ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24134, 28 November 1941, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

M St. James' Theatre.—With Spencer Tracy again cast. as Father Flanagan, the priest whose understanding of homeless boys led to the building of Boys Town, near Omaha, in the United States, and with Mickey Roonev once more playing,the role of Whitev Marsh, now the Mayor of Boys Town and Father Flanagan's right-hand man, the inspiring film "Men of Boys Town" continues to attract large audiences to St. James' Theatre. This picture, which is produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Maver, is in no sense a sequel to "Bovs Town," but, like that film, centres about the character of Father Flanagan. Spencer i racy makes him a most lovable character, with a sense of humour, a rare understanding of human nature and a complete disregard for money. The story of "Men of Boys Town" «is even more compelling than that of its predecessor, dealing as it does with Father Flanagan's fight against the brutality in corrective school treatment of youth. Tracy makes a gripping speech in the picture, calling foj- the public to arouse itself against any handling of boys except that which will teach youth to become good, upstanding citizens. One of the dramatic highlights of the film is the way in which Father Flanagan works out his greatest problem, a boy murderer, -while another is Whitey's adoption by two wealthy people, which takes him away from Boys Town, and his involvement in the crime of a boy he tries to help. Eegent Theatre.—Comedian Bob Hope tops all his previous performances in his latest picture, "Caught in the Draft," which will continue a successful season at the Regent Theatre today. With him is cast glamorous Dorothy Lamour, who, minus her sarong, gives a very effective performance as the daughter of a colonel with whom Bob falls desperately in love. In this riotous farce of army life Bob is cast as a movie idol who meets Dorothy on a Hollywood»set. Taken by surprise he l'cflects that she looks like "Dorothy Lamour with clothes on," and then after having fallen into a bath of mud he resolves to marry the beautiful girl and thus save himself from being caught by the draft bill which has just been passed. Unfortunately for Bob his advances are rejected and in order to prove that he is no coward he enlists lin the army. Here again his scheme goes wrong and he is accepted, much to the heroine's amusement. In camp, Bob, who is gun shy, despairs of ever becoming a soldier and winning the stripe that will enable him to marry Dorothy. His series of adventures include tank rides, going aloft with the parachute troops and saving part of the army from destruction. One of the most humorous scenes in the film is provided by Bob's antics when given fatigue duty. With his two friends he is forced to peel piles and piles of potatoes until he has a decided aversion to that kind of food. Century Theatre. —Alexander Korda's latest film, "Lydia," considered to be one of the most dramatic love stories to come from Hollywood, enters its second week at the Century Theatre to-dav. The film, which is distinguished by remarkably fine production and an intense and searching story, has as its principal beautiful Merle Oberon, who is supported by a quartet of suitors. This film story of the loves of a Boston debutante examines the heart of a woman in a manner never before attempted on the screen. George Gotten, as the son of the family butler, who becomes a doctor, renders a portrayal that leaves little to be desired, while as the football player. George Reeves contributes much of the humour of the film Merle Oberon is more than usually charming and vivacious and shows her undoubted talents for character acting in the title role. A feature of the picture is the way in which she handles the transition from youth to old age. As the blind concert pianist, Hans Yarav, and Alan Marshal, as the naval officer, who is Lydia's last and greatest love, give sterling performances. The film was directed by JuTien Duvivier, and he has vested it with a lavish production. accurate and true in all details to the Boston locale of the story. The strong supporting cast includes Edna May Oliver, John Hallidav and Sara Allgood. Strand Theatre. —Elisabeth Bergner presents two splendid character studies in the Paramount production "Stolen Life.'' which will commence a return season, after a period o£ over two years, at the Strand Theatre to-day. The film was produced by her husband, Dr. Paul Czinncr. In it she plays a dual role, taking the parts of twin sisters who outwardly are identical, but whose personalities differ widely. They both fall in love with the same man, an alpine climber, played by Michael Redgrave, but while one twin, Sylvina, is sincere, the other. Martina, is only temporarily interested. With her flair for emotional acting. Elisabeth Bergner conveys the two characters to the audience with subtle differentiation. However, when Martina, who had married Redgrave, is drowned, and Sylvina seizes her opportunity to take her place as his wife, the actress excels herself. Acting the part of a girl who is superficially the same as her sister, and, although the opposite emotionally, is striving to appear identical in this respect as well, she times and interprets the difficult roles to perfection. Redgrave plays his part with admirable straightforwardness. ■