ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22361, 28 June 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE. “ROMANTIC NEW ZEALAND.” EMPHATIC TRIUMPH.

“Romantic New Zealand” attracted large audiences to the Civic Theatre yesterday, where its season is now drawing to a close. This film is a brilliant pictorial record of the development of New Zealand since before the days when Captain Cook charted these shores. It tells of the struggles of the early pioneers to make the wilderness yield them the barest of livings, of the romantic days of the gold rushes when fortunes were won in a few weeks from the sands of the South Island rivers and alluvial deposits, and of the steady progress which has made New Zealand one of the most prosperous of the British dominions overseas. And as a background for this engrossing story the producers have provided wonderful shots of the most magnificent scenery in New Zealand. Those who imagine that they know their own country fairly well will find in this film much that is new to them, and for those who have scarcely ventured from home the picture will come as a veritable revelation of the scenic grandeur of the Dominion. The picture has been designed to be shown overseas, and it can hardly be otherwise than that it will make a very profound impression among those who imagine that New Zealand is a group of South Sea islets still peopled by savages. The story which it has to tell of the hardihood of the pioneers and of the success which followed their early struggles can scarcely fail to stir a thrill in the hearts of British audiences the world over, and it will be strange indeed if, after the showing of “Romantic New Zealand” in other parts of the world, interest in New Zealand does not show a marked increase. The beauty of the film is enhanced by the fact that it has been treated under the Trucolour process, which is a decided advance on any previous method of bringing natural colours to the screen. The programme also includes James Dunn and Claire Trevor, who have the leading roles in “Hold That Girl.” The story is based on a theme not uncommon on the films, but the players succeed in making it all new, and there is never a dull moment from start to finish. Miss Trevor is called upon to portray the typical newspaper woman of a large American city. Sharp-tongued, active, and quick-witted, she is the “crack” reporter of her paper. Dunn has an equally distinct type to represent—the “hard-boiled” detective, cigar eternally alight and complete with the bullying manner beloved of the American stage detective.

COMMENCING SATURDAY.

A MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA.

“FLYING DOWN TO RIO.”

In “Flying Down to Rio,” which will be shown at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, Gene Raymond takes his American jazz band to Rio de Janeiro to open a show in a new hotel. He falls in love with Dolores Del Rio, daughter of the hotel owner, and a rivalry develops between Raymond and Raoul Roulien, a situation complicated by the fact that Roulien has been engaged to Del Rio for years. When the “heavies,” a syndicate of Greek gamblers, , try to spoil the deal and ruin Dolores’ father by getting city officials to prohibit Gene’s show, that young man foils them all by taking his band and his 200 beauties aloft. In full view of thousands of awed Brazilians, girls sing and dance on the wings of aeroplanes, adagio dancers hurl their fair partners from one plane to another, and ballet dancers trip the light fantastic while fluttering earthward in parachutes. Dolores and Gene are then married by an aeroplane pilot, and everybody lives happily ever afterward. Any attempt to list the delightful and thrilling innovations introduced in this production is futile. “Flying Down to Rio” is one of those films that has to be seen to be appreciated. Del Rio, as a LatinAmerican beauty, gives a fine performance, as does Raoul Roulien, celebrated Spanish and South American star, whose beautiful tenor voice lends enchantment to many of the romantic melodies written for the production by Vincent Youmans, with lyrics by Edward Eliscu and Gus Kahn. The picture also marks the film debut of Fred Astaire in a stellar role. Astaire, idol of New York and London musical comedies, and one of the best character comedians on the stage to-day, is paired with Ginger Rogers in a humorous romance. Of the sets, one in particular merits special mention. Representing a night club of the future, it is built to resemble the interior of a dirigible. The tables, of glass edged with polished silver, are shaped like the tail of an aeroplane, while the orchestra, in a balloon basket, soars about oyer the heads of the dancers. THE REGENT. “BOMBAY MAIL.” FASCINATING MYSTERY STORY. The story of “The Bombay Mail,” the new attraction at the Regent Theatre, will afford the fullest gratification to the patron who enjoys the thrills of mystery and intrigue. A luxurious expres strain, roaring its way between Calcutta and Bombay, provides the ■■■in ■■■■■ i ' 11 "I

unique, if restricted, setting for-the plot and incidentally narrows the search for the murderer of the Governor, who is on his way Home, to certain travellers on board at the time. The problem of exposing the perpetrator is none the less difficult because of this fact, for adequate incentives are shown to exist in the case of several of those involved. A fascinating girl, who has difficulty in establishing her bona fides, an American in possession of valuable rubies, a revolutionist who has been expelled by the murdered Governor, and a Eurasian of dishonest principle, along with his equally rascally henchman, form the company from which Edmund Lowe, in the character of Inspector Dyke, has to pick his culprit as the express rushes on its way. The background may lack variety, but not so the action. Fastmoving incident fills the picture with all the excitement and suspense that one could possibly wish for, and interest has no chance of flagging as revelation succeeds suspicion in the development of the engrossing plot. “The Bombay Mail” is a picture, however, which depends almost entirely on .the performance of the players themselves for its effectiveness, and. the producers obviously left nothing to chance in their selection of the cast. Edmund Lowe does outstanding work in the principal role, and valuable support is given by Shirley Grey, the blonde and pert heroine, Ralph Forbes, Onslow Stevens and Brandon Hurst. The elimination process at the finish is an exciting and dramatic piece of work, as the debonair inspector explains to his erstwhile suspects how each one of them is cleared of suspicion, and as he deals with them in turn and in the presence of the others the inevitable climax draws near. Three possibles are left, then two, and finally the guilt is fastened on to the real murderer a murderer twice over, for two lives are taken in the course of the. journey. As an example of really admirable acting on the part of every individual concerncd. the production must rank as one of the best pictures of its type that has been seen for some time, while the plot itself is ingenious in its conception. There is a. well-varied supporting programme, including an amusing comedy featuring James Gleason, an hilarious Oswald Rabbit cartoon depicting the fortunes of a duckling in a brood of chickens, a Graham McNamee news reel, and a novel “Goofy news reel.

THE MAJESTIC.

“TAKE A CHANCE.”

DAZZLING MUSICAL COMEDY.

Musical films are experiencing a strong return to public favour, and “Take A Chance,” the musical comedy extravaganza commenced the . midweek season to delighted audiences at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Replete with hilarious situations, catchy song numbers, glittering chorus girls, clever dialogue and exhiliarating music, “Take A Chance” also possesses a logical story. It is, in fact, a highly entertaining production, fascinating from opening scene to final fade-out. Its scenes range all the way from a carnival side show, through a magnificent gambling club, out to the homes of the socially elite on Long Island and back to Broadway. Beautiful music, beautiful girls, outstanding work by the all-star cast and a strong story full of thrills, laughter and nonsense are carefully blended into a picture that is a pleasure to sit through, not once but several times. Five hit numbers have been concocted by the batetry of song and lyric writers who worked on the score of this Paramount picture. Jay Gorney, Lou Alter, and Herman Hupfeld wrote the music, and |E. Y. Harburg, Billy Rose, and Arthur

Swanstrom composed the lyrics for the score and the following snappy numbers:—“l Did It With My Little Ukulele,” written by Harburg and Gorney and sung by Cliff Edwards against a “goofy” travelogue background showing how “Ukulele Ike” escapes from various perils by means of the instrument; “New Deal Rhythm,” written by Harburg and Gorney and sung by James Dunn, June Knight, Lillian Roth, Lilian Bond, Lona Andre, and Edwards, and danced by the chorus of fifty; “It’s Only A Paper Moon,” written by Harburg and Harold Arlen, the latter the composer of the famous “Stormy Weather” number. In addition Laurence Schwab wrote new lyrics for “Eadie Was A Lady,” the smash hit from the Broadway stage version of “Take A Chance,” which was written by Buddy De Sylva, and which is sung in the film by Lillian Roth; and finally, June Knight sings “Should I Be Sweet?” another De Sylva song from the Broadway production. “Take A Chance” is the story of four side show carnival entertainers who go to New York and win fame and fortune on Broadway after many hectic adventures which carry them back stage into a ’ crooked gambling hall, and finally to the homes of Long Island’s socially elite. Altogether it is in every way the acme of exhilarating entertainment and should on no account. be missed by anyone who is appreciative of such a glittering bill of fare. The splendid supporting programme includes an Australian Cinesound News, the latest of the Screen Souvenirs series, a “Radio Round-up” and a hilarious cartoon.

“ROMAN SCANDALS.” SEASON COMMENCES SATURDAY. The Dunedin Evening Star has the following to say regarding the extended season of “Roman Scandals” in the Regent Theatre of that city. Responding to the furore which Eddie Cantor’s latest picture has created among Dunedin patrons, the Regent Theatre has been compelled, and not unwillingly, to extend the season of “Roman Scandals,” and the large audience that greeted the entry of this brilliant comedy into its second week last night was testimony in itself to the popularity of this comedian and the role he plays so well. Transported with Eddie Cantor in his daydreams from the rustic atmosphere, and a vegetable cart of Rome, U.S.A., to the barbaric splendour, and a dashing chariot of the Rome that Caesar built and Valerius decorated with imported beauties from the rest of the world, the audience is continually kept in transports of laughter. Cleverly combining the thrills and magnificence of the Ben Hur concept, with continuous compelling humour arising out of clever contrasts between the ancient and modern in every phase of life, the picture is packed with specialties. The comedy gushes along amid a setting of spectacles of scintillant beauty, featuring scenes from slave market, torture chamber, Imperial sanctum, and banquet hall, with Cantor as a bewildered pleb blundering through a mesh of romance and intrigue, and upsetting patricians, prefects, plebeians, and plots impartially and joyously. The utter irresponsibility of his ideas, equally in grocery store and Valerian palace, and his infectious minstrelsy of home and beauty parlour are irresistible, and as an attraction rivalled only by the sheer appeal of the blonde beauties of the Valerian entourage, featuring Gloria Stewart (the Emperor’s favourite slave girl), Veree Teasdale (Empress Agrippina), and Ruth Etting (a singer). Obviously the Roman gentlemen preferred blondes. The supporting featurettes are worth special mention as they include Walt Disney’s newest

symphony, “The China Shop,” which is radiant in its beautiful colouring.. An Organlogue novelty is entitled “Memories” and “Gold of the North,” one of the pleasing U.F.A. gems. The season of “Roman Scandals” will be restricted to three nights and three matinees. Box plans are at McCracken and Walls.