in confusing police issues, and the all round stampedes and consternation when the wraith is on the warpath. Patsy Kelly in a maid's role and Eddie Anderson as a coloured chauffeur contribute substantially to the merriment of the story which is sustained throughout. Packed w itli items of interest and entertainment. ranging from Imperial personalities nnd new kitchen gadgets to the trade and scenic features of Ceylon; the supporting programme is highly enjoyable. STrSANti Six stars in their own right, all topnotch actors and actresses, all turning in performances of a standard "which has come to he expected of them, tro to make "Boom Town," now at the Strand Theatre, one of the most memorable films of the year. Clark Gable. Spencer Tracy, C'audette Colbert, Hedy Lamarr, Frank Morgan and Lionel Atwill head a cast of acting stalwarts which includes many other names whicih perhaps would 'l>e more prominent. had they not, in this case, been overshadowed by the resounding names at the top of the list. An epic tale. "Boom Town'' is the story of many ;n id portions of America which have been brought to thriving, •pulsing life, through the discovery of the mainspring of modern life—oil. To this rough-and-ready atmosphere of fitfht or go down come Tracy and fia.blc—'both tough enough to look after the-mselves in any surroundings and both driven by an ambition to tret rich as quickly as possible despite ah obstacles Their meeting is celebrated by a fistic encounter which has to he see.n to be appreciated, but. strangely enough, the two deckle that perhaps they may have been -wrong about each other and set up a partnership w'hich lasts until the end. Through two decades the picture runs while fortunes are won and lost and also, in passing, women. The Misses Colbert and Lamarr. however, after preliminary difficulties, solve the romantic question. As an action drama. "Boom Town" will not be easily surpassed. It has everything necessary for a hit film of its type and the producers .have made the most of the material at their disposal. "Swing Social." an M.O.M. colour eartoon. and a timely Paramount newsreel make up the supporting programme.

PLAZA i "Adam Had Four Sons," starring In-j grid Bergman and Warner Baxter, which J is continuing its season at the Plaza ] Theatre, is a frankly told story of a man and his four sons, a governess and a wanton girl who disrupts their lives and . blocks their happiness by marrying one | of the boys and corrupting another, lhe j tale is an engrossing affair which begins in 1907 with the hiring of the governess by a Connecticut family. The household ( is happy until the death of the wife and | loss of the family fortunes necessitates | the discharge of the governess. The family | prospers again, however, and the jjover- j ness returns in 1017. Four of the sons | are enlisted in the army, one marrying 1 before his embarkation. His wife lives | with the family and that is where the ; trouble really begins. The new bii'te. • with her husband overseas, turns her ! attention toward the elder brother and 1 finally, to protect the father from the ; shock of finding out what has been going ; on, the governess has to sacrifice her , happiness by posing as the lover of the | youth. This intriguing situation has a startling j denouement with the return of the husband ami everything works out satisfac- | torily after some highly emotional scenes 1 in which the principals' abilities in the j way of dramatic acting show up particu- j larly well. Supporting the stars are | Susan Hayward as the loose woman, Vay I Wray as the mother, and Richard Den- j ning. .Johnny Downs, Robert Shaw and Charles Lind as the youths. The performance of Miss Bergman, last seen in "Intermezzo." confirms the previous favourable impressions of her talents. Meticulously made and investitured. the film minks the debut as screen producer of Robert Sherwood. 29-year-old actorwriter. not to be confused, incidentally. j with Robert E. Sherwood, noted piny- ■ wright. [ VOGUE Edward G. Robinson is seen in another ■ powerful characterisation in the dramatic film "The Last Gangster" which is show-' ing at the Vogue Theatre. The 1041 : Academy Award winner .Tames Stewart, j also is seen in a leading role. The second j feature is another of the popular Hardy 1 series. This time the youngest member of the family is "for it"' properly as. under the influence of spiing and urged 011 by healthy livalry, he falls in love love of the hopeless variety peculiar to young men of his age. All the well-known and widely-loved Hardv characters are there—Lewis Stone. Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland (who gets her manl. Cecilia Parker and Fay Holdcn. The film is the best j of the series to date. "The Anzacs in ; Palestine" is outstanding among the supporting features. STATE The successful stage play which has | made 1111 even more successful screen play, I "The Trial of Mary Dugan." is the main feature on the new programme at the | State Theatre. Symonds Street. The ! tensely dramatic situations in this (lassie murder case are superbly handled in this case by a sterling cast headed by Robert Young, sufficiently all-knowing as the | young lawyer who solves the mystery. ! and Laraine Day as the lady in the case, i The court room scenes, winch comprise the latter half of the film, work up an | atmosphere of suspense which has seldom ] been surpassed. Ginger Rogers and .lames ! Stewart star in the supporting feature, j "\ ivacious Lady," a comedv which has the wholehearted recommendation of the many fans who have already seen and enjoyed it. |

REGENT ] Smacking as it docs of salt and the brand of humour which one uaturalK expects from the indomitable men of the senior service. "Sailors lhrcc, the British Empire Films' production, which commenced its season at the Regent Theatre yesterday, makes splendidly refreshing entertainment. It is a merry mix up, ana the comedy presented is bre.l ot the Empire's "finest hour. I luit bemji so. it is not surprising that the humour is of the effervescent variety with the central figures settling arguments with the Naxis in the approved manner—oll top. The fun beams in earnest when a trio ot British sailors blunder in hilarious fashion on to the wrong ship. 1 hat ship is a German picket battleship and "many a sea is shipped" before the jolly tars bring the enemy sateJy to a British port 101 internment for the duration. J lie Nazi routine, with its heel clicking and liciling Hitler," is not the British routine, and so complications in abundance arise for the trio, but they surmount cvcr.v obstacle, even that of scrambling <'"tot trouble when held up at pistol point by a clever ruse which is calculated to throw any Nazi ofT his guard. The 11 ials of the trio are complete when, alter overpowering the enemy and capturing their vessel in the true buccaneering way. they arc pursued by their own country men. Pne men responsible for the bulk <• the action nnd comedy relief arc Tommy 11 inder. who establishes himself as a firm iavourite in his screen debut. Claude llulbeit. who lor sparkle is the equal of his famous brother •Tack, and Michael \\ ilding. who is not overshadowed in any respect by his "shipmate?.'' Trinder. perhaps, is tin; outstanding pelf inality of the trio, tor in his make up there are several catchy songs, including the popular number "All Over the Place." There is a good supporting programme, which includes Pathe British News world topicalities, a March of Time featuring Mexico, nnd a .-holt piesenting "Romantic England. CIVIC Proclaimed far and wide as one of •Tames Roosevelt's latest and best. "I'ot o' Gold,'' continuing a season at the Civic Theatre, is a screen story packed with humour and excitement inteispeised with gay and lighthenrled mu.-ic and dancing sequences. Shuflle-tooled .lames Stcwai I and intriguing Paillette Godd.ud head a line cast and link after, in capable fashion, romance angle to the tale. II orace Heidt and his musical knights also deserve mention among the notables who helped to make the production the happiest picture of the year. George Marshall directed brilliantly. The plot centres about the fortunes of an impecunious dance band which, for want of a better setting, piactises its programme 011 the rooftop of a third-rate boarding house. Miss Goddard is the attractive boarding house lass who attracts as much attention as she deserves, and Stewart is an improvident music stole proprietor who seems, through no fault of his own, to get mixed up in all the hilarious doings of the boarding house fraternity. Charles Winninger is his usual happv self as Stewart's rich uncle —a particularly rich role which suits him down to the ground. The story is a series of mix-ups. Stewart meets Miss G.-ddard and they get sort of mixed up and then lie gets mixed up with the band which is. in turn, itself mixed up with all sorts of trouble. Howard Moody at the oigan presenting '•Rainbow Rhapsodies" is a highlight on the supporting programme, while featuiettes in.dude the timely and informativ '• "Stalin s Wings." a Paramount newsreel. a travelogue dealing with Hongkong and a further "short" in the "Popular Science" series.