AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 14 November 1939, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

“THE FIREFLY,” JEANETTE MACDONALD. In its review of “The Firefly ' which opens at the Regent Theatre to-day, The Sydney Morning Herald says: Something about 17 years ago, Sydney was looking with delight on a musical play called "Firefly.” That veteran writer of books and lyrics, Otto Harbach, had provided the text; and the music came from the graceful pen of Rudolph Fritnl. What better guarantee could there be than this experienced partnership that the resulting production would be a triumph of the musical comedy formula? But, in laying hold of "Firefly" for screen purposes the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios have done all sorts of agreeable and unexpected things to it. Instead of a series ot set scenes, it becomes an agile, witty, swiftly-moving romance. A good deal of the music, fortunately, remains. But it is sung in circumstances very different from those obtaining on the stage. Take the “Donkey's Serenade." for example. Jeanette MacDonald, as the glamorous dancer called the Firefly, is travelling with her personal maid in a coach. Across the rocky Spanish landscape, there comes riding the gallant young Don Diego. The Firefly does not want hiS attentions; and she shows him so by leaning back on the cushions and feigning sleep. But Don Diego insists on singing {o her. The driver produces a guitar, the boy beside him a little flute. When the‘Firefly proves too intractable Don Diego trots forward and sings to the donkeys, the clatter of whose active feet makes a basic rhythm to the song. The whole matter has been captivatingly presented with the adroit close glimpses of the donkeys' wagging heads; the langourous dancer venturing a sly glance now and then; the maid looking frankly delighted; the little boy twiddling joyously on bis flute, and Don Diego, by turns insolent and debonair. During most of its length, “The Firefly” remains m this mood of romantic and slightly impudent charm. The many love scenes are done 'with a specially light touch. The story takes the Firefly and her importunate suitor into lovely natural surroundings, where ducks and geese, and sometimes even lowing cows, come wandering in among the vocal music. When one remarks that Allan Jones is the tenor, there is no need to expand on the quality of the singing. He and Miss MacDonald voice the gracious melodies with all the art and fervour at their command: and that is saying a good deal.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

M.G.M. DRAMA, “WITHIN THE LAW” AND REVIVAL OF “TOPPER.”

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's modernised version of Bayard Veiller’s magnifisent stage drama “Within the Law will commence a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day at 1.45 and 7.30 p.m. The new picture retains all the powerful drama and vivid romance of the play but is strictly up to the minute. Ruth Hussey is superb in the role of* Mary Puincr, created on the stage bv Jane Cowl. Tom Neal has the male lead, and a strong cast includes Paul Kelly, Paul Cavanagh and Rita Johnson. Iho story is the same but now unravels in the atmosphere of modern Manhattan. Mary Turner, a department store salesgirl, is gaoled for a theft she did not commit. She swears vengeance and studies law in. prison. On gaining her freedom she joins a band of racketeers who prey on a store owner. She meets his son and the boy falls in love with her. She even marries him, then discovers that she loves him. They are involved in a crime and the police are closing in. At the psychological moment the racketeer leader, played by Kelly, steps in and assumes’ the blame to save the boy. The moral now, as in 1912 when the play was produced on Broadway, is simply that crime does not pay. "Within the Law” will be supported by repeat screenings of "Topper.” Based on the superb whimsy of the screen play, adapted from Thorne Smith’s "sensational novel. "Topper," the brilliant talent of the principals provide uproarious fun and l'ast-mov-ing action from the opening scene until the final fade out. The programme will include the final chapter of “Treasure Island.”

KING’S THEATRE

“SECOND FIDDLE”: LAST NIGHT

Irvins' Berlin’s “Second Fiddle,’’ starring Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power, Rudy Vallee and Edna May Olivetwill finish at the King’s Theatre tonight. Full of songs, comedy, and spectacle, it is a show to put on your

“must see” list. —“Old Cones of the River” and “Mr. Molo takes a Vacation”: To-morrow— Mr. Moto has nothing to do in “Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation,” opening tomorrow at the King’s Theatre, unless you call solving two murders, challenging the curse of an ancient tomb and battling arch-criminals of two continent s for the fabulous crown jewels of the' Queen of Sheba, work! The newest 20th. Century-Fox mystery thriller, starring Peter Lorre, takes the famous Saturday Evening Post detective to the Arabian desert, and gives him one of his most exciting adventures lo date. “Old Bones of the River,” starring Will Hay, Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt, is a positive riot. It will be the second feature on this programme.

WAIKOHU THEATRE, TE KARAKA

With an exceptionally strong cast headed by Edmund Lowe, “The Squeaker" will be screened at the Waikohti Theatre on Wednesday evening. This film version of the late Edgar Wallace’s popular thriller offers grand entertainment. James Newill is cast as a singing daredevil of tile north woods in “Renfrew of the Roy a! Mounted,” which will be Saturday’s attraction.