CITY THEATRES

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

CITY THEATRES

STATE

“SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS”

All Christchurch has been waiting Lfor the picture “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ for many months, and by the crowds that have been attending the State Theatre during the last week, all Christchurch‘must be'going to see it. It is the picture of a lifetime, and should not be missed, for it will appeal to everyone, no matter what age or what tastes. The extraordinary amount of publicity given to the picture is fully justified, and it has been praised in every province and country in which it has been shown. It seems to have passed one of the hardest tests of a picture—it is impossible to find any one who has seen it to exoress disappointment with' it. The picture is a true delight from start to finish, and is a triumph among the colour films from a technical point alone. The name “Walt Disney” is sufficient to give any picture a standing, but this is a masterpiece, and it puts the motion picture industry on a field that seems to have no limits. The film stays in the mind as a fascinating and delightful entertainment; right triumphs over wrong, and the prince goes off with his princess on i/ie milk white horse to lave happily ever alter.

AVON

“MANNEQUIN”

The story of “Maneequin” gives Joan Crawford every opportunity to show her great ability as an actress. The fact that she is starred in a picture is always enough to draw those who appreciate good acting; and this picture is. no exception, as may be judged by the large audiences that have thronged the Avon Theatre during the last week. The honours are shared by Spencer Tracy, one of the most likeable and able of male film actors, who plays the role of a wealthy man whom sudden and unexpected adversity forces to a knowledge of the seamy side of life. The film features, too, a new Hollywood discovery, Alan Curtis, who does remarkably well in the role of a not very likeable young criminal, who conceives a scheme for blackmail which goes awry at the last minute. “Mannequin” gives a good idea of life lived in contrasting parts of New York, ranging from the squalid, unhappy poverty .of the tenement quarters to the sumptuous and luxurious apartments of the city’s free-spending millionaires. The story of the film is original with many novel and exciting twists that will leave the average picturegoer guessing at the end until the last few minutes. Frank Borzage, one of the best directors in the film colony at Hollywood, whose films are too few suit his many admirers, was re--scsible for “Mannequin.” His work "reducing excellent film entertainj k h'i. was made the easier because of excellent dialogue-

CIVIC

“ALF’S BUTTON AFLOAT”

The fairy tale romanticism of the popular myth of Aladdin’s Lamp is not lost in “Alf’s Button Afloat,” a film version of the pantomime, which is at the Civic. The incidents are fantastic enough for any fairy tale, but the old atmosphere of the eastern mythis exchanged for a modern setting. That is to say, it is a’ tale of sailors who wish for any women but their own wives—though this may not be essentially modern—and of the consumption of large quantities of beer. Meanwhile "wisecracks” are sprinkled through the'dialogue. Tire story centres on the activity of the “Crazy Gang,” which comprises Flanagan and Allen, well known on New Zealand radio programmes, Nervo and Knox, Naughton and Gold, musichall stars, and Alastair Sim is the Genie of the Lamp. The button is made from the brass of Aladdin’s lamp, and has come into Alf’s possession after centuries, during which the Genie has been sleeping.

MAYFAIR

“LITTLE MISS BROADWAY”

Shirley Temple is a great favourite among young and old. She can bring tears or laughter to her audience—she so essentially alive, and “Little Miss Broadway.” now in its second week ftt the Mayfair, is perhaps the best production in which she has appeared. The music and the dancing alone are sufficient to make this film worth While, even without the human interest and the plot. Six sparkling Bullock and Spina fiielpdies, ranging from ballads to swing music, lend colour to the picture, and carry the romance along. Shirley Temple’s singing is as good as ever, and her songs include: “Be Optimistic," “We Should Be Together," “If All the World Were Paper,” “Swing An Old-fashioned Song,” “How Can I Thank You,” and “Little Miss Broadway,” the title song. •

CRYSTAL PALACE

'“FUGITIVES FOR a NIGHT” AND “PAINTED DESERT”

Romance in two different walks of Iff 6 provide spice and variety in the double-feature programme of “Painted Y Desert” and “Fugitive for a Night,” \ u showing at the Crystal Palace. 'CCWthe.in search of fast-moving action V*’"wji nes packed with thrills will not be m disappointed by these two stories of. Western America, the one a struggle m the mountains and the other drawn against the glamour of city life in Hollywood. In “Painted Desert” George O’Brien gives another of his convincing disPlays of good clean acting that have madelhim a favourite in outdoor pic* An unusual picture of romance whl’rfc •A-affectiors of several persons .Jy directed, "Fugitives of the 'is a dramatic story of Hollywood life,

PLAZA

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

A Crime Club Production, “Danger on the Air” showing at the Plaza, brings to the screen a mystery with more excitement and more new and baffling detection angles than has been seen for a long time. With sparse clues, and conversely abundant possible murderers, the amateur sleuth who is the hero Doth of the mystery story and of the *pmance which is wound up with it, •beets little trouble. “City Streets,” which runs with this mua. in a double-feature programme, is • moving story with fine dramatic work iy. the two stars, Edith Fellows, girl •wess, and Leo Carrillo.