ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 23, 22 October 1942, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

Majestic’s Crowded House Saw A Memorable Film To every man his chance, to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity —to every num the right to live, to work, to be himself and to become whatever thing Ins manhood and his vision can complne to make him—this, seeker, is the promise

of America. , But this chance, • this right, this shining opportunity waa.uo luhlt, easy « r o'Hh. It was moulded with unwearying cart and patience by men and womeni who refused to be daunted, who have brought to America in the last hundred years what Brake and Raleigh and Clive t to the British Empire. And if etei a woman has earned the: right 'to a just epitaph that woman is Edna Gladney of 1 every man the right to live.' Those words are more than an epitaph; they nave been the shining symbol that has shaped Li.e life of one of America's finest citizens. The humble materia! in which Edna Gladney worked was the tragic debris of illicit love—the little unwanteds, branded illigetimato. "There is no such thing as an illegimlta'te child.' she told sceptical senators, "only illegitimate parents." And because of her efforts the damning word was erased from the legislature ot Texas. Her life sprang to glowing warmth and humanity on the screen last evening when “Blossoms in the Dust" had its premiere at the Majestic. ' , , A Wisconsin girl, Edna Gladney, was brought up in a well-to-do home with her adopted sister. But this other girl was a "foundling,”’ as they were smugly called 30 yeans ago. knowledge of which drove her to suicide. Edna marries a rising young millowner and goes to live In Texas., Their onlv child is killed and her husband dies /a few years , later. She turns ,to the great work of founding a home for children, a sort of stepplng-off place for good homes with roving foster-parents. But her greatest moment comes when State legislature gives a written and favourable answer to her plea—to every man the right to live. “Blossoms In the Dust’ is no trumpetsounding cry for a bigger and belter world. It is the simple testimony of a woman who' has helped to turn unwanted babies into the Llnqolns and the Roosevelts of America's tomorrow. By her respect for the essential decencies of a wise upbrlnging—the Christmas tree by the leaping fire the good old hymns, trusted friends, •soft snow against .the sharp, dark pines-— Edna Gladney has contributed to the building of the new world order about which most of us talk so |inucli and do so lif Greer Garson, feminine, beautiful and motherly in the flowing technicolour of the film; draws the greatest praise upon herself for a performance that will long be remembered. Walter Pidgeon is human and sympathetic as her. husband. Felix Bressart and Marsha Hunt are included among a large cast. Here is a picture to see to remember and with which to kindle anew a glow of warmness for an understanding ally-.

STATE THEATRE

Wasn’t it Mae West in one of her films who, in most maternal tones, said she wanted to adopt a baby boy—about -1 years old? There's much the same idea with a reversal of the sexes in Mexican Spitfire's Baby.’’ the cheerful and inconsequential comedy which opened at the State last , evening. . . - Lupe Velez glamorous Mexican with an unexpected flair for comedy, and Leon Errol, old-time comedian of the custardpie era, might seem an ill-assorted couple to star together. But. far from It—l elez and Errol, working quietly through several small pictures, are now coming out into the light as one of the smartest comedy teams on the screen. Their latest comedy which, quite reasonably and obviously has been given a bigger budget and more careful direction, has a war flavour, Tike most Hollywood exports today; - Eeou Errol wants to adopt a war baht; a most creditable ambition. ■ But. he gets his wars mixed and is presented witli one which arrived in' tills vale ot tears about the time the Kaiser fled to Doorn. The intervening years had treated the baby well—her baby talk had given way to a French accent and her swaddling clothes replaced by. something ■ designed iby Molyneux. It’s comedy of the slapJiappy kind. ' Tim Holt Is back. So is Ray Whitney and his Six-Bar Cowboys. The film is a .Western. The name of it Is "Thundering iHoofs.” It is also, on the States bill. •I 6 there need to say any more?

St. James Theatre.— The final screening is tonight of “This Gun For Hire,” a study in the psychopathology of murder. A voung man bends his remorseless 'brain to‘the job of killing his employer. The next attraction will be “Reap the WUd Wind,”’ beginning tomorrow, with Ray Milland Panlette Goddard, John Wayne. Raymond Massey, Robert Preston and Susan Hayward.

King’s Theatre. —“Bal! of Fire," starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, gains its humour from the impact of a night club entertainer on a cloistered group of professors. Having dealt with "Sex" and "Slang,” Gary Cooper meets Barbara Stanwyck, and has to revise his work. George Formby’s new film arrives tomorrow with a riot of fun and song.

Paramount Theatre.—“How Green Was My Valley,” which was an outstanding success at its first appearance in Wellington recently, will open a season at the Paramount tomorrow. “Jungle Princess” and "The Plainsmen” are showing tonight.

Plaza Theatre.— Those who saw Myrtle Tannehill and Hale Hamilton in the stage show some years ago will recall what a riot of comedy “Twin Beds” was when it was played in New Zealand. It has lost nothing of its hilarity lu its transfer to the screen; in fact, the present version is funnier than ever. George Brent, Joan Bennett and Mlscba Auer head the cast.; ■ | Opera House Tonight Is the final screening at the Opera House of “One of Our Aircraft is Missing.” a film ot patriotism in occupied countries and Hie adventures of British bomber befriended by the Dutch after baling out. The men are forced to bale out on return from a Kulir raid, and the story goes from I his hideout to that, from one group of Dutch people to another. Charles Laughton in “The Tuttles of Tahiti” will be the attraction on Friday.

Tudor Theatre.—“Dangerous Moonlight” stars Anton Wnlbrook, supported by Sally Gray and Derrick ‘de Marney. It is a vivid story of a Polish .pianist’s adventures as a fighter pilot. Also showing Is the murder mystery. “Stranger on the Third Floor,” with Peter Lo.-re and John McGuire.

SUBURBAN THEATRES

Empire (Island Bay.)—“The Lady Has Plans,” Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard; “Torpedo Boat,” Richard Arlen. Jean Par-., ker.

Regal (Karori).—“H. M. Pulliam; Esq.,’’ Robert Young, Hedy Lamarr, Ruth Hussey. Ascot (Newtown). — “Private Nurse, Brenda Joyce. Jane Harwell; “Tanks a Million.” Dick Powell. Patsy Kelly.' Tivoli (Thorndon).— "Bahama Passage,” Madeleine Carroll, Stirling Hayden: “Dark Journey.” Rivoli (Newtown). —“Tanks a Million.” “Queen of the Yukon.” Klnema (Kllbirnle). —“The Strange Case of Dr. RX,” Patrie Knowles. Lionel Atwell. "Design for Scandal," Rosalind Russell, Walter Pidgeon. King George (Lower Hutt).—“The Great Waltz.” ne Luxe (Lower Hutt).— Lady Scarface.” Dennis O'Keefe. Judith Anderson; “Las Vegas Nights," Bert Wheeler. Phil ReganVogue (Brooklyn).— “Texas.” William Holden. Claire Trevor; "Among the Living.” Susan Hayward, Albert Dekker. Capitol (Miramar). —"Cash and Carry.” Ann Sothcrn. George Mnrpliy; "Fly By Night." Riclinrd Carlson. Nancy Kelly. Prince Edward (Woburn) .—/“Gunner George.” George Forniby: ' “Gambling Daughters,” Cecilia Parker, Roger Pryor.