ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “TEST PILOT” With such a popular trio as Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer TVacy in the main roles in an aviation film that aims at characterization as well as thrills, “Test Pilot” could not be anything but good melodramatic entertainment, says The Sydney Morning Herald. The technical work in the production is excellent, and there are some remarkable flying sequences. Although containing the sentimentalism that generally weaves itself around a selfeffacing and loyal hero such as Spencer Tracy knows well how to depict, this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer story of comradeship—and of the courage and daring behind the development of civil aviation—offers plenty of excitement without intruding sensationalism. Outlining in broad strokes, the hectic life of a devil-may-care test pilot, it is a narrative with pathos and humour, set in a tense, authentic atmosphere. The effects of his profession on the nerves of the aviator, and on those near and dear to him, are disclosed in a number of well-acted scenes in which hysteria sometimes asserts itself for a moment, to disappear in a laugh or joke. Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy are especially effective in one such scene, where, as the pilot’s wife and his mechanic, the two watch the pilot in a critical situation during the aerial races. If one, could not accept Mr Gable as Parnell, one must appreciate him as ace of test pilots, reckless Jim Lane. He gets thoroughly under the skin of this tough flyer. But it is fortunate that all test pilots are not as crazy, conceited, impulsive, and hard-living as Lane is. Clark Gable’s performance is so good that he just prevents Spencer Tracy from winning chief honours as Lane’s cynical and fatalistic guide, philosopher and friend. This soliloquizing “Gunner” is a typical Tracy role. The story is substantial and splendidly directed. There are times when the machine, and not the man controlling it, is the real hero of the story, whether it be the silver “Drake Bullet” with which Lane attempts the transcontinental record, the huge army bomber which he tests to its full capacity by climbing to 30,000 feet, or the plane which catches fire during the aerial carnival. The stress of flying, the complexes it creates in the minds of Lane and his wife and j friend, the grip it has on the imagination of the pilot, and the fatalism it breeds, are illustrated in a series of flying scenes unparalleled on the screen. The inherent drama of these is, of course, heightened by an insistent suggestion of pending tragedy. Here the crisis are well developed. More spectacular flying has perhaps . been seen in films, but nothing more stirring. l

STATE THEATRE

“KIDNAPPED” TODAY FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW “Kidnapped,” the story which Robert Louis Stevenson is said to have considered his best, comes to the State Theatre at 2 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. today, and is spectacularly produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, with a cast of 5000, headed by the best of the 20 th CenturyFox players. Unlike several other Sevenson stories, “Kidnapped,” never before has appeared in either silent or sound films—something of a record. In its debut, however, the stars, director and supporting cast appear to have been assembled with a lavish hand for the patrons of the State Theatre. Every person conversant with so much as high school English has thrilled to the adventure in “Kidnapped,” so the picture is destined to meet a host of familiar friends. It will be these “friends” who will remember rhat the story had little or no “feminine interest”—being chiefly the tale of the escapades of Alan Breck and David Balfour (portrayed on the screen by War ner Baxter and Freddie Bartholomew). Purists, may try, therefore, to quarrel with Hollywood’s introduction into the story of a Jean MacDonald, Highland lass who becomes enamoured of Alan Breck. The role is portrayed by an astonishingly

i vivacious and beautiful screen discovery, Arleen Whelan. It is interesting to note, then, that the motion picture people have no less a precedent than Stevenson himself, fcr allegedly “tamper-

ing” with the facts. He admits he tampered with the historical facts in writing the book. “It is more honest to confess at once how little I am touched by the desire for accuracy. This (“Kidnapped”) is no furniture for a scholar’s library, but a book . . ” If Hollywood has taken liberties, it has only to paraphrase the author of the book from which it made its film: “This is no furniture for a scholar’s library, but a triumphant piece of motion picture entertainment, lavishly done. - ’ The stellar cast of “Kidnapped” includes C. Aubrey Smith, Reginald Owen, -John Carradine, Nigel Bruce, Miles Mander, Ralph Forbes and H. B. Warner. Firstclass short features including a tworeel comedy and cartoon complete this excellent programme and patrons are advised to book early at Begg’s or the State Theatre, telephone 645.

CIVIC THEATRE

OPENING TONIGHT COMEDY AND DRAMA Joe Penner, leading comedian of radio and screen, appears in'his first starring comedy, “Go Chase Yourself, beginning tonight at the Civic Theatre. Said to be one of the season’s fastest comedies, “Go Chase Yourself” comes to the screen with Lucille Ball heading a popular cast, including Richard Lane, June Travis, Fritz Feld and Tom Kennedy. Penner’s hilarious role is that of a bank teller who wins an elaborate trailer in a raffle, but has no car to pull it. When his wife, exasperated, forces him to sleep in the vehicle that night, it is stolen by a group of - bandits, who have looted bis bank, to disarm suspicion. Joe, bewildered, wakes up the next morning, with his strange companions, and from this point the action becomes fast and furious, with his futile efforts to escape, and his innocent participation in the kidnapping of a wealthy society girl under the impression that he is helping her, leading up to the side-splitting climax.

Night fepot, tiiG associate leaturej deals with the hectic experiences of a young policeman and a stenographer who aspires to be a night-club singer. When the girl accidentally finds herself in a position in which she can provide an alibi for a gangster suspected of murder, the grateful crook offers her a job as an entertainer in his luxurious night club. Allan Lane, as an undercover man for the police, is stationed at the same spot, and his efforts to obtain evidence proving that the night club is the headquarters for a gang of jewel thieves throws him in contact with the pretty singer; and their romance blossoms virtually in the shadow of hoodlum guns. Box plans are at the theatre and at Begg’s. .

MAJESTIC THEATRE

DEANNA DURBIN AGAIN “THREE SMART GIRLS” TODAY The public of Invercargill has been persistently demanding the return screening of Deanna Durbin in “Three Smart Girls.” No less persistent has been the demands of the management to Universal Films to arrange this screening. “Three Smart Girls” has been so popular, however, throughout New Zealand, that it has taken over a year for this return screening to be arranged. It is, therefore, with pleasure that the management announces the presentation of Deanna Durbin in “Three Smart Girls” at the Majestic Theatre today, Friday. Deanna Durbin sings three songs in the production, “Someone to Care For Me,” “My Heart is Singing” and “Il Bacio,” and they are mest suitable melodies for this young lady’s charming voice. “Three Smart Girls” is brilliant in its dialogue, comedy and production. The story concerns the efforts of three sisters, played by Deanna Durbin, Nan Grey and Barbara Read, to reunite their mother (Lucille Watson) and father (Charles Winninger) who have been divorced for ten years. The mother, however, is still deeply in love with her former husband. A gold-digging blonde (Binnie Barnes) is endeavouring to win the affections of fast-spending father and a concentrated effort is put forward by the children to prevent the blonde’s success. Prominent roles are also played by Ray Miiland, John King, Mischa Auer and Alice Brady “Three Smart Girls” was the picture that made Deanna Durbin famous over night She definitely came, saw, conquered and charmed the entire picture world and it is certain that those who saw this picture will see it again and those who have not seen it are sure to avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing it. It is, however, wise for intending patrons to make reservations at the earliest possible opportunity. “Three Smart Girls” will be supported by Paul Armstrong’s, “The Return of Jimmy Valentine,” featuring Roger Pryor, Charlotte Henry and concerns further adventures of fiction’s most daring and debonair cracksman.

Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or the Majestic Theatre, telephone 738.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

“I’ll Take Romance” is a veritable whirl of melody. In several memorable scenes taken from the world’s great operas, Miss Moore sings the Drinking Song from “Traviata,” the Gavotte from “Manon,” the quintet and finale of the third act of “Martha” and finally, as a glorious climax, the duet from “Madame Butterfly.” As if that were not sufficient musical fare for one evening, Miss Moore appears in a riotously humorous trio with Melvyn Douglas, her leading, man, and Stuart Erwin, in which they indulge hilariously in that breezy hill-billy ditty, “She’ll Be Cornin’ Round the Mountain.” There is also the popular theme number, “I’ll Take Romance.”