AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20034, 5 September 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

EEGEHT THEATRE CLARK GABLE AND NORMA SHEARER IN “IDIOT’S DELIGHT” An other powerful condemnation, of war, no less effective because it is made indirectly through the reactions of people who are not on the battle scene, is brought to the screen in “Idiot's Delight.' the film version of. one of the most successful stage plays in recent years, which will commence its Gisborne season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Robert Sherwood, the author of the play, which had a remarkable run on Broadway and which won the coveted Pulitzer Prize, was engaged to adapt his work for the screen and. although many changes had to be made to suit the different technique of the new, medium, none of the power was lost. As befitting a subject of major im-i portance and appeal two great i players, Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, were selected for the leading j roles, and by their brilliance and 1 sincerity a finish has been put upon I the production which must give it an (interest for all. The film opens in I Omaha, where the principals first (meet, and then moves to central | Europe, where, under the shadow of | war, their paths cross again. JTow- [ ever, although the man is still at his ; old task of vaudeville entertainment, the woman has changed her identity completely, and appears as a Russian, countess. It is a strange romance, full of the uncertainty of life, and all its different aspects have been welded into a drama in which , first-class players reach the height of their capabilities. There is also a splendid supporting cast, including Edward Arnold, in another of bis coldly powerful characterisations, Charles Coburn and Joseph Schildkraut. —“Confessions of a, Nazi Spy”: Friday—

The amazing story of the machinations of Nazi spies in America and other parts of the world and of the recent exposition of their activities by the former Federal Bureau of Investigation head, Mr. Leon G. Turrou. is told in “Confessions of a Nazi Spy.” opening at the Regent Theatre on Friday. This production, the first straight-out propaganda picture, is true in almost all of its essentials, and most of the characters are still living. It is this air of grim reality about the film that adds largely to its impressiveness. It is not the acting of tlie piayers, good as it is, nor the fine production technique, however, that is the outstanding feature of the film. The fearless revelation of the Nazi espionage organisation cannot be compared with any screen plot seen here for years, if ever. It is biting in its exposure of tho brutalities of the Gestapo and its agents, and cannot fail to bring home to all who see it a realisation of the calibre of the system. Edward G. Robinson is ideally cast in the-leading role and the supporting cast is headed by such capable performers as Paul Lukas. Francis Ledercr, Henry O'Neil and Lya Lys. There is a large featured cast, many of whom arc playing under false names, to protect them from the revenge of the Gestapo. Every man plays as if inspired, and there is good reason for this, in that many of them are actually anti-Nazi Germans, including some refugees.

MAJESTIC THEATRE TWO COMEDIES, “I'M FROM MISSOURI,” AND “GIVE ME A SAILOII." “I'm from Missouri,” says Bob Burns, who shows that lie means what he says when -he challenges the heads of the British army to prove they are as smart as he is, in his latest picture. Paramount’s “I’m from Missouri.” opening to-day at the Majestic Theatre. Bob, who has been seen on the screen recently as an Oklahoma Senator and an Arkansas newspaper editor, now runs into plenty of trouble as a Missouri mule-raiser, who faces ruin, along with his friends, when the British army considers motorising its units. Always one to take a .situation like this in his .stride, Bob packs up Ins family and sets out lor London. The frantic attempts of his wife to crash highest British society, a rival's campaign to soil mechanisation to the army and the romance of his beautiful young sister-in-law with a handsome British diplomat lead to hilarious complications and a score of uproarious comedy situations. The man from Missouri is finally saved through the intercession of an old friend who surprises every one_ when he reveals his true identity. In "I’m from Missouri,” Burns has a talented supporting cast, including Gladys George, his newest leading lady, Gene Lockhart, George P. Huntley, Judith Barrett and Patricia Morison. The second attraction is the enjoyable Paramount musical “Give Me a Sailor,” in which the main roles are portrayed by Martha Raye and Bob Hope. The story deals • with the efforts of two brothers to win the hand of a beautiful girl, played by Betty Grable. According to a pact made during their childhood days, one of the brothers is to marry the girl’s sister, but her beautiy is not appreciated until she enters a personality contest and is judged the winner. Immediately, the two brothers desert the sister and devote all their attentions to the girl they formerly had neglected. Several new songs which should win wide popularity are introduced in the film. These include “A Little Kiss at 'twilight,” "What Goes On Here?" and "The U.S.A. and You.” Other players arc ,T. C. Nugent, Clarence Kolb and the lafbntcd young dancer, Jack Whiting. The programme commences with a further chapter of “Secret of Treasure Island.”

KING’S THEATRE

“WimJEJUXG HEIGHTS”: LAST NIGHT 15 a sod on the masterly novel by Emily Bronte, produced with :t line regard tor the eompeUin.it beauty of the original story by Samuel Gold:i, and directed with skill and rare understanding by William Wyler, the powerful emotional drama, "Wulhcr- \ ;.i.i Heights” will conclude at the King's Theatre to-night. Merle Coeron gfvos a (lawlcsr. portrayal as the attractive and high-spirited girl Cathy, Laurence Olivier net? with insight and poignant fervour. -“The Flying' Irishman”: To-morrow-* The intrepid young; aviator. Douglas Corrigai.. who not long ago startled Ihe world by his cia.riug flight across the Atlantic in a cheap, antiquated aeroplane, appears in the film version of his own adventurous career, "The Flying Irishman," which commence.; a two-dav seasr.u at the King’s Theatre to-morrow. The picture traces the heart-breaking .struggle. young man made to support his

family by working ns a newspaper seller, a carpenter and a mechanic, while he dreamed and studied to achieve his one ambition —to 'become pa air lino pilot. He was. however, repeatedly frustrated in his efforts to obtain a, license, his lack ol experience and rmr.ll stature barring him from consideration. With grim determination Corrigan overcame the cfostocies :u his way, and the film reaches a gripping climax as hr achieves fame and happiness.