MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 167, 18 July 1939, Page 9

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“FOUR’S A CROWD.’’ A fine cast of comedy players is seen in “Four's a Crowd, ’ which will again be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Errol Flynn, Olivia do Havilland, Rosalind Russell and Patrie Knowles have the principal parts. The entertaining story revolves round tile romantic troubles which beset the four main characters, who are all connected with a modern newspaper office. Erroll Flynn is cast as a publicity agent, who becomes managing editor of the paper. He spends his time courting an heiress, played by Olivia de Havilland, attackin', the financial operations of her grandfather in his newspaper, making love to a girl reporter, portrayed by Rosalind Russell, and placating his employer (Patrie Knowles), the heiress’ fiance. The numerous hilarious complications which arise from this state of affairs make an uproariously funny story. “Willie Banners.*' A glorious successor to “Magnilicent Obsession” and “Green Light’ - “White Banners," also adapted Horn a best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, heads next Friday's programme at the Majestic Theatre. It is a moving tale, entertaining and full of the idealistic fervour so characteristic of Douglas' work. Like its two predecessors, which enjoyed such huge popular success, “White Banners” has a message to convey—the message of courage in the face of adversity. But the film does no preaching—it simply lets the extremely capable cast live a thrilling human story that carries ' its message, by implication, straight to I the hearts of the audience. That, the story seems to be lived rather than acted is a tribute to a splendid cast. Fay Bainter is Hannah Parmalee, the humble peddler of kitchen knives who keeps her white banners aloft in the face of spiritual travail' that would have defeated anyone with less than the utmost in courage and j nobility of soul. After seeing the pic- j ture, it is impossible to imagine any ' other actress but Miss Bainter in I that role. Claude Rains, as Paul | Ward, small-town school teacher and ' amateur inventor, around whose household the story centres, gives an excellent demonstration of the range of his remarkable gifts as an actor, for his is a thoroughly sympathetic role, and, as all lilmgoers know, he gets most of his acting practice in villain roles. The boy around whom much of the story revolves is played by Jackie Cooper, who, at fifteen, is proving that it is not necessary for child stars to retire when they grow up. Playing opposite Jackie, in the part of Paul Ward's daughter, is Bonita Granville, erstwhile “meanie,” who is not a bit behind Rains in dem-1 onstrating that she, too, can play sympathetic characters. Paul Ward's wife is portrayed, by Kay Johnson, a screen favourite of many years’ standing.