FILM WORLD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1940, Page 5

FILM WORLD.

News of Pictures and Players.

COLE PORTER SONGS. IN NEW. MUSICAL. A man with twinkling black eyes, an everlasting sense of humour, and the unrivalled ability to see words and music in almost any situation, is the prolific creator of America’s 'most sophisicated and popular song hits. He is Cble Porter, who has contributed six melodies to the new Fred Astaire-Eleanor Powell ‘ costarring musical, “Broadway Melody of 19.40.” Among them is his sensational “Begin the B.eguine,” one of. the greatest song successes of the past decade. Cole Porter writes his own words and music. He admits to no established routine in creating his unique compositions. Sometimes he first works out a melody, then sings words to it at the piano until he Kgs a finished lyric. At other times the process is reversed, with composer hitting upon a 'brilliant idea for lyrics and then adapting a melody to the words. From his fertile brain came such never-to-be-forgotten songs as “Night and Day,” “Love For Sale,” “You’re the Tops,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Rosalie,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Miss Otis Regrets,”

“FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS.” A SOPHISTICATED COMEDY. - A sophisticated comedy which allows one to forget all personal worries is the Paramount British film, “French Without Tears.” Moving at high speed, the -story has a fruity Continental tang. Into the academy of a professor of French comes Diana, a super-flirt, to break the hearts of the students, and only the hard-boiled cynic resists till the last. Diana betrays herself when only the cyriic remains deceived. Piquant situations, a class of naughtiness, and a dialogue as racy as the story make “French Without Tears” the kind of film which assures itself a long season. The whole cast is exceptionally stronga cast of new favourites, whom the picture will establish. Roland Culver, as the British naval commander, come to swot for an interpreter’s exam, only to fall a temporary victim to Diana, steals the show. In a fireside “drunk” scene he is magnificent. David Tree, as his younger rival for the flirtatious lady, has considerable success. Never was the censor’s adult recommendation, as for a comedy, better deserved, because only the adult mind can appreciate its subtleties.

FLYNN AS BUCCANEER. Production, research and preparation painstakingly prepared, the “Sea Hawk,” starring Errol Flynn, and with a cast of thousands, including Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Donald Crisp, Flora Robson, and Alan Hale, unfurls the saga of the boldest buccaneer ever to fight under the flag of the skull and cross bones. Exciting naval battles between England and Spain, fierce fighting in, dangerswept‘waters of the Spanish Main. Behind this .... court intrigue . . . . internal politics . . . mid-' night raids . . . . fighting through dnemy ambush —all the tyranny that shackles men to the tortures of bondage. In a way it all parallels current events with the 16th century-Eng-land as the foe of the aggressor then as now. Among England’s great heroes of the day was The Sea Hawk (Errol Flynn) a fearless fighter, a sort of “Robih Hood of. the Seas,” confiscating gold arid merchandise which he brings home to fill England’s dwindling coffers. On one of his daring adventures he captures the ship carrying the Spanish Ambassador (Claude Rains) and hiS'English niece (Brenda , Marshal), with whom The Sea Hawk falls in love. While the Queen

LONDON CAN TAKE IT.” FILM OF BLITZKRIEG. Keen interest has been aroused .by the announcement in London recently that the British Ministry of Information intends to distribute 1000 copies of “London Can Take It” throughout. Britain and America. This appropriately-named, picture, which has arrived in New Zealand, is one of the most inspiring documentary films ever produced, and shows in a graphic way how London meets the brutal tactics of Hitler’s airmen. The opening of the film discloses the preparations that are taken for the nightly air-raid vigil. The arrival of the raiders, followed by searchlights sweeping the sky and.the subsequent anti-aircraft barrage' and the explosion of bombs, is vividly portrayed. The impressive commentary by Quentin Reynods, the war correspondent of Collier’s Weekly, emphasises that “there is nothing but determination, confidence and high courage among the people of Churchill’s Island.” Reynolds includes the following in the commentary:—“Brokers, clerks, merchants and pedlars of the daytime become the heroes of the night-time as firemen, air wardens and ambulance drivers.”

DRAMA OF DOCTORS' LIFE. “DISPUTED PASSAGE.” Newspaper reporters and gangsters are being crowded off the screen by doctors as Hollywood’s No. 1 story source. There is excitement in the private life of a doctor and human drama behind hospital doors that make medical and scientific stories ideal for translation on to the screen. The latest is Paramount’s version of the Lloyd Douglas best-seller, “Disputed Passage,” with Dorothy Lamour, Akim Tamiroff and John Howard heading a brilliant cast. “Disputed Passage” deals more with a doctor’s attitude towards his practice than the practice itself. In the picture, Akim Tamiroff plays the role of a doctor who believes in the stern dedication of the physician’s life to science, with no room for human emotion. William Collier, Sr., plays the role of a doctor to whom the human side is as important as the scientific. Caught between these two attitudes are John Howard, product and pride of Tamiroff’s instruction, and Dorothy Lamour, his sweetheart. A dramatic turn of events against the timely background of war-torn China gives Miss Lamour the chance to show what love can do and Douglas his chance to prove his stirring theses —that science can go only part of the way; the soul must do the rest.

JUDY GARLAND’S SALARY. Ever wonder what Judy Garland is paid for being so cute and singing so prettily? Here are the figures, as contained in her new/ seven-year movie contract filed in Superior Court:—2,ooo dollars a week for the next three years. 2,50 Q dollars for the two years following. 3,000 dollars for the last two years. She is guaranteed 40 weeks’ work each year. The contract was submitted by M.G.M. Studio because Judy is only 18.