THE THEATRES REGENT

Southland Times, Issue 24368, 24 February 1941, Page 10

THE THEATRES REGENT

“GUNNER GEORGE” LATEST FORMBY COMEDY It has often been said that an Englishman’s saving grace is his sense of humour and that British film producers have been able to present a lighter side of the war with undoubted success is shown by the latest Formby film, “Gunner George,” now showing at the Regent Theatre. Starring England’s foremost comedian, George Formby, the picture is a satisfying tonic in these serious days, and keeps its audience in a state of constant merriment. From Saturday night’s performance one fact emerges clearly; that is that Formby fans are increasing rapidly and his own inimitable style of humour is growing in popularity. The theatre was booked out early and the large audience left no doubt as to its appreciation of a musical and comedy treat far superior to any previous film of this nature. It is Formby’s picture. His flair for downright comedy is unparalleled and his singing and ukelcle accompaniment have lost none of their appeal. George finds himself in trouble as soon as he discovers that he has been separated from the rest of his concert party, the Dinky-Doos, and been mistaken for a British Secret Service agent. It is to Bergen, and not Blackpool, that his ship takes him and things happen rapidly, too rapidly for this simple-hearted musician, for whom the wiles and intrigues of espionage agents threaten to prove too much. But George has more wits than his appearance suggests and, needless to say, he is able finally to outwit the enemies of his country. It is Mary Wilson, an attractive “agent,” who is responsible for Formby deciding to go through with it now that he is entangled with the whole business, and together they succeed in discovering the code that is being used to give shipping information to the enemy. They obtain photographs of the code-table and are able to warn the Admiralty, but when several U-boats are sunk the same evening George and his beautiful partner are suspected and George falls into the hands of the traitors. Events lead up to a thrilling climax which includes Formby’s boarding of an enemy submarine, his saving of a passenger liner from an unpleasant fate and the subsequent capture of the submarine when the British Navy makes a triumphant appearance. Opposite George Formby, as Mary Wilson, is Phyllis Calvert and she makes a charming and appealing heroine. Romney Brent, who scored a notable success opposite Elisabeth Bergner in “Dreaming Lips,” is cast as an enemy spy, and the other supporting roles are all well filled.

The principal feature is supported by a number of interesting short subjects including “Christmas Under Fire,” showing how England celebrated Christmas 1940 under the shadow of war.

CIVIC

Starring Lucille Ball and James Ellison, “You Can’t Fool Your Wife,” the Civic’c first feature finally tonight at 7.45 p.m., is a brilliant comedy which deals with the efforts of a young wife to test her husband’s love. James Ellison and Lucille Ball play the parts of a young couple who have been married for five years, during which time they have fallen into a rut. They are awakened from it with a jolt when James Ellison is ordered by his boss to show a young English visitor the sights of New York. He begins to lead the life of a playboy. His wife is suspicious and urged by her mother, who lives with them, decides to leave him and to find out who the other woman is.

“Triple Justice,” George O'Brien’s latest outdoor action film, is one of the most exciting of the popular star’s many westerns. Unfolding a swift story of retribution, action gets under way with the hold-up of a western bank, in which 30,000 dollars is stolen, the cashier is killed and the sheriff is seriously wounded. A cattleman, played by George O’Brien, is involved in the crime and, a stranger in the town and unable to establish his identity, he is arrested as one of the gang. Escaping from gaol, O’Brien turns avenger. One by one he overtakes the thieves and recovers the stolen money, supplying plenty of thrilling action and suspense in the chase. In addition the Civic will show “Christmas Under Fire,” a thrilling film showing how the people at Home celebrated thei” Yuletide. The commentator is Quentin Reynolds, who was the narratoi for “London Can Take It.” Popular prices are 1/- and 1/6, and children half-price. Plans are at Begg’s or Civic.

MAJESTIC

“South of Samoa,” an exciting South Sea Island adventure romance produced in life-like technicolour, will conclude at the Majestic Theatre today. Patrons will not have to use their imagination to any great extent to realize that no better setting could possibly be found for an all-colour picture than the beautiful South Sea Islands. Dorothy Lamour, famous for her convincing performance in “The Hurricane” is co-starred with Robert Preston recently seen as one of the three brothers in “Beau Geste,” while Lyn Overman and J. Carol Naish arc brilliantly cast in comedy roles. The associate feature, “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love, Baby,” has Johnny Downes, Peggy Moran, John Sutton and Warren Hymer featured in a comedy musical based on the oldtime song of the same name. Today also will be the last opportunity of seeing the British Ministry of Information propaganda short, “Christmas Under Fire.”

Beauty goes rampant in gripping drama in “And One Was Beautiful,” dealing with love, sacrifice and intrigues of the smart set, will open tomorrow at the Majestic Theatre. As. the man in the case Robert Cummings gives a performance which ranks with his excellent work in “Three Smart Girls Grow Up” and “Everything Happens at Night.” Laraine Day gives an outstanding performance as the younger sister, and Jean Muir plays the older sister with compelling force. Billie i Burke is charming as the mother of the two girls and others who merit honourable mention include Ann MorI riss, Esther Dale, Charles Waldron, | Frank Milan, Rand Brooke, Paul Stani ton and Ruth Tobey. I Thrills, drama and tender romance, I told amid the jungles of Africa, is the ; story of “Tarzan Finds a Son!” the associate feature on tomorrow’s proi gramme at the Majestic, reuniting I Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen | O’Sullivan. A new character comes to I the screen in the fourth of the stories based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs characters in a “Tarzan, Junior,” playled by Sheffield, amazing fiveI year-old athlete who played the boy ■ in “On Borrowed Time” on the New I York stage. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s department store, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and at the Majestic Theatre.

STATE

Filmed in gorgeous technicolour, Shirley Temple’s latest triumph, “The Blue Bird,” is showing finally today at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the State Theatre. The film is not only a personal triumph for Shirley Temple, however, but also for producer and director in their presentation of a fantasy which would still be excellent without Miss Temple. The two combined spell entertainment. The story of “The Blue Bird” needs no telling here. The grandeur of this production is not describable without a projector and screen. The film is a delight to the eye, the ear and the intellect, adult or juvenile, and the manner of its making, the keen professional judgment displayed in every aspect of its composition and the sympathetic use of technicolour, have all combined to turn out the type of film which you not only tell your friends about, but return and view again. Spring Byington and Nigel Bruce take other’ leading roles. Supports include “Christmas Under Fire,” the story of how the people of London celebrated their Yuletide. The March of Time, “The U.S. Navy,” heads the remaining list of short subjects.

“REBECCA”

Powerfully enacted and superbly produced, “Rebecca,” the screen version of the famous novel by Daphne du Maurier, will open a repeat season of three days at the State Theatre tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Primarily for mature types of filmgoers, it is one of the most remarkable films of the year to date, and will be talked of for a long time to come. The screen play differs only slightly from the original book, in its essentials, and it loses nothing in the retelling. The story is developed in impressive fashion, for which high credit is due to the director, Alfred Hitchcock, who has few peers in his department in the motion picture world. Outstanding in the strong cast are Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, the latter in her first big role. Olivier portrays a wealthy English squire, whose first wife, a faithless wanton, dies under suspicious circumstances. The woman he marries the second time, played by Miss Fontaine, is a sensitive, nervous girl, who feels the presence of the first wife as a real and tangible horror. Excellent featurettes will complete the programme. Box plans are at Begg’s or State.