ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 25 October 1940, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS MAJESTIC: “FLORIAN,” STARRING ROBERT YOUNG, HELEN GILBERT, AND IRINA BARONOVA, FAMED RUSSIAN BALLERINA. A cavalcade of world turmoil and the collapse of an empire, against which is traced a tender romance is the story of “Florian.” long-heralded adaptation ol Felix Salten's famous novel of the fall of the Hapsburgs following the last World War. current attraction at the Majestic. Filled with spectacular sequences showing the pomp of Imperial Austria before the war. the picture follows the nation's fate through th< World War. revolution, and collapse of the Empire, tracing their effects on r. pair of lovers and a magnificent stallion, once the steed of the Emperor. Robert Young, as a groom in the Imperial Stables, and Helen Gilbert, new acting discovery, fall in love despite their difference in station, drawn together by mutual love for the horse. The girl, a royal duchess, is betrothed to an archduke, played bv Lee Bowman, by order of the Emperor (Reginald Owen'. The archduke has an affair wi*h a ballerina, played by exotic Irina B a ion ova. brought to the studio from Europe tor the picture. The war, revo’uiion and fall the Hapsburg dynasty wipe away social barriers and solve the problem of the lovers. The picture brings tc the screen an amazing horse actor in “Florian.” a Lippizan Imperial horse presented by the Austrian Government to Maria Jeritza. opera star. The animal is seemingly human in its intelligence. Robert Young plays the her engagingly and Miss Gilbert, formei studio ’cellist discovered by Winfield Sheehan, producer of the picture, gives a dignified and restrained performance as the noblewoman. Miss Baronova as the fiery dancer not only acts a dramatic role with great skill but figures in a spectacular ballet in a reproduction of one of Franz Josef's imperial receptions. In perfect make-up. Reginald Owen enacts the Emperor, practically duplicating the original after careful study of his personality and habits. Charles Coburn has the sympathetic role of the kindly veterinarian who befriends the lovers. Lee Bowman i.i a dashing figure as the archduke and Lucile Watson scores as the countess. STATE: WALT DISNEY’S “PINOCCHIO” Remember the charm and beauty and appeal of the classic? Now they are immeasurably amplified and enhanced b3 r the matchless Disney artistry—by the genius and imagination of this wizard of fantasy who guided his 1200 craftsmen to breathe life and colour and beauty and motivation into the immortal characters. They toiled for more than a year, developing 2000 new shades and colours, and 500.00 individual drawings. And out of this labour emerged “Pinocchio,” a magnificent entertainment, brimming with gay. brilliant melody, side-splitting laughter. and boundless excitement. Known to millions the world over. “Pinocchio” concerns an engaging puppet created by a kindly old wood-carver who si brought to life by the magic star of the Blue Fairy. In human company, Pinocchio runs afoul, and his adventures with Monstro, the whale: Stromboli, the circus puppeteer: J. Worthington Foulfellow, the villainous Fox; Lampwick, the tough boy: and the Coachman, who traps Pinocchio into going to Pleasure Island where bad boys are turned into lonkeys—are fast —action exciting sequences, spiced with six tantalising tunes, gorgeous life-like animation in multiplane Technicolour, magnificent fun and high jinks. All ih all, “Pinocchio” is 90 minutes of a unique screen experience. REGENT, TO-NIGHT: “TELEVISION SPY” AND “NIGHT WORK” A drama which plunges boldly into the world of to-morrow, one which shows a brilliant young scientist fighting courageously to keep his discoveries in the field of long-range television

out of the hands of enemy powers, which finds him falling in love with a lovely girl via television across three thousand miles of space. That is Paramount’s “Television Spy,” featuring William Henry. Judith Barrett, William Collier, Sr.. Anthony Quinn and Richard Denning. Briefly. the story tells how Henry, young scientist, perfects long-range television for a crusty, wealthy old sponsor, William Collier, Sr. Testing his equipment, Henry tunes in on a bootleg station using his own wave length. A lovely girl— Judith Barrett—is operating. and photos of his plans are on a table near by. Henry subsequently learns that Miss Barrett’s father has been duped into constructing the set by a gang of spies which plans to sell the equipment to enemy powers. When the schemers attempt to destroy Miss Barrett and her father. Henry fights back with all the scientific knowledge at his command, and the picture speeds to a dramatic conclusion. A human, hilarious story of life as it really is lived in a typical American home is told in the new Paramount comedy. “Night Work.” The picture deals again with the “Fitches,” that lovable riotous family which made its screen debut in “Boy Trouble.” Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles. who have been cast so often and successfully on the screen as man and wife, again play the harassed heads of the "Fitch” family. PICTURES AT RICHMOND Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew wear the smart uniforms of military school cadets for co-starring roles in “Spirit of Culver” which screens at Richmond Theatre qji Saturday afternoon and evening. In addition to many dramatic and comedy scenes the picture is high-lighted by parades and the gaiety of school life.