Cinema Reviews

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22307, 22 January 1938, Page 4

Cinema Reviews

STATE SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN "HEIDI" "Heidi." 'Which is showing at the State Theatre this week, offers Shirley Temple the beat opportunity she has yet had to distinguish herself as an actress. It places her in a part that completely suits her engaging oersonality. With a very fine background and a story that brings a vivid series of adventures and misadventures to an idyllic ending it makes a picture that will undoubtedly prove a great attraction. The players for the supporting roles have been chosen, and some very fine performances add very greatly to the merit of the picture. Jean Hersholt, a veteran actor, has been boldly taken out of the secondary kind of part which he usually takes and given a chance U- show how well he can act in the part of Heidi's grandfather, at first a surly and lactiturn recluse, but later altogether changed and showing his true character in his devotion to Heidi. Arthur Treacher (a butler as usual, and a very amusing one) and Helen Westley are other outstanding actors in the cast.

The story begins when Heidi is taken to her grandfather, who has never forgiven his son for marrying against his wishes. He receives her coldly, but it is not long before she has won his heart with her charming and friendly ways. He has learned to love her when her aunt, a coldblooded, self-seeking woman, takes her way so that the may benefit herself by giving Heidi as a companion to an invalid child in a wealthy home. Here Heidi has to lace the tactics of .a woman of an even worse type, the scheming and treacherous governess of the invalid girl, whose only aim is to marry the girl's father. The two children become very close friends, and the little daughter of the house improves in health and even learns to walk again under Heidi's guidance, a thing she was not expected to be able to do. But Heidi wishes t'i return home, and her grand father, distracted by her loss, is seeking her everywhere. The father of the inval'd girl does not wish Heidi to leave them, and it is not before there have been seme dramatic scenes and even a little excitement with a chase through the snow, that rivals some of the scenes in western films, lhat a conclusion satisfactory to, everyone in the story and thoroughly pleasing to the audience is reached. There is a good supporting programme, with a cartoon, news features, and a good comedy. In the afternoons Miss Ivy FowlerV pupils provide entertainment on the stage.

CRYSTAL PALACE

"THE LAST TRAIN FROM MADRID"

Seizing upon a ready-made and vividly-painted background in the bcleagured capital of Spain. Paramount has produced a thrilling drama m "The Last Train From Madrid," the new film at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Its story is set in the heart of the war zone 'in the city and its outskirts, and is packed with romance, mystery, and thrills in plenty. Graphically told, the lives, loves, and deaths of some of Madrid's fear-stricken, war-beaten inhabitants are the substance round which the film is built. The first filmstory built with this background of stark reality, it is a picture that holds its audience in tense anticipation through every sequence. With four romances going through the film, the acting responsibilities are distributed evenly among a competent cast. Capturing principal attention is Lew Ay res, the crazy American newspaper correspondent, who forgets his job for a senorita. Ayres gives the story an indispensible touch of humour, which persists throughout the grim scenes of destruction and leavens the heavier portions. The principal feminine role is taken by Dorothy Lamour, who is well known for her work in "The Jungle Princess." Here she is Carmelita, a senorita of noble birth, who is enmeshed in a double romance. Playing opposite her are Gilbert Roland and Anthony Quinn. firm friends who alternately save one another's lives, with great self-sacrifice, yet who find themselves both in love with Senorita Carmelita. The problem is solved when Quinn makes the supreme sacrifice. A series of four such romances, involving 10 people, is developed through the film, until all 10 are brought together with one common desire—to get out of Madrid. The story culminates in their -frantic efforts to get abroad the last train from the city, an end which not all achieve. Few films have such backgrounds as this, in fact none yet has equalled it, and with a series of romances and a very large measure of both drama and comedy, the film stands out as one of the best of Paramount's recent achievements.

The supporting programme contains some excellent features, including shots of chatnpions at golf, hj cartoon, and a comedy with u monkey in trie principal role.

CHRISTCHUKCH CINEMAS, LIMITED

Deanna Durbin's comedy-romance, "One Hundred Men and a Girl," is now in its third week at the Regent Theatre. Leopold Stokowski and his orchestra. Alice Brady, Eugene PalIttte. and Mischa Auer are the stars of the cast.

"Way Out West," Laurel and Hardy's latest film, which is being screened at the Majestic Theatre, shows the inimitable pair at their best. Their comedy is as typically riotous as ever. Charles Laughtcn, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone are the stars of "Mutiny On the Bounty," which is having a further return season at the Tivoli Theatre. The film is noted fo>the splendid character acting of Laughton as Captain Bligh. A hilarious comedy, "No Limit." with a brilliant comedy team 'in i George Formby and Florence Desmond, heads the new programme at the Liberty Theatre. The other picture is "Borderland," starring William Bcyd as Hopalong Cassidy. The plottings ol international spies are exposed in "The Great Impersonation," with Edmund Lowe in the leading role, the new programme at the Grand Theatre. The other picture. "Princess O'Hara." stars Chester Morris and Jean Parker. . PREMIER THEATRE "THE DEVIL IS A SISSY" Three of the most famous boy stars ol the screen will appear in "The Devil is a Sissv." which will be shown to-dav and on Monday at the Premier Theatre. New Brighton. The actors are Freddie Bartholomew. Jackie Cooper, and Micky Roonev The story deals with the lives and adventures of the boys on the sidewalks of New York.

AVON j WALTER SANGER'S "VOGUES OF 1938" Many films have endeavoured to make a story out of fashions, with varied success, but Walter Wanger's •'Vogues of 1938," which opened at the Avon yesterday, is an outstanding performance. Fashions are nothing without colours, but "Vogues of 1938" is really remarkable for its use of colour. Frocking and settings that, however well designed, could never have made so vivid an impression in black and white, are made brilliant and memorable by the use of the three-colour process in this film. Walter Wanger sought in "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," his first threecolour feature, to keep from the screen hues that would react violently on the eye. and clothed his players in sober garments. In "Vogues of 1938" he has followed an altogether different method. All the brilliance is in the j costumes and the players, and the j backgrounds are kept low in tone. This device proves remarkably effective in the film, for it achieves a directness that would have been impossible in a contusion of colour. Add to this the fact that the settings are notable for their clean and direct design, providing in themselves a considerable part of the appeal of the film. ■Warner Baxter is the star, filling a difficult role with considerable success. Opposite him appears Joan Bennett, more attractive than ever, in a love slory that is straight-forward enough. but pleasant for its lack of excessive complication. Baxter appears as the proprietor of Curson's dress-designint establishment. He has a wife whose only ambition is to be on the stage, in the star roles that were denied when she was a chorus girl. Joan Baxter is the daughter of a fashionable set, who rejects a wealthy husband on the wedding day. and goes to work for Baxter. There is a great deal of todo about the business of the establishment, but gradually she becomes indispensable to Baxter, whose wife proves her worth in running off with the promoter of the stage show that ruins him. In the end, naturally, all comes right, when he is rescued from bankruptcy by a last lucky stroke. On the fashion side the film is unusually interesting. The colour gives a naturalness that is very pleasing, and in addition, there are a number of really good song and dance numbers The supports, as usual at the Avon. are excellent. Walt Disney's colour cartoon. "Modern Inventions." starring Donald Duck, is one of his best creations. The novelty of the situations into which Donald is plunged, his manner of coming up indignant, but undaunted, and the fertility of imagination displayed, are in the best Wall Disney tradition. On the stage is a presentation of "Evening Vogues of 1938." by mannequins from the D.I C.

CIVIC

"OKAY FOR SOl'NI)"

Burlesque, farce, comedy, music, and endless uproarious dialogue ensure theatregoers continuing amusement in the latest British production. "Okav for Sound," showing at the Civic Theatie. As a revue type, the film must win acclaim from old and youn-,' alike, for the entertainment does not wane from start to finish, and the verbal jokes and quips are as suited to all tastes as they could be in any one film.

Six British comedians, Flanagan, Allen, Nervo, Knox, Naughton, and Gold, mingle pantomime and absurd burlesque with a skilful repartee and play on words, and supporting them are accomplished adagio dancers and Russian ballet artists, and numerous other actors and actresses who have made names for comedy One of the pleasing features of the film is the appearance of the famous Peter Dawson, whose voice lends the revue a quality of its own. The six principal comedians find most opportunities for farce in the situation which develops when they are offered work as actors in a film about to be made. The producer has managed to embark on the film by inducing bankers to allow him to overdraw, the bankers thinking that he has a millionaire's support. He is to meet the millionaire's party, but the newly-hired actors arrive in time to be mistaken for the party of financiers. They arc given sole charge of the production.

The fun starts when they convert a Russian ballet to what they think a ballet should be, and then proceed to complete the remainder of the film following the caprice of their own dictates. Their imagination is allowed lo run free, and as the mistake about their identity continues undiscovered they embark swiftly on a hair-brained medley of schemes. The mistake finally becomes known, of course, and the six hurry to finish the film before they are arrested. The climax is as comic and as unusual as the rest of the film. Apart from the humour and bustle of the comedy and buffoonery, "Okay for Sound" has the underlying quality ui ? possessing a plot which, carries the series of acts and scenes along in its train. But there is more than plot and ordinary comedy. There is abundant unging, music, and dancing, and these alone are sufficient to make the film successful,

An interesting news-film in the supporting programme is the GaumontBritish review of the year 1937, showing numerous outstanding events, of wars, accidents, and occurrences of world-interest. PLAZA "STELLA DALLAS" An emotional film subtly and carefully protrayed by a capable cast, is- " Stella Dallas." which is now being shown at the Plaza Theatre. It is the picture's third week in Christchurch. The best picture of its type seen for some time, this picture has a serious theme, dealing with a mother's love and sacrifice for her daughter. The leading players. Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles, have difficult parts: but their success is all the greater for the ability they show in giving life and character to the film.

The story deals with the difficulties that arise when a young couple marry, and find laler lhat the woman cannot adapt herself to the social standards of her husband. After their daughter u; born they gradually drift apart, ending with making a complete separation. The daughter lives with her mother, seeing her father only for occasional holidays. It is a very different life which the daughter sees when she visits, along with her father. the home of his former fiancee, now a widow. The difficulty of the relationship between her and the mother is brought to an emotional climax when the mother tries to enter into the social life of her daughter and disgraces her by loud and obtrusive dress and behaviour.

When the mother realises what she is doing she decides, much against her

real wishes, to give her husband a divorce £0 that he may marry again, and to allow him to take her daughter so that she may have the advantages she needs. How she does this, sacrificing in the end even the respect of her daughter, makes a fine climax to the film. , J , It is an interesting theme treated thoughtfully. Those who appreciate a serious study of human relationship.

carried out without sentimentality and morbidity, will find this picture well worth seeing. It is good entertainment and holds the interest of the audience completely. With the good acting and the skilful direction it offers picturegoers as much as they could wish. The gradual estrangement of lie husband and wife, for which it is difficult to find a definite cause is particularly well done, and shows Boles and Miss Stanwyck at their best. In the supporting cast are Anne Shirley one of the most attractive and popular of the younger actresses on the screen to-day. Alan Hole._ Barbara O'Neil. and Tim Holt. Miss Shirley oives a very fine performance indeed and Alan Hale in a role very different from that which he ordinarily takes, shows exceptional skill in a charactei i study which calls for very skilful act-j REX THEATRE "THE PLAINSMAN" A programme that should please both adults and children will be presented at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton. to-night, and on Monday and Tuesday. Thomas E. West, a young tenor, will appear on the stage, and a production by Cecil B. de Mille. "The Plainsman." in which Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur, and many others appear, will be screened.

MAYFAIR EDDIE CANTOR'S LATEST FILM Eddie Cantor's latest film. "Ali Baba Goes to Town," is now in its second week at the Mayfair Theatre. This picture more than maintains Cantor's reputation as America's leading comedian and creates a desire for more of his infrequent films. Bagdad, of Arabian Nights fame, is the town to which the modern Ali Baba goes, and to it he takes modern ideas. The picture must naturally have a greater appeal in the United Slates than in other countries, for many of the jokes have a distinct American application. But there are few of these allusions to current political events in the United States that will not be appreciated even by those who do not take a close interest in America's government. The allusions are appropriate to the plot of the picture, for this modern Ali Baba is transported from America to the Bagdad of the tenth century, where he i? hailed as a prophet and becomes its "Prime Minister."

Ali Baba in American life is nothing more than a film extra who fall? into a long and deep sleep during the making of a picture with an Oriental setting. It is in his dreaming that he becomes the Sultan's favourite and persuades the ruler to introduce the principles of the New Deal into hi? government of Bagdad. There are other innovations, too. all of which give Cantor full scope for his inimitable clowning. The climax comes when he beats off an enemy force by attacking the invaders from the air swooping over their heads on his magic carpet.

The picture has Ihe usual embellishments of musical comedy—laughs, music, singing, dancing, and elaborate settings. All the elements have been very well moulded into vigorous and enjoyable entertainment. Cantor takes most (if the honours, but there is good work by the supporting cast, in which n>-r» well-known names such as Roland Young. June Lang. John Carradine Alan Dinehart. and Virginia Field Two of (he musical numbers are outstanding and they should enjoy a good deal of success. Both sung by Cantor, they are "Laugh Your Way Through Life" and "Swing is Here to Sway."