ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 216, 10 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRt. “MY LITTLE CHICKADEE.” Since her very first picture, Mae West has followed a custom of at least one new song in each of her films. And her present Universal picture, “My Little Chickadee,” now showing at. the Mayfair Theatre, ies no exception; in the production, Mao sings “Willie of the Valley,” written especially for her by Milton Drake and Ben Oakland. The song tells the story of Willie, a gold miner who is pursued by many a maid because of his fortune and his gold teeth. Gene Austin and Candy and Coco accompany the star lor this number. Miks West is starred with W. C. Fields in “My Little Chickadee."

Also on the same programme “Oh Johnny, JJow You Can Love,” starring Tom Brown and Bcggy Moran, plus'“The Green Hornet.” REGENT THEATRE. “FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS.” ■ - Paramount has made Terence Rattigan’s saucy play, “French Without Tears,” into a memorable film, and the result Is a spicy comedy, full of wit and humour. The principle setting is a school in the South of France for the teaching of French to would-be English diplomats. The school is presided o\cr by the voluable, weighty Professor Maginot (Jim Gerald), and kept in domestic order by his vivacious daughter, Jacqueline (Panine Darcey). Except for the bibulous and amatory adventures of Brian (Guy Middleton) with Chi-Chi (Toni Gable), the Jifo and work of the school run along smoothly enough til! the arrival of young Kenneth's sister, Diana (Ellen Drew). As Kenneth’s introductory remarks and Diana’s general appearance soon indicate, Diana is a very lovable young woman, likely to bo a very disruptive influence in a household of compulsorily studious and. naturally, high-spirited young men. Alan (Ray Milland) takes a dislike to Diana before lie lias even seen her, because her arrival necessitates his giving up a comfortable room for the discomfort of a camp stretcher ,-in Brian’s don. Alan’s worst suspicions arc confirmed when he meets Diana, all curls and coyness, while he is shifting his books and other gear to make way for her. Yet. as it turns out, lie has the advantage over the others, who fall for her “sweetness” like a row of nine-pins. When the household has again settled down, this time into a sort of armed neutrality, a new complication is introduced in the shape of the commander (Ronald Culver), a nautical gentleman ot settled habits, and even moro settled convictions, who falls an easy prey to Diana’s wiles.