SYMBOL OF THE EMPIRE-TO-BE?

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 101, 23 January 1943, Page 7

SYMBOL OF THE EMPIRE-TO-BE?

“Mrs. Miniver”—Good Points And Bad

(By

T.L.)

The sentiment of ‘‘Mrs. .Miniver” and the spleen of Douglas Heed’s “All Our Tomorrows” make uneasy bedfellows. This week I have been trying to reconcile the message of this inspiring Him with the warning to democracy so forcibly propounded by Reed. •‘.Mrs. Miniver” is the sort of propaganda that persuades the Empire and the Allies that all is right with old England. “Out of this nettle, danger. . . ; and a British people, chastened by bombs and sacrifice, ready again to lead a world which they have dominated for a century or more. Douglas Reed is not so happy about the future: Britain, this little island, is still the world’s best hope, because its resources are great and Its waterbound position on the planet -still makes it nearly impregnable. But what shall it profit Britain to save the world and not regain its own soul? Victory, as Nurse Cavell said of patriotism, is not enough. it is not enough for Britain to survive, if Britain is to revert to the senile torpor of the years between the two instalments of the war. That way lies the certainty of another war, and we cannot stand it.

“Mrs. Miniver,” while it puts a brilliant Hollywood sheen on the British character, actually supports Heed a argument. What, were Mr. and Mrs. Miniver —the symbol of the strong, educated English middle-class —doing while Germany was marching on Poland? . Mrs. Miniver was buying a hat. Mr. Miniver was buying a new ear. Their son home from Oxford, was talking wildly of a brave new world. When war broke on England on that fine Sunday morning the people were at church. The vicar in the film told his congregation , that the fight was on and that the service would not continue, “because each of you will have his business to attend to.” It was a little late then. . The British people had had urgent business for many years before September, 1939 —Abyssinia, Chiua, Spain, Austria, Czechoslovakia. But they had sunk into a sagging lassitude, trusting Baldwin and MacDonald, hoping for the best from Chamberlain and Munich and “Peace in our time.” But as the bombs fell and the Minivers of England saw their homes blasted and their children machiuegunned, spirit and courage and initiative rose, and the proud standard of a proud Empire swung to the wind again. When the quiet, unheroic Mr. Minivers were pulled from their beds to take their puny craft to the rescue of the trapped British Army at. Dunkirk, England’s war of disgrace was over. Douglas Keed describes that moment: — Today my most cheering solace Is the thought of the things Germans will say, one day, when they find how near they then were to conquering the world! Our .plight, that day, was like that of the man of whom the Newgate Calendar tells that he was hanged at Tyburn, the rope broke as he fell, that he presently; recovered, and, as he was already once' hanged, was not executed again. We were saved by less than a hairsbreadth. I, and millions, more besides, like ,to 'think of “Mrs. Miniver” as the expression of the post-war Britain and her Empire. Douglasdieed, never a rose-spectacled op--timist,' thinks not. He is afraid, deadly afraid, that we will slip again into the trough from which we emerged for that shining hour of danger and battle. “Mrs. Miniver” will have achieved much if it points our resolve to prevent the necessity for making other films of the same calibre in 20 years’ time. KING’S THEATRE . ’’The Gold Hush” . has ’ been the big cinema news in Wellington this week, the most-discussed picture in a city, which overflows with good pictures at the mo. meat. Seen again after 17 years, this early eomedy work of Charlie Chaplin’s is as freeh today as then. The reason is clear. Chaplin’s comedy has its roots in life; his blending of slapstick with the touch of pathos is masterly. He is the pathetically incompetent little man, tossed into the’ world of large, rude men. Eighteen years ago wiien he looked at the finished "Gold Kush” lie remarked, "This is the picture X want to be remembered by.” His wish has been fulfilled in an age which is careless.of prophecy. In 1V25 he wrote, directed and played in “The Gold Rush." In 19X2 he' added to bls lustre by writing tile commentary, speaking it himself' and arranging the incidental music. The dialogue is delivered in a vibrant, clear and aptly mock-dramatic voice. Time cannot stale the .eloquence ot bis comedy: the sequence of the prospector's hut blown by a blizzard to precarious bal. ance ou a precipice edge and the efforts of Charlie and his burly, bearded pursurer to maintain 'balance is Irresistible. Misquoting Vanderbilt's remarks about Queen Mary's hats, the scene where he eats his own boot has passed from eomedy int<> cinema history. The years have not been so kind with the women in the picture. Whereas “the little girl with the.little curl” may have made hearts beat faster in 1920. today she is an outmoded figure singularly lacking in sex appeal. Audiences at the King’s are warned to beware of an Australian recording of tile American National Anthem in the middle of the first half. Be ready to get to your feet. MAJESTIC THEATRE The Radio City Music Hall in the Rockefeller -Centre, New York, is so big that old John D. Rockfeller, standing at the back of the stalls and watching some performing elephants on the stage, is said to have remarked,. “What, mice in my beautiful theatre already?” And that is the house where the typically British “Airs. Miniver” attracted more than 1,500,000 people during its initial season. The Wellington Majestic in its own more modest way is doing pretty well with the picture, too. By last weekend audiences totalling the combined populations of Palmerston North. New Plymouth and Napier had «een “Mrs. Miniver.” By last night the populations of Invercargill and one or two smaller* towns could bo added to the attendance total. For those who are not mindful of arithmetic the whole season adds up to a box-ofllce record for the (Majestic. There is little need, now that the film has been running for four weeks, to dwell on its virtues, which are many, or its faults, which are surprisingly few’. Greer Garson is superb a« Mrs. Miniver, and Walter Pidgeon, Richard Ney and Teresa Wright are not far behind. PLAZA THEATRE As "The Lady Is Willing’’ unfolded its 6000 ft. on the Plaza screen I kept saying to myself, "How superbly Lubltsch would have handled this scene or that scene.” It is a good little comedy, neat and businesslike within Its limits, but with more Imaginative direction it might havo blossomed forth into something as memorable as "Nothing Sacred.” .Marlene Dietrich wrings from every line and every situation their fullest value, and possibly She has never been so gay—but again, within the limits of tho material at her disposal. A beautiful actress of the lush, extravagant Zlgfeld school of the twenties, adopt# —or rather purloins—a baby boy. Legal complications arise, and the foster mother learns that she must acquire a husband. The doctor who has examined the child seems as likely a foster-parent as the next man. and he is railroaded into a platonic arrangement in which he keeps his experimental rabbits in one room and Miss Dietrich keeps her baby In another. Amusing, crazy and with Fred Mac Murray slightly out of his depth but striving valiantly to keep up with the volatile Dietrich’.

ST. JAMES THEATRE Hob Hope once wrote a book called "They Got .Me Covered.” Bing Crosby was responsible for the Introduction, one P*} ra ' graph of which sticks in my mind, >ob has a likeable personality,” wrote Bing. "In fact the first lime I met him I wondered if ho had been born or If bls mother had just knitted him.” Bob Hope is that—delightfully daffy with a kind or screwball humour that hits you in unexpected places. „ Last night’s full house at bt. Jamis found itself belted and pelted with all sorts of nonsense from the moment -MJ Favourite Blonde” lilt the screen. BoP Hope owns a performing penguin named Percy which lias been offered a 5W>-doiiar-a-week contract in Hollywood. AsMU>uin„ that Percy can’t read (and optimistic that his master can), the wire is sent to BOP Hope, who is generously offered oO dollars a week to trail along, too. Ou his

last night in New York vaudeville a beautiful blonde with a Mayfair accent, bursts into his dressing-room. ‘ Have ■ J' o ' l been shadowed, rutlileas y Pursued, hunted every hour of the tiny? she asks dramat C "l J used to be," says Bob, “but I pay cash for everything now-’’ , . ~ ■■ The blonde is Madeleine Carroll who is in possession of a secret code message from the British Government Yes, Im afraid it is another of those films. She must get to an address in Los Angeles. How lucky, and what “ c ,°lncldencu— Bob is going that way, to.o. But how he before the finish that the b ondehad chosen anv other of New York’s eight million people as an accomplice. The c <’“P l %?. e e hounded by Nazi spies, hunted by the police, enmeshed in the tolls of women s clubs, chased in the sky, on the land andlß dir the hay. Finally, having braved.more dangers than there would be in a comma Jo landing at Hamburg, Bob, Madeleine i nd Percy deliver the. message, JuO 1 ? " Fortresses take off for England, and baud almost plays Onward, Christian Unexpected moment: Bob Hone asks a street-corner lounger, for a match. J-” stranger obliges. Bob looks at him,J®, o again, looks at the camera, and says, no -it couldn’t be.” But the audience had re cognized him right away. Bing croeby. PARAMOUNT THEATRE Writing plaudits for “Eagle Squadron is a happy ’but not a new experience for me. When this excellent film wl J b flp st released I said how much prouder we mlL’lit have felt had this been a gesture bv°British studios to the intrepid A"' ean flyers who came to England s a d in her darkest hour, rather than an Anna can tribute to the British lie United States have done far more than observe the spirit and letter of the Lease-a.id-Len Bill They have shown the world in word and’picture that the Empire is ” worth fighting for, so ' np ’^;’ g man (and, we hope, God) to preserve ilization’s status-quo. . In -bestowing almost cm nrflise on England’s stiff upper HP Fate summer of 1940 when the Lnftwa ie raged for 50 days and nights above Logland’s cities and fields. "Eagle Squat serves as great a purpose as Mrs. Mln iver.” Robert Stack is the American fly who is both puzzled and hurt by phlegm. “Have these people carburettors Instead of hearts?” he cries. But he stays Jong enough to catch the deep mean ng of it all. to discover that the tunny- Eng Bah keep their tears in their hearts and hot in their eves Diana Barrymore Is splendid as the English (servicewoman, bringing an niisterltv to the part which suits perfectly the period in wlifch the action takes place. “Eagle Squadron" Is that rare I } en “ ° excitement and tenderness which gives quality to memorable films. OPERA HOUSE So great was the success of "Sergeant York” in America and so profound was the public reaction to this story of a modern hero, that the man himself, who was still living in the Tennessee hllle>, was invited to run for Congress. Also, in the present war, he has been given the rank has been equally impressed bv this film of the man who, in his ear y twenties, had all the makings of a youn„ bounder, unmindful of his mother « patient Pleas and with respect f°r neither the law nor religion. I erhaps it was the girl who changed him, perhaps It was th burgeonlngs of his own conscience. It was certainly the first World Mar and Its im pact on the lives of Americans which brought him to a full realization of a man’s duty to his country and his. fellow men. Some filmgoers, ’'"owing, little m Um historicu] fact on which Scrgt«ini York” id based, have smiled incredulously It the net which won for. York, innumerable decorations. The incident is perfect Gary’Cooper Is excellently east as Sergeant York. The woman who pla y s tho part of his mother is even more outstanding. . DE LUXE THEATRE Charlie Chaplin is not alone among the old-timers in the Wellington c ’ nPl '" l g Bt wnok Tn the days when he was nrst delighting us in “The Gold Rush,” 1 O’ears ago, there was a handsome youn- . busily making cinematic love t" Blanche Sweet. Beatrice -Toy and the other DU nnnip«i” of the day. The women with their knee-high skirts, pudding basin hM Bvi®w 8 vi®w shingled hair iniy have faded from view, but not this star who, no longer hand; some and certainly uot young, I,Ub . “ iji, talned a firm place i" Hollywood UH name? Wallace Beery. (Yes, believe it or not. he was once quite an Adonis.) His list of successes is 1 orniidnb e . “Tiinnor at Eitfht, A Iva Villa, J ll *, boat Annie” among the weli-rememberm nnP Hnnd this week he is back nt the I uve in a picture with the unattractive of “Jackass Mall.” Maybe it conveys something to Americans-!uiubt ask marine. Tough as e\er, Beer} i n slmide roirue who, burning to loot ijil gold he is supposed to be protecting, pl« * kame of heads ortads w th his conscience. He keeps his tHUi'l* wtriivintr along, too-r-oue day they gladly hang him. Next day there, s a subscription list out for a him This is good Beery comedy, MJ Marjorie Main fitting the partnership ti-mnilv as ever did Dressier. “Broadway Big Shot” is the iar title of the second picture Balun Bird and Virginia Vale are the stars. TUDOR THEATRE The city’s Christmas programmes keep on cropping up. Alter a good run at t King’s and then a week .s spell. .H in." Book” is buck at the Tudor baba, tie fascinating young star of India has. - lead—one need say no more. Ill; a » the part live as Kipling would bail wlsbed It. lie talks with bls f rll i l ' l J b 1", Hie jungle-one gets quite used to licarliis him receiving philosophical advice from an aged serpent—and Im takes his .ludlemthrough a host of adventures with 11 io ald of a group of ferocious animals Hint aa ed as naturally as the young star Inn self. So far us tho colouring is concern" . one must perforce have recourse to o old and hackneyed expression, a no . ALREADY REVIEWED State Tlienire.— Roddy' MeDownll who gave such a distinguished pertori l im e I" “How Green is My Valley.” ing part in "On the Sunny of little British evacuees uni er 1c s . of Uncle Sam. Noisily entertaining in

own way is “Down Rio Grande Way.” the second half of the bill.

State Theatre (Petone). —“Reap the Wild Wind,” to be presented toflay, Is a teehnlcolour film which proves that even after 30 years, ( r ’ecil de Nfille Is still a showman par excellence. It has all the dazzle and finery of the de Mille productions of the past and all the ferocity. The stars are Ray Milland. Paulette Goddard, find John Wayne.

Tivoli Theatre.—There's a nicely balanced programme at the theatre opposite Parliament Buildings today. A picture that deserves to be revived is “This Time for Keeps,” which stars that Hollywood veteran. Guy Klbbee. Also on the programme is something rather extra special in westerns, “Texas.” Rajah, the performing dog, appears on the stage at the matinee. SUBURBAN THEATRES King George (Lower Hutt).—“Pardon My Sarong,” Bud Abbott, Lou Costello. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—“Strictly in the Groove,” Leon Errol, Grade McDonald; “This Gun for Hire,” Robert Preston, Veronica Lake. Prince Edward, (Woburn).“The Letter,’ Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall: “Moonlight Masquerade,” Dennis O’Keefe, .Jane Frazee. Capitol (Miramar).—“Nazi Agent.’’ Conrad Veldt, Ann Ayars: “My Life with Caroline,” Ronald Colman, Anna Lee. Vogue (Brooklyn).—“To the Shores of Tripoli,” John Payne. Maureen O'Hara; “Hayfoot.” William Tracey, Joe Sawyer. Ascot (Newtown).—“Remember the Day.” Claudette Colbert. John Payne: “The Moon Over her Shoulder.” Lynn Bari, John Sutton. Regal (Karori).—“Joe Smith. American.’ and “Second Chorus.” Empire (Island Bay).—“How Green was My Valley.” and “Girl from Avenue A.” Rivoli (Newtown). —“I Take This Woman.” and “Buy Me That Town.” Kinema (Kilbiruie).—“The Vanishing American,” Frank Morgan: “The Heart of the “Rio Grande.” Gene Autry. Smiley Burnette. Seaside (Lyall Buy).—“Adam Had hotir Sons,” Warner Baxter, Ingrid Bergman: “The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date,” Warren William. Frances Robinson.