AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS

THE NEW PROGFIAMMES EMPIRE THEATRE “UTILE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY" Modem slap-stick comedy scores an uproarious success in the, Empire Theatre’s latest feature " Little Tough Guys in Society.” Up till now, Hollywood has been very earnest on the subject of bad little slum* boys and how they should be handled, but here the toughness of a gang of East Side alley kids is converted into humour, dt is • rather a pleasant change and Universal Studios have made the fun fast and furious. Instead of having the slum youngsters packed off to a 'reformatory school the story sends them, as the title suggests, into high society. As a means of hiding from the police until their latest exploit has been forgotten, the gang engineers its way to a country estate, the mistress of which has given invitations to a party of well-behaved city children in the hope that they might effect a cure to the lazy, highbrow, and tremendously rbored young lord of-the estate. The result is boisterous farce, and. provided one, has not got beyond the ' stage "being' able to appreciate honest-to-goodness slapsltck, it is excellent fun. There are clever sidelines in this film. For instance, there is a subtle dig at modern psychology through a character played by Mischa Auer. He is a psychiatrist whose method is to baffle his clients with science, or, rather, with a flow of ..complicated.... high-sounding phrases Which rnight seem to indicate weighty knowledge. It is really his Idea when he is called in to cope with the bored son to bring bis victim into contact •with some .representatives of the under-privileged classes. The Invasion of young toughs is the result. It is a heaven-sent opportunity for both sides, and the “tough guys" certainly shake

the pampered heir, put oi'hia torpor. Everybody benefits, although the process Is unorthodox, to say the least of ■it The slum kids are about as much pt .home in society as a bull in a china shop, and when things' started to ' hap'waar 'tyhen they iiiade their arrival—they kept moving 1 at top speed. The . cant la an excellent one. Mary Boland,, makes the fervent, highlystrung mother a real character, and Edward Everett Horton uses another opportunity to portray a horrified English butter, a job which no one can jdo better than he. Helen Parrish comes .into it as a beautiful and refined schoolgirl, the object of the spoilt darling’s affections, and the little bored boy-himself Is splendidly played by Jackie Searle. Once he is got out of bed. he develops apar- , and proves himself a match for ; the invaders. “Little Tough Guys in Society” offers a good laugh indeed; Jt is well supported by featurettes, which Include “ Going Places ’’ chapters a “ Sailor Mouse’" eabtOon/a musical short, and a further episode in the adventures of the Lone Ranger.; Box plans are at the theatre and the D.LC. IjtJEGENT THEATRE FILM which- made an obvious impression on itsifirst night audlenceat the Regent Theatre last night, is one of the most unusual films to come otit of Hollywood to date. It is distinguished from most productions oI its kind by the striking sincerity of its treatment and the rare' sympathy 1 and understanding which it contains. .It makes its appeal by sheer merit; instead of by any of the innumerable meretricious aids' upon which the American pictures of this kind too often rely. This is probably due in lafge measure to the fact that there is less of the customary extravagant fiction about it, but in case it may be thought that such a slice of real life may not be able to reach the dramatic heights of more imaginary subject;, it should be emphasised that “ Boys" Town ” teems with activity, swift movemeht, and gripping si nations.,; The emotional background against, which it is played has happily not been overdone, and the result is ■ a combination of some of the best elements of the theatre, simplicity and dignity, Nothing could be more simple and unostentatious than the highly-appropriate settings throughout, many of , which were found in the actual community which Father Flanagan, a young Catholic priest, founded to . provide a suitable training ground and haven for the hundreds . - of boys and youths who annually descend into criminal pursuits and questionable pastimes through the lack of adequate guidance during their Impressionable years; ‘ The film has been conceived on an unusually high tone, and care has been taken by director and principals alike that that tone is not lowered at any stage of the production. “Boys’ Town " in real life is an organisation In Nebraska, which stands as a monu- , merit to the zeal and enthusiasm of * Father.' Flanagan, who is portrayed in the film by Spencer Tracy, who gets into the part a full understanding of the great humanitarian work which the film Is Intended to, publicise. Spencer Tracy i$ entirely at home in the role, arid equals any of his similar performances in his latest screen triumphs. The reputation he bears as Hollywood’s best character actor suffers in no-way by his delineation of Father Flanagan, which is an achievement of impressive and unspectacular fidelity. He has plainly studied the original of his part very carefully, and at the same time he must have developed a genuine understanding of, and sympathy for. the work that Father Flanagan is doing. But Tracy is not allowed to monopolise the laurels in “ Boys’ Town.” Young Mickey Rooney forces himself to the forefront of the picture by the undoubted genius of his characterisation. There are times when he is the whole show, dominating the emotional as well as the dramatic sides of the story, and unfolding a study which cannot fail to make a deep Impression. For sheer brilliance his acting in this film surpasses that of any of the juvenile stars of recent years, and some of the best sequences in the film are those which he carries alone and unaided He displays an earnestness in his acting which is amazing in one sot young and gets rightlmo his part in the most.effectlve fashion. . There, are a great many other youngsters in; the film: who do • thsm-

selves credit, but their efforts are largely collective and the appeal they make is as a body rather than as individuals. “ Boys’ Town ”is a type 6f film that should not be missed on any account. There is an excellent supporting programme of short subjects, comprising a worthy addition to an outstanding evening’s entertainment The box plans for the season will be found as usual at the D.I.C, and at the theatre. STRAND THEATRE ENTERTAINING DOUBLE BILL Telling an amusing story of a young lawyer who embarks on a campaign of what is termed “ambulance chasing,” “The Chaser," with the newlydiscovered star, Dennis O’Keefe, in the leading role, forms the principal attraction on the double bill which had its initial Dunedin screening yesterday at the Strand Theatre. The plot centres around the adventures of one Thomas Z. Brandon, who. revolted at the manner in which a huge transport company settles accident claims for little or no money, sets out_ in a sort of Robin Hood spirit to assist poor people who are cheated by shrewd and unscrupulous attorneys. His principal foe is the Street Railway Company which suffers from his depredations to such an extent that it hires a young woman to secure evidence regarding the activities of the young man who has become such a thorn in its side. There is some delightful comedy in the picture, which consequently takes unexpected twists that keep the audience Wondering what is going to happen next. The plans of the company are upset when the young woman it has hired falls in love with the man on whom she is paid to spy, but finally everything comes to a satisfactory but somewhat unorthodox ending. Supporting O’Keefe is Ann Morrlss. who handles the leading female role capably, the veteran Lewis Stone and Nat Pendleton, who as the professional victim of accidents is responsible for some particularly bright comedy. The associate feature is a gripping drama which stars Gall Patrick and

Warren William. William plays the part of a district attorney Whose entire energies are devoted to securing convictions against those who are unlucky enough.;.to fall foul of the law, and so wrapped up in his profession does he become that his wife’s love for him begins to fade. Suspicious of everyone and everything* ‘ ne almost reaches the verge of murder when a chain of circumstances leads him to believe that his wife is unfaithful. What happens when he. finds that his suspicions, are groundless, and, how he at length finds happiness, make an engrossing narrative. ■ The box plans are at the. theatre and the' D.LC. ST. JAMES THEATRE V HUMOUR A . The warm yet genuine sentimentality of childhood is shown ifx its, most attractive form in “Listen, Darling,” which’ commenced a return season at the St. James Theatre yesterday. There is nothing in the title of this production to indicate the subtle humour and charming romanticism of childhood, which are the picture’s most attractive features, but “ Listen, Darling ” is, nevertheless, a charming story charmingly acted. Freddie Bartholomew, who has completely outgrown the somewhat precocious mannerisms which characterised his earlier performances, and Judy Garland, another of the very young set who ,has established herself firmly in the appreciation of picturegoers by her sound acting and complete naturalness, appear as a pair of serious-minded romantics of the adolescent age who take extreme and eventually effective measures to keep Mary Astor, who appears as Judv’s widowed mother, from marrying a small-town banker for the sake of his purse. To prevent this catastrophe, the children “kidnap” the mother and take her for an enforced vacation in a motor trailer in search of a more suitable husband. When they encounter Walter Pidgeon, who is also ah occupant of a caravan, Freddie believes that the search is ended, but determines to leave nothing to chance by subjecting the prospective husband to a gruelling cross-examina-tion on the amount of life insurance he carries. When they receive what they consider to be the wrong answer, the children turn to the second prospect, an elderly insurance company president, but at this stage the widow has something to say concerning her own future. In addition to the two principal juveniles, there is a third infant prodigy, little Scotty Beckett, who figures in one particularly amusing sequence dealing with an encounter with skunks in the wood. The second picture is SOS —Tidal Wave,” an imaginative and exciting production in which the commentator in a television studio is featured. Ralph Byrd, in the leading role, refuses to believe his best friend, played by George Barbier, when the latter tells him that one of the contestants in a New York mayoralty campaign is a criminal. Only when Barbier is killed does Byrd realise that his friends warnings were correct, but before anything can be done a cataclysmis disturbance caused the metropolis to be inundated. The box plans are at the theatre, the D.1.C., and at Jacobs s. STATE THEATRE "KEEP SMILING” POPULAR “ Keep Smiling,” which is now in its second week at the State Theatre, is one of those screen tonics that come only once in a long while—an infectiously happy, lilting film with a perfect cast. Grade Fields’s role is one of the finest she has had—leader of a variety troupe, their guide, philosopher and friend, a tower of strength in times of trouble. She has many songs, both comic and “straight, singing them as only she can. The production itself is on a lavish scale, with action and thrills going hand in hand with laugh after laugh, There are refreshing village scenes, scenes down on the farm,” aboard a river houseboat. in London, in the pier pavilion at a seaside resort. A long supporting cast provides uniformly excellent performances. Lovely Mary’ Maguire, brought from Holly-’ wood to Play the part of Avis, the troupe’s soubrette; Roger Livesey* London stage star, who appears as Oracle’s devoted admirer and at last, husband; Jack’ Donohue, tap-dancing star, who plays the role of Denis, conceited partner of. Avis: the screen’s most lovable

dog star, “Skippy,” as the dog who causes a lot of happiness and almost as much trouble; Peter Coke, rising young star of the West End stage, who plays romantic lead opposite Mary Maguire; and peppery Edward Rigby, whp appears as Grade’s grandfather. There Is a feast of music in this refreshingly happy film tonic. Grade Fields sings, as only she can, a wide variety of numbers, from “The Holy City,” sung in a village church, to the riotous comedy number “Mrs Binns Twins," wTilch she sings In a concert party sequence. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg’s. GRAND THEATRE DIONNE QUINTUPLETS APPEAR Five of the most famous people In the world to-day have the leading roles in “Five of a Kind,” which is now being shown at the Grand Theatre. They are the Dionne quintuplets, and this film marks their third appearance on the screen. In their two former starring vehicles they did little more than have their photographs taken, but in their latest film they are revealed as real entertainers of unusual versatility. They have developed amazingly since their last picture, and “Five of a Kind” will probably prove their most popular yet. Heading the supporting cast is that fine character actor Jean Hersholt as Dr Dafoe, who has appeared In all the Quins’ films. Cesar Romero and Claire Trevor, as a pair of ace newspaper reporters, provide the romantic • interest, and Slim Summerville and Henry Wilcoxon are also in the cast. The story is a modem one, with radio broadcasting as the theme. The supporting feature is “ Meet the Girl,” in which June Lang and Lynn Bari are In the leading roles. In the story some women becoj 2 involved in a jewel robbery and find themselves mixed up In a series of strange adventures. The box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. MAYFAIR THEATRE “BOY FROM BARNARDO'S” A story of boyhood that will touch every human heart, and at the same time thrill with its high courage and its depth of understanding, is “ The Boy From Bamardo’s,” which will be commenced at the Mayfair Theatre this afternoon. The picture is based on the British mercantile marine, with Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney in the juvenile starring roles. They portray two contrasting characters in the famous Barnardo home for the reclamation of youth. They will be remembered for their work together in Captains Courageous,” but they reach a high standard in this new picture. Freddie Bartholomew appears as the orphan boy who is in the custody of two crooks. They represent him as "Lord Jeff" in an attempt to carry out their schemes to raise money. The boy Is arrested and sent to the Barnardo Home, where he is trained for the sea. The story concerns his -me there with other boys of his kind. One of them is portrayed by Mickey Rooney, who hounds Freddie at first, but later becomes his firm friend. Eventually they graduate , together, and are assigned to duty aboard the huge liner. Queen Mary. The associate feature will be the delightful musical comedy. “Life of the Party.”