THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24273, 2 November 1940, Page 7

THE THEATRES

REGENT . “REMEMBER?” LAUGHTER AND FUN At a time when the world needs so desperately to laugh, one of the most completely satisfying entertainments of this or any other year is “Remember?” starring Robert Taylor and Greer Garson, with Lew Ayres, and now at the Regent. Flawlessly cast, the picture was given the deft direction of Norman Z. McLeod, who made the Topper” pictures, and a fast-action screen play by McLeod and Corey Ford, national magazine writer and humorist. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of modern married life, the story is marked by bright dialogue, hilarious comedy situations and a warmly human romantic theme. Taylor has never been seen to better advantage than in the role of an ambitious advertising executive, wrapped up in his job, who falls in love with his best pal’s fiancee “at sight,” complicating all their lives. A delightful surprise for movie-goers who were entranced by her memorable performance in “Good-bye, Mr Chips,” Miss Garson exhibits a rare talent for comedy and is as vivacious and dashing a modem girl as she was a gentle and charming “Mrs Chips.” Ayres rounds out a threesome that is doing something every minute, with never a dull moment. The story has some unusual plot twists that will not bear revealing, but, in brief, tells of two young people who rush into marriage because they can’t help themselves, are separated by misunderstandings, and then get a miraculous second chance, of which they take full advantage. New York is the fast-moving background, with the World’s Fair as one of its varied settings and a fox hunt with a love scene played in a mud puddle that is the funniest seen in many months. “Remember?” boasts a supporting cast of film favourites who can always be depended upon for top performances, including Billie Burke, Reginald Owen, George Barbier, Henry Travers, Laura Hope Crews, Richard Carle, Sara Haden, Sig Rumann, Armand Kaliz, Halliwell Hobbes and Paul Hurst. The “shorts” include Metrotone News, showing the bombing and burning of London, together with R.A.F. reprisals and other items of the latest topical interest, and the “Crime Does Not Pay” series, “Jack Pot,” Pete Smith specialty, “Domineering Male,” and in technicolour the novelty, “Puss Gets the Boot.” Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre.

5 STATE z — >' “DRUMS ALONG THE e MOHAWK” e SUPERB TECHNICOLOUR Thanks to the direction of John Ford, “ the photography of Bert Glennon (who s filmed “Stagecoach”), the superb e technicolour and the excellent perf formanccs of stars and cast, Darryl F. a Zanuck’s production of “Drums Along the Mohawk” is one of the most entertaining pictures yet to reach Invercargill. It will be shown today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre. Nothing in the movies quite compares with an action film well done, and this picture sur- , passes anything in this field. The * romantic, adventurous days when 3 America was young, with torch and * tomahawk spreading their terror in the ' beautiful Mohawk Valley, are depicted 1 with a zest that makes the film a rare l treat. Claudette Colbert and Henry J Fonda are starred as a pioneer couple '■ who with the other colonists of the r valley make a desperate stand against ■ the repeated attacks of the fierce Iroquois. Featured in the cast are Edna May Oliver, Eddie Collins, John Carradine, Dorris Bowdon, Jessie Ralph, Arthur Shields, Robert Lowery and Roger Imhof. The screen play is based on the best-selling novel by Walter D. Edmonds, an author who is steeped in the stories and traditions of New York’s • beautiful valley. Fonda also hails from : that historic locale and one of his i ancestors appears in Edmonds’ book, t “Drums Along the Mohawk” is the t screen at its best, portraying what it . does best—action. Outstanding supports • include a March of Time, “Inside the i Vatican City.” Box plans are at Begg’s i or the State. MAJESTIC “GERONIMO” Against the flaming background of the old American pioneering days, Paramount tells in scene after scene of driving, daring action, the mighty story of the greatest of all Indian wars in the most ambitious outdoor spectacle ever attempted by any motion picture producing studio. “Geronimo,” which is now showing at the Majestic, is the title of this great historical drama. Geronimo and his treacherous tribe of Apache Indians are relentlessly raiding and ravaging the great south-west which the United States had recently purchased from Mexico. In order to protect the settlers the department in Washington sends General Steele and a regiment of the blue-coated sons of the United States cavalry to subdue these ruthless savages who daringly flaunt the might of a young nation. But Geronimo is not alone. He is aided by unscrupulous politicians who not only send him arms but advise him as to the movements of the cavalry so that he is able to continue his marauding raids. Wagon train after wagon train is attacked and plundered and the members murdered and still the authorities are unable to catch Geronimo. General Steele, played by Ralph Morgan, has been meeting the situation on conventional military lines, when his son Jack, played by William Henry, arrives as a tenderfoot from West Point. The son, with Captain Starratt (Preston Foster), disagrees with the general’s methods and decides secretly to trail the Indian outlaw by , seeking the help of Sneezer, a famous , scout, played by Andy Devine. 1 Geronimo is eventually caught after | many exciting adventures. ( The associate feature, “Grandpa Goes to Town,” is a further series of the j Higgins family comedies. The latest ( Cinesound News will introduce the , programme. Plans are now on view at . H. and J. Smith’s box office, Rice’s Ma- < jestic shop or the Majestic Theatre. ] I CIVIC ! < The mail train is thundeiing through < the night and most of the passengers < are asleep when suddenly there is a ’ grinding of brakes—the communica- i tion cord has been pulled. The guard 1 of the train hastens along the corridors i to find the cause. He comes to a first- 1 class compartment; on the floor is a < beautiful young girl lying unconscious i and the door open. The unravelling of < the motive behind this mysterious oc- < currence forms the enthralling plot of t “The Spider,” the Civic’s first feature, ( at 2.0 and 7.45 today. Derrick de Mamey, « the well-known screen, stage and radio j actor, plays the role of Gilbert Silver j of the C.1.D., who is given charge of ]

the case, and he is aided in his efforts to solve the mystery and also capture the notorious jewel thief, “The Spider,” by his young wife, Sally (Diana Churchill). Released by Gaumont-British-Domin-ions, “What Would You Do, Chums?” the Civic’s second attraction, has an unusual title. It is an unusual film and as colourful a slice of English Cockney life as has yet been screened. Not one character in the film is exaggerated, and everyone holds the attention. Tlie story, which “What Would You do, Chums?” unfolds is simple and direct and not over-highlighted, but it counts less than do its characters. The chief of these is a kindly old Coster who peddles junk at the markets His interest in life is generous, extensive, understanding; his knowledge of human frailties never blinding him to the better side of human nature. As the old Coster, Syd Walker is superb and never once out of character. That he completely sustains his role on the one quiet note and yet holds his audience throughout is a tribute to his acting. Jean Gillie is also delightfully natural and restrained as Lucy. Popular Civic prices are 1/- and 1/6, children half price at matinee. Box plans are at Begg’s or the Civic.