ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 19 March 1940, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS MAJESTIC, FINALLY TO-NIGIIT: “JAMAICA INN," WITH CHARLES LAUGHTON Charles Laughton has gone to sea again. His latest film. “Jamaica Inn,” concerns itself with th<» ship wrecking pirates who preyed along the Cornish coast before the British coast guards ended their nefarious trade. Laughton is the behind the scenes leader of a nolorious band whose headquarters are in the shunned "Jamaica Inn” on the bleak Cornish moors. Maureen O'Hara. Emlyn Williams. Leslie Banks and Robert Newton are in the cast. WEDNESDAY. “GOOD-BYE MR CHIPS,” WITH ROBERT DONAT Robert Donat, who gave the screen one of its finest performances as the idealistic doctor of “The Citadel.” once again reveals his consummate artistry and acting skill in “Good-bye, Mr Chips,” filmisation of the celebrated James Hilton novel, which commences af the Majestic Theatre on Wednesday. The story of “Mr Chips* ’is the story of the education of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly schoolmaster who comes to a large English school as a young man and passes his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his care, and when these boys grow up they send their sons back to “Mr Chips.” He meets and falls in love with a young and beautiful girl and when she ultimately dies the tragedy leaves “Chips” with a great human understanding and compassion. To the difficult role of “Chips” Robert Donat brings a forthright and sincere acting talent which marks him as one of the outstanding actors on the screen to-day. Playing four different stages in the life of the genial schoolmaster, from, youth j to old age, Donat makes him at once a human, breathing man. eccentric at | times, but always understandable and j lovable, and a symbol of the great profession of teaching. It is a performance which will live in the memory of screen-goers for some time to. come. Although “Good-bye, Mr Chips” is dominated by Donat’s powerful characterisation. tremendous appeal is offered in the role of his wife, played by Greer Garson, who has never before been seen on the serene, but whose work here insures her of stardom in the near future. Lovely to look at. Miss Garson gives a warmth and intimacy to the role of the young girl whose life is cut off all too soon which make her scenes with Donat among those which stand out with clarity and power. Not to be overlooked in a cast which includes some 2000 English boys, is little Terry Kilburn, child actor discovery of "Lord Jeff” and “A Christmas Carol.” who offers all his childish appeal to the part of Peter Colley in the new offering. The varied episodes of the story have been deftly woven together by Director Sam Wood whose contribution to the success of “Good-bye, Mr Chips,” is a large one. Among the thrilling moments of the story are the rescue of the heroine from a peak in the Tyrolean Alps, a spectacular air raid during the World War. and a great ball in the Vienna of the old days. Cricket and football matches add interest and fast action.

The romantic story surrounding Mendelssohn’s best-known composition—his “Wedding March”—in technicolour, is one of the most interesting of the supports. and will be appreciated by everyone for its beauty of production.

STATE: “CHARLIE CHAN IN RENO,” AND “NEWS IS MADE AT NIGHT”

In the biggest little city in the world. Chan meets his. lovliest and deadliest adversary in “Charlie Chan in Reno.” starring Sydney Toler. When a glamour girl’s life is cut short with a pair of scissors, the famous Oriental sleuth flies half-way round the world to this playground of lovely women—to save an innocent girl accused of murder. Ricardo Cortez, Phyllis Brooks, Slim Summerville and Kane Richmond head the supporting cast, under the direction of Norman Foster. The second feature, "News is Made at Night,” is a sorty behind the mask of a business leader and soclaiite, a high-pressure managing-editor" and his star girl re-, porter discover the master mind that murdered three people and hoaxed millions. Preston Foster plays with tremendous forcefulness the role of Steve Drum, the dynamic editor who fears nothing. Lynn Bari, in the part of the girl reporter, is not only good looking, but also very ingenious in keeping one step ahead of her boss whenever a new story breaks on the crime front. Russel Gleason, George Barbier, Eddie Collins and Minor Watson are also cofeatured in this picture, which was directed by Alfred Werker.

Commencing Thursday at the midnight matinee at 10.15 p.m. there will be a special premiere screening of the film “Nurse Edith Cavell.” Dedicated to the glory of woman’s courage this imperishable saga of sublime sympathy, human sacrifice and military ruthlessness is presented in profound and stirring tribute. A stor? of ore woman’s heroism standing gallantly against the might of German ruthlessness: her white radiance a sanctuary for the battle-worn soldiers she had to help symbolising her love and self-sacrifice typical of her sex. The part of this heroic nurse is gloriously portrayed by the brilliant actress Anna Neagle in her first Hollywood production with the inimitable Edna May Dlliver sharing

honours with George Sauciers, May Robson, Zasu Pitts, H. B. Warner. A special news item on the same programme depicts the arrival of the New Zealand and Australian Expeditionary Force in Egypt.

REGENT TO-NIGHT: MARGARET SULLAVAN IN “NEXT TIME W’E LOVE” AND “DANGEROUS WATERS”

“Next Time We Love.” starring Margaret Sullavan, is the mai i offering at the Regent Theatre to-day. Based on the novel by Ursula Parrott, the film has been produced by Universal as a modern romantic drama with settings in New York. Russia. Siberia, China, Rome and Switzerland. The story concerns a young couple, impulsively married, who try to pursue individual careers. The husband's wanderings around the world, the wife’s longing, the love of another man for the wife, the tempestuous conflict of emotions against a background of threatening world upheaval, combine to make the narrative a stirring recital. There is a play within a play, portraying Margaret Sullavan as the star ofa hit on Broadway. The dialogue, preserving the rich qualities of the novel, has been given new treatment by the director. Edward H. Griffith. The cast includes besides Miss Sullavan, James Stewart. Ray Milland. Grant Mitchell and Robert McWade. The associate feature. "Dangerous Waters.” is Universal’s thrilling drama of the open seas. This was directed by Lambert Hiltyer. Jack Holt is supported in the star role by Robert Armstrong. Grace Bradley, Diana Gibson. Charlie Murray and other screen favourites.