AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 21 August 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING'S THEATRE

“NEAREST THING TO HEAVEN” LAST NIGHT. “The Nearest Thing to Heaven,” which has its final screening at the King’s Theatre to-night, is an unusual and enthralling drama with a cosmopolitan flavour. It is undoubtedly a very fine film, in which both Charles Bover and Irene Dunne are at the top of their acting form. This picture is the first in which these two have been together, and the result is a colourful blend of personalities. An associate attraction is Walt Disney’s “Ferdinand the Bull,” a Technieolour presentation of a new Disney character.

—“Elephants Never Forget:" Riotous

* Comedy To-morrow. — Hal 'Roach’s new romantic comedy. “Elephants Never Forget," opens at the King’s Theatre to-morrow with a star-studded cast which includes Oliver Hardy, Jean Parker, June Lang, Billie Burke, Alice Brady, James Ellison and Harry Lnngdon. The picture, based on the hilarious short story. “Zfcnobia’s Infidelity,” by If. C. Bunner, was filmed from the screen play by Corey Ford and was directed by Gordon Douglas. The story of “Elephants Never Forget" unfolds in Cartcrvillc, Mississippi, in the year 1870. Oliver Hardy plays the role of Dr. Tibbitt. a genial, easy-going medico, who has two great loves in his life —his daughter and the Declaration of Independence. His life, however, becomes deeply involved with intrigue and publicity, when the town’s society arbiters learn that the doctor has treated an elephant, Zenobia, who

is ballyhooing a medicine show. Further complications follow when Zenobia, to show her gratitude, breaks her chains and hunts out Dr. Tibbitt at his home. Billie Burke and Jean Parker play the roles of Dr. Tibbitt’s wife and daughter respectively. Alice Brady impersonates a society snob, whose son, played by James Ellison, is in love with Tibbitt’s daughter.

REGENT THEATRE

“UNION PACIFIC.” Cecil de Mille, with his flair for detail and vast panoramic effects, has made an outstanding action film in "Union Pacific," a super offering produced and directed by him ior Paramount and which is now showing to packed houses at the Regent Theatre. Besides being a well-sus-tained narrative, dealing with the building of the great Union Pacific railroad, the film reflects the energetic and imaginative approach of America to colossal enterprise. There have been a number of major offerings depicting, in part, this particular phase of America's pioneering development, but none has suggested so well the magnitude of the task which provides this picture's vitalising and historic subject. Inevitably,' such a story as "Union Pacific” has to be a colourful and exciting biend of spectacle and individual effort: of history and personalities; of turbulence, chicanery and heroic gestures. The producers, as well as the scenarists, have escaped much threadbare material; for their narrative in this instance is more plausible than most of Its kind. All the vision, courage and initiative necessary to pioneer the railroad, as well as the intrigue of those against it for political o r purely personal reasons, have been inletwoven with a lov e story which is much more acceptable than, usual. Concurrent with the development of this triangular romance are the activities of those who seek to hamper, if not actually halt, the progress of [ho trans-continental railroad. Melodrama provides some stirring episodes which arc also different in their dramatic content from the kind usually seen in such films. —Thursday: Mickey Rooney in “Out West With the Hardys."—

When the Hardys go Wild West jn the wide open spaces, Judge Hardy laces the serious problem of keeping his energetic .family properly corralcd, but with his usual wisdom ana understanding he manages to settle Andy’s troubles, prevents Marian from making a hasty marriage and solves the perplexing legal difficulties’ of an old sweetheart in ' °ut West With the Hardys,” which will commence a four-day season at the Regent Theatre on Thursday, this, tlie fifth of the Hardy pictures, follows them through another actionfilled episode of their colouitul doings, replete with hilarious comedy, human, heart-warming pathos, trials, and tribulations. It brings new laurels to the favourites millions ot motion picture “fans” have come to know and to love, Lewis Stone as the Judge. Mickey Rooney as Andy, Cecilia Parker as Marian, Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy, Sara Haden as Aunt Milly, Ann Rutherford as Andv’.s "steady” girl friend, Polly, and "Don Castle as Dennis Hunt, Marian's Carvel boy friend. It also introduces a new guest star in vnginia Weidler, 11-year-old frozenfaced comedienne.

MAJESTIC THEATRE LAST DAY: “BULLDOG DRUMMOND’S SECRET POLICE,” “BOY TROUBLE,” AND "LOUIS v. GALENTO" A programme which provides varied and 00-oular entertainment will conclude' to-night. -Bulldog Drummonds Secret Police" is a thrilling aovcnluie story. “Boy Trouble" is n dclift'nlfuj comedy starring Charlie Haggles and .Mary '.Boland. Added attractions are the '"Louis v. Galenta" fight r.r.-d the new serial, "Buck Rogers.

—To-morrow, Two Comedies: “Danee Charlie, Dance" and “Men Are Such Fools” —

It's always a delight to stage or movie audiences when a supposen chumo makes chumps out of supposed v.-i'e fellows'who were trying lo make a chump oui of him. il you follow us. Yet that is what happens in "Dance. Charlie DrA-.ee.” the Warner Bras, crmedv-drania which commences tomorrow. The role of the supposed chump in this instance is played ioy that ace oortrnver of boob parts Stuart IT win, who has readied stardom almost entirely in chnracicrisnt. instil that sort. The story has to do with two fraud Broadway producers who induce Erwin. a stage-struck Toy irom

the country who has just inherited some nr, •my, to .mil 20.000 dollars into a show they want to produce. Allen Jenkins and Charles Fov, excellent Warner comedians, have these parts. Sparkling dialogue, witty sketches and subtle humour combine to make "Men Arc Such Fools,” the associate attraction, an ideal entertainment. Wayne

Morris and Priscilla Lane are again shown in the romantic lead. Their escapades never fail to raise a riot, as well as bring tears. Original expressions by Mona Barrie are presented ir. a new way. Her humorous sarcasm is different from the usual method cf presentation. Hugh Herbert, the overpopular comedian, is at his boat m "Men Are Such Fools." Herbert lake’, the oart of an advertising magnate.

giving a new interpretation of the role. If the Audience desires i.o laugh it needs only to look at .Herbert. The sessions commence a! 1.45 and 7.45 p.m. with chapter two of "Secret r.f Treasure Island.”