CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22676, 3 April 1939, Page 3

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC

“PRISON WITHOUT BARS”

The prison and reformatory theme, of which so many variations, good, bad, and indifferent, have been given recently by film producers, has an almost universal appeal to the interests of the average man and woman. “Prison Without Bars” is in its second week at the Civic Theatre. “Prison Without Bars” is a very faithful copy of a French film of recent months, and French films, which we see all too rarely in New Zealand, are among the best in the world. The film introduces a beautiful and talented young French film actress, star of the original production, Corinne Luchaire. Only 17 years old, she is outstanding in this film for a performance of sincerity, deep feeling, and remarkable stagecraft for one so young. Few Hollywood stars could have played this exacting role with such spontaneity, and, above all, absence of affectation.

Ever since the films .were given a voice 10 years ago people have wondered when Gilbert and Sullivan operas would be brought to the world on the screen. Now at last it has been done, .and it is fitting that the first to be produced as a film, is “The Mikado,” the most popular of them all. This British film, produced in colour by Geoffrey Toye, the famous Covent Garden musical director of the d’Oyley Carte and Gilbert and Sullivan opera companies, is coming to the Civic for Easter.

The film of “The Mikado,” seen at a preview last week, is a notable achievement as a spectacle as well as musically. Without colour, it could have given only a pale imitation of the Gilbert and Sullivan atmosphere, but the technicolour process enables the splendid costumes and decorative settings to achieve their full effect. But the spectacle is only part of such a show. The music is everything, and here, the film triumphant. The melodies are sung by an assembly of singers such has never before been got together for a film. The leading players, all with years of Gilbert and Sullivan tradition behind them, sing the famous songs in a way that brings to life memories of famous performances of the past. They are backed by a chorus, every member of which is a highly skilled singer with the quality of voice that is insisted on in all Gilbert and Sullivan productions.

STATE

“THE COWBOY AND THE LADY”

"The Cowboy and the Lady," showing at the State Theatre, is a film of a very unusual kind, an exceedingly entertaining one, and an example of the best type of modern film production.

Merle Oberon, who takes the leading feminine role, is a very popular star, and Gary Cqpper, who plays opposite her, is no less so. With an excellent story to give them opportunity for first-class acting they provide a thoroughly delightful film, making the most of the situations of comedy, romance, and drama that the plot offers. That Miss Oberon is a very attractive actress is well known, but it is necessary to see herein this film to see how well she can act.

“Kentucky*’

The glorious tradition of an American state that has produced many of the world’s most famous horses inspired “Kentucky.” which will be seen shortly at the State Theatra. New Zealanders, who, like Kentuckians, have the love of a thoroughbred and the thrill of the race game in their blood, will welcome “Kentucky,” which must take its place among the screen classics of the turf.

If an audience nowadays can contain any person who has not yet attended a race meeting, that person will learn in little more than an hour and a half just why the “sport of kings” grips and enthrals its devotees. “Kentucky” cannot be faulted anywhere. It has a first-class story, it has intense excitement and fast-moving drama, it is notable for some superlative acting, and it builds up to a climax in the famous Kentucky Derby, which cannot fail to move the most phlegmatic picture-goer.

Filmed entirely in technicolour, “Kentucky” has some glorious scenes of the famous “blue grass” country where so many champion horses have been-bred and trained.

CRYSTAL PALACE

4 ‘WHILE NEW YORK SLEEPS” AND “MELODY AND ROMANCE”

The double-feature programme now showing at the Crystal Palace provides exciting and varied entertainment. The chief film, “While New York Sleeps,” stars the popular roving reporter, Michael Whalen, who can be relipd on to return from his holidays in the middle of the night to solve a mystery about a death—particularly if it has been announced by the police as a suicide.

The other feature in a good programme, “Melody and Romance,” is provided by Hughie Green and his gang with Margaret Lockwood, Jane Carr, and Alastair Sim. The tale is about Hugh Hawkins of Wapping, son of a sailor; he has dreams of leaving his work on the barge to become a famous musician.

PLAZA

“OVER THE WALL” AND “THE MISSING GUE^T”

There are two very good pictures at the Plaza Theatre this week. “Over the Wall,” the main attraction, scarcely needs any further recommendation than that the story was written by Lewis E. Lawes, the famous warden of Sing Sing, whose book on prison work was a best seller and a document of permanent sociological significance. . But if it does not need it, it deserves further recommendation, for it is a very entertaining picture as well as an,interesting one, as entertaining as the other picture on the programme, “The Missing Guest.”

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS,

LIMITED

"Young Dr. Kildaire,” starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, and Lynne Carver, began at the Regent last week.

“Theodora Goes Wild,” with Irene Dunne and Melvyn Douglas, is the chief attraction this week at the Tivoli.

At the Majestic this week “It’s in the Air,” with George Formby, heads the programme. George Wallace in “Let George Do It” and Rin-Tin-Tin, jun. in “Skull and Crown,” began a season at the Liberty. * ~ At the Grand are Joel McCrea in “Banjo on My Knee” and “Everything is Thunder,” starring Constance Bennett

AVON

“ST. MARTIN’S LANE”

Charles Laughton has been seen in many roles and his acting has always been brilliant. As Captain Bligh in “Mutiny on the Bounty,*’ Barrett in “The Barretts of Wimpole Street,’ “Henry VIII,” and others, his performances have been outstanding, but his latest role, that of a London theatrequeue entertainer, or “busker," in “St. Martin’s Lane,” which is in the second week* of its season at the Avon Theatre, probably makes the greatest page in the history of his film career.

“Gold Diggers in Paris,” the latest and most elaborate of the famous Warner Bros, musical series, will have its Christchurch premiere at the Avon Theatre on Easter Saturday. Especially notable because it brings Rudy Vallee back to the screen after an absence of three years, “Gold Diggers in Paris,” fifth in the “Gold Diggers” series, has a poke full of nuggets in the form of laughs, catchy tunes, spectacular dancing numbers, and, of course, pretty girls. Almost rivalling in importance the return of America’s prince charming of the air is the film debut of Freddie Fisher’s Schnickelfritz Band, a sextet of the maddest musicians who succeeded in wedding hilarious comedy to infectious music.

MAYFAIR\ -

“PYGMALION”

The brilliance of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion.” transmitted to the screen, still continues to attract Christchurch theatregoers, and the opening of a new week at the Mayfair Theatre was commenced last Friday. For years film, producers have been trying to obtain the screen rights of Shaw’s plays, and “Pygmalion” is the first with which any film company has been entrusted. The result is excellent _ screen - entertainment, and that Christchurch audiences are not slow to appreciate that is shown by the fact that the film is now entering its seventh week.

Pygmalion” scores in many ways. First, the _ dialogue is brilliant, and when it is combined with a master pilot, and splendid acting, the result is beyond doubt. There are few characters, and their very fewness contributes to the clarity and unity of the film as entertainment. It is a new and refreshing type of film, and it will make most theatregoers make a mental note of seeing as many Shaw plays as reach the screen.

For Easter the attraction will be “The Young in Heart,” one of the most human and brilliant comedies ever produced by David O. Selznick. Featured players are Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Roland Young, and Paulette Goddard. These four renowned players, supported by a splendid cast, are a sufficient guarantee of the film’s excellence.