SCREEN and STAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24506, 15 January 1941, Page 10

SCREEN and STAGE

By Harlequin

Airman Actors Hollywood was extremely surprised when the word went around that two aeroplane pilots ; had actually been signed to play parts of aviators .in a motion picture. The men were Ray Millahd, co-starred with Claudette Colbert in Paramount's- "Arise, My Love," and Dick Purcell, cast.in a featured role in the production. ' Milland. who learned to-fly in England before he came to the-United States eight years ago, has about. 300. hours to his credit Puxcell,: who 'is a sportsman.pilot, has approximately 100 hours of solo time. Dean cf the Hollywood actor-flyers is, of. cburse, Wally Beery.'.;' Beery has been "flying since 1925, has owned nine, planes and'has. between 5000 and 5500 hours to-his credit.\ Robert Cummings has more; than a> thousand hours. Also flying,are James Stewart and Brian Aherne. Who own 1 their own;:. cabin, planes, arid .-.Eddie .Worritwho has an open - biplane. Arth'ie'Twitchell. character actor, Tyrone"-Power, Roscoe "Ates, comedian; and a - number of lesser lights; also hold licences. •

"If I;Had My Waj^

-' New songs by Bin& Crosby/ the sec-; ohd.. -appearance >.6ii the gifted H Gloria Jeank and -five of the, most;"* famous- of 7 ■ vaudeville players are feature's of .Urilversal'sinew: offering, *'t£ I Had My Way," starrihg Grosbyi and'. Gloria Jean, which ■ comes to ;the l Empire Theatres next -FridayEight "songs are to : be heard. ! These are" "Meet the Sun Halfway" "I Haven't Time,, to be a Millionaire." and; "Pessimistic Character," performed as duets by Bing-arid Gloria; ''lf!l Had Myi Way,"a solo by Crosby,and "Little GrayrHome in 'the f West," a solo by Gloria "April Played the Fiddle" by Birig arid the Six Miss, ahd Eddie Leonard' singing his always-re-membered '.''lda'!'"arid Blanche, Ring singing... her.; unforgettable V Rings' on My Fingers" with the -Sis: Hits; arid a Miss: '.Other' old-timers who appear in trie-picture" 'are Trixie Fri|?anza, Grace Laßue.-arid Julian" Elttogev:'The ,supr porting • cast - includes' El- Brendel, f airriOus ; Swedish- Vdialect :c,pinedian, ChaMes Winriiriger,.CiaireV.Dffddi Nana;: Bryant-and Donald Woods.; .The pifir ture on -'• Birig and .'Brendel; who " adopt" Gloria ■ when her; father is Vfcilfed in an accident;''The', trio ul* tiraatelynflrid themselves; in possession cafe ■' irif which Birig arid ;Gloria furnish •: the • entertainment, aided by the i five fariious ex-yaudeyilleplayers., B&rpyi. O&ras-Again.;'-/-;; i;',', : To-the"'older, geriefatiori-of playgoers the Gilbert and-- Sullivan-, operas . will bririg:b"ack memories' of the days ;when Nellie Laurie; >Florence: Young, Gladys? Mohcrieff,. Wallace Browrilow, William »• Ksnmngham,. Howard Vernon, arid John Ralstori por-r trayed the ■ leading roles, .'and to., the younger' generation-, they will doubt-, less.;.prove a reyelatidn. 1 ■': Sir Arthur Sullivah's'glorious music is much more melodious arid more:; refreshings, than any) of the musical (plays created during- the past' 20 years, and W. ; Si 'Gilberts brilliant' wit js. preserited in the clever and'satirical dialogue,in all of the»- operas.,-" There existed a perfect harritbny' between • the author * and the composer, which-is not apparent in other'coriiic' operas, aritl throughout the Eriglishrspeakinglworld There will always rbe =,large = audiences for "The Gondoliers," ."'The\ Mikado,". "The Pirates -of .Penzance,*'>; ''lolanthe," "HM.S.. .the.: other. Works of the beloved collaborators. Critics in' Australia are; atoost unani-; rribus in, declaring that ,ihe latest J.: C* Williamson Sjavoy, Company is .equal to any-whjch has previously been seen arid heard in the Gilbertand Sullivan operas,; and-in both Sydney and Melbourne new records were" established in' the length of the seasons, and;at almost every performance the theatres have beeh' taxed' to'their limit'. To cope with the demand for.seats during the run pf" The Gondoliers " in Sydney daily matinees had to; be presented; The New Zealand tour was recently commenced at ■ Auckland with the "Gondoliers," in which it is said the artists are'at their very best. Strand Theatre:" ■ introducing two 'new songs and an old favourite, that has helped many a lonWy cdwhoy to pass the long prairie night more quickly as he circled the sleeping herd,' Tex • Ritter, the singing cowboy, provides plenty" ;■: of melody in his latest Grand: National picture, " Frontier "Town," a rodeo epic which opens next Friday at the Strand Theatre. First of the song' numbers is "Old' Cayuse," written especially for the star's vibrant baritone voice, by Stanley Davis in collaboration With Tex hirnself, ' The other new hit, " Yip,' Yow, I'm. 'An Eagle," is sung by.TCx with Horace, Murphy and Snub Pollard. Jimmy arid His Saddle Pals, a popular' radio band, which makes its screen debut in " Frontier Town,"

From MEEN ROOM and STUDIO

accompanied Tex in several of his numbers and presents, an instrumental medley in which "Old Brass Wagon" is featured. Tex also sings an old favourite, the traditional "Streets of Laredo." Reminders of the' piping times of peace when municipal elections and the baby show were important events in'the participants' lives abound in "Just William," ibe associate feature. This : comedy of suburban life is just the right t stuff to see when graver issues cloud ; the, skies. RichrriaL- Croriipton's family ' of "Browns"'arid their varying fortunes makes just as good fun in war as In peace. Dicky Lupino as " William" is excellent, he is just the roundfaced, tousle-headed and lovable ;, imp of mischief that legions of readers have irnagined. Fred Emney is William's father in his inimitably dry manner. St. James'Theatre v broad comedy of Irish wit is ; offered in "Three .Cheers for the Irish." the Warner, Brothers' production featured on the new 'pro-

gramme . coming to . the ..,St. James Theatre next Friday^--The-story deals i.With an Irish, family.; consisting \: of a 'veteran patrolman and his three daughters, and'their friends and . in a background of New York City. Thick with "brogues and the "Sort of humour typically associated •with;the Irish, the film provides ample ahdvlengthy opportunities for the principals: to exercise fully their - bent t or,

broad comedy. Priscilla Lowe;'as the "istayrat-horiie " daughter;.qf a motherless! family; .Thomas Mitchell, in.an-. ojher excellent characterisation as the police officer,' retired after 25 years in the- force; and Dennis Morgan as a Scotch*burning rookie, who takes, over the father's beat, are given the starring credits, supported by Alan Haley as the boisterous family friend, and who adds this role to a long list of highly commendable performances. After his retirerrient Casey (Thomas Mitchell) runs for alderman office.. Anguished by his daughter's love for the.rookie, whom he hates ; because of his dislike for the Scotch and by his discovery that another, daughter has accepted campaign funds from a gambler, Casey retraces his steps in the campaign, but he is elected, and this' rollicking screen' story has a happy ending. Screened on the same prograriime ..is " Penrdd's Double Trouble," featuring Bill arid Bobby Mshch and Gene and Kathleen Lockhart./ . " ■■[ Strange Mafic ••' , ', : For centuries-laymen have been trying/to fathom the methods -by which the .world-famous necromancers of India and Persia have accomplished their magic. Numerous so-called explanations have been offered to clear up the mystery of the rope trick and the sword and basket trick,- It has been claimed that they were accomplished by everything from true sorcery to mass hypnotism; but they still remain enigmas that cannot be duplicated except by the small number of initiates of the magician caste who pass on the knowledge from father to son. When Alexander Korda decided to

make "The Thief of Bagdad" he did not attempt to/ probe the mysterious workings, of the well-known -tricks. Instead,' he created new ; ones, beside which, the standard magic pales. He uses magic in this picture that would make a ; Hindu, fakir gape iri amazemerit. : For instance, -The Thief of Bagdad" presents a flying horse, a magic carpet, a six-ariried dancing doll, a chest of pebbles which turn into soldiers when thrown upon the ground ahd-adjinni so flexible in size that h* can "instantly change from a few inchep in height to a giant several hundred feet tall. These are but a; few of the magical accomplishments that Mr Korda-produced with camera techniques as carefully, guarded as the secrets of the Eastern magicians. "The Thief of Bagdad," starring Sabu, June Duprez, John Justin, and Conrad Veidt, is a United Artists' release. .-,,•' ", Four .'Sons '.' Described as a moving and timely picture, "Four Sons," Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox film, comes on Friday t'o the Octagon Theatre.v Heading the powerful cast 'is .Don Ameche, who, fresh from .his-triumph in "Lillian .Russell," is said Ito give the, most stirring per •■ formance of his' career. 'He reveals a dramatic power hitherto unsuspected, and delivers his role in 1 a powerfully simple style. ■''<, Eugene Leoritoyich.was •persuaded; by .Twentieth Ceritury-Fox to play-the-role of the mother, and,she is said to, jtistify ■ her .selection."•' The famous -actress brings'■; tovthe;. screen the quality of .greatness she has .shown in the past in her stage performances in'"v'Grand- Hotel" and . "Twentieth .Century.". ~Mar.y:Beth Hughes has her strongest role to date, the blonde and beautiful actress' having earned her charice c to play her part in-" Four Sons by her outstanding'' performances in "Free, Blonde and Twenty-one" arid ". Star Dust." Others -prominently featured in the cast are Alan Curtis, George -Ernest. Robert Lowery,, Lionel Royce- and Sig RumahriV Darryl F. Zanuck - produced :'• Four Sons." It was directed' by. Archie. Mayo .from an original:-serein play by John. Howard Lawson, which-'wao .suggested by a story by I, A, R Wylie. Harry Joe Brown WaSv'fhe"associate prbduceiv-

"Night Train to > Munion " Timely, topical; and up-to-the-minute, " Night Train to" Munich " shows with vivid drama- the workings. of the evil forces against which" every civilised nation: has set.its face. It is not ,a propaganda 1 picture. • It; is, t thrillpacked romantic-; drama, punctuated with refreshing humour, which',; yet shows'conditions of -to-day and points a lesson for everyone,; ' ".Night Train to Munich" .co-stars Margaret: Lockwood, who made.a hit in "The .Lady Vanishes," with Rex Jlarrisoni who appeared to \ such advantage with Robert Dohat: in ." Thf • Citadel;'-' .While •other' featured'roles are played by Paul 'vpn; H£rhried,. the unforgettable.; Get> man hiaster;ih. "Good-bye, Mr'Chips!'' James; Harcourt; Felix Aylffcer, Keneth Kent, Austin. Trevor, Roland (" 'French: Without' '.Tears"),■'Culver., Raymond Huntley,. "C\. Vi,.' France, .". Wyndham. j Goldie, 'Eliot '■ Makehami, and: many others, Naunton ; .Wayne' and .Basil ißadford, ...those."' two., imperturbable ; cricket fan's-, of,"The Lady Vanishes," ! have similar'antics in "Night Train to Munich,", which is a timely subjct dealing, .with the adventures of a Czech refugee and his- daughter- who are trapped in the ruthless, web of the Nazi organisation! -Carol Reed direcr ted for this M.G.M; masterpiece, made at the- Gaumont British Studios. London. . . •'■'•■ ■''•.■'..; ■''■". *■:'..■' ; w '•' ■ ;■ J .'.' .-' Czech Dancer. /..,'■', " ■••■ ' Now domiciled, in Australia is a' member of the Viennese Ballet, Evelyn Ippen, who hails "from Prague. She left her home seven years ago" to'go to Vienna, where she studied the modern dance with Madame Bodenweiser, and later toured the world. Miss Ippen is naturally anxious about the fate of her "parents; her father- was a doctor in Prague, and the daughter has heard nothing of them for two years; Miss Ippen, designed the costumes for the ballet; during its Sydney season recently. Her work as a designer has been of great value for the Australian ballet "A Bushflre," for which she and Miss Emmy Taussig did the choreography. It is to.be presented in Melbourne, shortly! ••..;.,.'■'

His Majesty's Theatre • • The director of His Majesty's Theatre's next picture, "The Perfect Specimen," has put a polish on this fastrmoving comedy seldom found in films of the "crazy" type, and, as he had at his disposal a sound story and an 'all-star cast, the result is • said to be an entertainment of outstanding appeal. As a young man who is just a little too good to be true, Errol Flynn gives one of his finest .performances; This was the tall young actor's first important role apart from " story-book hero" parts, and he shows himself.to be a high-class light comedian who is cleverer than most. Joan Blondell gives another fine exhibition as the provocative young woman who so intrigues the noble young Gerald Beresford Wicks- (Flynn) when she forces a meeting with him-at his home that he sneaks axvay from the seclusion of his. Pennsylvania estate one bright mofriing to follow her into the, outer world. ■ May Robson is excellent as the tyrannical grandmother Wicks, and others prominently cast are Dick Foran, Edward Everett Horton. Hugh Herbert, and Allen Jenkins. "Submarine DT," starring Pat O'Brien. George' Brent, Wayne Morris, and Frank McHugh, should provide an exciting first half. "AH This and; Heaven Too" "I came into your house, and in your unhappiness you reached out your hand;, for help, and in my loneliness I took it.- -But now I must ,go awayalone! " ..■~,. From out of the pages' of Rachel Field's world-applauded novel emerges screen drama heightened by the artistry of Bette Davis and Charles Boyer in their first great picture together., The two famous stars of the screen, are in the Warner film "All This and Heaven, Too," from the rt'oval .by Rachel' Field. . Charles .Boyer is cast as the handsome Due de Prasin, Bette Davis is Henriette, the governess to his children; Barbara O'Neill plays the-jealous wife; and Jeffrey Lynn the American admirer of Henriette Who - stands by her when tragedy enters her life. The superb cast includes, too, Virginia Weidler, Helen Westley, Montagu Love. Harry Davenport,- An n Todd, Janet Beecher, etc. State Theatre There was a picture called "Baptism of Fire" that was filmed by Nazi cameramen during, the Polish invasion, and reveals the terror technique of the Blitzkrieg. Stuka bombers" diving from thousands of feet to destroy important lines of communication, Polish aircraft demolished before leaving the ground, immediate replacement by the Reich Labour Service of bridges burned by fleeing Poles—all of these elements in total war : are utilised ,by ace Nazi cameramen to attain the most terrifying effect of the . film. Not long after R.K.O. began making • the film " The Ramparts We Watch," which is descriptive of the United States defence effort and the necessity for it, some genius : in the R.K.O,studio hit upon the: happy, idea of inserting 400 feet to 500 feet of this film which was made to terrorise the small European governments. As a good reason for the necessity of heavy expenditure for de-. fence, the interpolation of the Germanmade horrors was a priceless asset. The beauty; of-Jt that not even

''Lord High Liar-ih-Chief" Goebbels, could .hope*-to contest successfully the authenticity of its beastliness and of the dreadful barbarities it discloses. " The Ramparts We. Watch ". is the unusual attraction at the State Theatre on Theatre;.' • .One of the most unusual-and absorbing pictures of the year, "The Earl of Chicago," is the; chief attraction at'the Mayfaiir Theatre, to-day. Robert Montgomery,'so often seen on the screen as the ■ wise-cracking man-about-town. proves himself one of Hollywood's most versatile actors with his dramatic portrayal of a Chicago liquor racketeer who becomes an English peer. The sequence of events by which Silky Kilmbunt (Montgomery) • enters the House of Lords is fundamentally amusing, but there is deeper significance to his trial—before his equals—on a charge of murder. . Condemned to death in the Tower of London, he wears full court costume, plumed hat, em-

broidered satin coat, silk knee breeches, and cape. Apart from Montgomery, those who give outstanding performances include Edward Arnold, who play's Silky's lawyer and nemesis, Reginald Owen, Edmund Gwenn, E. E. Clive, Ronald Sinclair, the young New Zealander who is doing so well in Hollywood, Norma Varden, Halliwell Hobbs, lan Wulf, Peter Godfrey and Billy Be van. The Crazy Gang—Flanagan and Allen, Nervo and Knox, and Naughton and Gold—continue their high-spirited knockabout and vaudevillian backchat, this time set in a Klondyke frame, in "Frozen Limits." the associate feature. " Young; Tom Edison " ■ History is a perennially interesting subject when it comes to kinematic entertainment, and the feature heading next Friday's bill at the Regent Theatre is no exception. " Young Tom Edison " is an historical romantic drama in the style and tradition of half a hundred great films of the past. Edison himself has never been the object of the filmmaker's biographical attention, but in this production Hollywood makes up its leeway. The story is a splendidly human one in which the boyhood vicissitudes and disappointments of Thomas Alva Edison are interpreted with earnest conviction. Although the genius which made him one of the world's greatest scientists was often obvious during his early years, Edison was brought up in a country town where his enthusiasm was often misunderstood and dismissed as precocious fancy. The inspiring story of the picture is a mingling of pathos, adventurp

and comedy. The important role of the name part was entrusted to Mickey Rooney, and he appears in this to even greater advantage than he did in Boys' Town." The portrayal offers opportunities bigger, more human, great in the stature of the beloved man he personifies, mote dramatic because the boyhood of this eminent man had the true stuff of which great movies are made. The cast • with Rooney is outstanding. First, there is Virginia Weidler, who again proves she is Hollywood's leading child actress. As Edison's sister, Tannie, she is an ideal team mate for Mickey. Fay Bainter is a perfect selection as Edison's mother and is magnificent. George Bancroft, playing Edison's father, has a role totally unlike anything he's ever done, and one which may well, spell ."new career" for this grand actor. "Young Tom Edison" is a film that is mentally stimulating, and full of absorbing ..interest for young and old alike. , Joan Bennett in Drama . • , • Does a woman ever really know the man she loves? That is one of.the intriguing questions posed in the vital drama played by. Joan Bennett, Francis Lederer. Lloyd Nolan and Anna Sten in 20th Century-Fox's production "The Man I Married." The ajpazing experi-

ences of a beautiful girl who learned too late the truth about her husband, are related in the film. Lovely Joan Bennett suddenly finds the husband she adored. Francis Lederer, a stranger to be hated and feared. Abounding in dramatic surprises, the film drives through to a surprising and unforgettable climax. Lloyd Nolan is excellent in his role of an American newspaper correspondent while Anna Sten Scores solidly as the "other woman.'V Others featured in the cast are Otto Kruger, Maria Ouspenskaya and Johnny Russell. " The Great Dictator " ' After seeing Charlie Chaplin in " The Great Dictator," H. G. Wells, the novelist, made the following statement:— "This film is the finest and strongest piece of work that Charlie has ever done. The construction seems to me to be magnificent, the steady ascent from the opening burlesque of warfare to the crowning moment when Charlie thrusts his face through the film and

asserts his simple and passionate belief in the elementary values of the common life, is admirably done. Most films fall down through patchy and inadequate story-telling, but here is the practical test of a good story! The fact that we go on steadily asking 'And then?' and get a continual expansion of interest, is completely satisfied. Paulette. too. is at her best, and there is not a single incongruous figure in the cast. Never have I been so> struck by the temperamental • and artistic affinities and parallelisms of Chaplin and that other great Cockney. Charles Dickens. They evoke the same laughter and the same emotional stir." Grand Theatre How a beautiful runaway heiress sets out to win the love of a penniless doctor and keep him from embarking for China is woven into the story of a new romantic comedy,' "Cross Country Romance," starring Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie, which commences at the Grand Theatre to-day. Fleeing from a displeasing wedding to a rich man. the impulsive heiress frantically sheds her trousseau and in shocking dishabille stows away in a strange doctor's motor trailer. The young physician is bound for California, where he plans to ship to China and do medical research. When the madcap girl is discovered the angry doctor tries to get rid of her, but she manoeuvres him into taking her. west, with the result that they both become involved in riotous complications.. Their continual bickering, however, leads to romance and marriage, with the heiress's efforts to frustrate her husband's plan to embark

alone for China working out. so that they both go; Playing other important roles in " Cross Country Romance " are Hedda Hopper, Billy Gilbert, George P. Huntley, Berton Churchill, and Tom Dugan. . How a resolute frontier girl and a young Government officer work together to save • a stage line and a valuable mail contract,, from an • unscrupulous business : rival makes the basis of George O'Brien's latest RKO Radio picture, „" Stage to' Chino;" the associate feature. Virginia "Vale is, the heroine,': " , . . '.',.'- Film Topics ''•■'.':' Leslie Howard is coming back to Hollywood—With the sole object of earning money to turn over to Red Cross and British relief. funds. His wife will stay in England, where Leslie's son is in the mine-sweeping departments ■."'''. Judy Oarland is now three inches taller than her. movie-mate, Mickey Rooney. To avoid' Odious height. com-, parisons, they ( kieep. Rooney moving around in their'pictures together. Just watch them the next time—Mickey is everywhere, except standing still: by Judy. -- ■■•■-'■ ' . ■'." •'"■. •■• .':.,'••' Franchot Tone is trying to get: out of his stage assignment, for the renewal of "Fifth Column." He has some good picture offers. R.K.O. wants him for ." Kitty Foyle." and-.there is a part, for him in " Miss, Wheelwright Discovers America." Charles Chaplin is still paying Edna Purviahce a salary of 200 dollars -a week. The last picture Miss Purviance made for Chaplin' was "The-Woman, of Paris," away back in 1923. What a contradictory person Chaplin,is!. In his private life. Chaplin is careful' to the point of cautiousness in the spending of his cents ■ and ..dollars. But at hV studio', there are: about a, dozen people who have been on his payrol l for the past,2o.years. They collect their cheques'evefy Wednesday,'every week of the year, regardless of whether they or Chaplin are actively'Working. Ida Lupino, who has been at Paramount for the. last few years, has moved her make-up box to Warners, where she has a new long-term contract. First picture under the new, deal with be "They Drive by Night," with Ann Sheridan and George Raft..