ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23949, 16 October 1939, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “NAUGHTY MARIETTA” “Naughty Marietta” has been acclaimed more than once by Invercargill audiences, but its appeal is lasting, as was demonstrated by its warm reception at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, and there will be many in the next few days who will welcome the opportunity of seeing Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy in their first great triumph which, without being critical of their succeeding films, still remains one of their greatest productions. The Victor Herbert music in this film, every number of it, has passed into common currency but it remains sparkling and refreshing; it is musical comedy at its best. The songs, “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” “I’m Falling in Love with Someone” and “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp Along the Highway,” will

be acclaimed with all the warmth which is due to old favourites. There is to this film, however, much more than music; there is a delightful story of a thoroughly delightful young lady, there is adventure and romance, comedy and near tragedy, and there is skilful direction and excellent sound recording—this last feature being particularly noticeable in this film which is a reprint from the original and in which the latest methods of tone reproduction have been embodied.

The backgrounds of the film are as varied as they are convincing. First, there is the old world scenery of a French palace and a busy port; then there is shipboard, the mangrove swamps of the south and then the strange mingling of leisure and bustle and the two worlds move along side by side in New Orleans, the solid huts of the pioneer and the pretentious palaces of the governing officials and lastly a hint of the vast opening world of the West. Through the mention of these scenes will be brought back the memory of the charming story of the Bourbon princess, betrothed to a degenerate specimen of a man she does not like, who changes places with her maid and embarks for America with a party of feminine emigrants in search of husbands. The capture of the ship by pirates and the rescue of the women by a party of scouts and their handsome baritone captain is an exciting interlude before new dangers have to be faced in the marriage market of New Orleans, and then, latterly, when the search for the pretty runaway drives Marietta from the shelter of a marionnette party to ultimate capture. Out of this develops the spectacular climax of the ball at the Governor’s palace, where the audacious, captain dares all to rescue his sweetheart. Frank Morgan plays an important part as the Governor, and his performance is still one of the best he has given. Opposite him is Elsa Lanchester (Charles Laughton’s wife in real life), who appears as the Governor’s shrewish lady. The supporting programme includes Metrotone newsreels, a Robert Benchley speciality, “Home Early,” and an interesting technicolour short, “Say, Do You Know How to Ski?”

“O SAY, CAN YOU SKI?” This is the title of a most interesting short subject at present being screened on the “Naughty Marietta” programme at the Regent Theatre. It is. in full colour and deals in an interesting way with winter . sports at an Austrian resort. The sport of ski-ing, from the amateur’s first steps to manoeuvres by champions, takes up most of the film. It is full of thrills and interest for both the average picture-goer and the ski enthusiast, STATE THEATRE “So This Is London,” a riotous English comedy starring Robertson Hare, Alfred Drayton, Fay Compton and George Sanders, will be screened finally at 2.0 and 8.0 today at the State theatre. “PYGMALION” RETURNS TWO SESSIONS TOMORROW In the film version of Bernard Shaw’s world-famous comedy “Pygmalion,” which plays a three-day return season in Invercargill at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow, and stars Leslie Howard, the audiences will again hear tripping from the lips of Wendy Hiller, that famous line (in full) which roused world-wide controversy when, as a play, it was first produced in England. Wendy Hiller, who was specially chosen to portray the role by Bernard Shaw, after he had seen her at a. Malvern festival, plays Eliza according to her own conception of the part. “Pygmalion” is one of the best films ever made, and that, it is considered, is giving the picture no more than is due. The film, adapted from the famous Shavian play, tells a strange story. As the outcome of a crazy bet a little flower girl is transformed into a society debutante. Wendy Hiller, a name little known in the screen world, plays the role. Her performance is outstanding. As the unkempt, untutored flower girl she is more than realistic. She is the character she portrays. Under the tutelage of Leslie Howard she is transformed and her transformation to a society girl is a marvel of superb acting. Howard has played brilliantly in many pictures, but this must be his greatest success. . As the professor of phonetics who brings about the change, he is cast in one of the best roles of his career. Box plans are at Begg’s or the State, telephone 645. MAJESTIC THEATRE “RENEGADE TRAIL” AND “NEVER SAY DIE” Clarence E. Mulford’s “Renegade Trail” which features the popular fictional heroes Hopalong Cassidy, Windy Hayes and Lucky Jenkins, will conclude at the Majestic today The supporting Paramount Picture, “Never Say Die,” has Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Alan

Mowbray and Andy Devine as its allcomedian star cast. “ST. LOUIS BLUES” MISSISSIPPI SHOWBOAT MUSICAL Resembling “Showboat,” the famous Mississippi musical picture, “St. Louis Blues,” will begin at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. Dorothy Lamour, Lloyd Nolan, Jessie Ralph, Mary (“Pumkin”) Parker, the popular negress singer of radio fame, Matty Malneck and Maxie Sullivan head the ambitious cast. No fewer than eight Mississippi darkie melodies will be heard. “St. Louis Blues” is more than a musical picture, it is a pleasing romantic story with a current of brilliant comedy running throughout. The associate feature, “Touchdown Army,” has John (Bulldog Drummond) Howard, Mary Carlisle, Robert Cummings, William Frawley and Benny Baker featured. It is a romance of the West Point Military Academy showing how a swelled-headed athlete is changed into a real man by the discipline and traditions of the famous military school. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s departmental store box office, Rice’s Majestic shop and the Majestic Theatre. Telephone 738. CIVIC THEATRE “RETURN OF CISCO KID” “NEWS IS MADE AT NIGHT” Warner Baxter brings back to the screen at the Civic Theatre finally at 7.45 tonight O. Henry’s lovable outlaw, whom he created in “In Old Arizona,” in the 20th CenturyFox production “The Return of the Cisco Kid.” The immortal Robin Hood of the Rio Grande inspires new actionpacked legends of the old south-west in this fast-paced, fun-filled film. Lynn Bari has her most important role to date as the girl for whom the romantic bandit sighs, while a thousand senoritas sigh for him. Production Chief Darryl F. Zanuck also cast the remaining roles with great care and the result is a sterling line-up, including Cesar Romero, Henry Hull, Kane Richmond, C. Henry Gordon and Robert Barrat. “News Is Made at Night,” the second feature, is a thrilling new crime mystery. Preston Foster as a crusading editor and Lynn Bari as a brilliant girl reporter head the cast which also features Russell Gleason, George Barbier, Betty Compson and Paul Guilfoyle. Alfred Werker directed the film, a 20th Century-Fox release. Plans are at Begg’s or Civic, telephone 1744.