Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 258, 30 October 1937, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE •TAKEWELL AGAIN” Leading figure In the great days of the' German film industry was Erich Pommer. As production chief of the UFA company, he was responsible for such outstanding pictures as “The Last Laugh,” ’•Vanity,” “Metropolis,” “The Blue Angel,” and before Joining the UFA the memorable ‘‘The Cabinet of Dr. Callgari.” Now PFA is but a shadow of its iornier self, and Pommer is producing in England. Judging by bis first two films, "Fire Over England" and "Farewell Again” (formerly "Troopship”), which screens at the Regent today and to-night, he seems to be the first producer in this country to realise that large sections of the public are crying out for Aim with British stories and backgrounds. Until now it has been left almost entirely to Hollywood to glorify British history and the British character and humour. Now Pommer has decided to step in where fools fear to tread. It is a striking commentary that Pommer, although a German, seems to be our only producer with a British outlook. Another interesting point about "Farewell Again" is that the story is based on a news item. The idea first occurred to the • authors, Wolfgang Whllhelm and Patrick Klrwan, when they read in the press that a troopship carrying soldiers home to Southampton after several years' service In India had been ordered to Palestine, the troops only six hours’ leave In which to see their families and friends. Recently Pommer severed his association with Alexander Korda to form his own campany with Charles Laughton. Wardour Street expects big things of Herr Pommer. who, as the brilliant record ahows, is acutely aware of the existence importance of the almighty boxoffice. Pommer ai>sembled a very strong cast for "Farewell Again.” Leading roles are taken by Flora Robson and Leslie Banks, who scored a big success in "Fire Over England." They axe supported by Patricia Hilliard, a London film starlet getting her first big chance, Sebastian Shaw, Leonora Corbett, Anthony Bushell, Robert Cochran. Rene Ray. Robert Newton, a whole host oi well-known play - era in lesser roles. Tim Whelan directed. MAYFAIR THEATRE "MR DEEDS GOES TO TOWN.” A new laugh-and-love team takes New by storm! Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in a grand romantic comedy topping Frank Capra's own great hits. "Lady For a Day, ‘ and "It Happened One Night.’* The new "best of the year” film is Columbia’s Capra production. "Mr Deeds Goe« to Town," showing to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. Gary is at his greatest . . . with Jean Arthur soaring to stardom in his arms! With twenty millions in his lap, Gary does everything he's ever dreamed of—plays the tuba—feed;* doughnuto to a horse—chases flro engines —and races into romance with a "lady in distress!" This brand-new. grand-new love team is sweeping the country with their riotous fun in Capra’s new pacesstting entertainmentl It’s the biggest laugh hit of the year—produced by the No. 1 director-writer team. Frank Capra and Robert Riskin! Featured in the largo cast aro Lionel Stander, Douglas Dunibrille, George Bancroft, and Raymond Walburn. "Forgst Me Not.” Beniamino Gibii, heid by many to be the world’s greatest tenor since Caruso, Is the star of "Forget Me Not.” the London Films production, the second attraction at the Mayfair. In a story especially written lor him, Gigil has been provided with a role In wnich ne shouxd feci perfectly at ease—that of an internationally famous singer. The producers have broken away from the "obscurity to stardom overnight” theme which has served as a vehicle for many other opera stars. Gigli is shown in a very human setting, as a doting father and husband wnose home is nearly broken up by a jealous woman. Joan Gardner, Alexander Korda's beautiful discovery, ptays opposite Gigii in the most difficult and important roie she has so far attempted. Hugh Wakefield has a typical paxt as the wey.imeaning but assimne manager to the great tenor. An exceptionally supporting cast includes Ivan Brandt, Jeanne Stuart, Allan Jeayes, Hay Petrie and Charles Carson. METEOR THEATRE "EVERYBODY DANCE” The story of “Everybody Dance," showing at the Meteor to-day, tells of a cabaret 6tax who gets two youngsters from the States landed on her, and who poses as a woman farmer. Cicely Courtneidge plays the rolo of the night club queen and Billie de la Volta and "Dinky” Keisner are the children. Leading this double life the unfortunate cabaret star never gets to bed, for she works at her night club until 3 a.m. and has to start her farmer's life about 5 for the benefit of the children. Cicely Courtneidge, however, seemed to thrive on this harsh treatment, which no doubt comes of having a farmer husband like Jack Hulbert who escapes to his property in Hertfordshire whenever possible. "Dinky” Reisner, by the way, is a son of the director, Charles Reisner, and began his youthful screen career with Charlie Chaplin in “The Pilgrim.” The tale shows how Lady Kate, a notorious night club singer, finds herself entrusted with the care of her sister's two children, Shirley and Tommy Spurgeon, of New York. The children set out for England, much to tho annoyance of their grandfather, who sends his son, Wilbur, to bring them back. Determined that the children shall know nothing of her night club activities. Lady Kate buys a farm and welcomes the children in her role of “Mise Kate Levering,” retired social worker. She slips away each evening to sing at the night club in London. Wilbur arrives and Joins the household, forgetful of bis mission. Following a quarrel with the management. Lady Kate walks out on the club. Knowing that once separated from the children she will return. the manager informs Sir Rowland Morton, local J.P., of "Miss Levering’s" identity. Sir Rowland orders her to give up Tommy and Shirley. Rather than let the children know who she is. Lady Kate tells them they must go back to America. Lady Kate returns to the club and bravely goes through with her act. She is astounded to see Sir Rowland in the audience. With him is his daughter whom Lady Kate once saved from an unpleasant situation and who has now made her father see his mistake. He gives the children into Kate's care, their grandfather approves, and Kate and Wilbur are planning to' marry as the story ends.

STATe THEATRE "WINGS OP THE MORNING.” From Dorm Byrne’* "Destiny Bay,” and from Incidents in other tales he wrote, the film, "Wings of the Morhtng,” which ia now screening at the State Theatre, has been evolved, and, rifling England and Ireland, the producers have included Kiilarnev, the Derby, the singing of John McCormack, Steve Donoghue himself, green fields and streams and graceful horses—and romance. The leading roles are taken by the American Henry Fonda and the new star Annabelia. and the action of one point turns upon the Spanish war which is apparently raging some 10 years hence. From this remarkably international assembly there has emerged an unusual film, striking because of its attempt to recapture the soft and rich colours of the Irish landscape, because of tho biazo of Derby Day and not because of its presentation of a new star. Annabelia is wonderful. She has been seen on the London stage and there made her conquest, on the screen she Is bewitching, accomplished, and never less than French. That is to say she is provocative, lovely, roguish, sparkling, and—as it is reported—the best-dressed woman on the films. Through this straightforward story she goes with her own grace of mind and movement a vital and colourful vision, and capable of greater things than she is asked to do. She appears In two roles, first as the wife of an Irish peer who marries her because she is a bewitching gipsy, second as her own great grand-daughter, betrothed to a Spanish nobleman and escaping from that riven country to Destiny Bay. where her great-grandmother and all of life’s excitement and love are waiting for her. Resolved into its simplest terms, the problem presented to the youthful Kerry, whom she finds there, is to win the Derby, the ambition of his life, or to win the girl. It is on the success of the horse Wings of tho Morning that the dowrie of Marie depends, and when the race takes place the great-grandmother is dying, a circumstance which jeopardises everything, for it is a rule of the race that the owner must be alive when the Derby is run. This, leading to its strange procession oi gipsies on the course, and its sudden turn of events which leaves Marie free to seek out Kerry in Ireland, is a striking finish to the picture. At every point the production is careful, the colour is brilliant, the cast is of proved ability. The r«te of the great-grandmother, Marie, also is played by Irene Vanbrugh, the port of the ! ill-fated peer is Leslie Banks, and Stewart Rome, Harry Tate and Helen Haye ail contribute to the success of the film. John McCormack sings several favourite Irish airs, and the introduction of the famous jockey, Steve Donoghue. with the picture of the remarkable race he rides to Win the Derby from another horse trained by Kerry-, give the final touches to the race scenes. The colour alone will serve as an attraction to many; its contribution to the charm of Artnabella is merely one of its virtues. The supporting programme contains newsreels, a cartoon and an excellent comedy. ’ KOSY THEATRE—NOW SHOWING “THE STREET SINGER'S RETURN" Arthur Tracy’s first film production Street Singer's Serenade," was rightly termed the "Happiness Picture of 1937.' A glorious modern musical romance, punctuated with many delightful song hits, including that great favourite, "The Whistling Waltz," "Street Singer's Serenade” established the world-famous "Street Singer” among the most popular stars o* the screen. In his new screen story Arthur Tracy is supported by a big cast, including Arthur Riscoe, clown prince oi comedians, lovely Margaret Lockwood, Hugh Wakefield, Rawicz and Landauer, celebrated piano duettists, who have had the honour of giving several performances before royalty; Ellen Pollock, and Lew Stone and his merry music-makers. Arthur Tracy appears as a famous singe*, who quarrels with his leading lady and "walks out" on the show’ in his "Street Singer” clothes. Mistaken for what he looks, he is befriended by a beautiful girl (Margaret Lockwood), who takes him to her tenement home, which she shares with her uncle (Arthur Riscoe) and with Tracy entering into the spirit of the adventure, the three become a trio of street entertainers. Meanwhile, the stage producers are searching high and low for Tracy, but Arthur has fallen in love with his little benefactress, and refuses to be “found.” How it all works out Is delightfully told in 90 minutes of sparkling entertainment. Interw’oven throughout the story are six song hits, including “Halfway to Heaven,” "Street Serenade” and "Haroun El Raschid,” that promise to rival In popularity even the merry numbers of "Street Singer’s Serenade.” “I Cover the War.” “Get the picture—we can’t screen alibis!” That’s the order that starts John Wayne, as a newsreel cameraman, off on a series of hair-raising adventures in faroff and little known Mesopotamia! That’s the plot and the locale of the new Universal picture, "I Cover the War,” which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. Wayne w’ill be seen as Bob Adams, ace newsreel cameraman, with orders to get motion pictures of Muffadhi. Arabian bandit and rebel, whom the British forces have been trying to find for years! He is supposed to do, with the aid of his pal, Elmer, what the whole British Empire had not been able to accomplish—to locate the rebel chief who is a thorn In the side of the British army. Bob gets his pictures all rght, but not before he has run the gamut of adventures which include romance under a desert moon, and bitter battles under the blazing desert sun! He meets gun runners, traitors, throat-cut-ting tribesmen, spies; helps Muffadhi to escape from the British, and then photographs him to the accompaniment of machine-gun fire, while he and his pal dash through the charging ranks of the tribesmen, using their sound truck as a tank, and photographing and recording the scene as they fight their way to safety! Don’t miss this thrill-jammed dramal