ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “MY SON. MY SON.” An unforgettable story, brilliant performances. outstanding direction, and a beautiful production make Edward Small’s film version of Howard Spring’s “My Son, My Son !” one of the finest pictures of the year, This new- film drama is being released by United Artists at the State Theatre to-day. “My Son, My Son 1“ has a brilliant array of stars in Madeleine Carroll, Brian Aherne and Louis Hayward, a trio which enhances the picture by down-to-earth, unforgettable acting. Others who turn in excellent performances include Harry Hall, one of the best contemporary character actors, Josephine Hutchinson, Laraine Hay, Sophie Stewart and Bruce Hester. With his usual skill for maintaining swift tempo and clear characterisation. Charles Vidor has directed “My Son, My Son !” with a remarkable sureness of touch and, with unsurpassed clarity of insight. The story of “My Son, My Son 1” is rich in emotional implications and every day drama. It concerns a father and. a son, and the high hopes that fail to materialise. William Essex’s dreams for his son fade into thin air when he realises that Oliver is a vain and selfish young man, over sophisticated, insincere and cynical. Oliver realises almost too late that he has brqught misery to the people who have surrounded him with love and understanding., Golden-haired Madeleine Carroll, portraying the role of Livia Vaynol, has never turned in a screen characterisation to equal her present one in this picture. REGENT THEATRE. "FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS.” Paramount has made Terence Ratligan’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 Franco for the teaching of French to would-be English diplomats. The school is presided over 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 adverituros of Brian (Guy Middleton) with Chi-Chi (Toni Gable), the life and work of the school run along smoothly enough till the arrival of young Kenneth’s sister, Diana (Ellen Drew). As Kennclh’s introductory, remarks and Diana’s general appearance soon indicate, Diana is a very lovable young woman, likely to he 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 he has even seen her, because her arrival necessitates his giving up a comfortable r ocm for the discomfort of a vamp stretcher in Brian’s den. Alan « worst suspicions are confirmed when lie 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, / h e has the advantage over the others, who fall for her “sweetness” like a row ot 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 of settled habits, and even more settled convictions, who falls an easy prey to Diana’s wiles.