REGENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21710, 18 February 1936, Page 9

REGENT

“THE BISHOP -i MISBEHAVES” There is an air about Bishop Misbehaves,” the current .attraction at the* Regent,7. which Suggests that the' general fun "of' film humour- has in the past been too ftasy. - Ona. in' tixe smooth, action of this a hard-won perfection. The materials are mostly tamiliarfbut there is a warmth of feeling-behind the intrigues.' a mellowness of atmosphere throughout the run of events. ..And it has, as. good comedy must, a balance between the persons and the events. The bishop is a character who has been made a credible figure by the acting of Edmund Gwenn. “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”; Hollywood’s long-awaited ment of the cast selected for a “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which will be given its New Zealand premiere at the Regent Theatre on Friday, dispelled all the rumour,. guess; and gossip which the announcement of the production of the .film had caused. The role of Bottom went to James Cagney. The part calls for- broad, blustering comedy, in which Cagney has always been at his best, and in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Cagney rises to new - heights of acting. To the romantic part of Lysander Dick Powell brought youth, virility, and a clean-cut method which the famous Max Reinhardt considered ideal for the role. Joe E. Brown as Flute heads the comedians who support Bottom in the play which., they -perform before the Duke of Athens; Hugh Herbert as Snout, Frank McHugh as Quince, Otis Harlin as Starveling, and Dewey Robinson as; Snug complete the foursome. ■ , . Joe E. Brown, a . star in his own right, has a comedy style that is well suited to the role of Flute, the always bewildered bellows mender. Every other member of the huge cast of this picture that has started a new vogue in Hollywood was selected with the utmost care from a huge list that included almost the entire “Who’s Who” of picturedom, all anxious: for an opportunity to. play in “The Dream.” The producer, Max Reinhardt, would have none of the egotism that so often characterises famous “names” working in pictures, and thus, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” actual identities have been sacrificed to the benefit of the picture. In, general. MAJESTIC “MISS PACIFIC FLEET” Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell, Hugh Herbert, and Allen > Jenkins have: earned a reputation as a team of capable comedians. This reputation is well maintained in their latest picture, “Miss > Pacific Fleet,” a pleasing comedy of a beauty contest in- which sailors are involved; which Is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. Two chorus girls (Miss Farrell and Miss Blondell) are seen in the opening scenes of. the. picture endeavouring to earn: enough money in an amusement park at a naval base to return to New York, where they have positions awaiting them. Their chances are poor, however, when Jenkins, by his skill at hoop-la, ruins their business. At their wits’ ends the two girls despair of ever returning to their native city. . Memories of the old silent films are recalled by one-of the'supporting feasUxssy' which shows some comical extracts from' old films. These extracts are an interesting contrast with the .main film, , . . ..CRYSTAL PALACE “BOYS WILL BE BOYS” If there is still a tendency to compare British and American pictures to the discredit of the former, Boys Will Be Boys,” which is having a season at the Crystal Palace Theatre, is a sound argument in favour of the contention that there are British productions which have a value an entertainment no less than that of the best films the industry in Hollywood can offer. One may go further, and confidently argue that the comedies that come from the English studios are; on the whole, the more successful Frequently; they come without undue publicity, but with few exceptions they are rich in laughter. Such a one is the present feature at the Crystal Palace. Will Hay, one of .the most successful of English comedians, has the leading role, and those who some months ago saw him as the magistrate in “Those Were the Days,” will be able to appreciate just what a success he makes of his present characterisation of a headmaster whose position has been secured with the help of forged testimonials v Jack , Hulbert Is seen at his best in “Jack Ahoy!” which is the other feature on tjpe programme. In fact, in "Jack Ahoy!” it is difficult to find a scene in which the comedian is not the dominating figure. AVON “BAF.BARY COAST” It is a long time since Christchurch picture audiences have seen a film so unusual in its subject and treatment as “Barbary Coast,” which is having a season at the Avon Theatre this week. Ihe film is a tale of the gold rush about San Francisco in 1849, and it is so convincingly dorie that one could almost believe oneself transported to :hat primitive town that was early San Francisco. ’ But the merit of “Barbary Uoast” lies not only in its subject and xeatment. There is some outstanding photography of harbour scenes in a ;hick fog and the acting is uniformly good. The film opens with the Plying Noud, a ship running between New fork and San Francisco about 1840, losing her way through a thick fog n San Francisco Bay. Among her ;old-crazed passengers are two interssiing people—Mary Rtitliedge and Colonel Cobb; Mary makes no secret if her desire to amass gold; and Cobb, i journalist of high ideals, sets out to iring law and order to a town which ias never known them. The film,goes. >n to portray in very interesting vay how Mary Rutledge and Cobb go heir separate ways to achieve their, deals. Mary makes, herself a slave tp he inhuman proprietor of. a gambling len, and when sheJs ruined and seem-: ngly without a future, she finds a hell n an irresistible love. fQf a;young; Diner. : : , . "Barbary Coast?' is essentially, a picture of action, and there is not a dull noment in it. ti '"Vrf 1 J At x'"* ' li GRAND; " ' ‘MURDER IN TRINIDAD” ANIL GIRI# A //Murder hi 'TWnidad,” adapted from he best-selling novel by John Vanderook, is now showing' at the Grand :heatre. The picture introduces a ujique background,. \ The world-’ ampws - CatonMewsrop in Trinltad,treacherous: with - nf«*tfid with man-eating, crocodiles, inf to :aytlisedi man / „ an, ' BWphere; that itiahead/ exciting story. The other film. “HOId T '‘ that Girl,” tars.