SCREEN and STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24460, 20 November 1940, Page 10

SCREEN and STAGE

By Harlequin

- London Can Take It " Keen interest has been aroused by the" announcement in London recently that the British Ministry of Information intends to distribute 1000 copies of "London Can Take It" throughout Britain and America. This, appro-priately-named picture, which is to be screened in Dunedin this week, is one of the most inspiring documentary films ever produced, and shows in a graphic way how London meets the brutal tactics of Hitler's airmen. The opening of the film discldses the preparations that are taken for the nightly air-raid vigil. The arrival of the raiders, followed by searchlights, sweeping the sky and the. subsequent anti-aircraft barrage and the explosion of bombs, is .vividly portrayed. The impressive commentary by Quentiri Reynolds, .the war. correspondent of Collier's Weekly, emphasises that "there.is nothing but

determination, confidence' and high courage among the people of Churchill's island." Reynolds includes the following in- the commentary:— " Brokers, clerks, merchants and pedlars of the daytime become the heroes of the night-time as firemen, air" wardens and ambulance drivers. He adds that the sign of a great ring fighter is: Can he rise after being knocked down? "London does this every day," he adds. "The British people's morale is higher than - ever. They know that thousands will/ die; but they would rather stand up /nd face death than kneel and face 'the existence imposed by a conqueror. "Bombs," he concludes, " cannot kill an unconquerable spirit." St. James Theatre When Paul Robeson, left motion pictures two years ago he did so because of the unsuitable material that was offered him. Since then many tempting offers have been made, many scenarios submitted, but Paul Robeson has remained firm in his decision. Then Jack Jones: author of several engrossing works about Wales; and more recently of " Rhondde Roundabout," in collaboration with Louis Gouldlng. famed as the author of "Magnolia Street" and many other books, possessed a great insight and characterisation, conceived a brilliant idea as the* basis of a plot for a Paul Robeson screen story. Thus was the story .<-, of the "Proud Valley" specially.written lor 'Paul Robeson,-under the. personal

supervision of Robeson. himself. and critics'-'the world over are unanimous in their acclamation that here, at last, is another real Robeson, film. a magnificent, human • story delightfully blending the rugged hard life of Welsh mining' with the Welshman's .and Welshwoman's .. unfailing .courage, warm-heartedness and great love of music. The.istorv also offers Robeson ample 'opportunities for the full display of his glorious voice, and. in addition to iolo numbers, he is supported by iambus Welsh community choirs in the Eisteddfod Festival sequences, add ing - rich - harmony, to the. flawless quality of* the music. The associate feature: "Blbndfe has Servant Trouble," is another gay comedy concerning the " Bumstead" family An|t. Sheridan Starred A beautiful, hot-tempered girl, a sensitive young composer, and a gangster in an old browristone boarding house full of eccentric old people, are the essentials of "It All Came True," the Louis,". Bromfield story. In the film version of it the girl is Ann Sheridan, who sings two numbers, dances the rhumba, and dominates the film. "It All Came True" tells the tale of a group of people living in a New York boarding house. They cling faith-

From GREEN ROOM and STUDIO

fully to the fond memor.es of their past as an escape from the reality of the present. Maggie Ryan and Mrs Taylor inherit a Victorian home which they convert into a boarding house, the complacent atmosphere of which is disturbed when Maggie's daughter Sal played by Miss Sheridr.n, returns after an unsuccessful attempt to crash the entertainment world. The following day Mrs Taylor's son, Tommy (Jeffrey Lynn) comes home after an absence of five years, with Humphrey Bogart, as a gangster named "Chips Maguire, who 'forces Tommy to let him use the house as a hideout. " The Old Maid " With the great. Bette Davis playing better than she has ever done, comes a film that will linger, long in the memory of all who see it. "The Old

Maid." which commences a season at the Reegnt Theatre next Friday, provides drama handled to perfection. With Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins in the starring roles, there is unfolded a deeply stirring story of the curious bond of hatred that binds two women together. It is the tale of two girl cousins of a proud old Philadelphia family, and its period ranges from the beginning of the Civil'War in 1861 up into the 1880's. Miriam-Hopkins is a widow, with two children of her own. The old maid is Bette Davis. She has never wed, yet the sweet young girl of the house is her daughter, born of a glorious farewell night with her lover. George Brent, just before he goes off to the wet. there to be killed in action. Jane Bryan plays tne daughter, grown up. Bette operates a nursing home for the children of working women. Into this she places her child, called Tina, who is supposed to be just like the other youngsters of the place. Miriam is a constant visitor, and to Bette's dismay Tina learns to care more for the elaborate lady who calls than for her own mother, though, of course, she does not know that Bette really is her mother. When the time comes for the. girl to marry, ah understanding is reached, between the warring dousins. and the bride-to-be is able to go away happy. Jane Bryan is lovely and appealing as Tina, Brent is excellent in his brief moments on the screen, i_,ouise Fazenda scores as the family maid,

and Donald Crisp as a doctor. Others of the notable cast include James Stephenson, Jerome Cowan, William Lundigan and Cecilia (Cissie) Lcftus. " The Old Maid" is a sad story told brilliantly. '■'.'.."'. The Real Thing When 20-year-old actor Derrick Penley took part in a fierce battle between a ■ warship and German planes in the film "Convoy," he did not dream that in a short time he would experience the real thing. From his film part as a captain he became an ordinary seaman in the British destroyer

Wren. It was his first ship after training, and he had been at sea for only three days when 14 German bombers came over. They split up and attacked the ship, and after one of the first salvos the Wrei. began to sink. Penley, at his post in the chart room on the bridge, heard the lookout shout: "Enemy aircraft," and felt the ship shudder. Then it heeled over alarmingly, and he jumped for it. He swam 80 yards and then was forced, while treading water, to strip off his sodden clothes. After keeping afloat for threequarters of an hour he was taken aboard a rescue ship. "Turnabout" Carole Landis is co-starred with John Hubbard in Hal Roach's new comedy "Turnabout," filmed from the Thorne Smith novel and showing at the Octagon Theatre on Friday. Miss Landis and Hubbard are supported by an impressive cast of players which includes Adolphe Menjou. William Gargan, yerree Teasdale, Mary Astor, Donald Meek and Margaret Roach. "Turnabout was directed by Hal Roach personally, and its hilarious plot concerns the high jinks produced when Miss Landis. as Mrs Willows, and Hubbard, as her husband, exchange sexes. The svelte, shapely Miss Landis steps into her husband's oversize shoes and experiments with the problems faced by the male portion of humanity. Six-foot, broad-shouldered Hubbard becomes a fashionable society matron and flutters about at cocktail parties while his wife wears the pants—literaUy. After the two exchange places and sexes confusion and chaos ensue. Hubbard's partners in the film. Adolphe Menjou and William Gargan, cannot understand

the sudden femininity of their associate who manages to cause all sorts of damage to the prestige of the firm and to lose it most of its valuable clientele. Back home, the same sort of thing happens for the somewhat masculinelooking lady of the house is hardly proficient with the servants and no match for the correct social life. How the story winds up provides the picture with an unexpected climax. State Theatre Columbia's consistent record of comedy successes continues, if advance reports of the. studio's hew production " The Doctor Takes a Wife," are to be considered. The new comedy, which opens on Friday at the State Theatre with Loretta Young and Ray Millano. co-starred, follows in the triumphant wake of such recent successes as "Toe Many Husbands," "His Girl Friday and "Mr Smith Goes to Washington." and is a worthy addition to Columbia's collection of redoubtable films like "The Awful Truth," "It Happened One Night," "Mr Deeds Goes to Town." and "You Can't Take it With You." Lovely Loretta Young, in the gayest role of her career, has won high praise for the delightfulness of her first allcomedy characterisation. She is seen as "Public Spinster No. 1," the girl who writes books in praise of single blessedness. She thinks she does not like men, until she meets and " marries" a man who does not like women, and then she knows she does not like men! Ray .Milland, the youthful expert in heart trouble who cannot even cure himself, provides an equally enjoyable portrayal as the doctor who takes a "wife." Supporting the stars in this hilarious narrative of a young doctor and a young author who pretend to be married because their careers depend upon it. are such wellknown Hollywood personalities as Reginald Gardiner. the British comedian. Gail Patrick, Edmund Gwenn and Georges Metaxa.

Empire Theatre Three new comedy teams axe presented in " The Boys from Syracuse,' a musical comedy that will come to the Empire Theatre on Friday. The first combination teams Allan Jonej., who essays one of his first comedy roles, with Joe Penner. As " The Boys from Syracuse," and also as their own twin brothers, the pair actually comprise two separate teams. Another team combines Penner with Martha Raye. One of the Penner twins is Miss Raye's husband in the story, and she mistakes the other twin for her husband at various and hilarious points in the story. Two British comics, Alan Mowbray and Eric Blore, are also teamed as a pair of Grecian tailors who run through the picture trying to collect bills from reluctant customers. Rosemary Lane, Irene Hervey. Charles Butterworth and Samuel S. Hinds are also in the cast. The film is a Universal release. Six song numbers by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart arc featured, with Jones. Penner and the Misses Raye and Lane taking part. Hilarious comedy is gained by setting modern story situations and dialogue in ancient Greece. Dances directed by Dave Gould, huge sets designed by Jack Otterson and other production features mark the picture as one of the more important comedy features of the season. Mayfair Theatre Priscilla Lane and Jeffrey Lynn are featured in "Yes My Darling Daughter" the Warner Bros, film version of the successful stage play of the same name, which commences a sesson tonight at the Mayfair Theatre. The two young players who contributed such

tender and moving moments in " Four Daughters" are comedians in their new venture, and they have the expert assistance of Rolsnd Young, May Robinson, Fay Bainter, Genevieve Tobin and lan Hunter. "Yes My Darling Daughter" is a lively satire on persons who profess to have advanced views on the subject of marriage. As in the stsge play, hilarious complications ensue when the liberal views on such matters so often compounded by the mother of Miss Darling Daughter turn around so to speak, and bite her. The daughter is played by Priscilla Lane, and Lynn is the really highly mord young man with whom she tries to put into practice her mother's professed views on love. Fay Bainter is the mother and May Robinson is the wise grandmother who guesses that the stodgy literary agent played by Roland Young was once a romantic young Greenwich village poet who wes the boy friend of Priscilla's mother. lan Hunter is the forthright banker who is Priscilla's father and believes in the good institution of decent weddings, and Miss Tobin is the married aunt who can still be shocked. George O'Brien is featured in "The Marshal of Mesa City," the supporting film. As an honest marshsl he fights a grim battle against unscrupulous criminals. A Battle Royal A battle of the century was staged, in Hollywood recently between two famous young women, with a third woman, likewise not unknown to fame, as referee. But though it had everything to make it a million-dollar gate, admission was strictly limited and only by special pass. Everything, in fact, was done to keep the fight as secret as possible, and neither word or picture of it leaked out until the promotors of the bout desired. In one corner was Maureen O'Hara. as Battling Judy O'Grady, and in the other Lucille Ball as Tiger Lily White. The referee was Dorothy Arzner, the only woman director in films.. The two stars in their roles as members of a stage dancing act in " Dance, Girl, Dance," fell out over a man—Louis Hayward, the third co-star. Then there was the epic fight. That is the scene which Dorothy Arzner, directing for R.K.O. Radio, staged so secretively. Her reason: "If they're embarrassed by onlookers, they may pull their punches. This must be the real thing." It is stated.that this will be an even more furious female fight than the famous ones in " The Women" and " Destry Rides Again." After the fray Miss O'Hara next day sent Miss Ball a huge bouquet of tiger lilies with a card, "To Tiger Lily. May she never wilt." Miss Ball retored with a bunch of shamrocks, and: " With these in your gloves, you don't need horseshoes." Ginger Rogers Film Ginger Rogers was named by RKO Radio Pictures, to star in "Torn, Dick, and Harry," which Robert Sisk will produce as one of the most ambitious features on the studio's 1940-41 programme. Holding the directorial reins will be Garson Kanin, who also directed the star in her comedy hit of 1939, "Bachelor Mother," and more recently gained fame for his direction of the Irene Dunne-Cary Grant laugh-maker, "My Favourite Wife." " Tom, Dick, and Harry" is a romantic comedy which calls on Miss Rogers to play a girl faced with choosing between three suitors representing widely divergent philosophies of living and degrees of wealth—an ambitions salesman, a comeeasy and go-easy gas-station attendant, and a millionaire playboy.

Grand Theatre Extremely successful have been the results of combining the inimitable talents of Jane Withers and Gene Autry in "Shooting High," a fast-moving action-romance of the Western range, which will head the Grand Theatre's programme to-day. Jane and Gene ride like demons, shoot like 60. corral a band of bank robbers and break up a family feud to round off a double quota of entertainment in this picture. Jane has grown to be a pert "young lady," but she is still the same mischie.vous child. Five tuneful melodies provide good musical material for Jane and Gene. Jane has a rollicking solo "On the Rancho With My Pancho," while Gene's voice is heard in two solos, " Only One Love in a Lifetime " and "Little Old Band of Gold." Together Jane and ,Gene make a topnotch team in "Shanty of Dreams" and "Wanderers." Marjorie Weaver, Robert Lowery, Katharine Aldridge, Hobart Cavanaugh, Jack Carson and Hamilton MacFadden, are also prominently featured. The associate feature, "What Would You Do, Chum?" is an unusual film of English Cockney life that tells a simple and direct story very effectively.

Strand Theatre Two new thrillers will be presented at the Strand Theatre next Friday. The main feature, " International Crime," a new mystery drama with Rod La Rocque starred as a crime columnist and radio commentator, presents a fast-moving tale of a man who is dragged into aSi international intrigue through the actions of his " girl Friday," and has to solve a perfect crime or'see an entire nation crash. Opposing his efforts are the international .conspirators, the police—who regard him as an interloper—and the wellmeaning, but poorly-planned attempts to help of his assistant, a charming girl. In addition to Rod La Rocque, the cast includes Astrif Allwyn, Thomas Jackson as the police commissioner, William Pawley, Oscar O'Shea, and others. Rivalling the most sensational exploits of famous aviators of the world, the associate film " Love Takes Flight," brings to the screen one of the most thrilling romantic aviation stories ever filmed. Marking the debut of Conrad Nagel as a director, " Love Takes Flight" also presents a new romantic team in Bruce Cabot and Beatrice Roberts, as the transport pilot and air hostess respectively. Passenger airlines frown heavily on the taking up of a plane in bad weather for

publicity purposes. The plane, with a motion picture actress as passenger, piloted by Cabot, crashes- into a mountain side. The crash puts out of action the radio equipment,.and the. pilot and actress are stranded. ; The- Lighter Side ' ■ ,• {

The stress, strain, suffering and problems of a war-torn world to-day are turning motion picture producers to the field of comedy because comedy is an escape from the realities. For years, producers have known 'that when everyone is fundamentally happy and all is well, there is no objection to a little cry now and then. But when everything seems serious, comedy is what the world wants. So Hollywood to-day is manufacturing fun. More than 20 comedies are now before the cameras in all studios, an extraordinarily large number. Columbia for instance, is making " So You Won t Talk," with Joe E. Brown as star. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has " Strike Up the Band,' ! with iVlickey Rooney and Judy Garland. "Go West." with the Marx Brothers, and "Bittersweet; with Nelson Eddy and Jeariette MacDonald. RKO has three' comedies in work, including "Dance, Girl. Dance, " Too Many Girls," and " No, No. Nanette." Twentieth Century-Fox and Universal each have three ccmedies in production. Paramount seems to be running to 3 new record with four comedies before the cameras. One of these is "Arise My Love," with Claudette Colbert cast as an American newspaper, woman, and Rav Milland as an American aviator, both having comic and adventurous times in Europe in spite of the world conflict. Jack Benny and Fred Allen, traditional enemies of American Radio, carry on their little feud under the direction of Mark Sandrich. in a film called "Love Thy Neighbour." which is guaranteed to take anyone's mind off his or her immediate problems, including high taxes. "Rhythm on the River" brings Bing Crosbv Mary Martin and Basil Rathbone together with music and "plenty of laughs. Basil Rathbeme is a songwriter who is too lazy to write, and who gets Mary Martin and Bin? Crosbv to. do his work for him. There is said to be a lot of fun in their doing of it- Last, but certainly not least, is " There's Magic in Music." with Allan Jones. Susanna Foster. Lynne Overman and Margaret; Lindsay in the cast.