AMUSEMENTS

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 19, 19 April 1940, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “MOTHER BY PROXY.” When in the course of Hollywood films, one comes along that is far off the beaten track, simply and tenderly filmed and intelligently and sincerely acted, too much praise cannot be lavished on all concerned. “Mother By Proxy,” new Columbia drama which screens at the State Theatre, is such a film. And too much credit cannot be paid to Margo who stars in the picture, to the superb supporting cast headed by Walter Abel, William Collier, Sr., Lyle Talbot and Wynne Gibson, and Steve Sekely whose direction adds to the realistic naturalness with which the film is imbued. Set in a picturesque background, “Mother By Proxy” is a sympathe-tically-told story of heartbreak and sacrifice which, because of the sincere quality of the acting and direction, manages to avoid the pitfalls of mawkish sentimentality. The eager charm and freshness of Margo flavour her portrait of a carnival dancer, who fights for freedom from her sordid surroundings, with sympathy and understanding. The restrained and gracious performance of Walter Abel as the romantic lead, the deft portrayal of William Collier, Sr., as a brokendown doctor, the carefully-etched portrait of Lyle Talbot as the showgirl’s unscrupulous husband, all tinge the film with a human quality that charms the audience.

The plot of the picture begins by presenting Margo as a side-show

dancer in a concession where her husband is the “marker.” Fleeing from an argument with the police, she finds an abandoned baby and takes the child home with her. Deserted by her husband, she struggles to protect her adopted son and maintain a place in society. The return of her husband threatens to wreck her romance and her hard-won position until a startling climax sets things to rights. PLAZA THEATRE. BARITONE REDGRAVE Michael Redgrave sings for the first time on the screen in a scene in the film “A Window in London,” screening at the Plaza Theatre. “Let’s all sing like the birdies sing!” is the song, and it is introduced into the picture during a frivolous party sequence. Michael would probably be the last person in the world to -suggest that his voice was something to sing about, but those who. heard him on the set were more than agreeably surprised at his pleasant baritone. “You mustn’t take my vocal efforts too seriously,” says Michael, “as I don’t pretend' to be a singer. You see, according, to the story, I go to a party where, due chiefly to alcoholic influences, I suddenly enter the spirit of the "affair and let go. Everybody starts singing and I find myself doing a solo!”

In “A Window in London” Michael has the part of an engineer in charge of one of the cranes on the new Waterloo Bridge. His partners in the film are Sally Gray and Paul Lukas.

“A Window in London” is his fourth film in just over a year, and is being produced by Josef Somlo and Captain Richard Norton, for release by GauKING’S THEATRE. Samuel Goldwyn’s newest production, “Raffles,” starring David Niven in the title role, with lovely Olivia de Havilland as his leading lady, provides mystery-melodrama at its top-notch best. Superbly and excitingly directed by Sam Wood, “Raffles” was filed from the ; screenplay by John z Van Druten and the late Sidney Howard. David Niven, as the Amateur Cracksman, turns in a notable performance, marked by acting that is vivid, romantic and suave. Miss de Havilland’s portrayal of his fiancee proves that she is an actress of brilliant talents. Other stirring performances are contributed by Dudley Digges as Inspector MacKenzie of Scotland Yard, Dame May Whitty as Lady

Melrose, Lionel Pape as Lord Mel rose, Douglas Walton as Bunny Manders. Minor roles are excellently, handled by E. E. Clive, Peter Godfrey and Keith Hitchcock. ■ The story of “Raffles” is the story of a gentleman crook, a suave society man. who leads a life of secret crime for the fun and adventure. Known as the Amateur Cracksman, he has been baffling Scotland Yard with his daring and spectacular robberies for months. And then, just as he is about to withdraw from his dangerous car eer, he furnishes the Yard with, its first and only clue. From then on, the speedy action carries the story to the beautiful country estate of Lady Melrose where the famous emerald necklace is stolen and a chase to London begins.

TUDOR THEATRE

Movie fans, here’s the picture for you, and we do mean you! It’s Darryl F. Zanuck’s production of “Hollywood Cavalcade,” starring Alice Faye -and Don Ameche, and filmed in technicolor now transferred to the Tudor Theatre for a third week. It re-enacts and photographs anew the romance of Hollywood from bathing beauties to world premieres; tells the great human story of Mike, who wanted to make movies, and Molly, who wanted only to be loved by Mike but who instead won greatness on the screen. It tells the drama of the men and women like them who conquered the entertainment world in the romantic, fabulous, zany years of Hollywood’s rise. Staged again, with great stars of to-day and great personalities of yesterday, you’ll see slapstick and cust-ard-pie comedy, with Don Ameche directing. You’ll see the Mack Sennett bathing girls, and this, time Alice Faye is one. Once again, Buster Keaton, Ben Turpin, Chester. Conklin and the Keystone Cops are seen in hilarious scenes from the past. Once again, Al Jolson sings the song with which he electrified the world in “The Jazz Singer.” You’ll see Hollywood as it was and as it is, in a three-ring circus of entertainment. The associate feature is “Sword of Honour,” ranked as the most ambitious British military spectacular film yet produced.

Da Ncix g As announced in welcome to call at the J inquiries either on or b , " columns, Miss Phyl lis j known Wellington t e A mg, is commencing gj noon classes at a n Otti J men in uniform. p art 1 available, so these classes’’ provide an opportunity a sociable Saturday afte they will also help those J -present miss a lot of Un b cannot dance or can’t do f dancing. Miss Bates is an extell e and has the happy kri ac k 0 an informal atmosphere a! people feel at home, gfc ises that men from caw business ahead, do not . competition dancers, sofa" strike a happy medium fe tion- and entertainment.