ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23921, 13 September 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “BOYS TOWN” “Boys Town” is proving to be so popular an attraction at the Regent Theatre that the season has had to be extended and will now close on Friday night next. In the role of Father Flanagan, a man living today, Spencer Tracy gives a magnificent portrayal, gaining the academy award for the second time. Teamed with him is Mickey Rooney, perhaps the most outstanding juvenile actor in Hollywood today. The forceful plot gains additional strength from the fact that it is based almost entirely on fact. There is such a place as Boys Town, and there is such a man as Father Flanagan, an idealist who realized his dream of a home for abandoned boys, regardless of race, colour, or creed. The theme of the film, revealing Father Flanagan’s 21year struggle to found his home is drawn from actual files of Boys Town and records left by youths who have since made a name for themselves in the world. The story tells of the battle waged by Father Flanagan to save boys from a life of crime, and his problem with one boy who thought himself too tough for Boys Town. Mickey Rooney is superb as this potential criminal, who nearly wrecks the work of 20 years and has 200 boys thrown back into the gutter. The photography of the film is almost perfect, the scenes of the boys building their own town being particularly outstanding. A feature of the film is the acting of the boys who form the community. One of the most striking of these characterizations is that of a crippled boy who becomes Mayor of Boys Town, in spite of his affliction. The sincerity with which Gene Reynolds lives this part makes his performance rank with the greatest acting ever seen on the screen. Pee Wee, a lovable small boy who is the i mascot of Boys Town, is played by Bobs Martin with a delightful naturalness rare in one so young. The theme of the whole picture forms one of the most significant commentaries on social conditions today, The tasteful associ-. ate programme includes a Pete Smith specialty. “Heroes of Leisure,” an “dir (7—«•” “Tiny Troubles,” and a Robert Benchley oddity, “An

STATE THEATRE “DUKE OF WEST POINT” MILITARY TRADITIONS “Duke of West Point,” which heads the programme which is screening at the State at 2.0 and 8.0 daily, is a cut above all other films that have been Based on life in the famous American military academy. It is, somehow, a fuller, more genuine depiction of the traditions that govern the goings and comings of the large number qf young American citizens who yearly enter its portals than it has yet been the screen’s lot to portray. Credit for this is due not only to the direction, but also to the cast chosen to present its unobtrusive yet strangely satisfying story. Far and away the best performance is given by the “Duke” himself. This part of a Cambridge graduate son of a military attache at the American Consulate in London, is taken by Louis Hayward. His self-complac-ence is astounding, but behind it all is a genuine sense of honour and respect for the institution through which five generations of his family have passed. Then there is Richard Carlson, as his room-mate, whose father was killed in action during the war, and whose mother has since striven to allow him to enter West Point. Alan Curtis is another who turns in an excellent performance, and, as the second year corporal, Strong, he gives just that distinction to his part which enables an unpleasant character to change to one of a more sympathetic nature. Tom Brown, as another first-year cadet, or “Plebe,” has a role much .more suited to his talents than has fallen to his lot during recent months. The tally would not be complete without mention _ of Joan Fontaine in the leading feminine role. The story, in brief, is of Steve Early, brilliant Cambridge athlete and son of a, wealthy Embassy official in London who sails to West Point in line with the tradition of his family. Needless to say, he does not immediately fit in with the American youths at the academy, but he stage-manages events

so that his room-mates are Jack West, a boy without means whose father was killed in the war, and Sonny Drew, who has been unmercifully “ragged” by second-year cadets. West’s mother finds herself unable to carry on financially, and, unknown to his room-mate. Early sees her through so that West will not have to resign from the academy. Events so move, however, that Early is compelled to break the academy’s code of honour, with results to himself that are not set aright until after a - thrilling ice hockey match against the Canadian Royal Military College. A fast-moving murder mystery with a lot of humour in it is unfolded in the second feature entitled “It Could Happen to You,” which has an excellent cast headed by Stuart Erwin and Gloria Stuart, and includes also as featured players Raymond Walburn, Douglas Fowley, June Gale and Clarence Kolb. Stuart Erwin, in the role of a young advertising man, drives his car home from a gay party at 4 a.m. A few hours later his wife, played by Miss Stuart, discovers that there is a murdered .woman on the floor of the back seat. You’ll be filled with both tenseness and laughter as you watch this mystery ~ unfold Box plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645.

MAJESTIC THEATRE “A YANK AT OXFORD” > R°nlpt'' with u-finn laughs and fine characterizations “A Yank at Oxford” is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. No one should .tnss the opportunity of seeing this splendid attribute t< the ideal atmosphere at the Empire *• seat of learning. This will be definitely the last season of this picture m Invercargill Robert Taylor is seen in his most convincing role to date and more than repays Metro-Goldwyn-Mayet fot the time and effort spent in producing in England pictures -qual in calibre tn any made in Hollywood This is the studio’s first British-made production tn fact, the authenticity >♦ the background and atmosphere of the picture proves that only in a British setting could it have been so successfully evolved tn presenting Taylor in. the title role as the cocky all-star athlete who comes Oxford to “teach the natives” and himself learns plenty in -eturn. “A Yank at Oxford” affords the star his greatest opportunity to demonstrate his athletic ability to handle genuinely dramatic scenes Lionel Barrymore, as Taylor’s father and Maureen O'Sullivan, as the English undergraduate whom the hero meets at Oxford, lend their accustomed polished performances, while in the British players who also have leading roles audiences may note at least two potential stellar “finds” of tomorrow. Vivien Leigh as the “other. girl,” reveals a flashing, yet subtle personality which may well set a new style in “vamp-comediennes.” Griffith Jones, as the Britisher whose enmity for Taylor motivates much of the plot, looms as a most personable leading man discovery, stalwart in appearance ana sensitive in his performance. The M.G.M. supporting programme includes a Robert Benchly featurette. “Musk Made Simple,” and is replete with laughs from start to finish Three Men in a Tub, an Our Gang comedy ‘Behind the Criminal,” one -f the Crime Doesn’t Pay series, and the latest Universal News complete the programme Box plans are on view at H. and J Smith’s Departmental Store. Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre. (Telephone 738). THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON Prize merrymakers cause audiences to enjoy rich laughter in “Goodbye Broadway,” featuring Alice Brady and Charles Winninger to be presented at the Empire Theatre, Riverton, tonight. It is not all comedy, however, although there is scene after scene of pure fun. There ar.ealso many situations of touching sentiment and breath-taking I drama. Alice Brady and Charels Winninger .were. the beloyed./’omerl.v’nc. /'n ; “Three Smart Girls” and “100 Men and a Girl.” Included in the cast are Frank Jenks, Dorothea Kent, Donald Meek, Torn Brown and Tommy Riggs.