THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24237, 21 September 1940, Page 3

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“JUDGE HARDY AND SON”

MICKEY ROONEY; LEWIS

STONE

Tender heart interest, comedy, thrills and poignant drama mingle in a gripping blend in “Judge Hardy and Son,"’ latest of the Hardy Family series, which opens at the Regent Theatre today. The new story is laid entirely in the home town of Carvel. Laughs start from the moment Andy, expecting to win an essay contest, orders tyres for his car and a white tuxedo on credit, then discovers that the prize is for girls only. His efforts to use the three charmers as “blinds” through which he can win the contest with his brains and their names, his dismay when one of them demands he take her instead of Polly to a party as a price of silence, his “detective” investigations to uncover a missing relation and solve his father’s foreclosure problem, are tempered by the dramatic scenes when the mother of the family is near death, when Andy assumes the cloak of manhood to give courage to his father, and when he braves a raging flood to bring his sister to their mother’s bedside. The mother recovers. Andy manages to extricate himself from the girl complications in his life and emerges triumphant and with the white tuxedo he had so long wanted. George B. Seitz directed the family adventure with his usual deft human touch. Lewis Stone as the Judge has some unusually dramatic moments, including the “man-to-man” talk with Andy, as played by Mickey Rooney, who rises to dramatic heights in the sequence where his mother’s death is feared. Cecilia Parker is the pretty older sister, Fay Holden the wife and mother, and Sara Haden plays Aunt Milly. Ann Rutherford as Polly Benedict figures in several piquant episodes with Mickey. The three new charmers in Mickey’s life are enacted by June Preisser, Martha O’Driscoll and Margaret Early, all very easy to look upon. An outstanding performance is given by Maria Ouspenskaya, eminent Russian actress. Another interesting episode is between Mickey and Joe Yule, his father. They play together for the first time in pictures in “Judge Hardy and Son.” Outstanding “shorts” of the highest entertaining qualities include another of those favourite Pete Smith specialties, “Spots Before Your Eyes,” a very beautiful all-coloured Fitzpatrick travel-talk, “Calling on Columbia,” an Our Gang comedy, “All About Hash,” and the latest overseas topicals, the whole building up an entertainment this popular house is so noted in presenting. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre.

STATE

“PINOCCHIO” WALT DISNEY CLASSIC So that all children will have the opportunity to see Walt Disney’s technicolour sensation, “Pinocchio” will be screened this afternoon at the 2 6’ clock matinee at both the State and Civic Theatres. Prices for children at either theatre are: Stalls 6d, dress circle 9d Reserved seats are available at the Civic and the State. Enchanting in its fantasy, and almost unbelievable in the quality of its production, the screen version of the immortal old American fairy story “Pinocchio”''is a story that will appeal to the young in heart of every age. A, film for young and old,

it is the second of Walt Disney’s fulllength cartoon features in full colour. Disney, who, it will be remembered, was the pioneer in this field of entertainment with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” goes one better with this production, since he had the experience with the technique tor such a venture? and the sure knowledge that such films would find a ready market when released. Technically, the show is superb. In its story, the film presents a little wooden puppet who is given life by the Blue Fairy. He is sent off to school, but on the way the bad men get at him, and he has some amazing and highly-entertaining adventures before he gets back to normal life once more. “Pinocchio” is a production all should see. Plans for the State and Civic matinees today are available at either theatre and State plans for tonight are filling rapidly at Begg’s and the theatre.

CIVIC

EXCITING DRAMAS TONIGHT One of the most poignant and penetrating dramas of the year, “Convicted Woman,” comes as the first attraction at the Civic Theatre at 7.45 tonight. Among the many unusual features of the new film is its stellar cast which includes no fewer than seven leading ladies. Rochelle Hudson, Frieda Inescort, Lola Lane, June Lang, Iris Meredith, Lorna Gray and Linda Winters comprise the septette and Glenn Ford plays the only important male role. “Convicted Woman” tells the inside story of a woman’s prison and is a forceful and bitter indictment of the greed and selfishness which makes such a place a living hell. Miss Hudson is seen as the young girl who is unjustly committed to a house of correction. On her arrival, she is immediately plunged into a maelstrom of hate and fury which culminates in a sensational riot, the suicide of one of the girls and the resulting expose of the shocking conditions. “Two-Fisted Ranger,” the Civic’s second attraction tonight, is a fistflinging, lead-slinging, tune-swinging thriller of the west, starring Charles Starrett (the singing cowboy) and the melody-making “Sons of the Pioneers,” together with Iris Meredith and Bill Cody, jun.

“PINOCCHIO” SCREENING THIS AFTERNOON

So that all children will have the opportunity to see Walt Disney’s sensation, “Pinocchio,’ this wonderful production will be screened at both the State and Civic Theatres at this afternoon’s matinee at 2 p.m. Children's prices for the matinee at either theatre are, all stalls 6d, circle 9d. Plans are on view at the State Theatre or at the Civic.

MAJESTIC

The whole world is talking about Warner Bros.’ exciting and emotional screen play, “They Made Me a Crimnial,” showing at the Majestic Theatre today, not only because of the convincing nature of the story, but because of the fact that John Garfield, the sensational screen discovery of “Four Daughters,” is elevated to stardom in this picture. Another attractive point from the audience angle about “They Made Me a Criminal” is the inclusion in the supporting cast of both Claude Raines and May Robson, who figured so prominently also in “Four Daughters.” May Robson is quite as endearing as she was in that picture. Co-starred with John Garfield are the famous “Dead End Kids,” who turn in another convincing performance. The story opens with Garfield, a cocksure fighter who has just won the lightweight championship of the world and

is giving a party to celebrate the occasion. He gets drunk, a brawl takes place in which a reporter from a paper is killed and Sheridan, with Garfield’s manager, runs out with the boxer’s money and watch, leaving the apparent blame on Garfield. However, a motor smash takes place and the victims are incinerated. The charred remains of the watch make it look as though Garfield is dead and from then on he leads the life of a fugitive wandering from state to state and eventually finding haven with May Robson, Gloria Dickson and the “Dead End Kids” on a Californian fruit ranch. From here on an amazing change in theme takes place in the picture; from an emotional and exciting drama the story somersaults to a series of light and hilariously funny comedy. A specially selected array of Vitaphone featurettes will support “They Made Me a Criminal.”