ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23646, 22 October 1938, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “A YANK AT OXFORD” Place an. American youth, more than ordinarily sharp witted but hardened by a highly-developed superiority complex in the hallowed cloisters of Oxford University, make him realize that the athletic prowess that made him a hero in the United States does not carry much weight in England, and let him mingle with the cream of English public school talent and the scions of noble English houses, tasting their hide-bound traditions and coming into violent contact with their age-old institutions. i This is the plot of “A Yank at Oxford, which will open its season at the Regent Theatre today. The “Yank” is Robert Taylor, who wins a scholarship entitling him to tuition at Oxford. Here he finds that demonstrations of his athletic ability against the ancient traditions of student life bring him into conflict with his fellowstudents. Then, to complicate matters,he falls in love with the sister of Griffith Jones, his most active enemy among the students. Ragged by the indignant Englishmen, he endeavours to retaliate, and his escapades bring him into unpleasant contact with the Dean of the college. When Jones is' involved in an affair with the college vamp Taylor, in his gallant American way, endeavours to fix the blame on himself. As he is about to be “sent down,” his father (Lionel Barrymore) arrives and sets in motion the machinery that exonerates him. Everything is cleared up, and Taylor, making his peace with Jones, strokes the Oxford eight to victory against Cambridge. Although two of the stars —Taylor and Maureen O’Sullivan—are American, the picture was made in England; in no other way could it have captured so well something that lives only in the imagination of most* New Zealanders—the dignity of Oxford. The scenes are set in the picturesque country of Buckinghamshire and among the spires, quadrangles, historic dining halls, playing fields, and slow-moving rivers of the famous university. Life in the classic buildings and living quarters is shown in most placid and most exciting moments. The veteran Lionel Barrymore is cast as Taylor’s father, and Vivien Leigh and Griffith Jones, British players, appear as the college vamp and Taylor’s enemy respectively. Both Miss Leigh and Jones are first-rate players. Edmund Gwenn. famous British star, plays the part or the dean. Particular interest attaches to the air mail newsreel showing today as it deals with some of the highlights of the recent European crisis including the warlike preparations of Czechoslovakia and England and Mr Chamberlain’s flight to Germany. There is also an Our Gang comedy and an amusing interlude by Robert Benchley. CIVIC THEATRE SPECIAL HOLIDAY FEATURES MATINEE TODAY The simple but intriguing story of the OTLearys, culminating in the terrible fire which practically wiped out that portion of Chicago known as “The Patch,” is told in the superb spectacle “In Old Chicago,” which is now showing at the Civic Theatre. It is a brilliant production, staged in an outstanding manner, and remarkably well portrayed by a magnificent cast headed by Don Ameche, Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Brian Donlevy and Alice Brady. The rise to power of the two sons of the. widow O’Leary and their activities in different’ spheres eventually leads them into conflict as one of them, elected as Mayor of the city, institutes an inquiry into the conditions of the slums of Chicago that will be damaging to his brother. The climax to the film is unrivalled as a spectacle, the huge fire, started by accident in a barn, being vividly done, being realistic in the extreme. The roar of the flames as they engulf the flimsy wooden houses and the flight of the panic-stricken populace are vividly shown. Paul Cavanagh and Marcelle Chantal co-star in “A Romance in Flanders,” the strong emotional drama which will also be shown. The film tells in vigorous fashion the tragic, yet beautiful story of a woman who became married during the Great War only because she believed the man she really loved to have been killed while making a gallant rescue. Both these films will be 'shown at today’s matinee. MAJESTIC THEATRE “CALL OF THE YUKON” DRAMA OF THE FROZEN NORTH A pack of starving wolves, a collie dog, a half-savage white hunter, a raven and a beautiful woman all help to make James Oliver Curwood’s “Call of the Yukon,” now at the Majestic Theatre, a film that will not easily be forgotten. It is a drama of the frozen wastes of Alaska, where food is scarce and each man kills what he wants, Jean Williams (Beverley Roberts) goes to the north of Alaska, to the little furtrading town of Topek in search of material for a book. When the Alaskan winter sets in the entire population of the little town leaves for the south, but Jean Williams and Gaston Rogers, a half-savage trapper, stay behind. When the rigours of the climate and the danger from wolves force them to desert the town, they make a break for Nenane, and it is on this trip that some of the best scenes and the most thrilling action take place. During the journey they lose their dog team and most of their food in an avalanche and have to complete the journey down the frozen river on foot. They come to a cabin high in the mountains where they are discovered by Hugo, a fur trader who is in love with Miss Roberts. The two men fight as half-wild men over the woman. How Miss Roberts makes

her choice between the two is an interesting story. A murder mystery of gangland, “Nurse From Brooklyn,” is a story of quality. Sally Eilers is the nurse, Paul Kelly is the detective and Larry Blake is the killer. Blake kills the nurse’s brother and convinces her that Kelly shot him. Miss Eilers joins forces with Blake in an attempt to trap Kelly and avenge her brother’s murder, but at the last minute she learns the truth and saves him. SPECIAL CHILDREN’S MATINEE TODAY As “Nurse From Brooklyn” is not suitable for children, the James Oliver Curwood story, “Call of the Yukon,” will be supported at the afternoon session by specially-selected short features, including Cinesound News, “Down on the Barn,” comedy, “Going Places,” travel talk, “Man Hunt,” Oswald Rabbit and Chapter 6 of the serial, “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars,” featuring Larry (“Buster”) Crabbe. Box plans are now open at H. and J. Smith’s box office or Rice’s Majestic confectionery, telephone 738.

STATE THEATRE . “THE DIVORCE OF LADY X” MERLE OBERON IN TECHNICOLOUR .Delightfully polished entertainment, “The Divorce of Lady X,” which began a season at the State Theatre yesterday, is another technicolour success and another feather in the cap of Alexander Korda. Merle Oberon is one star who should welcome the conquest of the screen by technicolour. In this feature she photographs charmingly and vividly, and looks delightfully youthful and vivacious in a wide variety of garments, ranging from gowns to hunting habit. Also, she acts extremely well and makes the most of a part that on the surface could not have offered her many opportunities. This is Miss Oberon’s first appearance after a fairly long absence from the screen, and also her first appearance in technicolour, and she is largely responsible for making “The Divorce of Lady X” a highly satisfying repast of wit and gentle fun. Laurence Olivier is her partner in chief, and between them they weave a graceful pattern of comedy. As the bewildered, love-struck lawyer, he is at his best. “The Divorce of Lady X” is the film version of the stage play, “Counsel’s Opinon.” Actually it is the kind of story in which Tom Walls was wont to revel, except perhaps that Walls would have treated it as pure farce.. Alexander Korda has attacked it more in the. airy, whimsical and thoroughly sophisticated manner of Noel Coward. Whatever defects the film may have, they are quite outweighed by the highly polished and Very subtle direction of - laughable incidents, by the acting of a top-rank British cast and by the technicolour. The photography is constantly in the foreground, and the outdoor scenes of the gentry riding to hotrnds are like old hunting prints come to life. As for the story, it may be said that when a young man of smart' appearance goes after an equally young woman of equally smart appearance, he has a reasonable chance of getting her; but when the young woman goes after the young man, the odds are said to be very much against his escape. The story of two men and a woman has been used so often that there can be nothing new about it; but in “The Divorce of Lady X” the plot is written round two women and one man, which is a much different proposition. The story begins when a heavy fog falls, while a society ball is being held in a fashionable hotel, and those who live some distance away are advised, to stay the night. Accommodation is insufficient and one, Miss Steele, rather impudently manages to occupy, the bedroom of one Mr Logan, and innocently forces him into doing the best he can with a shake-down in an adjoining room. A few days later Lord Mere, a delightful character, particularly in a tipsy episode, interviews Logan with a view to getting a divorce because of an incident which was reported to have happened in the hotel that night, and when his description of his wife tallies with that of Miss Steele, Logan believes that he is the Unnamed co-respodent. From that stage there is a general mixup, and when he tackles, the girl she allows him to believe that she is Lady Mere. By this time he is desperately in love with her, and when he learns of fier deception he dashes off in a rage prepared to leave'the country. He actually does board a steamer bound for distant shores, but when a woman has other ideas, things usually happen. And happen they do. Witty story, amusing dialogue, polished direction, and delightful acting make “The Divorce of Lady X” altogether a charming attraction. Binnie Barnes, Ralph Richardson and Morton Selten head an excellent supporting cast. The main picture is supported by an interesting first half of news reels and featurettes. There will be a special session at 10.20 o’clock this evening. ST. JAMES THEATRE. GORE For some years past the ranks of the Hollywood film stars have from time to time been augmented by importations from England and the Continent, and studio directors are always on the alert for some new and intriguing personality that will give variety and piquance to a form of entertainment that has already imposed a severe drain on the stage talent of America. The latest addition to the ranks of the featured players is Danielle Darrieux, a beautiful and vivacious young French actress, whose performance in “The Rage of Paris,” which comes to the St. James Theatre, Gore, today, fully justifies the confidence reposed in her , to infuse something fresh and unusual into a sphere of acting that threatens to develop a sterotyped style among its followers.

REGENT THEATRE, GORE

A picture of equal appeal to adults and juveniles alike is “Little Miss Somebody,” which begins today at the Regent Theatre, Gore, at a matinee and screens finally on Monday. Binkie Stuart, the four-year-old “discovery,” improves upon her excellent performance in “Rose of Tralee.” Her roguish

appeal is refreshing. Besides singing one or two tuneful little numbers, Binkie will delight patrons with tap dancing. “Little Miss Somebody” will prove popular with every member of the family. The associate feature is “Wise Girl,” in which two well-known stars are united for the first time. They are Miriam Hopkins and Ray Milland. EMPIRE, RIVERTON In a production sweeping with song and scented with romance Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy will be seen in “Rose Marie” at Riverton tonight and Saturday. Under their magic spell the full beauty of “The Indian Love Call,” “Rose Marie I Love You,” “Song of the Mounties” and other classics from the Herbert Stothurt-Rudolph Friml score live again. An all star cast includes Allan Jones, Reginald Owen, Alan Mowbray and Una O’Connor.