FILM and STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 285, 2 November 1939, Page 6

FILM and STAGE

Spectacle of the Sudan. Like ‘‘The Drum,” a previous Korda success, “flic four 1< outliers,” which opens to-morrow at the State Theatre, inscribes on the screen another stirring chapter of Lnipire history. This time the scene is the [Sudan, where beneath a blazing sun Gordon met a martyr’s death and Kitchener fought through to victory and enduring tame at Omdurman. Full justice has been done in every department to A. F. \V. Mason’s story. The direction, tecliuicolour photography, and the acting of the entire cast are all practically perfect. Harry Faversham, the coward whose efforts to redeem himself form the plot, as convincingly portrayed by John Clements, a rising young player, comes to the screen with all the sympathy with which the author endowed him. The ill-fated Captain Durrance, blinded by the fierce desert sun, provides Ralph Richardson with an excellent opportunity for another penetrating character study, while C. Aubrey Smith plays in his inimitable style a typical retired army officer. Among the spectacular highlights of the film are the taking of Khartoum by Kitchener, and the thrilling battle of Omdurman, with tens of thousands of fanatical “fuzzy wuzzies” hurling themselves against the unbroken hoilow square of the British, while the scenes representing the hauling of Kitchener's army across the raging Kile cataracts must be one of the largest spectacles ever re-ercatcd for the screen. New Screen Team.

A scintillating new comedy team comes to the Meteor Theatre on Tuesday in “Lucky Night,” in which Myrna Loy and Robert, Taylor make their first appearance together before the cameras. It was a lucky thought on the part of the studio to take the romantic Taylor and team him with the irrepressible Miss Loy. Taylor demonstrates a flair for comedy as authentic and virile as lie has displayed in drama. Miss Loy is even more beautiful than one lias seen her in previous pictures, for the producers have been lavish with their budget in gowning her. Interweaving moving heart tfirobs with uproarious laughter, the story unfolds the accidental meeting and later marital careers of Cora Jordan and Bill Overton. Cora, the spoiled daughter of a millionaire steel magnate, walks out on her fourth engagement to hunt for a job. Bill is a playboy down on his luck. Following an accidental meeting on a pa.rk bench, they gamble, frolic and fight their way to fortune, get married, quarrel over the family budget, separate and come together again a.fter a scries of complications n.s hilarious as they are novel. There is an excellent cast of fun makers in support of the stars. Romance and Thrills. Hailed as ]939’s greatest screen adventure, “Only Angels Have Wings” comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday, November 17. Cary Grant and Jean Arthur, appearing together for

the first time, are starred in the new film, compounded of tropical romance and thrilling adventure in South America. “Only Angels Have Wings” concerns a commercial aviation field operated in a little South American banana port by Cary Grant. His pilots are a desperate crew of devil-may-care adventurers willing to fly any old ’piano with wings into any sort of weather. Jean Arthur, a showgirl whose troupe has broken up farther south, arrives on the weekly banana freighter en route to Panama. She falls in love with Grant and decides to stay. But Cary, a confirmed philanderer, turns his attentions to Pita Hayworth, the wife of Richard Barthelmess, one of his newly arrived fliers. Thomas Mitchell as a daring aviator, victim of many a crack-lip, and Sig Human as the Dutchman, amiable old Hollander who runs the combination hotel and bar-room of the town as well as the airport, have outstanding roles in this thrilling show. Important parts, too, are played by Noah Berry, junr., Allyn Joslyn, Donald Barry, Melissa Sierra, Victor Kilian,. Vernon Dent and Pat West.

Tense and Thrilling. Drama of the “punchy” variety will unfold to-morrow on the screen of the Kosy Theatre when “Grand Jury Secrets” is presented. The picture tells a thrilling dramatic story, one that relies on an unusual means—6hort-wave radio —to extricate the principal char- | actors from the difficulties into which 1 they are plunged. An over-zealous reporter is out to find out just wliat a special Grand Jury panel is investigating, even though lie realises that all sorts of trouble can eventuate because his brother happens to be Assistant District Attorney, and in charge of launching the probe. Using a special short-wave radio set, the reporter gets the inside story of the ini vestigatiou, and breaks it in his 'paper. He reveals the fact that the jury is investigating a crooked investment house, and in doing so puts his , brother on the spot with the district j attorney. John Howard is cast as the I reporter. Grail Patrick supplies roman- : tic interest, William Frawley is a newspaper lensliound, Harvey Stephens plays the role of the assistant district attorney, brother of Howard, Jane Harwell is cast as the mother of the none too friendly broth’ers, and Porter Hall plays a member of the shady business house.

| “.Eternally Yours” has l>een chosen as the title for the film hitherto known as “Whose Wife.” The east of the picture, which co-stars Loretta Young and David Niven, includes such welli known feature players as Hugh Her- | bert, Billie Burke, C. Aubrey Smith, Zasu Pitts, Raymond AValbum, Virj ginia Field and Broderick Crawford.

Hardys “Get Rich Quick.” The screen 6aga of a family against the world, yet -with it and distinctly a part of it, continues in “The Hardys Ride High,” sixth of this remarkable series, which opens to-morrow at the Regent Theatre. Successful primarily because of their human qualities, none of the five Hardy pictures which have gone before, had more of human nature in it. Here, the Hardy family acquires riches. Every normal family has dreamed of wealth and what they would do with it. Not many have actually acquired it. The Hardys leave their little tow.ii of Carvel for a mansion in Detroit. Their charge account is unlimited and only the Hardy conscience is their guide. Lewis Stone as

always the philosophical Judge Hardy, keeps his feet on the ground when the Hardys ride highest. So,, too, does Fay Holden as Emily Hardy, the wife and mother. When the fortune eventually dissolves, her sole loot is an old-fash-ioned iron frying, pan which she has always wanted. The Judge has a new silk hat which she bought for him but which lie docs not want and for which he has no use hack in Carvel. Mickey Rooney, swept by the sudden turn of events, becomes a young man-about-town, for one night only, and his acting in this sequence alone qualifies him for the stardom which he recently rated. Sara Uaden, as Aunt Milly, blooms with new glamour as she encounters a middle-aged business manwhose object, apparently, is matrimony.

Popular Actress Passes. A New York cablegram on Monday announced the death of Miss Alice Brady. Acclaimed by foremost critics as being one of the leading comediennes of the screen, Alice Brady was born on November 3, 1897, in New York City, and was educated at a convent, leaving it to go on the stage in 1911. She began her screen career in 1914, returning to the stage in 1918 and came again to the screen in 1933, to make her first talkie, “When Ladies Meet.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected Miss Brady as the actress who played the best supporting role for tlie past year. Strangely enough, it was not in a comedy role that she won this distinction, but for her widelyacclaimed characterisation of “Mrs O’Leary” in “In Old Chicago.” Miss Brady’s many pictures include: “The Gay Divorce,” “Gold Diggers of 1935,” “False Faces,” “The Gay Lady,” “Three Smart Girls.” “Mind Your Own Business,” “Call it a Day,” “Air Dodd Takes the Air,” “100 Men and a Girl,” and “In Old Chicago.”

Intense Dramatic Power. Mary Maguire and George Sanders toucli heights of dramatic potver rarely achieved on the screen in “The Outsider,” which is to' bo shown at the Meteor Theatre to-morrow. Miss Maguire portrays the crippled daughter of a Harley Street surgeon, Sanders the unorthodox practitioner who treats her against her father’s wishes. Enmity with the medical profession, love for his patient who is already affianced,- an honest belief in the efficacy of his healing methods are some of the cross currents that throw up a tempestuous sea on Sanders’s side of the drama. Alternate doubt and hope as to her ultimate cure, her quarrel with her father and the growing realisation of the estrangement of her fiance are the emotional stress on Mary Maguire’s side.' All these conflicting elements build up a tremendous climax when the girl is to try to walk j again and falls to the ground. Her subsequent effort when her father and

Sanders arc quarrelling stormily is one of the most breathless moments ever soari on the screen. Pungent dialogue and brilliantly dramatic situations abound in the film, which long memories will recall as being adapted from Dorothy Brandon’s outstanding play. Life and Death Choice.

One of the most unusual pictures in years is “Five Came Back,” a new dramatic offering, which comes to the State Theatre to-morrow week, with an all-star cast headed by Chester Morris, Lucille Ball and Wendy Barrie. The film deals with the plight of a group of aeroplane travellers forced down in a tropical jungle. While head-hunting natives threaten to wipe out the whole party, romance and adventure, and jealousy and heroism, flourish among them, as the two pilots labour to repair the craft and fly it out to civilisation. And when the sur- , Ivors arc ready to go, they discover

that the crippled ’plane can carry only five of them—the, others must stay behind and face certain death. In addition to the players mentioned, the stellar cast includes John Carradine, Allen Jenkins, Joseph Calleia, C. Aubrey Smith, Kent Taylor, Pntric Knowles, Elisabeth Risdon, Casey Johnson and Dick Hogan, and all twelve turn in comnelling performances that blend into a. smooth and convincing film. To add to the evening’s attractions there will he a very fine array of short subjects including the latest, newsreels from overseas; one of the latest of the "March of Time” series entitled “War, Peace and Propaganda” ; and another of the delightful coloured cartoons by Walt Disney, “Society Dog Show.”

Tn “Swanoo River” A 1 Jolson will play E. P. Christie,’ the man who originated ldaek-face minstrels. Tn production for a year. “The Real Glory” lias already cost close on £400.000. and 450.000 feet of film lias been shot. Stars are Gary Cooper and Andrea Leeds, supported l»v David Niven and Broderick Crawford.

Poignant Drama. Women will lake it close to their hearts, and men will remember it, lor “Invitation to . Happiness,” which opens at the Kosy Tlieatre to-morrow, is a drama which presents an emotional problem that might develop in the lives of any couple. It is the story of a prize-fighter who marries a society girl. Determined to become a champion, his work takes him away from his wife. She is unhappy, but realises that it is the only work he knows how to do. While he is away barnstorming around the fight circuit, a son is born to them. Heartbreak is hers, but when he comes to her, she forgives him. The boy grows up to hate Iris father, to bate him bitterly because he knows his mother is unhappy. Yet these three people realise that somehow they must find happiness, and remain united. Their groping, and their efforts to understand each other make this picture one of the best dramas of the year. Irene Dunne and Fred Mac Murray are co-starred as the young couple, and Billy Cook plays the role of the son. Charlie Buggies, William Colb'er, senr., and Marion Martin are in the supporting cast. Australia’s No. 1 Comedian.

One of the most popular Australian comedians, George Wallace, is starred in “Gone to the Dogs,” which conns to the Regent Theatre to-morrow week. Other well-known stage favourites in the cast are Lois Green, John Dobbie, and Alec Kellaway. Miss Green was associated with J. C. Williamson’s for many productions, and was last seen on the stage in Palmerston North in the title role of “No, No, Nanette.” John Dobbie is probably the most outsize comedian in Australia, and bis bulky frame lias been part of many shows. Alec Kellaway lias appeared in several Australian films, including “Broken Meliody,” “Lovers and Luggers,” and I “Let George Do 11,” which was Mr I Wallace’s first starring film. He is a brother of Cecil Kellaway, who is achieving such success in Hollywood and is to play the inipressario in “Intermezzo,” starring Leslie Howard. Others in the cast include Letty Crayton, Howard Craven, Cathleen Esler, J Ronald Whelan (lie was the assistant director), Lou Vernon, Harry Abdy, George Lloyd, Harold Meade, and Barret Lennard. The story of “Gone to the Dogs” tells of a mild little man who accidentally discovers a miraculous 6peeding-up tonic for racing greyhounds, and of the events which result from the formula’s disappearance. Great Stars in Musical.

One of the greatest combinations of talent ever gathered for one show makes Irving Berlin’s “Second Fiddle” a production all film followers arc looking forward to sec. Just imagine Sonja Henie romancing with Tyrone Power jo the melodics of Irving Berlin’s six new songs with singing Rudy Vallee cutting in and Edna May Oliver cutting up, new-star Mary llealy and Lyle Talbot and Alan Dinehart all in it, and Sonja Henic skating her sensational ice tango for the first time on the screen. That is “Second Fiddle,” opening on Friday, November 17, at the State Theatre. Abounding with entertainment surprises, “Second Fiddle” shows Sonja with her first screen skating partner and introduces a new ballroom dance craze, the “Back to Back.” Other Berlin hits in the film are: “I’m Sorry, for Myself,”

“"An Old Fashioned Tune Always is New,” “When Winter Comes,” “Song of the Metronome” and “I Poured My Heart into a Song.” The story is a realistic tale of what happens when Hollywood at last finds the girl deemed worthy of portraying the heroine of a great best-seiling novel.

A Star’s Biography—No. 39. Eleven years ago a gangling fifteen-year-old red-head won a State dancing contest in Eort Worth, Texas. Her 1 name was Virginia Rogers, and little • did she realise that some day she would bo acclaimed one of the most glamorous stars of Hollywood and the screen idol of countless millions the world over. Since that far-off, redletter day, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge of life for Ginger llogers, as she is known to-day. The Texas dancing championship brought Ginger several weeks of stardom with the inter-State vaudeville circuit. From this engagement she went into a singing and dancing solo act, playing the larger cities of the South. After scoring a big hit in Memphis, Ginger went to St. Louis, where for thirty-two weeks she headlined a shou r with Ed. Lowry. Paul Ash subsequently offered her a spot in his act in New York. Feeling she was not quite ready for the “big time,” however, the levelheaded Ginger llogers turned down the offer, electing instead to do a specialty act at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago. When later another offer from Ash arrived, she accepted and appeared with the famous bandmaster at the Paramount in New Y T ork. Ruby Kalmar caught the act, with the result that Ginger went into a featured role in the musical play, “Top Speed.” While appearing in this hit Miss Rogers made her film dehut ns a siren in “Young Man of Manhattan,” produced in the East. Other screen roles followed in “The Sap from Syracuse,” “Queen High,” and “Honour Among Lovers.” Continuing her stage work at the same time she scored heavily in the leading role of the sensational hit, “Girl Crazy.” 'When this play ended and the name of Ginger Rogers was beginning to command respect in the theatrical world, she caught a train for Hollywood, and she scarcely had time to unpack her things on her arrival before she was cast in the leading role of “The Tip Off.” More pictures and roles of increasing prominence ensued and then came “Flying Down to ltio,” marking the first of many musical films teaming the vivid actress with Fred Astaire. An unbroken series of hit pictures followed, in which she and Fred Astaire won the crown of King and Queen of the Dance. Temporarily forsaking her dancing shoes, Miss Rogers now is making a bid for the crown of “Queen of Comedy.”

Unusual Western. A thundering drama of the AYest with a brand new hind of hero who tears into the great outdoors, creating a havoc of excitement, action, and romance is “Wild Briaii Kent,” opening on Tuesday at the Kosy Theatre. Eusty-going, pleasure-loving, then branded “yellow” by the girl he loves, Ralph Bellamy is starred in the title role as the playboy turned cowlioy who, with trip hammer fists and hair-trigger wits, blazes a trail to a thrilling come-back. The merciless attempts of the desert crooks who would stop at nothing to seize the ranch, serve to shake Bellamy out of his lethargy. With single-handed daring Bellamy blasts a bandit band out of the bad lands to win through to a glorious romance with the attractive Mae Clarke, who. as the owner of the valuable Circle V Ranch, is threatened by the unscrupulous villains with whom Ralph Bellamy has innocently lrecome friendly. When Bellamy wins a large cash prize by a tremendous dash in a cross country horse race thathad been “fixed” by the gang, his. attempt to save the ranch is imperilled by a roaring prairie fire set by the desperate crooks, and it takes a clever j denouement to close the story of “Wild J Brian Kent.”