ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 17 December 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS I STATE: NOW SHOWING, ENGLAND'S UPROARIOUS ARMY COMEDY ! “SALLY OF THE REGIMENT.” I There was a lime when Hollywood ■ was considered to he the only producer j of spectacular films: hut that day is . definitely past, and one realises this particularly whilst watching the new | Gaumonl-British film, ‘‘Sally of the Re- ' j giment.” which opens at the State to- , day. Here is a picture from English studios that has not only spectacle, hut thrilling action, tense drama, | comedy and laughable situations. It is i a film of life and adventure with the 1 British Army and as such, it can be heartily recommended to the most blase of picturcgoers. The story ccn- , Ires around Wallace Ford, who stars . ir. the role of Jimmy Tracey, a Bow- -' cry tough fleeing from murder susi picion in New York, and joining the ,: British Army under an assumed name j j to escape detection. Here he meets the > | Sergeant-Major’s daughter, Sally, played > ' by Anna Lee, and fails in love with her. He has a rival, however, in Bert, j the lance-corporal (John Mills), and the ’ j competition between the two men for | Sally’s favours, provides some of the I I most amusing scenes in the film. J Jimmy’s past comes back to him for|cibly when the fiirl friend (Grace Brad- | Icy) he left in New York, and who j knows his secret, reappears. In a panic, , | lie desserts the army and stows away . ! in a ship, by mistake, finding himself j on the same ship that is taking his regi- ) I merit out to the East. Here follow the - j spectacular battle scenes showing the -1 clash .if British troops with Oriental ■ I bandits, tanks and armoured cars swooping on hordes of brigands, the • | blowing up of a great bridge 300 feet 1 1 in the air, and the firing of an Eastern ' | city. Production statistics tell one that over 10,000 British troops took part in i “Sally of the Regiment,” which was made with the full co-operation of the British War Office. The British soldier is seen on the parade ground, at the regimental concert, taking part in boxing, being reviewed by the King, em- . i barking for the East, and plunging into .; battle. Every ounce of dramatic ac- | tion has been packed into this by Di- , i rector Raoul Walsh, who adds yet . ! another feather to his directorial cap , | that already bears the triumphs of i “Cock-Eyed World” and “What Price f ! Glory.” As “Sally,” Anna Lee gives a >j vivacious performance that fulfils ail ‘ | the promise she has shown in the ! past. Anna has everything—beauty, tal- ■ | ent, and above all—brains. Wallace ’ j Ford, who returned to England for the ’ first time in many years to make this ji film, has never done a better piece lof work than the tough-guy “Jimmy : j Tracey,” and the same may be said for ’ I John Mills, who will be remembered ! for his fine performance as Brown in ■ “Brown on Resolution.” This lad is well ion the way to stardom. Frank Celi tier scores as a blustering sergeant- | major, and others in the strong cast jsre Laurence Anderson, Arthur Seaton and Peter Croft. Plans are now on view at Beggs. i B MAJESTIC: LAST NIGHT, “KID j | GALAHAD.” AT 2 P.M. TO-MOR-ROW, GRAG’IE FIELDS IN “THE j SHOW GOES ON.” I “Kid Galahad” which screened to an | enthusiastic audience last night is a j film right out of the box. It is tense i exciting fare. It is one of the best com- ! binations of boxing ard human interest I that lias ever been filmed. Bette Davis, ■ ! Edward G. Robinson .Humphrey Bo- ‘ i gart and Wayne Morris are starred I and splendid characterisation are giv!en by each and all. There’s i no fake business about the championj ship fight in this picture. Mr Morris j gives it and takes it, not in the most j scientific manner but certainly withj out relying on camera-fighting. The | roar of the crowds, the lighting of the ! scene, the ring-side incidents —all these | are wonderfully produced and most j thrilling. The cutting has been done I with discrimination, and a good sense of tempo, and the picture works up to its dramatic climax in a way which is not noticed at the time but which is realised afterwards. As a technical j achievement in photography. sound, ’ I cutting and acting “Kid Galahad” is | fine work. ! For Saturday's presentation the management have been fortunate in sccur- [ ing the latest Grade Fields attraction “The Show Goes On.” This film was selected for the Coronation celebrations in Britain. The film, which somewhat reflects Gracie's own life, was a happy choice for this auspicious occasion as | she is undoubtedly one of the Empire’s I greatest ambassadors of happiness. Miss Fields is ably supported in the musical comedy by Cyril Ritchards, well known to New Zealand audiences as Madge Elliott's partner. Bubbling over with laughter and happiness “The Show Goes On” gives Miss Fields opportunity to sing in her inimitable manner six songs, “The Co-op Shop,” “My Love for You”, “I Never Cried So Much in All My Life”, “A Song in Your Heart”, “You’ve Got to Smile When You Say Goodbye” and “We're All Good Pals Together.” The film ' • tl o most novel an l best mounted of Miss Fields’ to date and audiences are assured of a new and greater Grade. Owing to the popularity of this artist in Nelson intending patrons are advised to make early reservation. REGENT: TO-NIGHT “TOLL OF THE ROAD” AND “VIRGINIA JUDGE.” j “Toll of the Road” which begins its season at the Regent to-night is spon- ! sored by the Hon. R. Semple. Minister | of Transport. Coinciding with the pre- | sent campaign being conducted in New j Zealand for greater safety on the roads, ! this is an unusual film. Steps being i taken by authorities in America to check this disastrous toll form the draI matic basis of a fast-moving romance in [ a film (hat will not easily he forgotten. In spite of the avowed object ' of the film, however, entertainment : value has not been sacrificed, as can ] be seen from the east which stars 1 Randolph Scott and Frances Drake. No ] crude scenes of wholesale slaughter < are shown, but there is a restrained 1 presentation of the sorrow innocent i families suffer and the far-reaching ; effects on the community of irrespon- t sible driving. A particularly fine per- c formance is given by Frances Drake, I the dashing young society girl who i cares nothing for the danger to oth- 1 ers so long as her car can do 80 m.p.h. 1 Her gradual transformation under the s influence of Randolph Scott and her a

self-sacrificing attempt to shield her brother from gaol are not the last skilled parts of an engrossing film that is certain to create a stir wherever it is seen. The associate feature “Virginia Judge” is a happy combination of gay comedy and heart warming drama. The film deals with the many laugh-provoking cases which confront a small-town southern judge in the Tidewater country of Virginia, as well as depicting the joys and sorrows, pleasures and disappointments simple townsfolk in a small community experience. The town, individually and collectively, come to the judge with their troubles. Only the son whom he worships remains antagonistic to his advice and sympathy. A thrill packed climax brings the boy to a true appreciation of his father’s character. Marsha Hunt, Stepin Fetchit and Johnny Downs are in the cast. Chapter 7 of the thrilling serial Ace Drummond “The Trackless Trail” will complete another outstanding week-end programme. Patrons are advised to make reservations early.