ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 207, 30 May 1944, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

City Theatres THE HUMAN COMEDY (By T.L.j A friend of mine who had seen a preview of “The Human Comedy” told me that it was one of the best films he had seen for many a long day, and as his opinion is not usually given lightly, I went along to the Majestic last night feeling that I was due to see something above the usual, standard of picture fare —and I was not disappointed. “The Human Comedy” is a great film. Even if it didn’t boast a brilliant cast, headed by young Mickey Rooney, it would still be a great picture. But it has its .brilliant cast and it has Its perfect acting, and. above all. it has a , story that reaches right down to the heart. Actually, the title is a little misleading. The film is definitely not a comedy. Perhaps a better title would have been “The Human Document,” for it is a quiet, simple, sometimes mirthful, frequently sad and always true to life chronicle of a small-town American family, telling of their joys and their sorrows, their hopes and their disillusionmeats. And dominating the whole picture is the new Mickey Rooney, a far cry from his more or less carefree “Hardy Family” days. Mickey has turned into a remarkably good actor. Never once does he overact. In fact, he is so natural that he has the effect of humanizing the story as no other young star could possibly hope to. His highlight in the show is the scene when he regeives the telegram telling of his brother’s death and finds he has to be the one to tell his mother. That is a scene that will be long remembered. One could go on for a long time talking of his acting ability—but one mustn’t forget Fay Bainter as the mother, Frank Morgan, who almost steals the piece in the trole of an elderly telegraphist, and a. little five-year-old who. without doubt, gives the best idea of a question-asking little lad I have ever seen. There are sad patches In the story—several of them. But there is also some remarkably good philosophy—philosophy that is comforting, philosophy that should be a help to those for whom sadness is ever present in these fateful days. As I said before, it is agreat film. , 1 “Get Bracking” (State}. —George Formby is in the Home Guard in h’s latest comedy picture which introduces three new song hits. “Forever And a Day" (Plaza).—A galaxy of stars presenting the stnry of one family and one nation. The list of stars reads like a Hollywood Who’s Who, and it would be unfair to mention any one as the principal. “My Favourite Spy” (Tudor). —Kay Kyser and his band in a comedy picture. Associate feature Kay Frances in “Playgirl” with James Ellison and Mildred Coles. “Spider Woman” (De Luxe). —*A thrilling mystery, with plenty of inaction, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. “The Mummy’s G’host,” starring John Carradine and Acquauetta completes the programme. Starting Thursday: “Lucky Jordon,” starring Alan Ladd. “Behind the Rising Sun" (Kings).—The sons of Nippon, and their barbaric treatment of those within their grasp, is the subject of another “shocker" film on the inhumanity of the Japs. “Star Spangled Rhythm” (St. James).— A musical comedy with 15 headline stars, plus 20 other film favorites and seven new snng hits. Among the stars are Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Fred Mac Murray, Franchot Tone, Dorothy Lamour, Dick Powell and Veronica Lake. “The Major and the Minor” (Regent).— Something right out of the ordinary In comedy, with Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland as the stars. Coming Thursday:, “Phantom of the Opera.” I “Naughty Marietta" (Opera House).One of the most popular of all films returns today. Nelson Eddy and Jennette Macdonald are the stars. Coming “PimperuaL Smith." ."Waterloo Bridge” (Tivoli).-v-An outstanding film starring Vivian Leigh and Robert Taylor. “Lady Bodyguard,” with Raymond Walbwin and Roger Pryor also screens. “The Thirty-Nine Steps” (Paramount).— An English masterpiece of screen entertainment starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. George Sanders and Loretta Young star in the second film, “Four Men and a Prayer.” )