AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 18 November 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

victor melaglen in' "exchamp." and "revenge rider" In a story that tugs at the hoarts'rings. Victor McLaglcn triumphs in his new picture, Universal's "ExChamp." now at the Majestic Theatre. The Academy Award winning" star, aided by a well-selected cast, wrings the utmost from his characterisation of an old ex-champion lighter. He is forced to make a decision (hat means th? sacrifice of-his own honour, dear to him through years of honest cfTort. When he loses, his job as apartment house doorman he undertakes the training of a young fighter, who ultimately reaches the goal of a fight with the champion. Mel .anion's sun, played hv Donald Brings, has meanwhile speculated with a client's money, ainl faces disgrace and prison unless the funds are replaced. Gunner is laced with tiie decision of sacrificing his fighter and his own honesty to save the reputation of his own son. In a supporting role is Tom Brown as the young tighter, in love with, Gunner's daughter. Nan Grey. William Frawley is seen as a faithful hanger-on, with Samuel S. Hinds as a kindly boxing commissioner who has faith in Gunner's honesty. The associate feature. "Revenge Rider." is a thrilling outdoor action picture starring Tim McCoy. The programme opens with the second chapter of "The Oregon Trail." An added attraction for to-day, Monday and Tuesday will be the official picture of the 1030 Melbourne Cup.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

KING'S THEATRE

"THE STORY OF ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL" As the genius who invented the telephone was a giant among men. so Darryl F. Zanuck's production ol "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell" is a giant among pictures. It opened yesterday to the acclaim ol an enthusiastic audience at the King's Theatre, a magnificent screen tribute lo a gveat American whose miraculous achievement and stirring love story aw? symbolic of the tradition of Don Ameche, splendid in tlu icle of Hell, brings another immortal character to the motion picture gallery of the great. Loretta Young gives her finest performance as Mabel lir.obard. out of. whose deafness came the inspiration for the telephone. Henry Fonda is perfectly cast as young Tom Watson. Bell's assistant. Charles C'oburn. Gene Bockhart. Spring Byington. and Loretta Young's" three sisters: Sally Blanc, Polly Ann Young and Georgians Young, complete the cast. —"Four Feathers": Magnificent Colour Film N'cxl Friday— The box plans onen next Monday for A. E. W. Mason's mightiest spectacle. "Four Feathers," filmed entirely in Technicolour. which opens at the King's Theatre next Friday.

REGENT THEATRE

M.G.M.'S "ICE FOLLIES OF t. 039" An elaborate Technicolour presentation of a revue staged by the original members of the International Ice Follies is the outstanding feature of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film. "Ice Follies of 1039," which delighted the large crowds which attended its first sessions at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Joan Crawford makes a welcome return to the screen in the type of role which made her famous. She makes a most attractive singer and skater, while her interpretation of the moving story's more dramaticmoments is without flaw. As her husband, from whom she is separated when Hollywood claims her for its own, James Stewart gives another of the sincere .and natural performances for which he is renowned. Two further players who are well known lo all theatre-goers, Lew Ay res and Lewis Stone, also figure prominently in the entertaining story. Although never lacking in appeal, the picture follows conventional lines until the dazzling climax, when, gorgeously arrayed, the skaters of the Ice Follies glide and turn in a brilliant sequence of ice ballets and choruses. After almost insurmountable technical difficulties had been overcome, the producers Of the film have been able to present some of the most beautiful effects ever achieved on the screen. One number is executed on wet ice. which appears like a highly-polished mirror. The associate programme includes "The Great Heart," "M.G.M. Miniature"; "Radio Hams," Pete Smith specialty, "Picturesque Udaipur," coloured Filzpatrick travel gem; "1939 Melbourne Cup," and the latest pictures from the war.

FAMOUS FARCE

"CHARLEY'S AUNT" With just a gentle and artistic touch of modern make-up in concession to the passage of time since she shocked and charmed the Victorians with her pristine madcap frolics, "Charley's Aunt," has demonstrated convincingly in her Dominion tour that "there's life in the old gal yet." The Celebrity Comedy Company's opening performance of the revival season in Auckland was characterised by continuous gusts of laughter, indicating that the farce, which has been a joy to several successive generations of theatregoers and acclaimed one of the world's greatest funmakers, is still good for an enjoyable night's fun. Many notable comedians have been associated with the title role in this pioneer of masquerade comedies., but Don Nicol, who leads the present Australian and New Zealand combination, in no way sutlers by comparison with past favourites, state:; an Auckland paper. He has, ol course, his own following of admirers from previous, performances, but the masquerade character acting required of bun as "Babs" and "Charley's Aunt"' in this farce is far beyond Ihe funny business demands of his former appearances. That old musical comedy favourite Phil Smith, was Nicol's able collaborator throughout the piece. A quartet oi talented young players in leading roles of straight ailing required lo emphasise the farce were John Fleeting, Lane Patterson, Shirley Ann Richards and Mary Duncan, while in parts of special intricacy the experienced Charles Albert. Norman Harrington and Leal Douglas gave unostentatious strength to the performance. This company will appear at the Opera House next Saturday.