"Good-bye Mr Chips”— Triumph For Robert Donat

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 8

"Good-bye Mr Chips ” — Triumph For Robert Donat

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Robert Donat, who gave the screen one of its finest performances as the idealistic doctor of “The Citadel,” once again reveals his consummate artistry and acting skill in “Goodbye, Mr Chips.” The story of “Mr Chips” is the story of the education of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly schoolmaster who comes to a large English school as a young man and passes his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his care, and when these boys grow up they send their sons back to “Mr Chips.” He meets and falls in love with a young and beautiful girl, and when she ultimately dies the tragedy leaves “Chips” with a great human understanding and compassion. i

To the difficult role of “Chips” Robert Donat brings a forthright and sincere acting talent which marks him as one of the outstanding actors on the screen today. Playing four different stages in the life of the genial schoolmaster, from youth to old age, Donat makes him at once a human, breathing man, eccentric at times, but always understandable and lovable, and a symbol of the great profession of teaching. It is a performance which will live in the memory of screen-goers for some time to come. Although “Good-bye, Mr Chips” is dominated by Donat’s powerful characterisation, tremendous appeal is offered in the role of his wife, played by Greer Garson, who has never before been seen on the screen but whose work here en - sures her of stardom in the near future. Lovely to look at, Miss Garson gives a warmth and intimacy to the role of the young girl whose life is cut off all too soon which makes her scenes with Donat among those which stand out with clarity and power.