Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 187, 9 August 1940, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “FRENCH WITHOUT TEARS” Paramount has made Terence Rattigan’H saucy pl&y. “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 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 adventures of Brian (Guy ( Middleton) with Chi-Chi (Toni Gable), ! the life and work of the school run along i smoothly enough till the arrival of youig 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 be 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 room for the discomfort of a camp stretcher in Brian’s den. Alan’s worst suspicions are confirmed when ho meets Diana, all curls and coyness, while ho is shifting his books and other gear to make way for her. Yet, as it turns out, he has the advantage over the others, who ] fall for her “sweetness” like a row of j 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. With “interests’’ in the town, the nonchalant Brian remains heart-whole, but Chris is in a high fever of love, and lie takes very unkindly to Diana’s and the commander’s mutual approbation of each other’s attentions. In fact, tension piles up to the point of assault and battery, the commander being finally submerged ill the element from which he had derived his career and his dignity. As usual, Ray Milland’s acting is tidy and nicely adjusted, but Jim Gerald and Panine Darcey run away with most of the acting honours as well as giving the whole frothy show a real French tang. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “MY LITTLE CHICKADEE” Since her very first picture, Mae West has followed a custom of introducing at least one new song In each of her films. And her present Universal picture, “My Little Chickadee,” now snowing at the Mayfair Theatre, is no exception. In this production, Mae 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 J 3 pursued by many a maid because of his fortune and his gold teeth. Gene Austin and Candy and Coco accompany the star for this number. Miss West is starred with W. C. Fields in “My Little Chickadee.” Also on the same programme “Oh Johnny, How You Can Love,” starring Tom Brown, and Peggy Moran, plus “The Green Hornet.”

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “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 bon, My Son!” one of the finest pictures of tne year. This new film drama, which Is be- , ing released by United Artists at the State Theatre to-day. “My Son, My Son!” lias a brilliant array of stars in Madeliene Carroll, Brian Aherne and Louis Hayward, a trio which enhances I the picture by down-to-earth, unforgettable acting. Others who turn In excel- ! lent performances includo Harry Hall, jone of the best contemporary character actors, Josephine Hutchinson, Laraine Dav, Sophie Stewart and Bruce Lester. With his usual skill for maintaining swift tempo and clear characterisation, Chai-les 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!” is rich in emotional implications and everyday 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 ho has brought 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; Brian Aherne and Louis Hayward, as William and Oliver respectively, play their parts with understanding and humanity which points to the story brilliantly; and the other members of the cast in the supporting roles make many notable contributions, “My Son, My Son!” definitely belongs among the great pictures that from time to time come out of Hollywood to surprise the millions of moviegoers all over the world. It is a memorable screen accomplishment because for sheer entertainment. It hasn’t been—and is unlikely to be—surpassed in a long time to come. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “SWISS MISS” Laurel and Hardy reach a new peak of comedy in an Alpine setting, climbing to dizzy heights of mirth in “Swiss Miss,’’ their new musical film. Their efforts to sell mouse traps to cheese producers, including demonstrations of tho devices, all of which in ingenuity would do credit to Rube Goldberg, are sequences as hilarious as have ever come to the screen. In success or in despair, their reactions never fail to hit the bell of pure and unadulterated comedy. Romance enters the picture in the persons of Della Lind and Walter Woolf King. Their vocal numbers are well above the average and the music written especially for this production by Phil Chraig possesses warmth and melodic appeal. Miss Lind, dainty and blonde, is a Viennese star of stage and screen who is making her American debut In “Swiss Miss.” Another favourite in the cast is Eric Blore, who as King's gentleman’s gentleman garners a full quota of laughs for his amusing byplay. “Lucky Night.” A scintillating new comedy team comes to the Kosy Theatre to-day In “Lucky Night,” in which Myrna Loy and Robert Taylor make their first appearance together before tho cameras. Interweaving moving heart throbs with uproarious laughter, tho 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 park bench, they gamble, frolic and fight their way to fortune, get married, quarrel over the family budget, separate and come together again after a series of mad-as-march-hare complications as hilarious as they are novel. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “CHEER, BOYS, CHEER” A frothy comedy to suit all tastes, “Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” starring Edmund Gwenn and Nova Pilbean, is now showing at the Meteor Theatre. The story opens with Ironsides Brewery out to secure control of its smaller rival, the Greenleaf concern which enjoys the twin advantages of an excellent bitter and a useful chain of lucrative hotels. Ironside’s son. John, gets a job with Greenleaf’s as publicity manager, planning to ruin the firm with extravagant bills, but he falls In love with Greenleaf’a daughter and decides to forsake his nefarious scheme. Ironsides look like winning the battle for a time, but in a thrilling sequence Dan Cupid takes the honours. The funniest sequence takes place when Jimmy O’Dea, as tho Greenleaf’s chief brewer, dopes the Ironsides vats with a concoction that causes all who drink it to burst into r. Yo , Ung Ironside’s romance \\ th Greenleaf s daughter produces some witty wisecracks, while additional comedy comes from two brewers who are perh r ot Wttl , er - Edmund Gwenn is ; i v-iL aSeible v I !: ol i s,de ’ while c - v. Frances Nov» Piihf’n® hed t P o r . trayal as Greenleaf. Nova Pilbean and Peter Coke are capable nv!r». ac leads antl Jimmy O’Dca puts over his own brand of humour with Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott as his two worthy assistants. Others in the cast include Alexander Knox, Sidney Moncktoi and Ivor Barnard. y