Cinema Reviews

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 11

Cinema Reviews

AVON »<THE PERFECT SPECIMEN” A story sparkling with wit, a talented cast and able direction, make a notable picture of “The Perfect Specimen.” which is now in the second week of its season at the Avon Theatre. The successful modern comedy has now reached a high standard, and “The Perfect Specimen’’ compares favourably with the best of them. The story- has enough novelty to take it out of the rut, and it has been handled throughout with a light .and agreeable touch. With Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell at the head of the cast, supported by May Robson, Edward Everett Horton. Hugh Herbert, and Allen Jenkins, there is a brilliance in the acting to satisfy discriminating theatregoers. The “perfect specimen” is Gerald Beresford Wicks, brought up in seclusion by his multi-millionaire grandmother. and the fun of the story is provided by his reactions when he comes abruptly out of his seclusion. Gerald surprises everyone. For contrary to expectations he is no nambypamby, but a husky, athletic fellow with a surprising talent for fisticuffs, and many other desirable attributes. It would be hard to find an actor more suited to this part than Errol Flynn. It is to the credit of those who made this picture, too, that the casting of the other characters is equally sound. Joan Blondell is the girl who tempts Gerald from his seclusion and leads him into a series of amusing adventures; Hugh Herbert is the eccentric poet at whose house the “perfect specimen” and his new-found friend stay: May Robson is the grandmother. and Edward Evex-ett Horton is her secretary. All of them make great play with the material that is given them in this picture. There is action all the time, lor whefi the “perfect specimen” disappears in his search for freedom the police forces of three countries are brought into action to find him. Mixed up with this are the exploits of the “perfect specimen” during the moments he is not concerned about eluding the police. He becomes embroiled in a roadside fight, then deputises for his opponent in this fight in a boxing contest, and in the end comes to a complete realisation that the dominance of his grandmother must be broken. In all these stages of his education there is very bright comedy indeed. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED “Romance For Three,” a really bright comedy starring Robert Young, Frank Morgan and Florence Rice, is the current attraction at the Regent, George Formby, the popular comedian, is at his best in “I See Ice,” which is at the Majestic. Cyril Ritebard is also featured. “Test Pilot,” transferred to the Tivoli, has begun its third week in Christchurch. Its stars are Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Dracy. “Shall We Dance,” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and “For Valour,” with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, are the features at the Liberty. The new prbgramme at the Grand comprises “The Perfect Gentleman,” starring Frank Morgan and Cicely Courtneidge, and “Absolute Quiet,” with Lionel Atwill, Irene Hervey, and Stuart Erwin. REX THEATRE, RICCARTON Paul Robeson is featured in the outstanding film, “Big Fella,” and Dick Foran and Anne 'Nagel are the stars in the musical Western film, “Guns of the Pecos,” screening at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night and on Monday and Tuesday, at ,7.30 p.m.

CRYSTAL PALACE “BATTLE OF BROADWAY” AND “PANAMINT»S BAD MAN” The whole atmosphere of “Battle of Broadway,” which heads the new double-feature programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre, is permeated with a brightness and originality which has much general appeal. Perhaps the most pleasing feature of this clever comedy is the originality of the theme, which is altogether different from that of the usual film and takes some surprising turns as the story advances. The combination of Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, and Louise Hovick undoubtedly is responsible for much of the success of the film, for their acting throughout is a]] that could be desired. They are ably supported by Raymond Walburn, Lynn Bari, Jane Darwell, and Robert Kellard. McLaglen and Donlevy, of the American legion post at a steel town called Bundy, arrive in New York for the convention of the legion, and the first thing, to whet their rivalry is the attractive person of Louise Hovick, who is employed at the hotel where they are staying. They both fall in love with her and out of favour with each other. However, the men are not in town solely for pleasure. They have promised Raymond Walburn, their employer, to break up the romance of his son, Robert Kellard, with a chorus girl, Lynn Bari. Louise supports Kellard in bis romance and pretends to McLaglen and Donlevy that she is Kellard's fiancee. They immediately try to stegl hdr from Kellard, thereby leaving an open field for the real romantic pair. Walburn comes to New York to see what sort of girl has- ensnared his son, and the story reaches an amusing and unusual climax. The second film, “Panamint’s Bad Man,” deals with the efforts of Smith Ballew, a special United States deputy, who is out to stop the robberies from an express coach. He suspects Noah Beery, the proprietor of a casino, to be the leader of the gang, although he has no direct evidence. When Stanley Fields, a notorious desperado from Texas, comes West, he eventually becomes acquainted with Ballew, who wins his' friendship. . Ballew plays' his hand well, ingratiating himself both with Beery and with Evelyn Daw, an opera singer at Beery’s casino. Ballew’s chief object is to catch Beery red-handed in a haul, and he arranges a scheme to carry this aim out. The gang chief intends to double-cross his new friend, ‘however, and plenty of excitement ensues. This film,, like the other attraction, contains much comedy, which gives some relief .from the more dramatic parts. Even in the most desperate situations. Stanley Fields wins the audience with his comical mannerisms and his humour.

PLAZA “THE RETURN OF JIMMY * VALENTINE”

Jimmy Valentine, daring, courageous, altogether a most engaging personality, is back ag^in-at 1 the Plaza this week in “The Return of Jimmy' Valentine. Jimmy Valentine needs no introduction. All readers of cfime fiction follow his adventures with interest, ip his latest picture he is the centre of 8 newspaper contest arranged by an up-to-date reporter. Find is the slogan, and the whole population of the United States flocks to the call of the banner keadmis inspired by the promise'of a 5000 dollar re After n exciting search.^ Jimmy Valentine, 20 years reformed and making good as a banker, is discovered by the alert reporter in a little Indiana town. Events move swiftly after this, and gangsters take a hand, but everything ends happily, which is more than can be said of every picture of this type. And there is a pleasant dash of romance to lend savour to the story, and a note of humour that never fails. Roger Pryor gives a convincing portrayal of the reporter, who conceives the bright idea of the contest. Charlotte Henry—she of “Alice in Wonderland” fame —is' Jimmy s daughter, the innocent cause of much trouble, and Robert Warwick and Lois Wilson are •her parents* Wade Butler, as Red Dolan, Jimmy’s faithful friend, deserves mention for his acting. If you had 720,000 dollars to spend in 12 hours, just how would you set about it? It is not so easy as it appears, as Wally Jones, a carefree reporter. who lost his gifland hisjob m one day, discovered in 1000 Dollais a Minute,” the second feature on the programme. Selected by two gamblers as an official spendthrift he sets out to settle a bet between \Big Jim and “Sonny” Ruycros. He has to spend that 720.000 dollars in the time specified. and he must not make an investment or give the money away. It means frantic shopping, the purchase of a super-car, a yacht, pearls, furs, a champion Alsatian with a loving disposition, and sundry other trines. It means, too, riotous comedy, interference by the police, and general hilarity. The film is a fast-moving one witfr humorous situations in plenty. And Wally wins the bet, his girl, and 10,000 dollars. MAYFAIR “KENTUCKY MOONSHINE” Where the Ritz brothers are, there is sure to be hilarious comedy. They have shown this in their all too. few pictures, and “Kentucky Moonshine, which is now in the second week of its season at the Mayfair Theatre, is no exception. Their comedy is inimitable and in Kentucky Moon=hine” they have excellent material. Those who have seen this madcap trio, at work before , will need no recommendation to see; this picture; and those who-do not knowthe Ritz brothers need have no fear that they will not be thoroughly entertained. In their unsurpassed fashion the brothers practically take .charge in a ro licking series of, events, that make up the storv of “Kentucky Moonshine. In the opening scenes the organisers of a sponsored radio programme are at their wits’ end to nnd some uew feature that will appeal to the public. The Ritz brothers and Marjorie Weaver who have failed in repeated, attempts to get contracts with the radio organisation, are in equally difficult straits because they have not earned enough to pay their board. Tony Martin, the programme organiser suddenly decides that the public would like to hear “real” hillbillies on the air. The three comedians and the girl hear about it and act quickly. The scene here changes from New York to the backblocks where the brothers have established themselves m a shack as hillbillies, with their sister as housekeeper. They are eventually discovered by Tony Martin, who is greatly impressed. A relayed transmission from the wilds is arranged, but fails because of static. The radio directors become nearly frantic. Martin s last hope is to get his troupe into New York and after much persuasion his pnncl¥he Stafif the Ritz brother,, * S that they are wearing false beards. A panic ensues and the brothers' succeed in locking the officials in a sound-proof room. From then on a first-class variety entertainment Vis provided by the hillbillies. Marjorie Weaver and Tony Martin on the radio stage. . Apart from its place in the sequence of events the concert is real entertainment in itself and brings the story to » grand climax.

CIVIC “FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER” t Loretta Young is starred in “Four Men and a Prayer,” the film which began a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. The story is taken from the David Garth novel dealing with the disgrace and death of a colonel of the Indian army and the mystery surrounding the tragedy. The colonel, played by C. Aubrey Smith is court-martialled and returns to England to put the proofs of his innocence before his sons. But before he can explain his case he is murdered and his papers are stolen. The sons (Richard Greene, George Sanders. David Niven, ' and William Henry) set themselves the double problem of clearing their father’s name and finding his murderer. To do this they have to travel as far as India and South America and back to Egypt. Loretta Young plays the part of a wealthy girl who loves one of the sons and who is determined to help in the task the men have set themselves. The direction of John Ford has made the most of the very exciting material of this film. In the supporting programme a short film showed some of the thrills to be had in stunt aviation, aquatic sports, and motor-cycle racing. The “March of Time” No. 10, . 1938 series, showing the effect of racketeering on American housewives’ budgets, the varied work of a United States Congressman, and the state of bankruptcy qf many of the peers of England, was as interesting as this series usually is. The winners of the second semifinals in the New Zealand beauty contest paraded during the interval. HOLLYWOOD THEATRE Shirley Temple In “Stowaway,” with Robert Young, Alice Faye, and Arthur Treacher, heads the programme at the Hollywood Theatre to-day. Also screening is Laurel and Hardy in “Fixer Uppers,” and a beautiful coloured musical, “Pirate Party on Catalina Island,” and other supports complete an outstanding programme.