AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

THE NEW PROGRAMMES OCTAGON THEATRE " Irene," starring Anna Neagle and Hay Milland. will be screened for another week at the Octagon Theatre. Irene is created by Anna Neagle, who, as an upholsterer's helper, so intrigues a wealthy scion that he buys out a dress shop to ensure her a job as a model. Irene enters society through a publicity hoax which poses her in the Irish nobility, attracts another wealthy young man, becomes the talk of the town, and almost marries the wrong man. But eventually boy gets girl, doubled in hearts. Subdued but in highly-competent support of Miss Neagle are Ray Milland, as the pursuer; May Robson. a clear-cut cameo as the Irish granny; Arthur Treacher, tn« omniscient and slightly-contemptuous butler; Billle Burke in her flutter)' matrony role, and Roland Young, the slightly bewildered dress shop manager The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. GRAND THEATRE A particularly entertaining programme is at present being screened at the Grand Theatre, the big attraction being a Walt Disney festival, featuring "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Walt Disney has the imagination and the artistic ability to give life and drama to the characters he draws. He sweeps his audience into the land of make-believe where birds talk and dwarfs whistle as they work. He lifts an audience out of (he doldrums of everyday activity and gives each person a breathing spell in a very pleasant world beyond his own experience. Disney pictures may be designed for children, but they have a very decided attraction for adults as well. "Ferdinand the Bull, "Three Little Pigs," "Donald's Lucky Day," " The Ugly Duckling." and Snow White" constitute an unusually attractive entertainment diet for these troublesome times. The box plans arc at the theatre and Begg's. REGENT THEATRE ROMANCE OF SHOW WORLD The show world of the early 1900's is brought to the screen in " The Great Victor Herbert." the musical production which commenced a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Full of lovely melodies which made Herbert's name a household word at the beginning of the century the picture serves to introduce to the screen a beautiful new star in Mary Martin, who rose to fame overnight on the American stage when she sang ' My Heart Belongs to Daddy" to burlesque audiences She has a charming voice, a delightful personality and shows more than usual ability as a dramatic actress She should go far as 3 motion picture star. In " The Great Victor Herbert" she is teamed with Allan Jones, whose voice is also heard to advantage in several melodious numbers. Walter Connolly drops comedy to a large extent to play the role of Herbert himself, but he makes a thorough job of his characterisation. The film was directed and produced by Andrew Stone, who has given a master touch in this drama of the great composer's influence over the glamorous show world of his day. The story tells of the romance of a young girl, eager to make a name for herself on the stage, and the matinee idol of the day. Miss Martin is cast as the girl who comes to New York with a beautiful voice and a determination to " make good " on Broadway. She meets the composer's leading man, 'Allan Jones, who falls in love with the beautiful girl, marries her and makes her his stage partner. From then on the firm deals with the couple's dramatic adventures over which Victor Herbert casts a long shadow. They find their happiness slowly disappearing when Jones becomes jealous over his wife's increasing popularity and his own decline, caused because he has become a father. The two drift apart, but are reunited when their talented daughter takes her sick mother's place when the latter tries to make a " come back.' The role of the daughter is taken by Susanna Foster, a young girl with a fresh voice that rings clear and true. No one singer has a monopoly of the songs with which the film abounds, and all three are outstanding in their numbers. The supporting programme includes the latest newsreels, a Grantland Rice Sportlight, and a Popeye cartoon. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. STATE THEATRE ARTHUR ASKEY'S SCREEN DEBUT Arthur Askey, well-known English radio comedian, makes an outstanding success of his screen debut in Charley's Bighearted Aunt," which commenced a season at the State Theatre yesterday. This Gaumont British production is a modernised version of the famous stage farce of nearly 50 years ago. and it retains the style and background of the old favourite, but it has the addition of Arthur Askey—which makes all the difference. The aunt on this occasion is not an elderly lady in bonnet and curls, but a rather glamorous woman with a Pekingese and a weakness for cocktails. Askey gives a delightful performance, setting a fast pace for his team mates, Richard Murdoch, Graham Moffat and Moore Marriott, but they stand up to the hard work nobly, the result being a rollicking farce with a laugh in every foot of the film. The famous old university town is the setting for this comedy, and it is here that the audience is introduced to Askey, Murdoch and Marriott, as three undergraduates whose escapades have brought them in contact with the dean and proctor of the college. They are in danger of being " sent down " and the worst happens when Askey, after being " gated " for a prank, leaves the college to take part in s university version of " Charley's Aunt." He is discovered by the proctor, and the three are sent to the dean, who orders them to be expelled. Askey, however, saves the day with the storv of " Stinker " Burton's rich aunt, Lady Blessington Smythe, but there is further trouble when they are forced to produce the aunt. Askey impersonates her and visits the dean, who has discovered that Lady Smythe was formerly a barmaid at Oxford who had had a flirtation with the now sedate proctor. The irresponsible trio gets deeper into the mire when they learn that the proctor is taking their case before the vice-chancellor so Askey lures the proctor away on a punt where the unfortunate man is tipped into the water. This brings Askey to a girls' college for assistance and there is some riotous fun among a bevy of beautiful girls before he escapes. The climax is reached when the real Lady Blessington Smythe turns up at Oxford and walks right into the deceptive impersonation being carried on by her nephew's class mate. The result is foregone. The three are " sent down" with a vengeance, but their misery is complete when they discover that Lady Smythe has decided to marry the proctof. Heading the supporting programme is the latest " March of Time," a telling document of the strategic importance to America of the Philippines. The growth of this group of islands is traced, and its material wealth is explained in its relation to the Japanese menace. America's defence plans for the islands are also shown as well as the leading men in Philippine politics. Newsreels, a Terrytown cartoon and a travelogue complete the programme. The box plans are at the theatre and Begg's. EMPIRE THEATRE GEORGE FORMBY AT HIS BEST Pure, unadulterated farce is the latesr George Formby concoction, " Gunner George," and it is riotous farce So much so, in fact, that it kept its first-night audience at the Empire Theatre last evening in a tumult of laughter. George Formby needs no introduction, but to his addicts it can be said that " Gunner George" is far and away the " bestdressed " of all the Formby shows. The settings are good, the casting is good, and the photography is good. The action of its class—pure slapstick—is magnificent To round this off, it is George Formby who carries the whole film on his shoulders. His gift for comedy amounts to genius, and he has never been so overwhelming as in this riot of British and German spies, U-boats, dance bands, alluring women and a thousand misunderstandings and smart lines. He linofc time to sing, of course, and his songs can at least be called brisk and sophisticated. They might even be called George is one of the Dinky Doos. a concert party which has received a sudden call to Blackpool. At least George was one of the Dinky Doos till he got aboard the wrong boat, was wrongly iden-tified,-and found himself playing the part of a British Secret Service agent in Bergen. It is a dangerous sort of job--the last ukulele player In Mendez's band was shot—and George might have passed the

job over if it had not been for his beautiful partner in espionage, Mary Wilson (Phyllis Calvert). Mary has discovered Mendez's methods of broadcasting the information, but she has no idea of what the code is. That is where George comes in, and photographs the code-tables while Mendez is in Ills bath. Getting the camera and its precious film out of danger leads George into the most fantastic difficulties, including being passed through a mechanical bakery from the raw flour to the very oven's mouth. But he gets it, and the British Navy gets the U-boats, It is putting it rather too mildly to say that Mendez's employers are put out by this mischance—they are very angry indeed, and George looks as if he is going to suffer the same fate as his predecessor But his wits belie his appearancehe not only gets away, but he makes his way aboard the U-boat, and with his own hand saves the lives of British passengers. Then, of course, he lands back into the arms of his beloved, in a fashion in keeping with his earlier extraordinary exploits. However, it is all great fun, and Formby fans, and there are thousands of them, will have a glorious time with him in this episode. " Gunner George " is grand holiday season fare. It is supported by a well-varied programme of newsreels and featurettes, including a splendid insight into the working of Imperial Airways. Box plans are at the theatre and at the D.I.C. STRAND THEATRE • When bullets can't get 'em, tear gas can!" is an expression popular among officers of the United States police. The use of chemicals in fighting the underworld has become tremendous, and Warner Bro astutely pounced on this timely topic for the basis of its newest thriller, " Tear Gas Squad," starring John Payne, Gloria Dickson and Dennis Morgan, which will be shown at the Strand theatre to-day. Cast in the story's three leading roles are a trio of young, promising players whose vitality makes them naturals for their parts. There is handsome Dennis Morgan, whose outstanding baritone voice first demanded Hollywood's attention, in a role in which he has his first opportunity to sing for the films. John Payne is a young husky rapidly rising to prominence. And beautiful blonde Gloria Dickson has to her record a series of performances so worthy as to make her the perfect choice for the feminine lead in ' Tear Gas Squad." The second feature, " Grandpa Goes to Town," is a Higgins family comedy starring the three Gleasons, James, Lucille and Russell This delightful comedy is a perfect foil to the main attraction. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. ST. JAMES THEATRE Seeing the Dead End Kids play heroic roles Instead of city toughs is going to be the revelation offered St. James Theatre patrons to-day, when "The Dead End Kids on Dress Parade" makes its local debut. In a complete reversal of form, the wiss-cracking, long-haired gutter-hardened denizens of the slums will become model youths, though still with plenty of hooliganism, at one of America's leading military academies There will be one exception, however Leo Gorcey, toughest of the lot, the lad who could spit through the eye -of a needle, is still a tough. The story is said to be concerned with a tough city lad who is sent to a military academy to learn the finer side of youth Here he engages the other Dead End Kids. Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan. Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsley-all model cadets. Too city-wise to go for a lot of discipline and drills, _ Gorcey gets into Plenty of scrapes and nearly gets tossed out of school, but for the good fellowship of the cadet major. Played bv Halop. How Gorcey turns from his firmer self to an understanding young cadet forms the basis of the climax of "The Dead End Kids on Dress Parade. The second attraction is ''Sweepstakes Winner," an hilarious comedy gf a silly small-town waitress who wins £30,000 in a sweepstake. The film stars Mane Wilson and Allen Jenkins. The box plans .are at the theatre, the D.I.C. and Jacobs s. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE OPENED AS PICTURE HOUSE His Majesty's Theatre was opened yesterday as a picture house. It has been used for this purpose from time to time in the past, but Dunedin has come to regard its boards as the home in this citv of fiesh-and-blood entertainment Those who may regret that the march of progress in a machine age should entail the change may, however, be comforted with the avowed policy of the management to use the house for return Masons of the very best films, and the opening programme should serve to prove the earnestness of the management in this respect The films presented yesterday were " Navy Blue and Gold" and 'A Day at the Races," both of which have proved their entertainment value by earlier successful seasons. "A Day at the Races is one of the Marx brothers best comedies. Though they are a show in themselves at any time, Groucho, Harpo, and Chico believe in giving value for money, and they have with them Maureen O'Sullivan and Allan Jones, as well as several other highly-placed stars. Groucho. in this film, is a veterinary surgeon who goes to the assistance of Maureen, owner of a health resort, and, wishing to see her through her financial difficulties, becomes a sort of house doctor. This may be all right in the sanatorium balance sheet, but it is bad luck for the patients. Chico and Harpo fit very loosely into the plot, but they are always bobbing up, if only to distribute laughs among the audience. " Navy Blue and Gold" has Robert Young, James Stewart, and Tom Brown at the head of an excellent cast. They play the parts of three midshipmen at .the Annapolis Naval Academy. Young is the cynical young man of the trio. He is at the college only because he knows the value of the uniform in the eyes of romantic young women, and he has no intention of entering the service. Stewart is a naval oiler with experience in a battleship who wishes to advance himself in his career, and Brown is seen as a son of wealth, still full of the importance of college days. Lionel Barrymore, Florence Rice, and Billie Burke are also in the cast, The programme will be screened again to-day, and there will be a change tomorrow. The box plans are at the theatre and the D.I.C. "MY MAN GODFREY" " My Man Godfrey " is a gay, debonair, modern comedy, light as thistledown. This Universal laugh riot, starring William Powell and Carole Lombard, will be shown at His Majesty's Theatre tomorrow, The screen story relates the adventures of William Powell, portraying a butler in the quaint Bullock family. One daughter, played by Carole Lombard, falls in love with him. Her sister tries to have him imprisoned. The maid falls in love with him, too. The mother likes him, but she has a fancy of her own. The fun gets faster and more furious every second, with laughs bursting like bombshells. The cast includes such excellent players as Alice Brady, Gall Patrick, Jean Dixon, Eugene Pallette, Alan Mowbray, Mischa Auer and Robert Light. The picture was made by Gregory La Cava, one of Hollywood's foremost directors The second attraction will be " Three Smart Girls," Deanna Durbin's most successful vehicle. MAYFAIR THEATRE • Rebecca." Alfred Hitclieoeks brilliant screen adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's unusual story, is a popular attraction at the Mayfair Theatre. The sombre' atmosphere of the Cornish mansion, in which the story is unfolded has been faithfully captured by the director, and the performances of the two principals, Lawrence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, still further raise the high level of the production. Miss Fontaine plays the role of an unsophisticated girl who marries a rich voung Cornishman, whose life and that of his household is ruled by the spirit of his dead wife. The struggle of the young girl to rise above the sombre atmosphere and capture the love of her husband makes a gripping story which mounts to an unusual climax. The box plans arc at the theatre and the D.I.C. TOWN HALL DANCE Another excellent programme of oldtime and modern dancing has been arranged for Saturday night at the Town Hall Dance. Two halls and two bands will be used. In the main Town Hall Mat Dclaney's Radio Rhythmics, J. MacFarlane and A. Waller will supply the music for the modern dance, anU in the Concert Chamber Wright's Rhythm Band will supply the music for the oldtime dance. Patrons may go from one hall to the other, and spectators will be admitted to the circle for a small charge. Patrons are reminded of the special holiday dances in the Little Theatre, King street, on December 30 and 31, and January 1. WEMBLEY DANCES A special holiday dance has been arranged for to-morrow night in the Early Settlers' Hall. Popular music for old-time and modern dances will be provided by J. McCaw's Commodore Band. A competition—open to all present—will be decided, and good prizes presented. For this occasion holiday attire is permissible.