AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20047, 20 September 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

THE LEGEND OF PRAGUE" AND “TOUCH OF THU MOON"

Because of its outstanding excellence and its topicality, the English dialogue version of the amazing Czechoslovakian production. "The Legend of Prague," nas been chosen as one of the first Continental films to be released in New Zealand. The picture was banned in Germany by I tori' Hitler. Adapted front the .famous stage play. "The Golem." it concern? the persecution of the .lews in Europe in the eighteenth century. Under a half-mad tyrannical ruler they were .tortured and oppressed and ihe Ghetto where they lived destroyed. In their helpless agony they prayed that Divine help be given them and I heir fanatical oppressor destroyed. Their thoughts turned to a statue in

Prague about which was the inscription' "At the roar of the beast when the hour is darkest then shall the secret of the ‘Golem - be revealed." At the peak of their sufferings this prophecy is fulfil loci in a manner even to'them undreamed of. This (ilm is conceived, and produced on a scale that equals Hollywood's most colossal productions and' will be one of the most significant pictures ever released in this country. Although many names in the cast arc not yet familiar to New Zealand audiences, their acting, particularly the performances of the principals, is so outstanding that they will not easily be forgotten. The photography and the remarkable conception ol the pageantry and life of a royal castle in medieval Europe arc striking features of a production that is unusual in every respect. The associate feature. “Touch of the Moon,” is a sparkling musical comedy with an all-star cbmcdy cast headed by John Garrick and Dorothy Boyd. The programme includes a chapter oj "Treasure Island." KING’S THEATRE SANDY I’OWELL IN “I’VE GOT A HORSE" AND "WINNER TAKE ALL" Sandy Powell, the lovable North Country comedian of radio, music hall and pantomime, has reached the lopflight of fame by his fine performance in "Eve Got a Horse," the G-B-D enmeriv now showing at the King's' Theatre. The picture has everything in it that one could desire for an evening's hilarious entertainment. There are songs by Noel Gay (composer of "The Lambeth Walk"), exciting racecourse scenes, a brilliant supporting cast—and Sandy Powell. The second feature on the programme. "Winner Take All, is an exciting storv of ihe prize ring. Tony Martin and Gloria Stuart head the cast as the romantic team of this film, which treats boxing from a new and refreshing angle.

—"The Little Princess”: Technicolour Production Friday—

One of the great classics of all time. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s "The Little Princess," which comes to the King's Theatre next Friday, has been read and loved by millions from one end of the world to the other. It was in recognition of this fact that Darryl F. Zfmuck, production chief of 20th Centurv-Fox, selected it as the vehicle to introduce Shirley Temple in her first Technicolour production. In it he saw the ideal story for Shirley’s most pretentious vehicle to date, a story that might be transformed into a picture adequate to the amazing talent of this nine-year-old wonder child. Beside fulfilling both these ambitions the completed film is reported to be one of the truly great pictures of all time. As the thousands familiar with the story know, the setting for "The Little Princess" is London at tire turn of the century. The Boer War has been declared, the Union .lack flies from every building and the streets arc filled with marching Grenadiers. All London is alive With excitement, and Shirley is trying to hold back the tears. Her father is going off to Africa with his regiment. The trials and suffering endured by both father and daughter forms the background of this never-to-be-forgotten production. All the laughter, tears, drama and tenderness of this great story are beautifully presented on the screen and an impressive cast has been assembled to support the .star. Advance bookings arc said to be heavy.

REGENT THEATRE “FOUR GIRLS IN WHITE.” Drama, romance, thrills, chills, and comedy are expertly blended to make "Four Girls in White," which is shewing at the Regent Theatre, one of the most satisfying, entertaining pictures of the year. Featuring Florence Rice. Una Merkel. Ann Ilulherford. and Mary Howard in the title roles, and Alan Marshall in the male load, the picture comes as a worthy successor and companion play to ".Men in White” and the marc recent “Young Dr. Kildare.’ glorifying the nursing profession as those two dramas glorified the medical calling. “Four Girls in White" deals with a group of young women who enter training to become nurses for four varied reasons. Specifically, it deals with Norma Page, played by Florence Rice, whose only purpose in becoming a nurse is that .she believes it offers a chance for marriage to a wealthy doctor or patient. Her scheming results in the death of one of her fellow nurses.

—Friday: Mickey Rooney in “Huckleberry Finn” —

Few films can claim to make such a wide appeal as the adaptation of Mark Twain's book, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," which will be shown for the first time at The Regent Theatre on Friday. Out of the romantic atmosphere surrounding the picturesque riverside towns of Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas, the popular American writer created a story which has captured Ihc imagination of young and old. Huck Finn was a carefree but self-reliant boy who never bad to worry about school, odd jobs, or the care of good clothes, irksome restrictions which are the bate of a normal boy's 'existence. For that reason all respectable mothers abhorred him. while he was worshipped ley their off-spring. When I-luck sailed. away down the broad Missouri with a fugitive negro slave he found the adventure which was there for the taking in his free and easy times. Tiie great river carried many strange wanderers from town to town, among them being the wily pair, who styled themselves “King of France" and “Duke of Bilgewater." These arch deceivers were believed by the simple folk who lived along the wooded shores, but they were likeable rogues, for Mark Twain knew his world and

never created a character that was wholly bad. Thus I-luck Finn, dirty, unkempt, and uncivilised, was at heart a staunch, loyal lari, whose rough iil'e had taught him more than a conventional upbringing might have done. Mickey Rooney is ideally suited to this role, and throughout the delightful picture, fishing and swimming in the swirling river, playing “Juliet" with the incorrigible ‘ King of France” as “Romeo.” or sitting down to lea for the first time in his life with two charming young ladies, he lives the part. Walter Connolly and Rex Ingram head a .splendid supporting cast.