CINEMA’S INSPIRING COMPLIMENT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 10

CINEMA’S INSPIRING COMPLIMENT

Tribute To Marines And To Fleet Air Arm

No parochial sentiments of pride in New Zealaml or even woriS i tiel "M& in ”» M» «*•» « Trt >“ U ” " |K ” d “ ‘niSorNot Tone” Is the eltyS longest ton. In Its fourth week It Is at- the Tudor ‘'The Chocolate Soldier” continues successfully at the Majestic. •‘.Valley of the Sun” and “Weekend for Ihiee.

KING’S THEATRE As a spectacle, "To the Shores of Tripoli” wil have every American mother’s son wanting to Join the marines. As a story it is no great shakes. As a document of the splendid training that is given this allimportant branch of the lighting service it serves a noble purpose. There visiting servicemen than New Zealanders in the audience that idled the lyng.s la&t night servicemen who chuckled reminiscent as memories of their own training day* cam© flooding back. One quite rightly tends .to when a film is billed as "a Picture that jou owe it to yourself to see. (Igo to tne cinema to be entertained, not to be edu..ntoit ” is the apt response.) But do cue Shore's of Tripoli” is a picture that one should see if only to gain a morc nictnro of the young men who are ngntinfe the Solomons battle and a better standing—if such is needed—of our American neighbours. The United States Mar-

ine Corps has some mighty proud tradirions and there are plenty of Americans, both young and old, 4ho will uphold them to the point 'of death. - with. A precocious young man named er , is 1 sent bv his fatlier, a captain in the mst war to be trained as a'marine. The vounc man rubs his sergeant the wrong wac S DUts himself in badly with the commanding officer's niece, talks too much and generally behaves much as Robert laylor did in Command. But tn the finish in a scene that could scarcely happen even in a Ruritanian musical comedy, all is happily straightened out. vn , ]n <- Praise must go to the bunch of youn ? men who make “To the Shores of Tripoli real and healthy as a day in campThe show is in Technieolour, which s used with the same artistry which won Blood add Sand” the year’s Academy award prize belongs to Randolph latd- -seen in Wellington- in ar Calling” Now he plays a sergeant, tough* in colour is the nurse who so successfully welds a fiery V for Victory on '"’a yne’s back.

MAJESTIC THEATRE There is more than a passing similarity voun^Poli^airumn; Eddjh as“the matinee “"•■The''Chocolate Soldier,” however which Ferrnic Mohmi’s giddy trifle, "The Guardsman” Miss Stevens,, transplanted from opera to Hollywood, is the attractive wile and starring partner of the Chocolate Sol dier Plaved, of course, by Nelson Lddy. But,’ though’their play is a huge success a woman who thei, shuddering “My Hero” must be unfaithful. He torments himself to such adegree that he finally disguises himself as a Kosbian piled with all the wild ardours and urnnpKt 110ns graces of lialf a dozen -io sdoi U Good Tctor that he is he> named - atelv becomes three people; the Chocoiaie Soldier on the stage, the husband who hopes madly that his fears of his wite s infidelity are ill-tounded, and the hlack bearded Russian spurred on by lie knows no? what! There is nothing serious; about the show, which is amply tilled with good music, good acting and lavish 6p<.ctacle. The stars distinguish themselves—Nelson Eddy because, for the first time he ’S per mitted a sense ot humour; Rise Stevens, because of her magnificent voice and her grace of and speech. « PARAMOUNT THEATRE

If. these were again the days of peace, and London were holding one of its famous all-star Command Performances, the West End stage could not t^® ld t L gp“raharvest of famous stars than the Para mount Theatre gathered on the screen rliiq week. . . . Aivien Leigh, Llisaoeui Bergner? Douglas Fairbanks jun., ConradVeidt Flora Robson, Anthony Buohell, Ursula Jeans and Sir Gerald du Maurier 6 Vivien Leigh, who is now back on the London stage, made "Dark J ®l?vney, the chief film on the programme, she had not then been selected by Setonck for he enoch-making role as Scarlett O tiara. -But discerning fllmgoers could see in her ■ictlng the sparks of genius and, in her role as the beautiful but inscrutable woman who played the game of■ ™P ( ‘° n “j£ and death, she set her feet firmly on tne nath which has led to the topmost Peaks stardom. Equally important is the role played by that great European actor, Conrad Veidt. While Anthony Bushell and Ursula Jeans give dramatic weight to .1 picture that can be revived any number of of both the films at the Paramount is Sir Alexander Korda, whose consistent string of successes, from The In rate Life of Henry the Eighth,< to the cur rent “To Be or Not to Be, cannot have been equalled, even by veteran Cecil ±> de Hille. As dark and passionate in theme but of a different era is “Catherine the Great,” which is the other leg of a food programme. , , . ” Elisabeth Bergner is the star the woman "who has been hailed as the Bernhardt if our day. She has only once wllnsed the performance she gives as Catherine —the role she played , Ksc “'’y Ate Never” The pomps and frauds and pageantry of the great court of old are shown for what they are worth in this Korda drama. Douglas Fairbanks, Who took part In the recent Dieppe raid and has since been personally congratu. lated by the King., plays opposite Misa Bergner? and gives a mczt distinguished performance. Incidentally. Fairbanks is one of His Majesty’s favourite screen stars. . Also in tho cast are Flora Robson and the late Sir Gerald du Maurier. OPERA HOUSE It is a little-known fact that in Scandanavian countries it is almost impossible to plan a dinuer party without induding ex-husbands and ex-wives um°ijg t e guests. The clean snows and the long twi. light do not seem to make for manta lidelitv anv more than the ln | mountain valleys sweep away evil thoughts or unworthy desires. "A Woman s I’ accthat excellent film which is back Bt J l }® Opera House this week, deals with a group of people in Sweden—a woman blackmailer whose judgments and impulses have been warped by a repulsive star which sprawls across her face The other characters are subsidiary but they all limp to build a story which is as compelling as anv the screen has known. Joan Crawford who, by virtue of poor pictures and indifferent performances, was rapidly heading for oblivion, pulls herself right back into the front rank with her splendid performance. Melvyn Douglas gives of his best as the doctor who removes the scar, while Conrad Veidt is as interestingly sinister as only this ex-German °tar can be. “A Woman s Fact- is a picture to talk about over a cup of coffee after the show. TUDOR THEATRE Persistently and deservedly successful is “To Be Or Not To. Be,” which at present holds the honour a?» Wellington s longest run. It is now in its fourth week at the Tudor Carole Lombard, a brilliant career cut tragically short, has dedicated her own line epitaph in “To Be or Not To Be. Her acting is superb and so is Jack Benny s. Felix Bressart is also worthv ot mention. It has taken the ingenious Sir Alexander Korda (be was knighted in England recently). brilliant Ernst Lubitscb, and clever FJarole Lombard and -lack Benny to make a film of sparkling wit and pungent satire or such an unf 1111115* subject as tne fail of Warsaw. ’ , a slirrin- and typically American drama. "Girls Luder 21,” Is also on the programme:

ST. JAMES THEATRE

In the next-door column is the review of a picture that might share the same criticism as “Ships With M tags. « k ".To the Shores of. Tripoli is excellent American propaganda, the film at st. James is very, very British. But tln.y both take some time to get under way, though, from the aspect of action and ■nin-blazing thrills, the British him far outstrips the American. , "Ships With Wings” is big enough in its conception and fine enough in ,ts general sentiment to stand criticism and yet still remain in the "must see class, ine first portion is too leisurely in its story and movement, while the vo ces are painfully and pedantically English—not Oxford as one might imagine, but with an accent which belongs almost exclusively to a small clique on the West End stage But suddenly, as if from a pistol shot Ships With Wings" discovers its true cinematn mission and is off like a hare. Three young sub-lieutenants are attached to the aircraft-carrier, the Inv-in-cible. One of them, in love with the aumiral’s daughter, takes her y?ung brother on a joyride in a sick plane. It crashes and the boy is killed. The sub-lieutenant is dishonourably discharged and finds his way to a Greek island, midway between Greece and Africa. The war arrives in Europe and the Nazis arrive on the island, hoping to turn it into a German steppingstone The unfrocked officer chases them in a rickety commercial plane, crashes and is picked up by the Invincible. He has an opportunity to rehabilitate himself before he finally crashes in one of the most spectacular shots the screen has.seen. • “Ships With Wings" may sound trite told in’the few bald lines above. It is not. Here is a picture with thrills enough to stir the blood of every man-jack in the audience, with sufficient meat to make it an outstanding compliment to the fleet Air Arm and with enough real heroism for it to become a moving tribute to the men of the Empire who have lost their lives in this,, the youngest branch of the Silent Service. .' . , John Clements, Leslie Banks and Ann Todd are three members ■of a long and capable cast.

PLAZA THEATRE Bv this time the public is getting quite used to seeing films that constitute one of a .series, centred around one particular character or family group. We 'have become used to the Hardy Family and the Jones Family, Our Gang, Dr. Kildare and his many activities, the Thin Man and his pert and vivacious wife, and their qelightful dog, "The Saint,” a fascinating mixture of the good and the bad and finally "The Falcon,” a deliciously suave, amazingly lucky and shamelessly phi tendering character who is the brain-child or the well-known author, Michael Arlen. “The Falcon” is a real fiction-like private detective, who spends his time either working in with the police or getting up against them—both , with similar results, namely, the solving of nn assortment of crimes, and the bringing of criminals to whatever sort of justice the film world sees fit to mete out to such miscreants. N’ow, all the films in the VFalcon series make first-rate entertainment—the type that appeals after a strenuous day—and these pictures are made all the more enjoyable by the' presence of that sound actor, George Sanders, whose work is alwavs right up to standard, and whose perfectly-modulated voice is surely a joy to listen to. In "A Date with the falcon the Plaza’s latest contribution to the series, Sanders has the support of the lovely Wendy Barrie, in a deliciously fieri role—and who can blame her, for she is a fiancee who gets left in the lurch every few hours—the droll Allen Jenkins and James Gleason. As the story simply oozes mystery from start to finish it is not proposed to tell anything about it in this review. Suffice to say that the interest never lags for a single minute—and there is a savouring of snappy humour, too. DE LUXE THEATRE Those smart allcks who donned prophets' cloaks in 1039 and mapped out the way tne war would go are singing low these da.s Similarly—and prophesying on lighter subjects—it is dangerous to dogmatize on people who will plant their feet on the slippery road to stardom. But here are three names .this critic is willing to bet bte Sh Van°Heflih who, by his acting in "Johnny Eager,” should soon occupy a place at tne top of tin. programme. Rise Stevens, now playing in . The Chocolate Soldier,” who, with her interesting face and manner is likely to become much more than a "singing star." ... Macdonald Carey, who made his Wellington debut at the De Luxe on Thursday in “Dr. Broadway.” This young man was first catapulted to stage fame when he played opposite England’s uertiude Lawieuce ou Broadway. His easy caitiage, ills voice, ability and looks came to the notice of Hollywood s scouts who dangled seductive offers before his eyes. Now he has arrived in New Zealand in a 11. in which has much to commend it. “Dr. Broadway" may not contain the sort of plot that could be likened to the daily life of Airs. Jones in Miramar or Mr. Smith in Seatoun, but it is good exciting stuff of the type in which the De Luxe specializes. There are gangsters who are after an heiress’s money, a girl who is about to jump from the ledge of a Manhattan skyscraper, and a doctor—Macdonald Carey, of course —who has a busy time protecting his patients from themselves and himself from ills patients. Jean Phillips, J. Carrol N'aisli, Richard Lane aM Edward Cianelli aie the other people in the cast.

An old friend te buck again—Jimmy Vai. entine, who gave: his name to the other film on the De Luxe’s programme. Dennis O’Keefe, Ruth Terry and Gloria Dickson are the stars. Doughnuts in the stalls and Donald Duck on the screen are likely to fill the theatre this afternoon when a special children’s matinee i» to be held.

State .Theatre. — Were it not for the sound which accompanies the principal film showing at the -State this week, many old-time patrons of the movies would feel that they were back in the early days of the . silver screen. -Sound—and ’ improved photography—are the chief differences between “Valley of the Sun” and the redskin films which had such a vogue 25 and 30 years ago. Redskins ride again, and cowboys and settlers repel them, with powder burning, and thrills aplenty. Lucille Ball and Janies Craig are in the lead and Dean Jagger and Sir Cedric Hardwicke support them. “Weekend For Three,” the second feature, brings Dennis O’Keefe. Jane Wyatt, Ed. Everett Horton, Zasu Pitts and Franklin Pangborn into a hectic three-day comedy tangle.

State Theatre (Petone). —“Topper 'Returns,” and returns at. the State, Petone, tonight. Joan Biondell, Roland Young, Billie Burke. Dennis O’Keefe, Patsy Kelly, Carole Landis —a regular galax.v of stars —combine to make the production a notable one. Topper is always welcome, and Topper in this presentation is at Roland Young’s best, with a glamour ghosf who causes some highly diverting situations. SUBURBAxN THEATRES Capitol (Miramar).—“Hellzapoppin”; “Torpedo Boat.” Richard Arlen. Jean Parker. Empire (Island Bay).—“Road to Zanzibar,” Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour Bing Crosby; “North to the Klondike,” Brod Crawford, Andy Devine. Ascot (Newtown). —“Shadow of the Thin Man.” William Powell, Myrna Loy; “Jail House Blues.” Nat Pendleton. Ann Gwynn. King George (Lower Hutt).-“Paris Calling.” Elizabeth Bergner. Basil Rath bone. Matinee: “Mr. Bug Goes to Town.” De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—“Man at Large,” Marjorie Weaver. George Reeves: “Silver Stallion.” David Sharp. Prince Edward (Woburn). —“The Thief of Bagdad.” Sabu. Conrad Veidt; “Target For Tonight.” Vogue (Brooklyn).—“Skylark,’' Claudette Colbert, Rin’ Milland: “Sins of .the Children,” Ruth Brewster, Tom Carver. Regal (Karori).—“When Ladies Meet.” Robert Taylor, Joan Crawford: “Sullivan’s Travels.” Joel McCrea. Veronica Lane. Tivoli '(Tliorndon).—“Count of Monte Cristo,” Robert Donat. Elissa Landi; “Lady From Cheyenne.” Loretta Young, Robert Preston. Kinenia (Kllbirnie). —“Son of Monte Cristo,” Louiei Hayward. Joan Bennett; “Pacific Blackout,” Robert Preston, Martha O’Drificoll.

Seaside (Lyall Bay).—“Private Affairs,” Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell; “Band Wagon,” Arthur Askey.