THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24238, 23 September 1940, Page 3

THE THEATRES

REGENT

DELIGHTFUL COMEDY OF HARDY FAMILY

SPLENDID ACTING BY MICKEY ROONEY

The Hardy Family is by now almost an institution in the screen world, ana there will be few constant theatre-goers who have not seen at least one film ot this popular series. The latest Hardy Family picture is perhaps one of the best in a series of many successes. The film “Judge Hardy and Son,” is showing at the Regent, and includes the usual cast, Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Fay Holden and Sarah Haden. Mickey Rooney, one of the. most P°PY“ lar of the younger stars, is. admirably cast as the son part of the combination. His performance is refreshingly youthful and free from affectation, characteristics which have given his acting a high place in the screen world. Once again Mickey Rooney gets into difficult situations with his finance, his car and the girls of the village. Hoy he manages to get out of his difficulties and right himself once more in the eyes of the world makes a very humorous story. To tell the whole story would spoil the enjoyment of the film for those who have not yet seen it. It must suffice to say that the film, is fully up to the standard of previous Hardy Family” pictures.

The Regent has always been noted for its wide diversity of short features, and the present programme of shorts is as good as any for some time. It includes an “Our Gang” comedy, which alone would be a sufficient attraction for many, the latest air-mail newsreels, showing Mr Churchill reviewing troops and members of the fleet, women members of the auxiliary divisions at work in a Canadian motor factory, and an attack on a convoy, during which a German bomber is seen shot down. A Fitzpatrick travelogue showing views of the old South American republic of Colombia contains much of novelty and picturesqueness. The whole programme is one of a very high order.

STATE

“PINOCCHIO" WALT DISNEY CLASSIC Musical treatment in Walt Disney’s second full-length feature production, “Pinocchio,” in technicolour, which will be shown at the State today at 2.0, 4.45 and 8 p.m., is on a scale as elaborate as that which marked “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Six songs are featured, each furthering the plot of the story. The picture opens on little Jiminy Cricket singing a melodious ballad, “When You Wish Upon a Star. As Jiminy completes his song, he offers to give the audience an example of a wish come true, which leads into the actual story of “Pinocchio.” The story concerns a kindly old wood carver who creates a particularly engaging puppet, which he names Pinocchio. As he finishes painting a face on Pinocchio, he tries out the marionette to see how successful it is. He winds up his music boxes and, to the tinkling tunes, he manipulates Pinocchio’s strings so that the latter does a dance, as Geppetto sings a quaint song, “Little Woodenhead.” Another song in this sequence is, “Turn on the Old Music Box.” That night, the Blue Fairy gives Pinocchio life because Geppetto, who has always wanted a son, has brought so much happiness to others. Jiminy Cricket, a little vagabond, becomes involved in ‘ the situation to the extent that the fairy dubs him Pinocchio’s conscience. Jiminy sings the lively song, “Give a Little Whistle,” in which he tells Pinocchio that the puppet should always whistle for the conscience when getting into trouble. Geppetto sends Pinocchio to school, but a Fox and a Cat, a pair of slick villains, spirit him away to the rollicking tune of “Hi-diddle-dee-dee, an Actor’s Life for Me,” selling him to Stromboli, an unscrupulous puppet master. In the puppet show the little marionette sings a spirited song, ‘ Got No Strings.” The picture ends on a joyous note with Jiminy repeating the song, “When You Wish Upon a Star, for the Blue Fairy has made Pinocchio a real boy because he has proven himself worthy of the honour by almost losing his life to rescue Geppetto from the villainous Monstro the Whale. Special featurettes complete, the programme. Box plans for today’s 2.0, ,4.45, and 8 o’clock sessions are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645.

MAJESTIC

“They Made Me a Criminal,” Warner Bros, emotional drama which has been showing to large audiences at the Majestic Theatre since Friday, will conclude today. John Garfield, the sensational screen find of “Four Daughters,” is seen in his first starring role and he turns in a truly remarkable performance, while the popular and famous “Dead End Kids” are responsible for a great deal of bright comedy. In the supporting roles are Ann Sheridan, Claude Raines, May Robson and Gloria Dickson.

“CAPTAIN CALAMITY”

In a roistering, rough and tumble role, as the fighting, singing skipper of the “Marigold,” known in every port in the South Seas, George Houston, popular screen baritone and star of “Wallaby Jim of the Islands,” scores yet another hit in Action Pictures alltechnicolour “Captain Calamity,” which opens at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, Tuesday. George Houston is heard singing several stirring sea chanties. “Captain Calamity” may be said to be one of the first films to bring natural colour to the screen, for the beautiful background of the South Sea Islands forms an entrancing setting for the adventures of Captain Bill Jones, better known as Captain Calamity. The native melodies, swaying palms, and island beauties are brought to the screen in all their glamour, and must provide a genuine thrill for every film-goer. The miracle of modern-day police science as opposed to old-time “strong-arm” methods provides the major conflict in Universal’s action drama, “Inside Information,” the associate feature on tomorrow’s programme at the Majestic Theatre. Dick Foran, June Lang, Harry Carey and Maiy Carlisle have the leading roles. Dick Foran, cast as a new detective, volunteers to trap down a gang of jewellery robbers and is hampered in the execution of his knowledge of scientific detection against the opposition of a grizzly dog of the force played by Harry Carey. Plans are now on view at. H. and J. Smith’s department store, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre.