ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 105, 27 January 1939, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Majestic Retains The Pathetic “Marie Antoinette” Metro-Goldwyii-Muyer have reproduced in ’’.Marie Antoinette,” wliicli is being retained at tlie .Majestic Theatre for a second week, Hie whole live of the Austrian princess who became Queen of 1’ ranee, from the moment she learnt of her destiny till her death on (lie guillotine. Heading a long list of virtues in ".Marie Antoinette” are tlie brilliant return of Norma Shearer after a long absence, and the superb performance of Robert Morley as Louis XVI. The film would seem rather kinder to the queen than the general verdict: of history, but Morley's portrayal of tlie portly, dull-witted Louis is so like the records of this king that lie might be a reincarnation of Iho man who, under Marie Antoinette's guidance, found life and love and brief happiness. Tyrone Power is splendid and sincere as the young Swedish diplomat. Count de Fersen, who loves the glamorous Marie Antoinette and remains faithful to her to death. A Cincsound special of the Australian busli fires is also shown. There'will be sessions today at 2, o and 8 p.m.

“Robin Hood” Film In Third

Week At Regent

‘•The of Rubin Hood,” nuw in its third week at the Regent Xheatie, is filled with fighting—bowe and arrows, quarter-staffs, pikes and broadswords being tlie weapons—and is ” Jayed in immense and beautiful scenery both indoors and out. This version of the adventures of ‘‘Robin Hood” has several of the wellauthenticated incidents contained in most of the legends surrounding England s greatest outlaw, but the bulk of the story is original in form. _ How Maid Marian (Olnia de Havi!laud) realizes slowly that Robin the Outlaw (Errol Flynn) is right in robbing the rich to relieve the agonies of the poor, and, wishing to prove her love for him, becomes his W within Prince John s entourage, i« told. , ci • Years of research preceded the l |lmlll o of “The Adventures of Robin Hood. All of the vast body of “Robin Hood literature was fine-combed by the research department of Warner Bros, in order to find the customs of the people of that era,, what they wore, what they ate what of furniture they had, and all the other details that make for authentic movie properties in this third picture in which Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn have played together.

“Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” Now At Tudor

The full-length film made by Walt Disney and helpers, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” will continue for the sixth week of its Wellington season, now having been transferred to the Tudor Theutre, The film shows how Snow White’s beautiful but vain and wicked Queen consults her magic mirror to fiud who is the fairest in the Jami. When the mirror replies “Snow White,” the Queen retreats to her secret dungeons at the bottom of the castle through which a mysterious river ilows. Here, in scenes which could never be done with the limitations of regular motion-picture technique, she brews magic potions and turns herself into an old witch, to an accompaniment ot lightning and crashing thunder. She disguises lierself thus so that she may go to Snow White, living in the cottage of the seven dwarfs, and, posing as an old peddler woman, induce her to bite into a poisoned apple. Tlie ultimate in excitement and suspense comes when the dwarfs, discovering the Queen at their cottage, chase her through a blinding thunder and rain storm, up into mountain fastnesses where, just as she is about to roll a boulder down on them, a bolt of lightning sends her toppling over a cliff.

“It’s In The Air” Still At St. Janies Theatre

Because of George Fdrmby’s kindness of heart he delivers a letter for a R.A.F. man and finds himself led into a web of circumstances from wbieh there is no escaping in “It’s in the Air,” which is still at the St. James Theatre. George is mistaken for a flier and detained at the R.A.F. headquarters where he makes life miserable for a sergeant-major because of his well-meant blundering. Though he has a heroine named Poll}’ Ward, and sucli players as Garry Marsh and the Australian, Frank Leighton, this is practically Formby’s show, and Julien Mitchell tlie luckless sergeant-major, is the only one who can compete for the limelight with the ebullient North Country comedian and his inevitable ukulele. Between them, George Formby, his director (Basil Dean), and Julien Mitchell, have shown a great deal of comic invention and have managed to maintain a lively pace. Heather Wright. Heather Wright, who is a clever contortionist: and a high-kicking tap dancer, will present a remarkable acton the stage of the >St. James Theatre in the afternoons and at: night: as it speeial attraction. Miss Wright comes direct from tlie Australian Tivoli circuit.

Plaza Theatre Still Showing “The Lady Vanishes”

Still showing at the Plaza Theatre is “The Lady Vanishes.” A vital situation is created when the heroine (Margaret Lockwood), who lias struck up ail acquaintance with au old lady (Dame Mav Whitty), returns to a carriage ou a Continental train after a brief absence down tlie corridor, t 0 find that her travel-ling-companion has vanished, and, ou making inquiries, is told in all quarters that the old lady has never been there at all! The players in this film would probably be the first to admit that "The Lady Vanishes” owes almost as much to Hitchcock’s direction as to their own talents. Michael Redgrave’s debut marks him immediately as one of the coming men of English films. , . , , Two Test match enthusiasts, Nnllton Waylie and Basil Radford, very English Englisinneii returning to England for the cricket, when they unwillingly hud fhmeselves mixed up in a political intrigue of international import, are responsible for the comedy relief. “The Cowboy And The Lady” At King’s Theatre Amid settings in Washington drawingrooms, Florida mansions, and, in contrast tlie vastnesses of the 'Western plain’s, unfolds the film version of a story. “The Cowboy and the Lady,” by S. N. Behrman and Sonya Levien, which will begin at the King’s Theatre today. It shows how the debutant daughter of a Senator suddenly leaves home to bask ou Florida sands while a night club scandal in which she is involved is brewing. Then, bored by convention and the restrictions on one in her position, she “disappears” with her maid and cook. At u rodeo show where the three women are present Miss Oberon is paired with the bronzed and robust Gary Cooper, a cowboy from the Western plains, ami from hero the film passes on at a gay and rapid pace to an unexpected climax. "The Cowboy and IJjc Lady” is a romantic love story. Cooper, us the strong, silent type of hero, returns to it role which fii'st made him famous: and Merle Oberon is cast as the guy and witty girl of modern society, completing her role with a choice sense of comedy. Also amusing are Patsy Kelly and Walter Brennan. Feature players such as Fuzzy Knight, Mabel Todd and Henry Kolker give convincing performances in (ho parts they play.

Double Feature Programmes Continue At State George O’Brien as a Texas ranger who finds thrills anti romance in his search for a beautiful Mexican girl fleeing to avoid a charge of murder, is starred in "The Renegade Ranger,” the main film on a double-feature programme which will begin at the Slate Theatre today. Rita Hayworth, wiio is herself half Spanish, is idea! as the fugitive girl, and Ray Whitley, Tim Holt, William Royle ami Lucio Villegas give performances of merit.

A peep into the private life of a hitherto unsung and unhonoured hero, (tie Hollywood handy-man and all-round .•iide-de-c:nnp, is disclosed on tlie screen for the first time in “Fugitives for a Night,” featuring Frank Albertson and Eleanor Lynn. This will be the second attraction.

Two Attractions Billed At De Luxe Theatre

In Paramount’s “The .Mysterious Rider,” Zane Grey’s thrilling story of the untamed cattle country, wbieh will open at the De Luxe Theatre today, a masked horseman commits bold robberies and donates the proceeds to the poor, becomes the most feared figure in the West without ever hurting an honest man, and saves tlie ranch of a beautiful young girl from rustlers without revealing his identity. Douglas Dumbrille plays the strange rider. Tlie second attraction will be “Give Me a Sailor.” Martha Rae lias the role of a glamour girl and wise-cracking Bob Hope that of a gay sailor who finds it hard to make up his mind between two beautiful sisters and lets the girls decide for him. Four new songs are woven into tlie plot.