Amusements Reviewed

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 283, 29 November 1941, Page 10

Amusements Reviewed

i "THE PARSON OF PANAMINT" MAJESTIC Chuckawalla Bill Redfleld .. Charlie Ruggles Mary Mallory Ellen Drew I Reverend Philip Pharo Phil Terry j ! Bud Deming Joseph Schildkraut I Jonathan Randall Porter Hall : Judge Arnold Mason . Henry' Kolker Director: William McGann (Paramount). Also: ' BUY ME THAT TOWN." with Lloyd ( Nolan, Constance Moore and Albert Deklser. The latest Harry Sherman production. ["The Parson of Panamint," which opened yesterday at the Majestic Theatre, comes to film attendances during a time when a world is at war as it did in the first film version of the Peter B. Kyne novel, made by Pallas-Paramount in 1016, and starring Dustin Farnum. The picture is well acted and smoothly directed, and its moral is most pointed, especially during this time of war. In the story. Phillip Terry plays exceptionally well the part of a parson, who reaches a Western town in the lS9o's and tries to instil a spirit of brotherly love among the inhabitants, only to rind that their love for gold has shut them off from communication with other values. Ellen Drew enacts a dance hall girl in love with the parson. A comparative newcomer to the screen, especially as a star player. Miss Drew reveals talent, which is in keeping with such a splendid production. Charlie Ruggles. well known as the always "slightly inebriated man of the scrcen." plays his first serious role and is seen as the mayor and founder of Panamint. He is disgusted with the town s allegedly "respectable" leading citizens, and does his part well. The t ls , told through the familiar flashmf£rri que ' . o P eni ng and closing with Ruggles reminiscences about Panamint. rri lost town " ruined by its own greed. There is a hilarious comedy aspect to the film, and this in itself' is M?i"c is patronage. An innovation for Miss Diew is when she sings four songs "Rr.nif "f 00 ! 1 of .. thc time and the hymn cast is A SU ' Cng su PP°rting "Buy Me That Town." starring Llovd Nolan and Constance Moore, provides a splendid second feature to this programme. The strength of the" storv emanates from a fresh basic situation of a racketeers' cash purchase of an unincorporated town impoverished hv lished i ? f' ng t! factory which cstabi The i acket is to provide a hideout for wealthy men evading arrUt Suiters and such, by arresting them foi speed and holding them in traol safe against claims by other persons. Plaved alth n ,H?h me nM rather than melodrama, although not neglecting this aspect, the picture ripples along its course without T sent imcnt or the pastoral note Bartrara o Tn n au /x'! lief racketeer, and o,ft ST a (Vera Vague) stand cast balanced and experienced ST. JAMES' Much to laugh at and much to admire "\ro^ r J,V S D >A' retl 'o-Golchvyn-Mayer's Men of Boys Town," which has Droved T°he^t C re Pt t a h bI ? -,° P atrons of the St. James' Sire xhf «i ,S ente ring a third week tnere. The film cannot, be regarded as anything but a sequel to the extremely successful-Boys' Town." Players "icamethod are identical, and the picture follows smoothly and logically on from its predecessor in the manner suggested By the title. Nevertheless this and Ul h a^ inly stanci ? on ifs own merlte ana has far more than the name to recommend it. Spencer Tracy's acting is aid his y nhv i the Part of at her Flanafan! and his obvious sincerity is verv moving nir-t™ Cla ' Point in the development of the Po ls JlV s Powerful speech appealing J? "} c public to put aside its apathy to stituUon S m anrl b ° yS ,n c orrectionaf in I hinder! nit »hi w ,°PPOse any practice ninciering the development of bovs into fine and useful citizens. In spite of the fs r rnnm P ur P° se of 'he production, there murh nf u-M 6 ! delightful comic relief. Mickey Roor.™ 18 J"' ovlcip<l b y dynamic i ever S whose portrayal, how--1 usual mo! ' c res 'rained than i,,,"? 1 -. Young supporting players again [ nnpfino appealing performances. SiipMinistfv nf S i„ a f re of ? h ' gh standard. A ! Hanit " = Information production. "All ! tl?k»w n S« c r olou J fu j fitzpatrick travel I Haiti, Land of Dark Alvcrtprv " an<-i up-to-the-minute air mail newsare th?= t »i!? ota Billed to open shortly at be a £on , re ~. '; They lc M - et in Bombay" \vUl

CENTURY spsss a performance. 11 Her'"Lyd?a" leave^ih 2 ve??s°mfli?ude e of' CI a een and the lrith Sf . , of a woman's love storv plot of the to the audience. The piot or tne film traces the tale over a poS'S f//-f o« h in beloved A, dunn 2 her lifetime, is '■a* &■£''mSS&l three of her enamoured friends, Michael taHer- Bob a a fn S ° n f of the Macmillaii ,„ u t l J e r;,®° b ' a former football hero of Urn pianist and Frank ' a gifted, blind Sue™ a « £ composer. To answer their to Snfain (ho r . nev ? r married and io explain the Lydia to them which never knew she tells the of her real love. Richard. The camera th<.n turn S of Cl fv, to tne golden, lush era at the turn of the century with Lvdia as i young girl, spirited, enchanting and wi'fully romantic. John Cotten, Alan Ma\5}\ a J' Hans Yaray. John HalUday and Edna May Oliver contribute greatly to the success of this fine film. The story ss , skilful hands would y developed into a tawdry, tearful sop is executed expertly through Jl?. capable direction and the superb 15 /omance at its best. Featurettes are of unusual interest, especia Ministry of Information production You re Talking." which is causing many Auckland filmgoers to think twice. EMBASSY A moving love story of wide appeal Paramount' B "Hold Back the Dawn" is continuing a successful season at the SntmHrli Theatre. A dancer, lover and S?f, re ' Iscovescu by name, is the role fiv? P Charles Boyer. and he makes iv,' „ moS Ai»f? 't, in a brilliant performance. Although displaying all the skill and sophistication of previous pors acting in this part seon.s rnore vital than previously. An eniicrre Rumanian, he makes his way in to" a director in a film studio and persuados him to listen to his story, which he intends to sell. From here the enthralling plot is unfolded by effective use of "flashback technique. In order to obtain permission to enter the United States Iscovescu tells how he married Emmy Brown, an American school teacher, solely as an expedient, intending co divorce her as soon as he has entered the country in order to rejoin his beautiful but shrewd and unscrupulous former dancing partner, brilliantly played by Paulette Goddard. After this marriage Boyer really falls in love with his wife, a woman of character, intelligence and beauty. Olivia de Havilland's acting in this part is reminiscent of her role in "Gone With the Wind." Credit must be given to Arthur Homblow for producing this appealing film. Mitchell Leisen for directing and acting in it, and to a generally fine cast. There is an entertaining supporting programme.

OXFOKD—AVON One of the most stirring action films of several years ago, "The Black Watch" began a season at the Oxford and Avon Theatres yesterday. A thrilling tale of the Khyber Pass region and warring against native tribes, the picture tells of the adventures that befall an officer of the famous 42nd Highlanders, played by Victor McLaglen, who is sent to India on a special mission on the outbreak of the war. For the purpose of keeping his work secret he leaves England under a cloud. In India he has the dangerous job of preventing a war from being engineered when the country is denuded of British soldiers who are sent to the western front. Behind the threatened rising of the tribesmen is the mysterious figure of a woman, portrayed by Myrna Loy. Those used to seeing Miss Loy in her more recent ultra-sophisticated comedies will be surprised by her performance in this role. It is the type of part which launched her on her film career—that of an exotic Oriental with not a little of the vamp in her character. McLaglen, who is thoroughly at home in a picture of this kind, gives a convincing portrayal. Suspense is well sustained. Associate attraction at both theatres is the thrilling racing picture "Golden Hoofs." A more mature, but just as lively, Jane Withers and the veteran Charles (Buddy) Rogers have the principal parts In this entertaining feature. Supporting players are Katharine Aldridge, George Irving and Buddy Pepper. CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT Christmas carols make up most of the items of the final concert of the year of the Lyric Harmonists Choir, which is to be held in the Town Hall concert chamber on December 4. Charles Gregory, pianist, and Eric Craig, violinist, Schubert scholars of 1941, will be among the supporting artists. A talk on carols will be given by the Rev. G. A. Naylor, who will also provide continuity.

"WESTERS US ION" CIVIC Richard Blaise Robert Young Vance Shaw Randolph Scott Edward Creighton Dean Jaggcr Sue Creighton Virginia Gllmore Doe Murdoch John Carradine Herman Slim Sommerville Director: Fritz Lane (30th Century-Fox). Screen audiences, particularly those who favour the Western brand of film,! will find excellent entertainment in "Western Union." the 20th Century-Fox production which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Polished acting, skilful casting and a highly | appropriate use of Technicolour all convey a sense of the limitless outdoor scene. Presented in a form different from other Western films, this picture has all the ingredients of striking and stirring entertainment. The screen play deals with the westward expansion of the telegraph line from its Omaha base. The story opens in the boom town of Omaha. There is an urgent request for a rapid means of communication with the turbulent West, and a Western Union caravan is headed westward across the prairie with the object of constructing a telegraph over a land inhabited by renegades and savage Indians. The first sample of the dangers ahead comes soon after the wagon train leaves Omaha, and from then peril and disaster follow the intrepid adventurers. The story of the telegraph line % however, is primarily used as a cord stringing together action episodes which run through the film. In the cast are Robert Young, Randolph Scott, Dean Jagger, Virginia Gilmore, John Carradine, Slim Sommerville, Chill Wills and Barton Mac Lane. There are many exciting sequences in "Western Union," and the suspense of the story grows more intense with each scene and reaches a thrilling climax when a fire threatens to destroy the caravan. An excellent array of supports occupy the first half of the programme. "War in the Desert" is one of the features, comprising striking scenes of the capture of Bardia. The latest Paramount Newsreel is equally interesting, and a coloured cartoon is most amusing. On the stage trick bicycle riding 011 one wheel is presented by "Topper," and Howard Moody provides enjoyable items at the Civic organ. "STOLES LIFE" STRAND. Martina Lawrence Elisabeth Bergner Sylvlna Lawrence Elisabeth Bergner Alan McKenzle Michael Redgrave Thomas E. Lawrence Wilfred Lawson Aunt Helen Mabel Terry Lewis ■ ■■, Richard Alnley Director: Paul Crinner. Paramount. Finest emotional actress on the British screen. Elisabeth Bergner provides a splendid portrayal in "Stolen Life," which is showing in a return Auckland season at the Strand Theatre. She takes the part of a woman who envies her twin sister her married happiness and successfully masquerades in her shoes to gain the ° bj , e , ( r t „ of desires, only to find herself saddled with a most amazing and unwelcome array of secret sorrows and illicit sins This film is a fine medium for the brilliant talents of Miss Bergner. It affords great depth and keeps its audience unremittingly stirred, ever interested in each turn of plot, with the result that dialogue and acting do not have to sustain the full weight of responsibility. Miss Bergner is, nevertheless, at her dramatic Dest. One follows the vagaries of her strangely normal mind through its abnormal wanderings with the greatest possible sympathy and clarity. This is effected equally by good actine and the play s intrinsic merit as to situation and denouement.

Co-starring with Miss Bergner is the talented young Englishman, Michael Redgrave, who reveals himself in this picture as a dramatic actor of the first order. Also contributing much to the polish of Xfi ui'. s the f ki ' ful direction of Paul czinner. His reputation for thoroughness is such that it is said of him that he would, if necessary, spend a whole year over one scene, and this same care is evident throughout the production. Featurettes are varied and entertaining. REGEST f ! ns who look for the best in comedy entertainment are well provided for in Paramounfs "Caught in the Draft," is continuing to screen at the i) _ rheatl ; e - Fashioned in typical P? slyle - thls merry-making verw?-. , among the recruits is an all«V;tt? u ne £ w ' th laughs as ammunition. With Hope is the one and only Dorothy Laniour, described by an astute Hollyw?th Cn as ';, th e gal who hit the gong ?i ng ' Lynne Overman, who J e ,, palt ° f a Hollywood theatrical ?h» k f o a nd his friends into the arm j. Bobs new friend, Eddie Bracken, is delightful, too, as Bert the lookie who will do anything for a laugh even to the extent of switching the army s road signs during manoeuvres and almost causing a major disaster, all for tne sake of his goose-pimply employer who cannot stand the sound of guns. In tnm 1 t n f 1° the mer riment, there are some tricky new tunes that are already being hummed and whistled by messenSf™, a i )ou , t } he town - They include aw, ® fJ, Am and "Tanks For the of wit inrt hh to .these fire and backfire "L I' there is a laugh menu that should satisfy the most mournful patron. Featurettes include Pathe British News triguing sportlight "Sun Fun," ail "SI OOU r, Robert Benchley comedy, toon For Baby," and a Popeye car-

STATE S e ' against the chill background of snowbound Scandinavia. Metro-Goldwvn-"M;' 5 , Powerful psycho logical drama, • Woman sl' ace, is proving? a dodular attraction at the State Theatre. For e r^? 3ll Crawford forsakes her glamour Sr anne . r ancl turns in a brilliant piece "fating in an extremely exacting role. Conrad Veidt, with his fascfnatinK foreign accent, and Melvyn Douglas also fh? niuch to the enjoyment of the film. But the merit of the picture t fa h . ie sole 'y in the acting. Unusual P, the extreme, the story deals with the ihf ? ,rl '. who , IS terribly scarred on !-,= r / - er drunken father. Just f,® . hei face is hideous so her life is '}y ®ted by crime. There is also some spectacular photography, including thrilling scenes of a chase in sledges, and a most dramatic sequence in a cable car suspended over a roaring waterfall. The supporting programme includes the Melbourne Cup, air mail news, a Pete Smith specialty and a colour cartoon.

VOGUE A double feature programme is provided for patrons of the Vogue Theatre Topping the bill is the enthralling out sl°,9 r ' ra ™ a Gold is Where You Find u le acting of George Brent and Olivia de Havilland in the principal roles and the beautiful technicolour photoprraphy are highlights of this production. Also screening is the thrilling . Return of Frank James," also filmed i? technicolour. Henry Fonda. Henrv Hull. John Carradine and several other players who were featured in the successful "Jesse James" are in the same in t his picture, and the "cast of the -°tn Century-Fox production is strengthened by the addition of attractive Gene Tierney and Jackie Cooper.

"TOM AND THE WATER FOLK" "Tom and the Water Folk." which is to be performed by members of the Children's Theatre in St. Andrew's Hall. Symontls Street, on Friday and Saturday r.ext, December 5 and 6, has been adapted from Kingsley's famous "Water Babies by the well known Auckland writer, Isabel M. Cluett. Mrs. Zoe Bartley-Baxter is producing the play. Music, dancing, costumes and stagesettings are features of the presentation. Proceeds will go to the all-purposes patriotic fund.

RADIO PROGRAMMES Highlights from to-night's radio programmes are as follow:— 1YA—7.44 p.m., Studio recital by Murtle Poole (mezzo-soprano); 7.54. Studio recital by Aileen Warren (piano); 8.6. From the Studio: Auckland Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Choir; 10.10, Dance music. 2YA—7.45 p.m.. The Master Singers in "Melodious Memories"; 8.1, St. Andrew's Night Concert. Wellington Association of Scots Societies; 9.25, Make Believe Ballroom Time. IYX—7.O p.m.. After dinner music; 7.45. "Billy Bunter of Grey friars"; 8.0. "Week-end Variety": 9.30. "Filmland Memories." 1ZM —7.0 p.m.. Sports results; 7.30. Orchestral music; 8.0. Dance session. Highlights from to-morrow's radio programmes are as follow:— IYA—7.O p.m.. Congregational Service, relayed from Beresford Street Church. Preacher: Rev. Clifford L. Welch; 8.30, Leopold Stokow£*-.i and the Philadelphia Orchestra; 5.40. 8.8.C. Symphony Orchestra. 2YA—7.O p.m.. Salvation Army Service. Preacher: Major Parkinson; 8.5, Rimsky-Korsakov; 8.22, Harold Williams (Australian baritone): 9.37. From the Leicester Brass Band Festival; 9.39, Winifred Kinder (contralto), in a Studio recital; 9.47, Australian bands. IYX—B.O p.m., Recordings: 8.30, Recitals by stars of concert hall and screen. IZM—7.O p.m.. Orchestral selections; 8.0, Concert: 9.0, Ballad memories, organ and choral music.