AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19994, 20 July 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING’S THEATRE “PYGMALION”: LAST DAY Bernard Shaw’s famous comedy success, "Pygmalion,” starring Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller, will conclude a record return season at the King’s Theatre to-night. It is unquestionably the finest entertainment from either the American or British studies screened at the King’s Theatre this year. —“Submarine Patrol,” stirring Naval Epic To-morrow — Twentieth C’eniury-Fox's "Submarine .Patrol,” which comes to the King’s Theatre tomorrow, is regarded by critics as one of the best pictures of vhe year. Hero is an amazing drama of the strangest, most ill-as-sorted crew that ever manned a fighting ship—t'ne civilian odds and ends aboard one of the Navy’s flimsy cockleshells of the • "Splinter Fleet.’ The film is amazing both for the tale it tells and the fact that it lias never been told before. The men of the “Splinter Fleet” were ignd-laving softies*—butchers, bakers and candle-stick-makers who were looking for a soft berth and found time to conduct their businesses on the side as their ships lay moored in the Brooklyn naval yard Tow they wore plunged headlong into the thick of it, crossing seas raging with wind and wave and shot and shell, and were taught by danger to stand and deliver —to become heroes—is the thrilling, dramatic theme of “Submarine Patrol." The genius of John Ford, Award-win-ning director who made “The Informer.” “We Willie Winkie and "The Hurricane,” was never more apparent. The film opens with a gay note, the lackadaisical, undisciplined men providing some of the rarest comedy the screen can boast. Richard Greene, as rich young Perry Townsend, 111, signs up for the fleet and meets, on the way, beautiful Nancy Kelly, a most promising newcomer for whom a most brilliant future is predicted. Their romance is as powerful. as lhe dramatic theme of the film. Then there are the boys. Boisterous all, Slim Summerville, Warren Hvnicr. Douglas Fc-vvlcy, J. Farrell MacDonald and Maxie Rosenbloom are having a grand time in this man’s war. But things Range quickly. Preston Foster is assigned command and things begin to bum. The craft puts to sea and the thrills, and trial by danger, begin. Here are. indeed, some of the most powerful sequences ever filmed. Sea battles, human drama, troubled domance, heroism • i d valour—together they make "Submarine Patrol" unforgettable. George Bancroft, John Carradine. Joan Valerie and Henry Armctta arc also inicluded in the fine cast. Darryl I. Zanuck was in charge of production, with Gene Markov associate producer. “Submarine Patrol” is one of the Movie Quiz £50.000 contest picture' REGENT THEATRE LAST DAY: “WOMAN DOCTOR” Frieda Inescort and Henry Wilcoxon will be seen in "Woman Doctor” for the last time this evening. This film has been so successful that the management advises early reservations. Friday: Elisabeth Ilcrgner aiul Michael Redgrave in “Stolen Life” — Great star of such impressive dramas as "Escape Mo Never" and “Dreaming Lips,” Elisabeth Bergner returns to the screen alter a fairly lengthy spell to give a brilliant performance, in a dual role, in “Stolen Life," opening at tire Regent Theatre, to-morr'ow. For tragic acting her portrayal in “Escape Me Never" has probably rarely been equalled let alone surpassed, and slip is just as convincing in her latest starring vehicle. Her piquant charm is hard to define, for she is not particularly pretty, but she has something about her acting that has won her an exceptionally large following of ‘"fans.” She fills'the roles of twin sisters in “Stolen Life" one a quiet, sincere, attractive character and the other a flirtatious, pleasure-seeking, rather brazen young minx. When the flirtatious one is drowned at sea the other tries to palm herself off as her sister to her sister’s husband. The story, when told as bare facts, seems hardly plausible, but its strong psychological flavour and intelligent handling in the Fil a make it gripping in its, interest and thoroughly entertaining. Credit is due in this respect to Paul Czinner, who handled the production and direction. He did an exceptionally fine job and .succeeded in drawing {hebepLoul of his player, starring opposite Miss Bergner, Michael Redgrave, the young Englishman who made a highly auspicious film debut in the successful “The Lady Vanishes, ’ gives a good performance that confirms the high reputation he gained with his first film. Wilfred Lawson —"Doolittle” in “Pygmalion”—heads the supporting cast. An excellent supporting programme includes “The Republic of Panama,” photographed in Technieolour. OPERA HOUSE TO-MORROW: CLEVER YOUNG AUSTRALIANS’ REVUE Young Charles Stanton, the band leader with the Young Australian Boys’ Band and Revue, was selected to lead the pageant which marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge immediately Mr. Jack Lang had cut the historical piece of ribbon at the official opening. This lari was thus

the firs', citizen to cross that worldfamed structure. , Then, again, he led the parade of the Duke of Gloucester’s official procession through Sydney, anti he was personally congratulated bv His Royal Highness on his smartness and military bearing. Charles Stanton was only eight, years of ago then! Since then he has visited South Africa, Rhodesia and London, and other overseas countries, and he will be seen in action when the Young'Australians hold their revue and band season at the Opera House to-morrow arid Saturday. lie sings, dances, conducts the band, takes pair! in the sketches and plays the xylophone, and life is only one ot the talented troupe of young performers. The Young Australians present a 2s-hour fast-moving revue with pleasing music, attractive stage presentations and costumes which will delight both young and old. Seats may be reserved at Tattersall 1 and Bayly’s. A local talent quest will be conducted at the matinee on Saturday afternoon. Boys talented as musicians, violinists, cornetists, pianists, saxophonists, piano accordionists, and also singers, elocutionists, dancers and general entertainers, are invited to enter into a talent quest with a view to their possible inclusion in the Young Australians’ party. Boys wishing to enter are requested to send their names, ages and address and information as to whether musicians, singers or dancers addressed to the manager, Young Australians, Opera House, Gisborne. \ prize of £1 Is will be presented to the winner, fire public being the judges. Entrants must, not be more . ‘han 17 years of age. Boys from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch already have been included in l hc Young Australians’ company.