ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

O MAJESTIC THEATRE ■ “GRANDAD RUDD” TODAY Bert Bailey, who recently made a personal stage appearance in Invercargill at the Regent Theatre, during the season of “Dad and Dave Come to Town” is the star of “Grandad Rudd which will be presented at the Majestic Theatre today and tonight. Co-starred with Dad is Fred MacDonald, who. again plays the part of Dave, while the rest of the Rudd family are all included in the cast, including Mum, Dan, Lil, Joe and Sarah, which make up the evergreen “On Our Selection” favourites. “Grandad Rudd” is no less riotous in its humour, no less furious in its pace and no less entertaining than the previous Steel Rudd pictures,' “On Our Selection,” and “Dad and Dave Come to Town.” Its whirlwind comedy has a distinct flavour of Australia’s original slapstick, that unabashed, unbridled type of farce which has the definite courage of,its Australian convictions. Much of the appeal comes from the naturalness of the picture and the characters are true to type. Seeing the picture gives the impression of meeting a likeable and stimulating family. The acting honours are shared by Bert Bailey and Fred MacDonald, who never allow the audience to become bored. As the title indicates, Dave becomes a Dad, which, therefore, ascends Dad to the position of Grandad. All the scenes of the film are laugh-provoking. The cricket match of which Dad is the hero is a gem while another highlight of the show is the barnyard choir which sings to the cows which then produce more milk.

Associated with “Grandad Rudd” is Max Fleischer’s four thousand foot cartoon, “Popeye the Sailor Meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves,” photographed entirely in the new three-dimensional technicolour. This animated colour feature has been the subject of tremendous praise from valued motion picture critics and the humour which is always associated with Popeye studies makes for splendid and most unusual entertainment. It will be interesting to compare the Max Fleischer effort with Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The weekly news events from Cinesound will be the first unit of this outstanding comedy programme. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic confectionery or Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738.

CIVIC THEATRE

“UP THE RIVER” “ROAD DEMON” If you are in the mood for an afternoon or evening of uproarious screwball comedy, “Up The River,” the new 20th Century-Fox picture which screens at 2.0 and 7.45 today at the Civic Theatre, is just about the funniest combination of music and broad comic situations in many a season. The story focuses on a group of happy inmates in a mythical state prison which boasts a radio in every cell, gates that are practically revolving doors, and the best football team in the “Big Pen Conference.” Preston Foster is completely at home in his first light comedy role and the elongated Arthur Treacher as Foster’s partner in crime and football, gives his most polished performance. Tony Martin and Phyllis Brooks are excellent in the romantic leads and the other featured players include Slim Summervile, Bill Robinson, Alan Dinehart, Eddie Collins, Jafie Darwell and Sidney Toler. “Up The River” is a welcome relief from the familiar cycle of grim prison melodramas. It is fast, boisterous, socially unconscious and enormously entertaining. “Road Demon,” the associate feature, contains several of the most spectacular and convincing motor-car racing scenes yet depicted on the screen. With a wellknit story, plenty of wide-open action, and some fine acting, especially by Henry Arthur, Joan Valerie, Henry Armetta, Tom Beck and Bill Robinson, “Road Demon” is an answer to the thrill-loving picture-goer’s prayer. Amusing comedy relief from the roar-

ing momentum of most of the film, is provided by the Gambini family, which made its screen debut in “Speed to Bum,” the first of the Sports Adventure series. Henry Armetta is the father, while Inez Palange and Johnnie Pironne are the others of the domestic circle. Race track rivalry and romantic complications form the theme of the story.

STATE THEATRE

“THREE BLIND MICE” LORETTA YOUNG A gay and sparkling romance, in which beautiful Loretta Young and handsome Joel McCrea play the leading roles, is “Three Blind Mice,” now screening at 2.0 and 8.0 daily at the State Theatre. This outstanding production is entertainment at its very best. Three of Hollywood’s most beautiful women, Loretta Young, Marjorie Weaver and Pauline Moore, dppear as three sisters who work on a farm and who have never seen the world. When the sisters are left some money they decide to set out together on a gay adventure in quest of millionaire husbands. “You can fall in love with. a millionaire just as easily as you can fall in love with a plumber” is the motto of Pamela Charters (Miss Young), and so the three sisters establish themselves in a fashionable hotel to seek their fortunes. As they have not enough money for all three to live luxuriously they draw lots, and Pamela becomes the “lady, Moira (Marjorie Weaver) becomes her “lady’s maid,” and Elizabeth (Pauline Moore) becomes the “secretary.’ Then follows a parade of dancing parties, beach scenes, fiestas and ranch festivals, with Miss Young appearing in gorgeous gowns that are the last word in lavishness, and finally meeting Van Smith, a role taken by Joel McCrea. Then follows a merry mix-up m which David Niven, Binnie Barnes and Stuart Erwin also play parts. The film heads towards a .happy ending, but in the final scenes all is set right and Pamela finds all her ideas about marrying wealth swept aside in her love for a poor man. Joel McCrea gives an outstanding performance in the main masculine role, while David Niven, who is rapidly winning himself an army of admirers for his drollery on the screen, also gives a most capable portrayal. Hundreds of senoritas and caballeros dance to the melodies of Mexican marachina orchestras in several scenes in this sophisticated comedy. Excellent supports include a two-reel comedy, Terrytoon Cartoon, latest Fox Australian News and overseas newsreels, etc. Plans are at Begg’s till noon, then at State Theatre. Telephone 645.

REGENT THEATRE

“CRIME SCHOOL” THE “DEAD END” BOYS AGAIN

A significant question is answered by “Crime School,” the Warner Bros, picture which comes to the Regent Theatre today with a brilliant cast headed by that effective group of youthful actors who became famous as the Dead Ena boys, Humphrey Bogart and a talented newcomer to the screen named Gale Page. The title, “Crime School, is in itself sufficient indication of the point of view of Crane Wilbur who wrote the original story. Frankly aligning itself on the side of the modern methods of dealing with juvenile delinquency, which are designed to avert the former- - ly inevitable progression of “bad boy to “bad man,” the motion picture gives a thorough expose of the evils of the old reformatory system. It follows the fates of six boys, all typical products of the New York slums, after they have been “sent up” for petty crimes, and shows by how narrow a margin they are saved from becoming real graduate criminals. Their rescue from this once common fate is shown to be the result of the practical application of the theories of an idealistic young commissioner of corrections, played by Humphrey Bogart, who has so often been a heartless villain in motion pictures that he is bound to surprise theatre-goers with the fine and sympathetic portrayal he achieves in the first hero role he has ever been given. Both melodrama and comedy mark the vigorous and aggressive fight made by

the young commissioner to get a fair chance for the operation of his theories, a fight in which he has to combat not only the belief of other officials in the old heartless and brutal methods but also stupid maladministration and downright political crookedness. Spurring him on in the battle is not only his idealism, but his romantic interest in the sister of one of the boys. That is the part played by Miss Page. The six “Dead End” boys—Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Leo Gorcey, Bernard Punsley and Gabriel Dell—prove that the success they won in their first screen appearance was no accident, for again their acting is so true to life that the spectator is utterly convinced that they are the boys they seem to be.

PAUL SCHRAMM’S LAST CONCERT OF SEASON

VARIED PROGRAMME FOR TONIGHT

Tonight is the last opportunity this season of hearing the world-famous virtuoso of. the piano, Paul Schramm, whose last concert takes place in Victoria Hall. Those who have already heard Paul Schramm this season have come away spellbound by his brilliant technique, but perhaps one of the greatest features of his playing is his amazing musical versatilty; for he plays with equal brilliance such widely differing compositions as a Beethoven Sonata, the Bach-Busoni Toccata, and Manuel de Falla’s “Ritual Fire Dance.” His programmes are a contrast in light and shadow, quietness and liveliness, delicacy and ■ boldness. His choice of compositions again varies from purely classical to the most impressionistic moderns, as represented by Prokofieff’s famous “Toccata.” Most interesting, however, are his interpretations of Beethoven and Chopin for which he is famous. He not only possesses a masterly technique but his emotion and imagination are fully controlled by sincere thinking and understanding. Invercargill music-lovers will be well advised to come early if they have not already booked seats. The box plan is at Begg’s.

“HOLLYWOOD HOTEL REVUE’’

AMERICAN NON-STOP STAGE SHOW

“The Hollywood Hotel Revue,” an allAmerican stage show, presented by Sir -Benjamin Fuller, will open a twonight season at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday, April 26. Extravagantly I mounted, the revue is a succession of glamorous stage pictures, garnished I with Hollywood girls whose beauty is said to equal advance reports. Melodious tunes, comedy which sparkles as gaily as any seasoned champagne, contortionists who parade under the name of dancers with a speed, dexterity and grace that would be hard to equal, and a whole variety of specialized items contribute to the success of this allAmerican non-stop revue. Undoubtedly the nimble ballet plays a major part in the show. Excellent timing, and pre- i cision are features of this lively and energetic chorus Marty May attends to the major comedy and fills in many gaps , with stories, quips, and “gags.” He is ,an entertainer of note in the United States. Bobby Morris not only possesses that whimsical touch which makes the Jew such a figure in humour, but has vitality as well. The tired comedian is a clown of the past, and this young man proves that youth in humour, as in ' everything else, is infallible. Murray Briscoe is Morris’s “stooge,” and together they have won entertainment renown in the U.S.A. Magda Neeld has a nature like her voice, lovely and warm. Australian-born, she has sung Gilda in “Rigoletto,” while quite recently she was with Jack Hylton’s Band in London. Jack Whitey is not only goodlooking, but he has talent. He would like to be a ballet dancer, and has been • in good positions as a dancer in quite a number of Broadway shows. Wilma Homer is <a versatile performer, for she sings well and can score with comedy. Jack and June Blair are a husband and wife team of waltzists. Park and Clifford are acrobats out of the ordinary, for they perform “miracles of contortion” as well as orthodox and unorthodox items. There are other outstanding players in this fast-moving revue, but they are too numerous to mention in detail. The Eight Original Apple Dancers from Harlem, Gloria Whitney, Bernie Mack, Helen Park, Helen Smith, Alma Costello and Pat Marland are but a few.

ST. JAMES, GORE

Judge Hardy’s family embarks on another amusing adventure in “Love Finds Andy Hardy,” which opens at the St. James Theatre, Gore, today. The cast includes Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fay Holden, Betty Ross Clarke and Lewis Stone.

REGENT, GORE

The feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, Gore, tonight, is “I Am the Law,” which stars Edward G. Robinson, Wendy Barrie, John Beal, Otto Kruger and Barbara O’Neil. The associate picture is “Swing Your Lady,” the story of a champion wrestler who gets stranded in the hills.

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON

“Slave Ship,” with a matchless cast of stars, thousands of players, two years to prepare, a fortune to film, thrilling because it is big, and exciting because its real, will be presented at Riverton tonight featuring Warner Baxter and Elizabeth Allan, supported by Mickey Rooney, Jane Darwell and Wallace Beery. This is a mighty drama storming in epic sweep over half the world; the last slaver sails on its last desperate voyage.