amusements MAJESTIC THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21816, 20 November 1940, Page 10

amusements MAJESTIC THEATRE

“DAD RUDD, M.P.” Bert Bailey and Fred MacDonald, who play the roles of “Dad” and “Dave” respectively in “Dad Rudd, M.P.,” Cinesound’s merry modern comedy of the famous Rudd family, which is showing at the Majestic, are the original “Dad” and “Dave,” having played the parts in the stage version of “On Our Selection,” when Steele Rudd first wrote the story. In the words of the song, “That was many years ago.” During the stage life of “Selection” they played the parts so often that both became better known as “Dad” and “Dave” than by their own names. Naturally, when “Selection” was brought to the screen by Cinesound, Bert and Fred were the obvious choice for the parts of “Dad" and “Dave” and the amazing success of that film brought them further fame and popularity. Here at last, is the picture you have been waiting for —a modern, stream-lined successor to “Selection” and “Dad and Dave Come to Town,” with Australia’s most popular and biggest box-office star. Bert Bailey, in the title role. It’s the “Daddy” of all Australian films—a real treat of hearty laughter just when Australia needs it most. And interwoven through the comedy is some real Australian sentiment and a note of national importance is struck by the introduction of the problem of water conservation for the man on the land—the aspect which motivates “Dad Rudd’s” political aspirations. “ French Without Tears.” “French Without Tears,” which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, is a delightful screen version of the famous play Its spicy dialogue and sophisticated comedy, have been highly appreciated by New Zealand audiences who vote it the best laughprovoker since the early days of the Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn combination. Ray Milland and Ellen Drew give their best portrayals to date in leading roles, while a comparative newcomer to the screen, Ronald Culver, has a complete understanding of the part of a typical, dignified but rather shy, naval officer. The story concerns the depredations wrought by an extremely attractive American blonde (Ellen Drew), who visits the house of a French professor engaged in applying Continental polish to students studying for entrance into the diplomatic service. David Tree and Guy Middleton, as two of the first students to succumb to her charms, ably fulfil thei* roles, while Janine Darcey, as the pretty French tutor, who is forced into the background by the attractive visitor, engages and holds the sympathy of the audience. STATE THEATRE “POP ALWAYS PAYS” The side-splitting story “Pop Always Pays" featuring Leon Errol at the head of a clever cast in a riotous tale of financial complications is showing at the State Theatre. The trouble begins when Errol finds his daughter planning an immediate wedding. Thinking her young man is too careless with his money, Errol forbids the affair until his prospective son-in-law can show a savings account of 1000 dollars. And, in a burst of generosity, he offers to match the thousand with another —never dreaming he will ever be called upon to go through with the offer. Around this basic situation the plot weaves its dizzy way toward the hilarious climax, with the harassed Errol dodging as many of the complications as he can while events pile up in inexorable fashion. The lusty, roaring time of the landboom era, when western towns sprang up like mushrooms and frequently nourished bitter range wars, is the colourful background of George O’Brien’s latest vehicle, “Prairie Law.” The stalwart western star is cast as a husky rancher who sets Out to rid his section of a ruthless swindler and his murderous henchmen engaged in selling worthless lots to nesters. Virginia Vale, as his romantic interest, and Dick Hogan, J. Farrell MacDonald, Slim Whitaker. Cyrus W. Kendall and Paul Everton, have other important roles. “Charley’s (Big-Hearted) Aunt” Audiences are helpless with mirth at the antics of Arthur Askey in his latest starring opus, “Charley’s (‘BigHearted’) Aunt,” coming to the State Theatre on Friday. The film version is a modern one, adapted from the record-breaking stage farce. Never has a film comedy of a stage play been presented with such brilliance. The supporting cast, of the highest calibre, Graham Moffatt, Moore Marriott, Richard (‘Stinker’) Murdoch, Phyllis Calvert, acquits itself with honours. REGENT THEATRE “ MEIN KAMPF—MY CRIMES ” “Mein Kampf—My Crimes” is unusual and grim: unusual because there is practically no cast —no one would want to imitate Hitler and take the credit for it, anyway—and grim because Hitler’s whims and petty ambitions have given the world its greatest tragi-comedy. This production which opins at the Regent Theatre to-day, gives the career of Enemy No. 1 from the days when he was just “Little Adolf” of obscure parentage that was doubtfully Aryan, through his brilliant art career (which reached its peak in the forging of names of Old Masters), on through his impressive Great War service (he won half a stripe a year for four years), and then to the development of that latent genius that endeared him to Czechoslovakia. Poland, and half a dozen other countries. ’ The roots of the film are in the closing days of the Great War. and the audience sees those roots spread gradually into the twisted, rotten tree of Nazism, with those creeping limbs waiting to lean over the neighbours’ fences. Most of the film is fact, and that which is not is based on fact, for which there can be no better corroborative evidence than the many scenes actually taken at decisive points in the Nazi story—the burning of the Reichstag, the disguising of German mobilisation as a' “Labour Corps,” the comical Fuhrer himself straining his larynx at some of the many “heil” parades of fanatical followers, the signing of the Munich Pact, and many other gems of modern history. THEATRE ROYAL FAMILY PROGRAMME “Mr Moto’s Gamble” and “Variety Hour” are the attractions on the family programme at the Royal. When the 20th Century-Fox movie makers put on a fight picture. “Mr Moto’s Gamble” is a detective thriller starring Peter Lorre as the international sleuth who solves a killing in the arena. To provide the right colour and technical advice, the producers assembled a hall of pugilistic fame. Working in the picture or advising in the filming were a few familiars such as Maxie Rosenbloom, Fidel La-Barba, Tommy Herman, Phil Bloom, Bob Perry, Johnny Shepherd, Harry Burns, and Frankie Dolan. “Variety Hour” presents 10 brilliant variety acts—each one a star on the English stage and offering entertainment that should be relished by picturegoers. The stars include Clapham and Dwyer, Brian Lawrence and his Band, Carson Robison and his Pioneers. Music Hall Boys. Norwich Trio, Jack Donoghue and others.