ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 June 1939, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

| CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: FINAL SCREENING “MOTHER CAREY’S CHICKENS.” TOMOOROW, THE RECORD BREAKING SHEEP-DOG STORY, “OWD BOB” That the novel by Kate Douglas Wig- ! gin was sold in many thousands when first published is indeed little surprising when one has viewed the adapted picture, “Mother Carey’s Chickens.” Here is vital heart-warming screen fare. The family’s quest for happiness and the story’s romantic conflicts combine in an honest wholesome and human drama —a welcome relief. “Mother Carey’s Chickens” is guaranteed entertainment for the whole family. Patrons are advised that the final screening takes place to-night

The picture said to carry the mose surprises of the year, one which has proved to be one of the greatest pieces of entertainment screened is “Ow’d Bob.” It is essentially a story of famous sheep dogs—a brilliant picturisation of the intelligence of those wonderful animals. But it also contains a human Scottish story that appeals to all. Will Fyfe, heralded as the logical successor to Sir Harry Lauder, gives an outstanding performance as the Scottish shepherd whose main quarrel in life concerns who has the best shepe dog in the country. In order to stress the appeal of this attraction, the management advises that while on circuit in the North Island this picture drew capacity houses in every town —Wanganui, New’ Plymouth. Palmerston North, Masterton, and many others. The picture gives the utmost in theatre entertainment

MAJESTIC: “ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.” HUGE SUCCESS: CROWDS TURNED AWAY

So heavy was the demand for seats at the Majestic on Saturday that it was impossible to accommodate everyone who sought admission, and consequently numbers of people who failed to reserve were reluctantly turned away. From the high praise which everyone who has seen “The Adventures of Robin Hood” has showered on the film, and the number of reservations made this morning, it is quite obvious that it W’ill be equally necessary to reserve for tonight to esure a suitable location. As only one more day is allocated to Nelson for this magnificent picture, and the matinees are being attended by the school children, each day evening seats are sure to be at a premium. “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” is a massive Technicolour melodrama, produced by Warner Bros., starring Errol Flynn, and featuring Olivia de Uavilland. Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, lan Hunter, and a supporting cast of some thousand players. The handsome young star, Errol Flynn, plays Robin. The beautiful young Olivia de Havilland is Maid Marian. This is their third picture together and in every way it excels its predecessors. This version of

“The Adventures of Robin Hood” is altogether different from the great picture which Douglas Fairbanks made in silent form in 1922. It is filled with fight-

| ing—bov/s and arrows, quarter staffs, pikes and broadswords being the weaj pons—and is played in immense and beautiful scenic settings both indoors and out. Michael Curtiz and William Keighley were the directors, and in the supporting cast are such star players as Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains, lan Hunter, Eugene Pallette. Alan Hale. Melville Cooper, Patric Knowles, Una O’Connor, Herbert Mundin and Montagu Love. A superb musical score, written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, is said to surpass anything ever done before. Years of research preceded the filming of the great production. All of the vast body of “Robin Hood” literature was fine-comb-ed by the research department of Warner Bros, in order to find out the customs of the folks of that era, what they wore, what they ate, what kind of furniture they had. and all the other details that make for authentic movie props. A special contingent of the department worked only on medieval weapons—bows and arrows, quarterstaves, and pikes, which play a large part in the action of the picture. The original story and the screen play were devised by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton L Miller, and has several of the well authenticated incidents contained in most of the legends surrounding England’s greatest outlaw, but the bulk of the story is original in form. Four of the eleven existing Technicolour cameras in the world, each valued at £7500. were employed throughout the making of this thrilling romance, which is described as the outstanding adventure picture of the 1938 film season. On Wednesday “Robin Hood** will give place to “Manhattan Melodrama,” a comedy-drama starring Myrna Loj, Franchot Tone and Clark Gable. REGENT: TO-NIGHT, EDWARD G. ROBINSON IN “1 AM THE LAW" AND "START CHEERING.” “Little Caesar” turns gang-smashert A fighting prosecutor hands crime lesson it will never forget in “I Am the Law.” a slashing drama Edward G. Robinson’s, the screen’s most dynamic star, returns to the Regent screen tonight in the story Columbia said wai too hot to handle. Wholesale slayings, widespread racket terror enslave a huge city until a mild-mannered college professor loses his temper to mop up the mobs Robinson, as the professor, stage* a crusade against organised vice which rocks the city to its foundations. In a thrilling climax, he rounds up the small fry and higher-ups of the underworld and dramatically proves to them that they cannot get away with murder. Also in the case of the sensational new film are Wendy Barrie. Otto Kruger, Barbara O'Neil and John BeaL Alexander Hall, who did “There’s Always a Woman,” also directed “I Am the Law.* Jo Swerling wrote the original story and screenplay.

The associate attraction is Columbia’* “Start Cheering.” which promises to be the dizziest comedy of the year and presents an enormous cast of screen favourites. First of all there is Jimmy “Schnozzle” Durante, the wild-eved wag of stage, screen and radio fame. Then there’s Walter Connolly, as good as new after his harrowing experiences as Fredric March’s managing editor in “Nothing Sacred.” Further examination of the case discloses the lovely Joan Perry; popular Charles Starrett; Gertrude Niesen. husky-toned singing star of radio and the musical stage; Raymond Walburn, comedian extraordinary; the Three Stooges, the screen’* premier madmen; Broderick Crawford, who is now astounding Broadway audiences with his performance in “Q# Mice and Men.” and Hal Leßojh crackerjack-tap-dancer.