Cinema Reviews

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23203, 14 December 1940, Page 17

Cinema Reviews

AVON

“ THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT ”

Now in ils second week at the Avon, “The Great Victor Herbert” is drawing large audiences who are delighted with the bright romance and music. The film is the story of the stars who interpreted the work of Victor Herbert, the famous light opera composer. There is every opportunity for presenting fine and tuneful singing, and the singing is even finer than one might have expected. The story, too, holds the interest of the audience from the beginning, making as good a piece of entertainment as could be wished. Waller Connolly takes the paid of Victor Herbert, giving one of his most finished performances. and making the great composer a very human and real figure indeed. The romantic leads are taken by Allan Jones and Mary Martin, as John Ramsay and Lquise Hall, the two singers who present Herbert’s work on the stage. Their daughter Peggy is played by Susanna Foster. Louise Hall has come from the country to try to make her name on Broadway. She has just posted a letter saying that she must return home, when she is caught up in a street procession in honour of Herbert’s birthday, in which John Ramsay is singing, and by spontaneously singing with him, wins his friendship, his admiration, and his love. She becomes his leading lady, and her voice and her person ity make her outshine her husband. At this point the personal relations of the two become the absorbing theme of the story. Miss Hall’s success is greater than that of her husband: she becomes a great Broadway star, and h'e is obliged to take second place. The story ends in a most surprising way, and it is necessary to see the opening scene to appreciate it fully. It is here that Susanna Foster, in the part of the daughter, is given the opportunity to show her talents.

There is an excellent supporting programme, including a “Popeye the Sailor” cartoon.

STATE

tf DANCE, GIRL, DANCE” Vicki Baum's absorbing drama of backstage life has made a truly brilliant film in “Dance, Girl, Dance,” which Is showing for the first time in New Zealand at the State Theatre. Comedy, drama, excellent ballet dancing, and new songs are combined in the story of two chorus girls, one an artist, the other a gold-digger, whose paths of destiny often cross, A more fitting cast could hardly have been chosen with fdaureen > O’Hara, Louis Hayward, and Lucille Balt as the leading players, and Ralph Bellamy, Virginia Field and Maria Ouspenskaya supporting. Seldom have so many prominent and cxp'cricnced players been seen in one film. Dorothy Arnzer, who directs “Dance, Girl Dance,” is the first woman to direct a big Hollywood hit. Erich Pommer produced it for RKO.

Eight ambitious dancing girls find themselves without work. Judy (Maureen O’Hara) is a talented dancer who dreams of a career in ballet; her friend, Bubbles (Lucille Ball) is less artistic but very mercenary. Both return to their old Russian dancing teacher, Basilova (Maria Ouspenskaya), but Bubbles soon finds a job in a cheap vaudeville show. Basilova decides Vo take Judy to a friend, the great impresario, Steve Adams -(Ralph Bellamy). On her way there, the gallant Russian is killed, and Judy, willing to take any work, dances for the vaudeville .phow in which Bubbles is the star. Judy falls in love with wealthy Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward), who is trying to forget his wife at Reno. Steve Adams has been looking for Judy for a long lime when he recognises her photograph on a play bill, but before he has a chance to make himself known to the promising young dancer she learns that Bubbles has married Jimmy. Judy goes mad with Irish rage and attacks Bubbles on the stage. Then follows a night court trial at which Judy is sentenced to 10 days’ imprisonment for disorderly behaviour. Steve Adams, however, slops in and pays the fine and Judy gets the career she wants.

CRYSTAL PALACE

“DR. CHRISTIAN MEETS THE WOMEN”

The popular Dr. Christian series is continued this week at the Crystal Palace in the well produced tllm, “Dr. Christian Meets the Women” a thoughtful study of the effects of dieting on hundreds of women who are not supervised by a qualified doctor, but who follow mass production recipes ahd fail to consider whether the treatment will suit their particular needs. Jean Hersholt and Dorothy Lovett are the leading players, with Edgar Kennedy and Rod la Rocque in strong supporting roles.

The associate feature is “One Crowded Night,” a thrilling drama starring Billie Seward, William Hnadc, Charles Lang, and Adcle Pearce. The whole of the action of this film takes place within 12 hours, and the whole story is set in a tourist camp in Arizona. Dr.' Christian is, as usual, overworked and in serious need of a holiday when the projected visit of a quack professor of physical culture is advertised. The little town is full of women who are reading the advertisements and telling their sceptical husbands how charming they will look when they are “slim and streamlined again,” and the husbands are retorting, “Again? You never were.” When the professor comes it is found that he is to give an expensive course of lectures; the diet is extremely meagre; there are pills to take; and all the husbands of thfc town are distracted and annoyed. One by one the women fall ill and it Is not until Dr. Christian lakes a sample of the pills and analyses them that It is discovered that the professor is liable to heavy fines for illegally supplying drugs. By this time it is almost too late, so ill have some of the old doctor’s patients become. There is a good deal of excitement b.efore the ending. "One Crowded Night" tells how the lives of an oddly assorted group of people gathered at a tourist camp become involved with an escaped prisoner. The film is full of dramatic and stirring action.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, . LIMITED "Two Girls on Broadway,” starring Joan Blondell, is at the Regent. “The Man From Dakota,” with Wallace Beery, John Howard, and Dolores del Rio, is at the Majestic. “Strange Cargo,” starring . Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, is at the Tivoli.

“Wings of the Morning," starring Annabella. Henry Fonda, and Leslie Banks is at the Theatre Royal. “Calling All Stars” is also showing. “Love Is a Headache.” starring Franchot Tone and Mickey Rooney, and “Josette,” starring Simone Simon, arc at the Grand. “O’Shaughncssy's Boy,” starring Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper, and Bing Crosby in “Sing You Sinners” are at the St. James. CENTURY Thorne Smith’s comedy “Topper Takes a Trip,” showing Roland Young and Constance Bennett, is featured in the programme at the Century, St. Albans. The second feature Is "When You’re in Love,” starring Grace Moore and Cary Grant, ...

MAYFAIR “ BAND WAGGON ” There arc all the ingredients for success in “Band Waggon,” the diverting British comedy which headed the new bill at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday. The audience was kept in high good humour throughout its. screening. Indeed, of its kind, “Band Waggon” is one of the best. Bearing all the hallmarks of capable direction, the film is excellently produced, and is interpreted by a very talented group of players. “Band Waggon” sparkles with mirth, and Arthur Askey, the star of lie's (Big-hearted) Aunt,” who is in the main role, is right in his element. As an added recommendation, Askey is supported by Richard Murdoch and Moore Marriott, both of whom were also seen to advantage in "Charlie's Aunt.” Patricia Kirkwood and Jack Hylton and his celebrated band are also in the picture. Action never lags in “Band Waggon." Askey discovers a television plot in an old manor, and a train of most amusing and complex situations has its climax in the unmasking of a band of Nazi spies. It is a cleverly conceived theme and an ideal vehicle for Askey’s inimitable wit. “Band Waggon” is generously spiced with attractive musical numbers, the score including such catchy numbers as "The Melody Maker,” “Heaven Will be Heavenly.” “After Dark,” “A Pretty Bird,” and "The Only One Who’s Difficult is You.” As a matter of fact, seeing that "Band Waggon” was so popular as a radio. feature broadcast by the London 8.8.C., Maurice Ostrer. in charge of production, and Edward Black, the producer, made a special effort with the musical score for the screen version.

An acceptable supporting programme includes the latest G.B.D. News, featuring the heroic rescue work at St, Paul's, an inspection of Britain’s coastal defences by Mr Churchill, the training of British pilots, and other highlights of the war.

LIBERTY

“SAPS AT SEA ”

In the new Laurel and Hardy film at the Liberty, "Saps at Sea,” in the opening scene the portly Oliver and his dismal pal are employed in the testing department of a horn factory. Little horns, big horns, long horns, short horns, loud horns, and soft horns —all are tested within one small room, on the wall of which is the notice, “Silence while men are working.” It is Oliver’s final collapse under the strain that results in his withdrawal from the firm. In , their apartment, however, fresh hazards await them. By some peculiar maladjustment, the ice box plays music and the radio keeps fruits cool, insertion of the plug turns on the faucet, and the electric-light socket ejects a gas flame. And so they went to sea. Thinking that they can follow the doctor’s orders in a boat tied at the dock, they settle down for the night on board their launch, but a meddlesome goat, which they brought along to supply Oliver with milk for his troubled nerves, chews away the moorings. Far out at sea they find a murderer on board. He orders a meal, and since they have no provisions, Stanley proposes a "sympathetic” meal, comprising “lamp wick” bacon, "string” spaghetti, "sponge” meat balls, biscuits made from talcum powder, and tea brewed from tobacco leaves. The killer insists that they cat the meal prepared for him, and it is only when Oliver turns berserk at the sound of a horn that they overcome their oppressor,and secure their reward. “Convicted Woman.” the associate feature, stars Rochelle Hudson and Frieda Inescourt.

Rochelle Hudson, jobless, is thrown suddenly into prison for a theft which she did not commit, and Frieda Inescourt, a philanthropic woman lawyer, who defended her, swears to avenge the girl’s maltreatment.

PLAZA

“THE BISCUIT EATER” ■ At the Plaza this week a most entertaining programme, in which the thriller "The Green Hornet" continues in another exciting chapter, includes a film that must be praised as one of the most beautiful pictures ever produced.- This is “The Biscuit Eater,” the story of a white boy, a black boy, and a dog that was born the smallest of the litter, to be the laughing stock of the neighbourhood; but the dog was cared for by the two boys, and he grew up to be the champion bird dog of the district. This is a picture that no one should miss; all animal lovers will be eager to see it; but it has special attractions for sportsmen, as it shows many of the big bird shoots in some of the best shooting country in America; and also for camera men, a's it has scene after, scene of excellent photography. The second film, “Parole Fixer.” stars William Henry, Anthony Quinn, and Virginia Dale, and is based on the authentic records of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In the latest chapter of “The Green Hornet,” the energetic editor of_ the “Sentinel” continues to hide his identity as the Green Hornet from all but his faithful Chinese assistant, Kato, and sets out once more to track down the "big shots” behind the dangerous and destructive rackets that are connected with some insurance businesses. There is a thrilling end that leaves the audience in pleasant suspense until next week. In "The Bijcuit Eater” the players are almost unknown; Billy Lee and Cordell Hickman are the chief ones, the white boy and the black boy who adopt a little weakling puppy and rear it and train it to become a famous dog. Billy Lee is a boy who has not been seen much on the screen, but his thoughtful and at times brilliant acting in this film will make many people watch for his name in future. The film cannot be praised too highly: it is one of the rare films of special merit that come quietly into a city and go again before more than a few hundred have seen them. This should not be allowed to be the fate of “The Biscuit Eater.” “Parole Fixer” tells the story behind the release of criminals from prison lo continue their work of evil upon innocent citizens. It is a thriller with a true story to tell and a lesson to teach. REX THEATRE Michael Redgrave. Margaret Lockwood, and Emlyn Williams are starred in A. J. Cronin’s "The Stars Look Down.” and Anne Shirley, Roger Daniel, James McCallion, and Alan Baxter are in “Boy Slaves,” the two pictures to be shown at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night and on Monday and Tuesday at 7.30 each evening.