THE NEW FILMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25344, 27 October 1945, Page 4

THE NEW FILMS

A POOH SELECTION ONLY AVERAGE COMEDIES BT A STAFF C'OH RESPONDENT "Three is a Family" (Century Theatre) is u cheaply-made film version of an American striae farce of no more than average quality. It has some genuinely funny moments, but scarcely enough to make it more than mediocre entertainment. Jn its original version the plot was tailored to fit the confines of a simile stage setting, and Hollywood's attempts to .split up the action in order to avoid visual monotony have only loosened dramatic tics and caused nil ill ready sprawling story to fall further apart. A Sol Lesser production released through Vnited Artists, "Three is a Family" is a rather incoherent tale of the housing shortage in New York. Charles Ruggles and Fay Bainter rent an apartment in a city building where children are not allowed. 1 heir daughter arrives to live with them after her serviceman Husband lias sxono into camp, bringing with her a pair of infants. These six-months-old children are played liy the Lamhertson twins who, in the manner of all film babies, steal every scene in which they appear, and generally act much more intelligibly than any of the adult members of the cast. At this point the playwright apparently ran out of ideas, for lie repeats this situation ad nauseam, bringing on to the scene at regular intervals, with little attempt at logic, either young -women with babies or young women about to have them. It may have been funnier on the stace than it is on the screen, where the lack of variety speedily palls. Although the cast includes some competent actors and actresses, few make any effort to make their roles believable. Charles ftuggles does his best with e, role that allows him little opportunity, while Helen Eroderick does her worst -with one that offers considerable scope. Hattie McDaniel, the screen's most famous coloured maid, has little to say, hut, nevertheless, makes plenty of noise, apparently being included in the east merely to fill up any otherwise quiet moments with gales of insane laughter. Children are more likely to be bewildered than amused by "Three is n Family." However, there is nothing in the film to make it unsuitable for them. "Bring on the Girls" (Regent Theatre) is not as bad as its title might suggest. In the past there have been too many films which have sought to compensate for lack of story and paucity of ideas generally by introducing interminable parades of technicoloured females clad in little but vacuous smiles. Although "Bring on the Girls" carries out the threat of its title on several occasions, it mercifully takes them off again before the audience has time to become bored, and for the remainder of its length devotes itself to the more sensible business of providing bright and tuneful entertainment.

Its story is, unfortunately, just as weak as any of its predecessors in this field, but if one regards it more as a musical revue —a chain of song and dance numbers, interspersed with knockabout comedy—it is fair entertainment. Technicolour assists in creating the illusion that the film is better than it really is. Eddie- Bracken, a likeable young comedian with an unassuming manner, and Sonny Tufts, a comparative newcomer to the screen, do their best with what little story there is, but they are not helped any by Veronica Lake, whp succeeds in making an already improbable character quite incredible. Marjorie Reynolds has little to do but look pleasant in the background from time to time. By far the best sequence is one in which Spike Jones and his orchestra stage a novelty number called "Chloe," which they have already made famous on records. It is clever and well done. "Bring on the Girls" is suitable for children "A Royal Scandal" (Plaza Theatre) is not up to the usual standard of an Ernst Lubitscb comedy. It has clever dialogue and some very subtle touches, but the story, perhaps because it is a costume piece, tends to drag heavily toward the end. Based upon a play, it is obviously more suited to the stage than to the screen, where its lack of variety grows somewhat monotonous. Whatever the film's inherent weaknesses, however, it is impossible not to enjoy Tallulah Bankhead's rich performance ns Catherine the Great of Kussia. Other actresses have essayed this role—Marlene Dietrich and even line West —hut only Miss Bank head seetfis to belong in the part. Her portrayal of the imperious and capricious Catherine in all her mercurial moods is a fascinating one. A newcomer to the screen, William Eytlie, is cast as an impetuous young lieutenant in the Czarina's army who attracts Catherine's favour, with the usual consequences. He is young and idealistic enough to be hurt when he finds that he is but the latest in a long chain, and his unthinking reaction precipitates the scandal of the film's title.

Charles Coburn is as effective as ever as Nicolai, Catherine's wily, dishonest, but nevertheless invaluable chancellor, and Anne Baxter, as the young lieutenant's fiancee, provides a good foil to the jealous and ageing Empress. Children are not likely to find "A Royal Scandal" very attractive.

MUSICIANS' WAGES AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS Increased rates of remuneration have been granted by the Arbitration Court in an amendment to the Northern, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago and Southland Performing Musicians' Award, . the new rates being retrospective to April 1. The existing minimum weekly wage has been increased by "lis 8d a week. Hourly •workers will receive from 3d to 6d an hour more, and performance workers from Is Id to 3s 2d a performance above the previous rates. Every performer employed at general theatrical performances, including operatic, touring pictures, dramatic, comedy and vaudeville performances, * is to receive £5 6s 8d weekly for six performances. For each matinee, all performers are to be paid 14s 9d. Performers nt resident vaudeville or variety shows are to receive £-1 lis 8d a week for six night performances. Performers engaged on tour are to be paid an allowance of 10s 6d for each day or part of a day they are absent from their home town. Performers engaged in cafes, tearooms and hotels between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. are to receive 5s 6d an hour, or, for a weeklv engagement, not less than £2 16s Btl a week. Now rates are also fixed for single pianists or orchestras engaged for concerts, card parties, dances, assemblies, cabarets, skating rinks and night clubs.