CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 10

CITY THEATRES

AVON “THE PERFECT SPECIMEN” It is as “The Perfect Specimen,” a well contrived comedy, that Errol Flynn makes his latest appearance. The film is, drawing full houses at the Flynn, besides being good 'to look at, can handle himself well in any sort of a situation in which he>,flnds himself. In this film he finds himself in two willing fights. As his leading lady he has Joan Blondell. Also in the show are such favourites as Hugh Herbert, Edward Everett Horton, Dick Foran, Beverly Roberts, Allen Jenkins, Hugh O’Connell, May Robson, and others. The story of “The Perfect. Specimen” was written by Samuel Hopkins Adams, author of “It Happened One Night," and was directed by Michael Curtiz, who guided Flynn through his early triumphs, “Captain Blood” and “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” The film shows Flynn as being brought up by an eccentric and immensely rich grandmother, who wants him to be perfect in every way—as perfect as scores of tutors can make him. Joan Blondell, curious to get a close view at this paragon, of whom she has only heard, drives her car through a light fence on his estate, takes her look at him. then drives away. His curiosity aroused by this stunt, Flynn next day gets an old car, drives to where Joan lives in an adjoining village, and runs his machine through her fence. Then he persuades her to take a ride with him. A truck-driver starts an altercation and Flynn, who, has been perfected in boxing as in other things, gives him a thorough lacing. Then, told by the driver that he will lose 150 dollars by not appearing in the ring at a teamster’s picnic, Flynn offers to substitute for him—and does so, knocking out a burly heavy-weight much bigger than himself.

The grandmother, missing Flynn by this time, sends out an alarm that he has been kidnapped. He abets this by keeping out of sight, since he has come to love the kind of life he finds outside the estate, where he has been cooped up, especially since Joan sticks by him. A crazy poet—played by Hugh Herbert—helps them, and countless hilarious, complications ensue. But everything is nicely straightened out in the end, and “The Perfected Specimen” fades out on an uproariously funny situation.

Extraordinarily fine performances from Flynn and Joan Blondell make the picture outstanding comedy.

CIVIC “FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER” "Four Men and a Prayer,” which will begin to-day at the Civic, is the story of the endeavours of four young Englishmen to vindicate their father’s honour. Richard Greene, George Sanders, David Niven, and William Henry are the four men who forsake everything in their careers to track down round the world the menace which cashiered their beloved father, C. Aubrey Smith, out of the army in disgrace, and then brought death to a great soldier. Loretta Young gives a notable performance as the American girl who covers her intense: loyalty to the brothers’ cause with an “American” flippancy which amazes- her British fiance most'of all, but‘more than anything puts spirit and vigour into the grim quest. ‘

, Richard Greene, who has jusLcompleted his first role opposite - Loretta Young in “Four Men and a Prayer,” is just about getting his breath back after his first few weeks in America. He has yet to see New York, although he lahded there after crossing the Atlantic.

Greene had been working in England. His screen test was shown to Darryl Zanuck in America. “Four Men and a Prayer” was already “shooting” in Hollywood. Greene was just the man wanted for the romantic role. So he signed a contract, and was on his way to Southampton before the ink was quite dry on his signature. When the ship arrived at New York five days later a cab literally snatched the young man off the gang plank, and he was given a snack and change c' shirt in a New York hotel. His trunks already were on their, way to Newark airport. Off he was taken in another taxicab to the aerodrome, and within five days and 21 hours after he stepped off British soil he was being taken from a Hollywood aerodrome to the Twentieth Century-Fox studios.

PLAZA “THE RETURN OP JIMMY VALENTINE” All readers of crime fiction know Jimmy Valentine, who. makes . his latest appearance in the Republic production, "The Return of Jimmy Valentine,” which begins to-day at the Plaza with “1000 Dollars a Minute.’ His brave deeds and daring exploits are more interesting than ever. Roger Pryor gives another of his personable and true to life portrayals as the breezy reporter whose agile brain conceives the idea of the “Find Jimmy Valentine” contest for his newspaper. .! J. Carroll Naish is villainous in his role of Tony Scapelli, and Robert War--wick and Lois Wilson play true to life characterisations as Midge’s parents; Wade -Boteler deserves special mention for his role of loyal pal and family retainer. The comedy’ is well handled by Edgar Kennedy, James Burtis, arid Jeannie Roberts. Kennedy’s slow “turn” is always good for a laugh, and he gathers in more than a fair share. Amusing situations. usually arise out of freak bets and “1000 Dollars a Minute” turns out to be one of the best’ examples. When Wally Jones, a freshly fired journalist, walks into the office of Big Jim (a gambler), and “Sonny” Ruycross (a playboy), it turns out to be an opportune or inopportune moment for him. He is chosen to be the official spendthrift to see if a person can spend, not give away. 720,000 dollars in the brief space of 12 hours. Out Wally goes to “give it a go,” and then the fun begins—for he almost loses his girl, his mind, and his health. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED “Romance For Three,’’ a really bright comedy starring Robert Young, Frank Morgan and Florence Rice, begins today at the Regent. ? George Formby, the popular comedian, is at his best 'in “I See Ice,” which ’ begins to-day at the Majestic. Cyril Ritchard is also featured. “Test Pilot,”, transferred to the Tivoli, begins its third ■wreck in Christchurch to-day. ’ Its stars are Clark Gable, Myma Loy, and Spencer Tracy. “Shall We Dance,” starring Fred Astaire and. Ginger, Rogers, -and “For Valour,” with ! Tom • Walls arid Ralph Lynn, begin to-day at thte Liberty. The new programme at the Grand .comprises “The .Perfect \ Gentleman,’.’ starring Frank Morgan and , Cicely ;Courtneidge' arid “Absolute Quite,” with Lionel At-will,-Irene Hervey,. and Stuart Erwin; ” ’ ‘ ' ‘...1- .

CRYSTAL PALACE “BATTLE OF BROADWAY” AND “PANAMINT’S BAD MAN” How endeavours to manage a loveaffair go wrong is related in “Battle of Broadway,” which is based on the American Legion’s “unconventional convention” in New York, and stars Victor McLaglen and Brian Donlevy. The. picture begins at the Crystal Palace to-day, with “Panamint’s Bad Man.”

The cast of the film includes Raymond Walburn, Lynn Bari, Jane Darweil, and Robert Kellard. The screen play, by Lou Breslow and John Patrick, combines business with pleasure for McLaglen and Donlevy. Walburn assigns them the task of breaking his son’s romance with a chorus girl, while they are in New York. Louise pretends to“ be Bob Kellard’s fiancee, to save the real affair, and the boys have a grand time trying to steal her away from Bob, and each other. A good deal of the fun is credited to George Marshall, who directed, with Sol M. Wurtzel as executive producer. In “Panamint’s Bad Man,” which Hollywood critics consider the best of Smith Ballew’s series of pictures, this long and rangy Texan is cast as a deputy United States marshal, assigned to break up a series of stage holdups. To accomplish his job more efficiently, he assumes the guise of a celebrated bad man, and in this way works himself into the group. This results in suspicion being directed against him when the real bad man shows up, but Ballew fights his way out of trouble and arrests the entire gang after a sensational shooting spree, which highlights this vigorous Western feature.

Cast with the cowboy star are Evelyn Daw, Noah Beery, sen., and Stanley Fields. Evelyn Daw,' who. appears in the picture as an opera singer, is ah opera singer in real life.

MAYFAIR “KENTUCKY MOONSHINE” The Ritz Brothers can always be counted on for a laugh. They present their familiar antics in a new setting in “Kentucky Moonshine,” which today begins a second week at the Mayfair. The film is a gay comedy, and contains three new songs by the same team which made the college picture a tuneful sensation. Lew Pollack and Sidney Mitchell wrote “Moonshine £)ver,. Kentucky,” “Reuben, Reuben, I’ve Been Swingin’,” and “Sing a Song of Harvest.” The singers are Tony Martin and Marjorie Weaver.

The story tells how a radio company sends its talent scout, Tony Martin. down to Kentucky to get some real hillbillies. Marjorie Weaver, waiting for an audition, overhears the plans and hurries back to her theatrical boarding-house- to tell the Ritz Brothers. They go down to the hills, disguise themselves as mountaineers, get mixed up in an old fued, hoodwink Tony Martin into putting on. a broadcast in the mountains, ghd when the smoke clears away a romance nearly goes on the rocks, is patched up again, and fame on the radio comes to all. The cast includes Slim Summerville, John Carradine, Wally Vernon, Berton Churchill, and Eddie Collins.