FILMS AND STAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 10

FILMS AND STAGE

Wealth of Strauss Tunes. “The' Great Waltz,” musical drama based on the life of Johann Strauss,; will recreate the romance of old Vienna at the Meteor Theatre, on Saturday,-' with Luiso Itainer, Fernand Gravet andMiliza Korjus, new opera star discovery,heading; an elaborate cast. The story deals with the life and loves of Strauss,played by Gravet; liis wife, Foldi, play--ed by Miss Itainer; and the opvera

Bette Davis Excels Again. To-morrow the Regent Theatre will open the new season with one of the outstanding motion' picture productions starring the No. 1 actress of tho screen—Bette Davis —in “The Old Maid.” Co-starring is Miriam Hopkins and George Brent. Other mem- , hers of the cast who , have important parts are Jane Bryan, Donald Crisp, Cecelia Loftus and Louise Fazenda. “The Old Maid,”, a story by, Edith Wharton, first appeared as a serial in 1922; in 1924 iit was published as a novel; in 1935 it ; was produced at the

singer with whom lie was infatuated, enacted by Mine. Korjus, who sings “Tales From Vienna Woods” and other haunting Strauss songs in spccta- ; cular presentations. The Imperial opera, the palace of Emperor Franz Josef, Vienna during the Mettemich revolution. the Vienna Woods, are elaborate details in the picture. A 90-piece

Empire Theatre, New York, as a play, iand that year it won the Pulitzer Award. The story deals with two cousins, Charlotte and Delia Lovell, who live in the sariie old house in aristocratic Philadelphia in the period between 18G1. when the Civil War broke out, and the 1880’s. Despite the luxury and wealth with which they’ are

symphony orchestra accompanies tlie beautiful Viennese singer in opera and other musical sequences. IWiss Rainer rises to great dramatic heights in scenes with her rival for the composer’s love. Miss Korjus is beautiful, has a flair for comedy and is glamour personified as Carla Donner, the opera song bird. Exciting Boxing Film. The story of how a crooked boxing racket is smashed is told in “Golden

surrounded they hate and envy each other for twenty-odd years.

Captain David Niven, the film actor, who is serving with the British Army, will marry shortly Miss Primula Rollo, of London. Mischa Auer, who supplied most of the comedy in “Destry Rides Again,” will also bo the comic highlight of Marlene Dietrich’s next picture, “Seven Sinners.”

Gloves,” coming to the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. J. Carrol Naisli appears in the role of a boxing promoter who exploits the talents of young, up-and-coming fighters to his own advantage and to the youngsters’ detriment. An enterprising young reporter, played by Robert Raige, awaits an opportunity to expose and smash the racket. His chance comes when a lad is killed in i one of Naish’s fights. With the aid

of his paper, Paige conducts, an amateur contest with Richard Denning-, a promising yoiing heavyweight, asythe magnet to attract other fighters. The feminine lead is taken bv Jean Cagney, sister of the famous James Cagney, and making her screen debut.

Fred Astaire lias sold a song number for use in “Second Chorus,” in which h? is. the start . . . .

Famous Story Filmed. ' Henry Fonda . likes to take it on the chin, at least on the screen. For this reason ho was more than anxious to play the part of Tom Joad in “The Grapes of "Wrath,” John Steinbeck’s stirring best-seller, which opens to-mor-row at the State Theatre. “I know how Tom Joad felt when he was shoved around and had to take it on the .chin constantly,” Fonda said, “I’ve been in Tom Joad’s shoes myself. It was like old times,” he explained. “"When I was going to the "University of Minnesota 1 had to take whatever odd jobs I could find. Believe me, along with the little money I got, I had to take plenty of abuse.” In addition, those years of toil taught Fonda how men like Tom Joad go about their work. Among other players featured prominently in “The Grapes of Wrath” are Jane Harwell as Ma Joad, Horris Bowden as Rosasharn, John Garradine as Casy the r preacher, Charley Grapewin as Gramp'a, Bussell Simpson as Fa Joad, O. Z. Whitehead as Al, John Qtialen as Muley, Eddie Quillan as Connie and Zeifio Tilbury as Granma. Real Indians Used.

Over 2UOU Uneyenne Indians from tile tongue River reservation were put to work oy Uecii IS. He mule m Cue battle scenes or his latest epic, “’lne .Plainsman/ 1 with Gary cooper in the title role, .which begins to-morrow at the Kosy Theatre, liie Indians were used to re-enact the massacre of General Custer and Ins (seventh Cavalry at Little Big Horn on June 2d, lthb, which has an important place in tile story. The scenes were taken at Little Big Horn under the supervision of several Cheyenne braves who took part in the battle. Jean Arthur plays the role of “Calamity Jane” opposite Gary Cooper, who recreates “Wild Bill” Hickok, noted plainsman who fell m love with tile hard fighting frontier beauty when lie was sent into the West to find out who was selling rifles to the, Indians in violation of a government order.

The second big feature on this programme is “Boctor Rhythm,” starring Bing Crosby and Mary Carlisle. Crosby sings “My Heart Is Taking Lessons” and many more popular numbers in this bright comedy. A Star’s Biography.—No. 74. . Robert Montgomery was born ill Beacon, New lurk, on May 2i, 1904, the son of Henry Montgomery, executive of a i\ew Pork rubber company, and Mary Weed Bernard. Montgomery’s early years were spent in a country home near New fork City, and he now owns an 1812 Early American farm in Putnam County, thirty miles front his birthplace. Given every advantage, he was educated by private tutors and at Pawling School for Boys and then completed liis formal education touring England, France, Switzerland and Germany. Upon the death of his father Montgomery found himself penniless. His first job was as a mechanic’s helper in a railroad roundhouse. He first saw Hollywood when he worked his way through the Panama Canal as a deckhand on an oil tanker. Returning to Now York lie became, interested in the theatre. His first professional roles were “bits” in “Mask in the Face.” He next joined a stock company in Rochester and remained there for seventy-two ' weeks, profiting from the direction of Geprge Cukor, now a famous Hollywood director. Then he went back to Broadway, winning stardom during five years in which his stage successes included “Ark-on O’Harc-,” “One of the Family” and “Garden of Eden.” After registering a hit in “Possession,” he entered films in “This Is Heaven.” His - first big cliancc came in “The Big House.’ Later lie starred in “Their Own Hesire,” with Norma Shearer; “Insniration,” with Greta Garbo; “Our Blushing Brides,” with Joan Crawford-, “Night Flight. Riptide,” “Forsaking AH Others.” “Piccadilly Jim.” and his greatest dramatic hit, “Night, Must Fall.” Montgomery's latest film, -“The Earl of Chicago.” is now being screened at the Meteor Theatre.

“Tlic Captain Is A Lady” is announced as the filial title lor the picture based on ltachael Crother’s play, “Old Lady 31.”' The cast includes Helen Broderick, Charles Coburn, Beulah Bondi, Billie Burke, and Virginia Grey. Productions listed for early release and those in production include “New Moon” (Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy), “Boom Town” (Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Hedy Lamarr), “I Love You Again” (Myrna Loy, AVilliam Powell), “Bitter Sweet” (Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy), “Strike Up the Band” (Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland), “Dulcy” (Ann Sothern), “Forty Little Mothers” (Eddie Cantor), “3rd Finger; Left Hand” (Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas), “Escape” (Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor), from Ethel Vance’s much-discuss-ed novel; “Pride and Prejudice”—the Jane Austen novel in which Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier are co-star-red; “Philadelphia Story,” to star Katharine Hepburn. The play, “I Married an Angel,” is listed also for production with Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald.