ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 224, 20 June 1939, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Trials Of A Doctor Theme Of Picture At Majestic

A truly great picture based oil a truly great book—‘•The Citadel,” which screens at tlie Theatre Majestic. The story, written by Dr. A. J. Cronin, concerns Dr. Andrew Alanson (Robert Donat), who goes into practice with an ageing doctor in a Welsh colliery district, Manson has to do all the work; he does not mind tins, but tlie doctor’s wile makes it her duty to annoy him. He moves to auother district. —the new position requires that he has a wife ; he marries a school teacher (Rosalind Russell). In this position his experiments, which are for the benefit of the minens, are suspect; with his wife he moves to London. After a year of struggle he chances on a rich patient, and meets a college friend who, pandering to the imagined sicknesses of the rich, has made money. Manson does likewise, and with great success. His wife, however, would prefer the old order. Only when a surgeon bungles an operation on his best friend : and when he allows a clever but unqualified American lung specialist help him ou a case —Manson has to appear before the medical association to answer this breach of rule —does he return to the faithful observance of the Hippocratic oath. “The Great Waltz.” Beginning a season at the Theatre Majestic next Friday, “The Great Waltz” is about the life and loves of Johann Strauss, played by Fernand Gravet, Jiis wife, Poldi, played by Luise Rainer, and tlie opera singer with whom he was infatuated, played by Miliza Korjus, who sings "Tales of the Vienna 'Woods” and other haunting Strauss songs in spectacular presentations. The Imperial Opera, the palace of Emperor Franz Josef, Vienua, during the Aletternicji revolution, the Vienna Woods, are elaborate details in tile picture. A 90-piece symphony orchestra accompanies the beautiful Viennese singer in opera and other musical sequences. Regent Bills “White Banners” Billed at the Regent Theatre, “'White Banners” has a message to convey: The message of courage in the face of adversity. But the film does no preaching—it simply lets the extremely capable cast live a thrilling human story that carries its message, by implication, straight to the hearts of the audience. Fay Bain ter is Hannah Parmalee, the humble peddler of kitchen knives, who keeps her white banners aloft in the fact of spiritual travail that would have beaten anyone with less than the utmost courage and nobility of soul. Claude Rains appears as Paul Ward, smalltown school teacher and amateur inventor, whom Hannah inspires. Jackie Cooper and Bonita Granville have imporatnt roles. “Stolen Life.” What would be the position of a woman who elected to assume the character of someone else, take her place in the home of a man they both loved, and work for his happiness? That, in brief, is the question posed by “Stolen Life,” which will begin a season at the Regent Theatre next Thursday. “Stolen Life,” which is an unusual and stimulating picture. gives Elisabeth Bergner the opportunity to play two roles, and she doe ri it effectively, contrasting the gaiety and teasing nature of one twin sister with tlie more serious nature and greater truth of the second. Michael Redgrave has not, perhaps, one of his better role« as a mountaineer, a leader of expeditions, who is training for an overseas adventure when he meets a girl who intrigues him, but he is firm and 1 manly and convincing, and he makes an acceptable foil for the at once lighthearted and serious Bergner. “I’ve Got A Horse” Main Film At State Theatre Featured as a bookmaker who becomes a racehorse owner when he accepts a horse as “stake money,” and. the unlucky punter loses, leaving him with the horse on his hands, is Sandy .Powell in “I’ve Got a Horse,” the main film at the State Theatre. lie decides to race the animal. One of the really amusing incidents from the film is a courtroom scene when Sandy is accused of stealing the horse. “Pardon Our Nerve,” the other full-length film, concerns two girls who make a simple young Hercules a champion so that they can collect part, of his winnings. "The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt” and “Trapped In The Sky.” Tomorrow’s change of programme at the State Theatre will be headed by “The Lone "Wolf Spy Hunt,” a comedy-drama. Warren William, as the suave regenerated hero who once “cracked” safes, displays admirable craft and self-assurance. He is supported by Ida Lupino, Ralph Morgan, Virginia Weidler, Rita Hayworth and others. “Trapped In The Sky” is about a foreign combine which outwits the United State® government in matters to do with an aeroplane winch has electrical power. Screen Version Of Winifred Holtby Novel At Plaza Revolving round the intrigue of shire politics which takes place as a result of a scheme for slum clearance in the county of South Riding, is the story of “South Riding,” the screen version of a Winifred Holtby novel, which is at the Plaza. Founder of the scheme is Astel] (John Clements), a conscientious social reformer. Ralph Richardson is seen as the proud, conservative Squire Carne, tragically burdened by poverty and a demented wife (Ann Todd). On the local council, he is opposed to the housing schemes be•enuse he is suspicious of the motives behind them. Sarah Burton (Edna Best), the newlv-appointed schoolmistress, is actively interested in the rehousing scheme, and appeals to Carne to cease his opposition. De Luxe Theatre Offers Crime And Comedy Features “The Gaunt Stranger,” which heads the De Luxe Theatre programme, has been adapted from Edgar 'Wallace® mystery thriller. “The Ringer.” The character, “The Ringer,” is a killer whose disguises are so numerous and effective that *he can confidently enter into the search which i« being made for himself without being detected. “Alen Are Such Fools, the associate feature, is a comedy based on the story of young love, ite heartaches. misundersatndings and glorious reconciliation. Vaudeville Troupe Subject Of “Keep Smiling” At King’s Happiness i« tlie keynote of the story of “Keep Smiling,” the film which screens at the King’s Theatre. Gracie Fields’ role is one of the finer she has had—leader of a vaudeville troupe, their guide, philosopher and friend, a tower of strength in times of trouble. She has many songs, comic and straight, singing them as only she can. Mary Maguire, Roger Livosey, Peter Coke, Jack Donohue, Edward Rigby, and. “Skippy,” dog star, have supporting parts. Sequel To “Three Smart Girls” Shows At St. James “Three Smart Girl® Grow Up,” Deanna Durbin’s latest picture, which is a sequel to her first, film, “Three Smart Girls.’ show® at. the St. James Theatre. Cast as the remaining two of the trio are Nan Grey and Helen Parrish. ’l’llo story is full’of interest and the music is entrancing, Deanna contributing four solos, subtly interwoven into the material of the film. The songs are “The Last Rose of Summer,” “Invitation to the Dance, “Because,” and “La Capinera.” The story begins when Penny Craig (Deanna Durbin) is having her bithday party. Her two sisters. Joan and Kay. are coaching her in society technique—for she etill retains her devastating frank-

Tudor Theatre Presents “The Duke Of West Point”

Presented at. the Tudor Theatre, "The Duke <>f West Point” concerns an American, Steve Early, -who lias been brought up in England, and goes back to the American military academy of West Point. His English manner and frank pride in his athletic ability almost cause him to be ostracized. “Fighting Thoroughbreds,’’ the associate film, is ji thrilling story of the turf.