Cinema Reviews

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23191, 30 November 1940, Page 7

Cinema Reviews

STATE

AVON

“THE DOCTOR TAKES A WIFE” A delightfully gay comedy is “The Doctor Takes a Wife.” in which the heroine is an author who writes a ibook in favour of spinsterhood, and the hero is a doctor who Ifctes career women. This is Loretta Young’s first comedy role, and her first lead opposite the very popular Ray Milland. They make a hectic team, and to add that Alexander Hall directed the film is a guarantee that it is a riotous comedy of the first order. The new conception of Loretta Young, though as ravishing as ever, is most refreshing, for she makes a charming comedienne. Ray Milland gives a splendid portrayal of a serious young doctor who finds himself in an awful predicament with the type of woman he just ctin’t tolerate. Edmund Gwenn. Reginald Gardiner, and Gail Patrick head the supporting cast in one of Columbia’s liveliest hits. The fun begins when Dr. Tim Sterling (Ray Milland) is forced to give pretty June Cameron (Loretta Young) a ride back to town. They quarrel all the way because he insists that she is an ambitious career woman, and she claims that he is a stupid male who believes that a woman’s place is in the home. June is a popular authoress whose book "Spinsters Ain’t Spinach” is a best seller, and it is unfortunate for her that she and the doctor should be mistaken for newlyweds. Publisher John Pierce (Reginald Gardiner) declares that her book is doomed unless she goes through with the f iree and writes another book on the joys of matrimony. June and Tim agree to pose as man and wife; then quite unexpectedly Tim is elected to a professorship at the university because the Dean prefers a married man. Additional complications set in when Tim’s fiancee, Marilyn Thomas (Gail Patrick) returns and gives a party to announce her engagement to Dr. Tim. By quickly thinking up an ingenious plan June saves the doctor’s happiness in the nick of time. There is an excellent March of Time, "Gateways to Panama,” also showing on the programme at the State. 1 MAYFAIR “ FOUR SONS ” i “Four Sons,” which began a season } at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday, pre- ' sents a simple but moving story in a manner which should be long remembered by those who see it. The setting of the story is in the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia which was ceded to Germany under the terms of the Munich settlement in 1938. Eugenie Leontovich plays the part of Frau Bern, the mother of four handsome sons who live happily and peace- ? fully at their farmhouse close to the German border. As the story develops the .black shadow of Nazi aggression v falls swiftly over the old farmhouse. The sons are divided among themselves >• by clashing loyalties, and things that used to be merely the grounds for 7 family squabbles of no rancour and short duration take on a new and sinister importance as one of the sons. Karl, finds his sympathy with the local German clubs draws him inexorably I into the toils of Nazidom. As war . draws nearer Frau Bern finds herself 1 bereft of one son after another, one r of whom dies by his brother’s hand. 7 Eventually the youngest, a boy in his teens, is swept up into the German military machine as a general mobilisation is ordered throughout Germanoccupied territory for the invasion of j Poland. The film reaches a dramatic i neak when the mother, having given three of her sons to fruitless strife, receives from a jack-booted Nazi the Iron Cross won by her youngest boy in dying in the battle of Warsaw. A story of human tragedy, its appeal is all the more vivid by reason of the very topical nature of its setting. Eugenie Leontovich gives a splendid performance as the mother, while Don - Ameche and Alan Curtis, as the two older sons, are outstanding. PLAZA “THE GREAT GUY” AND “WHAT A LIFE” For those who like action and thrills, besides a good showing of dramatic ability, in their film entertainment, the new double bill at the Plaza provides excellent fare. The new programme comprises “What a Life/* a film of high school life, starring Jackie Cooper in a much more mature role than he has previously been allotted, and “The Great Guy” with James Cagney in an educational film exposing the weights and measures racket. The leading men of both films, both of whom are usually seen in productions of which action is the keynote, have scope in their new films for skilled acting. Cagney, who usually has the part of a criminal, takes an heroic part in “The Great Guy,” for he is cast as the chief deputy of the Weights and Measures Department, which is making daring exposures of the practices of loading scales, fixing false measures, and pilfering packed goods. When Cagney refuses the bribes of the racketeers he invites all kinds of danger and it is his clever plan, by which the men indict themselves, which forms the theme of the picture. Apart from the entertainment attraction of the film there is a great deal of interesting information about the requirements of the Weights and Measures Department. “What a Life” tells how a boy’s inferiority complex is exploited and finally conquered to produce a talented artist. LIBERTY " TWO GOOD FILMS The colourful life of one of the most famous personalities the American stage has known is the theme of “Lillian Russell,” which yesterday began a season at the Liberty. Alice Faye. Don Ameche, and Henry Fonda are the stars. Some of the songs that are sung by Alice Faye, who has the title role, include “After the Ball is Over” “Rosie, You Are My Posie,” “My Evening Star,” “The Band Played On” (“Strawberry Blond”), and many others. Irving Cummings directed the picture from a screen, play by William Anthony McGuire. The all-star cast also features Edward Arnold (as Diamond Jim Brady), Warren William. Leo Carrillo, and many others. Gene Markey was associate producer. "Lillian Russell,” although it is primarily the story of America’s most famous stage personality, introduces many of the great names of last century. Gilbert and Sullivan. Diamond Jim Brady, and others all played their parts in the life of this remarkable woman. Edward Arnold gains new honours for his portrayal of Diamond Jim, while Henry Fonda and Don Ameche give the sterling performances which the public has come to expect of them The theme- is finely developed against a background which affords excellent opportunity for lavish staging, and a wealth of musical and dancing numbers. "Free, Blonde, and 21,” a smart ann sophisticated comedy, starring Lynn Bari and Joan Davis, is the supporting attraction.

> “ SAFARI ” The romance and the excitement of big game hunting in the unexplored jungle of West Africa are the background for excellent entertainment in “Safari,” which is continuing at the Avon Theatre. Many of the scenes in the film were actually taken in the African jungle, and close-ups of zebras, lions and crocodiles add to the film's general air of complete realism. Lovely Madeleine Carroll and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., are the leading players, and it is interesting to know that Edwarc- H. Griffith, who directed two of Miss Carroll’s greatest nits, “Honeymoon at Bali” and “Cafe Society.” is responsible also for “Safari,” The wealthy Baron dc Courland (Tullio Carminati) sails his luxury yacht to the West African harbour of M’Pola, which he. intends to make a base for his hunting expedition. His companions arc Linda Stewart (Madeleine Carroll) and Fay Thorpe (Muriel Angelus). To Linda the Baron represents luxury and security, and for these things she would gladly marry him. She wants him to propose to her, and sets out to make him jealous. Jim Logan (Douglas Fairbanks, jun.), an adventurous American, is chosen to lead the safari. He takes Linda for a flight over the jungle to spot out the big game; a storm comes up and they do not return to the base till next morning. Linda succeeds in making the Baron jealous, but she has not bargained with his cruel vengeance, for as soon as Linda and Jim return the Baron insists on going out to hunt lions, and causes Logan to be attacked by a wounded beast mad with pain. But that is not the end of the story, for Linda .has her part to work out, which is a happier one. CRYSTAL PALACE DO ÜBLE-FEATURE FROG R AMM E The latest of the Charlie Chan series, "Charlie Chan’s Murder Cruise,” was received with great enthusiasm at the Crystal Palace yesterday. It is showing with "Manhattan Heartbeat.” The latest exploit of the famous Oriental detective is based on Earl Derr Diggers’ novel “Charlie Chan Carries On.” Sidney Toler as Chan is faced with his most baffling mystery of solving three murders on the high seas, with a bag of 30 pieces of silver as his only clue. Suspense, action and thrills are the keynote of this gripping tale of Chan's perilous hunt for the deadly adversary, who has murdered his best friend. Chan stalks the killer with revenge in his heart. Cleverly giving .him all the rope he wants, Chan tricks the unidentified strangler into admitting his guilt in a way that leaves audiences breathless. Toler, as usual, gives a polished performance in his role as Chan, and he is ably supported by Lionel At will. Sen Yung. Marjorie Weaver, and Robert Lowery. The story opens on board a luxury liner when passengers realise that there is a maniac killer present. The passengers become terrorised as their fellow passengers are strangled one by one by the unscrupulous killer. Chan sails with the party from Honolulu, and with no apparent effort takes charge of the situation, and sets his trap. A romantic angle is provided by Marjorie Weaver and Robert Lowery. whose romance is interfered with by the presence of the mysterious killer. Although kept busy tracking down his man. Chan finds time to encourage the young lovers, and patch up quarrels in an interesting sidelight. Chan’s “Number 2 Son” (Sen Yung) provides many laughs in attempts to assist his father in the solution of the case.

“Manhattan Heartbeat,” the associate feature, is a story about two young people. Robert Sterling and Virginia Gilmore, who are faced with many problems, in busy New York. The film is an entertaining drama with humorous interludes, centring in two young people, in love, with no money to get married.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED "Virginia City," with Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins, is at the Regent. "My Little Chicacee" is at the Majestic. The stars are Mae West and W. C. Fields. Robert Donat in "Good-bye, Mr Chips" is at the Tivoli. "Mr Moto's Gamble," starring Peter Lorre, and Chester Morris in "Smashing the Rackets" are at the Grand. "Gunga Din," starring Cary Grant, and "Island of Lost Men,'" starring Anna May Wong, are at the St. James. Ralph Richardson in "Clouds Over Europe" and Will Fyfle in "Owd Bob" are at the Theatre Royal. CENTURY, ST. ALBANS "Lost Horizon." which features Ronald Colman. Jane Wyatt, and Edward Everett Horton. is the present attraction at the new Century Theatre, St. Albans. It reveals the strange adventure of four men and a woman who leave the greed and hatred of civilisation for a city of reason and contentment. REX THEATRE Salley Eilers and Victor McLaglen are starred in "Full Confession," and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Vincent Price, and Nan Grey in "The Invisible Man Returns." The two pictures are to be shown at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night and on Monday and Tuesday, commencing each evening at 7.30.