AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19978, 1 July 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “LISTEN DARLING”: DELIGHTFUL PROGRAMME A large audience at the Majestic Theatre last night was delighted with the new programme, the main .feature being “Listen Darling,” with clever Freddie Bartholomew and Judy Garland in the leading parts. The supporting programme was in itself an entertainment of a high order,. including such highly popular specialities as a Fitzpatrick travel talk on Egypt, a B’en-ahtfey comedy on the common things of life, a crime does not pay subject, and “New Roadways to Success.” “Listen Darling” is an outstanding production, with love and laughter as the keynotes and 1 a merry widow finding true love with the help of two wise youngsters. Hollywood's two young stars are seen to fine advantage in this modern rollicking romance, written by Katherine Brush. Freddie Bartholomew and Judy Garland shine as a pair of somewhat seriously-minded adolescent romantics, who take extreme and 1 ultimately effective measures to keep Mary As.tor, playing Judy's widowed mother, from marrying the small town banker for the sake of his purse. The audience was vastly amused by' the complications encountered when the voungsters locked the widow in a trailer and set ofT across country to find her a better match, who turned out to be Walter Psdgeon. Most of the action comes on this trip, and some of the situations are extremely funny. Freddie 'has somewhat the better of the dialogue sequences, but Judy Garland captivates 1 • with her singing. Two of the three numbers that fall lo her lot are new, while the other is the well-known “Zing Went the Strings of My Heart.” It is a human story of a boy and a girl who pool their brains to find for Judy the right type of step-father. Judy Garland and Freddie establishing themselves a's a couple of capable comedians, while Mary Astor is beautiful as well as effective in her mother role. Alan Hale is good as Slattery, an insurance man. and little Scotty .Beckett as Judy’s small brother provides a- good deal of comedy.

KING'S THEATRE “TOPPER TAKES A TRIP”: HILARIOUS COMEDY “Hal Roach's "Topper Takes a Trip,” now showing at the King’s Theatre, is one of the gayest and most uproariously funny comedies to reach the screen this season. Beautifully staged, brilliantly directed and played expertly by a hand-picked 'cast, this new film deserves to be placed conspicuously on every screen ■fan's “must” list. The -cast, which reads 1 ike a Hollywood “Who’s Who,” includes Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray, Veree Teasdale, Alexander D'Arcy, Franklin Pangborn, Paul Hurst and Armand 1 Kaliz. Roland Young again plays the role of Cosmo Topper, the bewildered banker, who is about to lose his prim and conventional wife, played by the ever delightful Billie Burke. Constance Bennett, beautiful and glamorous, .portrays again the ghostly Marion Kerbv, who is anxious to assist the unhappy Toppers in regaining marital 'happiness. An exceptionally outstanding supporting programme includes tire latest "March of Time,” the ever-popular Fox Aussie News, a delightful coloured item, “Fox Hunting,’’ an Andre De La Varre travelogue, “Marseilles,” and a Pathe Pictorial.

REGENT THEATRE DEANNA DURBIN IN “THREE SMART GIRLS GROW UP” If you liked ‘Three Smart Girls’’ you will like “Three Smart Girls Grow Up.” If you thought that "Love Finds Andy Hardy” was a classic of its kind, you will give this picture equal if not better rating; if you like the sweetness, simplicity and glorious voice of Dednna Durbin you will rave over “Three Smart Girls Grow Up.” That definite impression was left with the reviewer when he came away from the first showing of that picture at the Regent Theatre last, evening. Here was a picture that deserved all the superlatives that the most extravagant Hollywood publicity man could imagine. The point of it all is that the whole splendid effect has been achieved by simplicity and by the naturalness of three young girls, Nan Grey, 'Deanna Durbin, and Helen Parrish, in a picture which might easily have /been spoilt by the slightest trace of over-acting. Its success rests on its characterisations, and in that aspect it- is a's near faultless as it can be. 'What 'Mickey ’Rooney personified in “Love Finds Andy Hardy”—the portrayal of adolescence—-these three girls have done with equal success in this picture. It is a sequel to "Three Smart Girls,” but it can stand on its own merits as something original, something unique in the history of Hollywood productions. In the printed word the story of the picture probably would sound silly, as indeed does the story of any juvenile love aflat", but these little actresses translate it so forcibly that the viewer must inevitably come away with a greater understanding of the youthful mind. In parts it is highly emotional, but excellent use of the antidote of humour maintains the balance . throughout That humour is largely supplied by Charles Wir.uinger as the father of the .three girls. II is a role perfectly suited to him; the tremendously ’busy stockbroker who can follow the progress of markets throughout the world and make fortunes overnight, but who in his private affairs is as absentminded as the proverbial professor. It is ;ono of the best roles that Winninger ever played, and his Hollywood (stock should advance in consequence. 'The picture would, of course, not be complete without the singing voice of Deanna Durbin. In all her numbeis, Marek Weber’s “Invitation to the Dance.” “The Last Rose of Summer,” "La Cnpinera” and "Because, her voice is revealed in all its fullness and unusual beauty, and the songs have been introduced in such a way that they are an integral part of the story. Robert Cummings and William Lundigan, who 'have the juvenile romantic leads, have 'been splendidly chosen foi their particular roles and they play them with admirable ‘restraint. Both of them show a promise that should earn them starring roles within a few years. A fine programme of secondary him subjects includes the arrival of the King and Queen in Canada, a bright musical-fashion "short," and a cartoon.