PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 24334, 24 October 1942, Page 3

PICTURE THEATRES

OCTAGON A great novel, ‘ How Green Was My Valley,’ headed best seller lists. As a film it has beaten all records wherever it has been hown. The Dunedin season of this notable picture has now commenced at the Octagon. Normally thousands of books are written annually. Among them sometimes appears a novel so filled with beauty and tenderness, so encompassing in sweep, so towering in stature that it can truly be called gn at. Such a book is Richard Llewellytfs ‘ How Green Was My Valley.’ In this magnificent novel Darryl F. Zannuck, production chief of Twentieth Century-Fox, saw possibilities of an even greater motion picture. The result has been a production that has risen to heights rarely achieved in the film world. It is an epic story telling of a family whose peace and prosperity are shattered by the over-multiplying complexities of modern life. The cast is superb, the acting flawless. Llewellyn's novel has come to life on the icreen. REGENT A story so beautiful it had to be set to music, ’ Smilin’ Through,’ which opened at tlie Regent yesterday, marks a 1942 high spot for emotional love stories, ''or tofhmcoiour, and for Jeanette MacDonald. Never has .Miss MacDonald been in bet-er voice. Her convincing and dramatic death scene on the eve of her marriage to Brian Aherne is one of the finest pieces of acting yet to reach the screen. Ageing from an impetuous youth of 20 to a disillusioned man of 70 is a difficult task for any ac.r, but Aherne’s interpretation of Sir John Carteret aptly demonstrates his status as a star of the first rank. Gene Raymond is impressive in the dual roles of Jeremy and Kenneth Wayne, and his love scenes opposite Miss MacDonald are intensely stirring. Nothing has been lost of the romantic flavour ot the original play in the retelling of this gripping love story. ‘ Smilin’ Through J again takes its place as a leader —a screen classic. EMPIRE A history-making film, ’ Eagle Squadron,’ is now showing at the Empire. A notable achievement, this is one of the screen's first authentic series of the great war, both in the air and on the land. The significance of the production, starring Robert Stack' and Diana Barrymore, lies in its faithfulness to fact, its authenticity stamped by the British air command, and its straightforward portrayals. The atmosphere of realitv is more than strengthened by introductory foreword written and spoken by Quentin Remolds, the noted war correspondent, who “ ribbed ” Hitler and informed the world that his real name was Schickelgruber. Portraying the part of a W.A.A.F., the simplicity and genuineness of Diana Barrymore impress one, for she is entirely devoid of affectation, and lacks mannerisms and dramatic gesture. The large cast functions smoothlv. with each actor handling excellently ins role. Night raids by British commandos is one important sequence long to be remembered. MAYFAIR A comedy romance which is rich in entertainment value is featured this week at the Mayfair. ‘ New York Town ’ gives a glimpse of a section of life in the first city of the United States. U tells of a cheerful young American and a Polish refugee professor who conduct a moderately successful business,combining the street photographer and the portrait painter. There is plenty of gay comedy with a touch of pathos in the picture. Co-featured on the excellent programme is ' Billy the Kid,’ showing Robert Taylor in his most exciting role. STATE Jascha Heifetz, famous violinist, was persuaded by {Samuel Goldwyn to bring his genius to iho screen and made his film debut in ‘ They Shall Have Music,’ which is playing a return season at the State. The film features Andrea Leeds, Joel McCrea, Walter Brennan, Gene Reynolds, and Terry Kilburn. The story concerns a professor, played by Walter Brennaqj. who runs a school for under-privileged children who have a talent for music. Since the professor is a happy-go-lucky idealist with no sense of finance, the school is on the verge of bankruptcy. But with the arrival of Frankie, a slurt boy, plans are hatched to save the school from the hands of its creditors and to give it a new start. The supporting film is a comedy, ‘ Nothing Sacred.’ STRAND ‘ Red River Valley ’ is probably the best of the Red River western series. The story opens as Roy Rogers returns home after making personal appearances with a singing troupe known as inc .Sons of the Pioneers. Hoy and the comic Gforge Gabby Hayes make an excellent team, carrying out their

assignments easily and well, while Gala Storm pleases as the leading lady. Added comedy touches are delivered by pert Sally Payne. The ‘ Sons of lit* Pioneers * are, of course, played by them,selves, and share featured billings witii Bob Homans, Trevor Bardette, Hal Taliaferro, and others. The supporting fi.m it a riotous comedy, ‘ Father Steps Out.’ * GRAND ’ Cadet'Girl, - this week’s principal I'catura at the Grand, is a riotous romantic comedy, in which a West Point Cadet, George Montgomery, sets out witii his pals, William Trace," Robert Lowery, Charles Taiinen, and ' Basil Walker, for a furlough oa Broadway, the Great -White ’Way. To the accompaniment of sparkling music the fua and romance develop with Carole- Landis playing the part of the sweetheart vocalist. Montgomery and _ Carol mine a their way on a gay round, of New A ork’a night spots to the tune of a number of song hits. The associate feature, ‘ Who is Hope Schuyler?’ is a mystery tUriUcr^-tar-ring ' Joseph Allen, Mary Howard, Sheua Ryan, and Ricardo Cortez. ST. JAMES A dramatic love story is told in ‘This Time for Keeps,’ the new attraction at tlto St. James. The story of the film centres around the matrimonial troubles of Leo White (Robert Sterling) and his charming young wife, Katherine (Ann Rutherford;. White accepts a partnership in the real estate business of his father-in-law (Guy Kibbee), wlto, by his interference, manages to bring about a scries of domestic squabbles between the young couple. The situation develops when Miss Rutherford’s youngest daughter, Harriet (Virginia Weidler) Stallages to win a two-guinea question in a “ quiz ” show, but instead of tlie money, she is given 200 cakes of the sponsor’s product—frotiiy-foam soap. Disgusted, she trades 100 cakes for a ballet costume. For some time Lee has been trying to sell a business lot to Arthur Freeman', a wealthy soap manufacturer. When Freeman proves uneuthusiastic about tha deal, Lee buys Harriet’s remaining cakes of soap and has them distributed about tha town, thus giving Freeman to infer that this rival soap-maker is bidding for the lot. The ruse works and the climax of the film is reached when Freeman, intrigued by Lee’s business methods, offers him an extremely well-paid position,- thereby ensuring his future domestic happiness. Tito associate feature is ‘Go West,* featuring the irrepressible Marx Brothers in a aeries of madcap adventures.