ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE “THE DRUM” TODAY British history and tradition have always been a rich field for motion picture exploitation. The tide of patriotism mounts higher while the Union Jack is shown proudly fluttering in the far-flung outposts of the empire. By way of a change, ‘ however, Alexander Korda is taking a hand in the cinematic Empire-building. With Sabu, of “Elephant Boy” fame, as the star, Alexander Korda has taken an A. B. w. Mason story, “The Drum,” to convey a message of hardy heroics from the always fascinating and , m y^ er l? l us North-West Frontier of India. The him which opens at the State Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today was photographed in living technicolour, and supporting Sabu is a talented cast which includes Raymond Massey, Valerie Hobson and Roger Livesey. To ensure absolute authenticity for this United Artists release two location trips were undertaken, one to Chitral, India’s most northerly outpost, and another, consisting of a party 500 strong, to the mountains of Wales. Full government co-operation was given to the Indian unit, which gained permission to penetrate into “forbidden zones.” But even so, filming proved an extremely trying and arduous business. There were only four white men in the unit, headed by Geoffrey Boothby, production manager, and they claim that they are four of only 20 civilians to have been allowed to visit this part of India. Each morning at dawn the heavy technicolour cameras and equipment were transported by mule from headquarters at Chitral to a spot some miles north of the Khyber Pass, and within 100 miles of Russian territory. Most of the filming was done on a plateau in area about the size of Wales, surrounded by rugged snowcapped mountains. The average daily temperature ranging between 210 and 130 degrees, and the rarified atmosphere, combined to effect even, the native porters, and although several days’ work was lost because of emulsion on the film melting, Boothby and liis stalwart camera crew completed their asignment under schedule. Selected feaurettes are included in the programme. Plans are at Begg’s or State Theatre, Telephone 645.

REGENT THEATRE “THREE COMRADES” ROBERT TAYLOR—FRANCHOT TONE With Robert Taylor, Margaret Sullavan, Franchot Tone and Robert Young heading the cast, Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer made a good job of transferring Erich Remarque’s fine story, “Three Comrades,’’ to the screen. Rarely has so completely satisfactory a combination of story, players and director been given a film drama as in this story of four people, dazed by their experiences in a war-torn generation and attempting to find rehabilitation in a new world of mocking illusions. With Robert Taylor, Margaret Sullavan, Franchot Tone and Robert Young filling the stellar assignments, and with a supporting cast comprising such fine performers as Guy Kibbee, Lionel Atwill, Henry Hull, Charley Grapewin and Monty Woolley, the picture’s characters come vividly to life. Taylor, fresh from his recent success in “A Yank at Oxford,” offers the most distinguished and heart-warming performance of his career. Margaret Sullavan is superb as the girl who brings fresh hope to his life, and Tone and Young in simple expressive portrayals finish off a quartette of brilliant acting jobs. The Remarque story describes the experiences of the three comrades as they return from the front to face an uncertain future together in a country gripped by post-war disturbances. Taylor, the youngest, falls in love with Margaret Sullavan, and the love affair gives all three comrades a new interest in life. Taylor and Margaret Sullavan are married and she suffers a serious illness while on their honeymoon. Later, Young is slain in a political riot. .When Margaret Sullavan faces an operation in a distant sanitarium, Tone sells his proudest possession, a racing car, to raise the funds, but Miss Sullavan dies, leaving Taylor and Tone to face the future alone. Frank Borzage, director of such memorable love stories as “Humoresque” and “Seventh Heaven,” has achieved another stirring narrative in his direction of “Three Comrades.” It is a picture not to be missed by old and young alike. The “Shorts” are also a very fine array of specially-arranged items—each one a gem.

MAJESTIC THEATRE BING CROSBY TODAY “HOPALONG” CASSIDY One of the strongest Paramount double-feature programmes yet to be presented will begin at the Majestic Theatre today. Bing Crosby, screen, radio and stage favourite, Beatrice Lillie, England’s reigning queen of comedy, Andy Devine, frog-throated comedian, charming Mary Carlisle and Laura Hope Crews make up the cast of “Doctor Rhythm,” a bright, snappy swing time comedy musical. Four new songs are introduced “This Is My Night to Dream, “On the Sentimental Side,” “My Heart is Taking Lessons” and “Doctor Rhythm.” Bing Crosby is cast as a fashionable physician who poses as a police officer to save hlj best friend’s job. He finds that a policeman’s lot is not a happy one when his first assignment is to serve as the personal bodyguard io Beatrice Lillie, who is seen as a scatter-brained society woman and aunt to Mary Carlisle, with whom the doctor is in love. Excitement follows Crosby each day. He finds it difficult to keep up with Beatrice Lillie and has to leave his surgery in the hands of Andy Devine (you can imagine what sort of a doctor Andy Devrie makes). He also gets into the desperate rescue of Mary Carlisle from a crew of gangsters who try to kidnap her. The song numbers already mentioned are introduced at suitable intervals throughout the picture and the settings for these hits are most spectacular in their splendour. As a musical comedy “Doctor Rhythm” is in the forefront of the finest musical comedy presentations. Clarence E. Mulford’s “Bar-20 Justice” is the other Paramount picture today. William Boyd as “Hopalong” Cassidy is supported by Windy Hayes, Russell Hayden as Lucky and the Bar--20 buckaroos. The demand for seats will be heavy and intending patrons are advised not to delay in making reservations at H. and J. Smith’s Department Store box office or Rice’s Majestic shop (telephone 738). Latest Cinesound News, showing current Australasian topics, will introduce the programme.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON Again the hoofs of the Pony Express thunder across the plains. Again the “Wells Fargo” stage coaches rattle through the prairie night, their guards’ hands clasped to the butts of their lusty carbines. For Paramount swings across

the screen in “Wells Fargo” at the Theatre Royal, Winton, the thundering story of the winning of a barren continent and an outfit which dared a thousand dangers a minute to carry mail, gold and its precious human freight. And here is stout-hearted Ramsay Mac Kay, bravest of all Wells Fargo men, played by Joel McCrea; Hank York, Indian scout and plainsman, played by Bob Burns; Hank’s Indian friend, Pawnee, and a hundred other characters.