ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21042, 19 February 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES

AN OUTSTANDING FILM “GOOD-BYE, MR CHIPS” ROBERT DONAT’S ARTISTRY 1 What Is undoubtedly the finest work yet seen on the screen comes from Robert Donat in “Good-bye, Mr Chips.” His performance as the schoolmaster who plays such a vital part in the destinies of the boys who pass through his hands, through several generations, is a rare delight i to watch. “Good-bye, Mr Chips” j reaches great heights in cinemato- ] graphic art. Perfectly balanced and ; directed by Sam Wood with an un- i usually sensitive appreciation of its varying moods, this story of an English schoolmaster, showing his life from the time he enters Brookfield School until he dies there many years after, will make any “old boy” of any old school unshamedly wipe away a tear. And those in the audience around him will wipe away many. Robert Donat retains all the sincerity and integrity of the original character. The story, with a romantic love theme, has a new angle in the glorification of the work and influence of the profession of teaching. Robert Donat plays the title role, a British schoolmaster. His work, his romance, the tragedy of ! careers of future great men, are the i dramatic elements. Rescue of the heroine from a j Tyrolean mountain peak, a great ball | at Vienna, an exciting air raid over i England during the World War, are among the dramatic highlights. | Cricket and football in famous old | English schools and intimate human ! interest touches dealing with the : lives of youngsters in British schools are other elements in the intensely appealing story, and there are also many delightfully humorous touches. Greer Garson plays the wife with rare restraint, sympathy and charm, giving a performance that will be remembered for a long time. Terry Kilburn has an interesting role, play- I ing four generations of boys who at- ! tend the school, grow up and send their sons back, and the rest of the cast give perfect support. ROXY THEATRE “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” with Mickey Rooney in the title role has caught the full flavour of Mark Twain’s whimsical humour and deep understanding of humankind. The adventures of the river ' boy who aids a runaway slave in an j attempt to reach a free state: their ' travels up the river on a raft: their • adventures with the rascally •‘King” i and “Duke.” a pair of criminals, are ! all faithfully portrayed. Wayne Morris and Claire Trevor | head the cast of “Valley of the . Giants,” the technicolour picture j based on the famous Peter B. Kyne j

novel of the same name. It is a story of the successful fight waged to prevent the utter despoliation of California’s famous redwood forests by ruthless lumber interests (represented by Charles Bickford) around the turn of the century.

THEATRE ROYAL “My Son is a Criminal,” thrills audiences with its brilliant narrative and splendid acting. Ostensibly a story of law enforcement and lawbreakers, the film slowly and deftly takes in a larger and more intrinsic theme, that of a father unwittingly tracking down his clues which convict his son of murder. Fast farce comedy, starring Constance Bennett, is provided in “Service De Luxe.” Of note also is the initial screen appearance of Vincent Price, who established himself firmly in Broadway theatrical circles by his excellent performance as Prince Albert opposite Helen Hayes during the two-year run in “Victoria Regina,” in New York. Charles Ruggles, Mischa Auer, Helen Broderick and Joy Hodges are in the chief supporting roles. STATE THEATRE “The Kid From Kokomo” is an exciting comedy of the boxing ring. Pat O’Brien, Wayne Morris and Joan Blondell head the cast. Vieing with Miss Blondell for feminine comedy honours are May Robson and Jane Wyman. Heading as hilarious a collection of “Mugg” comedians as has ever supported a group of stars are Stanley Fields, Maxie Rosenbloom, Sidney Toler, Ed Brophy, Ward Bond, and Paul Hurst. Sleek menace is represented by Morgan Conway. Much of the comedy is based on the nature of some of the camp followers of the sport. W r hat can a poor girl do when she cannot keep a beau, just because her matrimony-minded mother keeps scaring them away? That is pretty Jean Rogers’ problem in “Stop, Look and Love.” William Frawley. Robert Kellard, Eddie Collins, Minna Gombell and Cora Sue Collins head the cast. CIVIC THEATRE “Wings of the Navy” is a powerful tale that effectively transfers to the screen the spirit and traditions of the aerial division of America’s guardians of sea and coastline, and in the course of telling the story the film production unfolds scenes which give the onlooker a vivid conception of aerial strength. In obtaining such scenes, the studio was given the co-operation of the United States Navy, with the result that there are breath-taking shots of aerial formations and manoeuvres. Aside from the mass flying scenes, there are a number of sensational shots of hair-raising stunts by individual pilots, and, as part of the plot, three crash scenes. The screen play is built around two naval fliers, played by George Brent and John Payne, who are sons of a pioneer naval flying officer who died in the line of duty. A spectacular skating film is a feature of the supporting programme.