MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 9

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"THE BOY FROM BARNARDOS.” The drama of the British Merchant Marine serves to team Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney in a gripping story in "The Boy From Barnardos,” a story of England's future sailors, which is now screening at the Majestic Theatre. Its locale, the Russell-Cotes Nautical School, one of the famous English institutions grouped in the Barnardo Homes where orpnans are trained toi the future, the new picture depicts Freddie as a youngster, the tool of crooks, represented as a scion of nobility, who is taken from his dishonest guardians and trained at the school. Mickey Rooney plays the student petty officer who is first Freddie’s Nemesis, later his friend, as the spoiled boy finds loyalty and regeneration. Intimate details of the training of the boys, their athletic mets, mast-climbing contests, annual boat race, and their final graduation to places aboard the Queen Mary form a background against which a story of sacrifice and hate, loyalty and regeneration is played. Both youngsters are excellent in then roles. Sam Wood, who directed “Navy Blue and Gold,” directed the new story with deft skill and many delicate human touches. Freddie is convincing and his role highly dramatic. He and Mickey stage a vicious fight in the course of the action. The veteran stage star, Charles Coburn, plays the superintendent of the school with dignity and conviction. The two crooks are played by Gale Sondergaard and Jonathan Hale, and a new child is introduced in Terry Kilburn, English boy actor. Among the players are Herbert Mundin, Peter Lawford, Walter Tetley, Peter Ellis, George Zucco, Matthew Boulton, John Burtin, Emma Dunn, Monty Woolley, and Walter Kingsford. Authentic details provide replicas of the Russell-Cotes Nautical School and the Barnardo Homes in England. The shorts include Captain and Kids Cartoon, "Captain’s Christmas,” Our Gang comedy "Alladin's Lantern,” the miracle of Salt Lake, Robert Benchley comedy on "Baseball” and the latest air mail news.