ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 7 November 1938, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: "THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER" IN TECHNICOLOUR SHOWING TO RECORD HOUSES. Following on its brilliant success in other parts “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" opened to record capacity houses, which were again maintained on Saturday afternoon and evening. This wonderful attraction, appealing to audiences of all ages, is one of the finest productions it has been the State's pleasure to present and patrons are urged to avail themselves of these last two opportunities of viewing this film as the season definitely concludes tomorrow (Tuesday) night. David A. Selznick’s enchanting adaptation of Mark Twain’s "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” equals in pictorial beauty and human interest anything he has done. In its type, the film is almost perfect. All the richly humorous incidents are captivatingly depicted. The film is in technicolour, which gives an added fascination to the production. It is superb entertainment, and it enhances the reputation of its makers, as well as introducing a new boy actor, a sensitive refreshingly natural lad, with the glint of mischief in his eye. This is Tommy Kelly, who makes a great success of his first picture. Sharing his success with him is Ann Gillis, as the coy and romantic Becky Thatcher, who is involved in her sweetheart’s most sensational adventure, when the two children get lost in the great caves. This is a brilliant piece of imaginative production. The period of the story has been re-created in a way that brings out the comparative serenity of existence during Tom Sawyer’s days, when modern civilisation had not penetrated into the sleepy village that gave youth its greatest fictional hero. By ringing phone 1144 patrons may make immediate reservations for the remainder of the season.

MAJESTIC FINALLY TO-NIGHT DELIGHTFUL GAY COMEDY “BLUEBEARD’S EIGHTH WIFE” WITH GARY COOPER AND CLAUDETTE COLBERT

The rafters of the Majestic have resounded to merry laughter over the season of “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife” and those who have failed to see this splendid comedy should re-act to its all pervading and hilarious fare to-night, the final presentation. "Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife” is modern-style film farce, with ,a difference. The difference is supplied by Alfred Savoir, who wrote the original French play, and Ernst Lubitsch, who understands how to handle these things. Claudette Colbert has seldom seemed more witty and alluring than she does as this saucy, defiant intriguer. Anyone who has not seen her for some time will be surprised at the development of her acting. Mr Cooper has at times looked more handsome than he does in "Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife”; but then the aim here is whimsy rather than .aesthetic value. Again and again, this remarkably accomplished actor gives point and finish to an incident with some clever touch or other. Edward Everett Horton is superb as the eighth wife’s impecunious and impudent old father; and David Niven succeeds in a quieter way as the man who aspires to be the eighth wife's lover. Ernst Lubitsch directed the film. No one can convey daring lines and situations as harmlessly as he, owing to the polish with which he surrounds them.

Fresh from his triumphs as the pirate chief’s blustering lieutenant in Cecil B. DeMille’s "The Buccaneer,” Akim Tamiroff returns to the screen in a dramatic story of the rise and fall of a political ringmaster in Paramount’s "Dangerous to Know" which has its local premiere to-morrow. Mysterious Anna May Wong has a leading role as his adviser and hostess, while others in the cast of the picture are Gail Patrick, Lloyd Nolan and Roscoe Karns. "Dangerous To Know” is gripping, enthralling entertainment of a strange woman’s love which turned to hate when she realised the man she loved planned to harm innocents she knew.

REGENT: TO-NIGHT AT 8 O’CLOCK, "RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED” AND "SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT ”

The first cf a series of exciting action films “Renfrew of the Royal Mounted” is based on the adventures of the famous radio and fiction character with James Newill in the title role. Newill. noted radio singing star, who makes his first important screen appearance in the picture, in the character of the dashing, carefree Sergeant Renfrew, is teamea with the charming and brunette Caroi Hughes, one of th emost popular of Hollywood’s younger leading women, Newill’s magnificent baritone voice is heard frequently through the picture, adding effectively to his fine dramatic performance. “Lightning,” the famous police dog of the screen, also has an important part as Sergeant Renfrew’s aide and companion in his pursuit of the counterfeiting band. The “Renfrew" series each of which is a complete show in itself, are receiving exceptionally favourable comment and its inception ir Nelson is eagerly awaited. The associate feature “Something to Sing About” presents the inimitable Jimmy Cagney with all the pep and thrill filled entertainment for which this popular star is famous. The story was written by Victor Schertzinger, who also directed it, composing the music and lyrics, and Schertzinger has been a prominent Hollywood figure for the best part of the past two decades. Cagney plays the part of a popular New York orchestra leader, who is signed to a motion picture contract, brought to Hollywood and there transformed into a motion picture star. All these have their day with the imported orchestra leader, who turns out to be a movie star of the first magnitude, but when his day comes, it need not be concealed that the dynamic Jimmy makes up for lost time. “Something to Sing About” demonstrates th% vast versatility of th' popular star, who has never been seen on the screen before as a song and dance artist of premier talent, which he surely is, but it does not fail to give Cagney fans their favourite as they know him best—a vital, two-fisted, battling Irish lad, whose heart is always running away with his head