ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 121, 20 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “HUNCHBACK OF. NOTRE DAME.” A romance between a gypsy girl and a mendicant poet, tile unholy plotting of a powerful nobleman and the courage and self-sacrifice of a deformed outcast comprise the principal themes of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” the current impressive version of Victor Hugo’s classic. With (diaries Laughton scoring the characterisation triumph of his career no tbo pitiable and admirable Quasimodo, 1 lie cathedral bell -ringer, the film also presents his new protege, Maureen O’Hara, as the gypsy dancer-heroine of this inciiioj'ftblc offering. l*aid in the Paris of 1482, <4f l he Hunchback of Notre Dame” takes place in and. around the famous Notro Dame cathedral, Saintc Chapellc and other landmarks which arc reproduced in enormous isettings peopled with a record cast of 3500 players. When the gypsy is sentenced to the gallows for a crime o. which the King’s High Justice is guilty, Quasimodo saves her from the executioner at the c*orst of hi«s own life, but not before he causes the nobleman’s confession and restores the dancer to her poet-lover. The stroming of the cathedral by a mob which is singularly opposed by Quasimodo and the bell-ringer's swift-moving efforts 01. the girl's behalf form the gripping climax of tiie spectacle drama. Sir Cedric Jlardwieke, Thomas Mitchell, Edmond O’Brien. ’I Alan Marshal, Waller Hampden and : Katharine Alexander form a staunch sup- '> port for, Laughton in tiiis RICO Radio pic-1 ' l ure directed by William Diet eric. ] METEOR THEATRE. “GOLDEN BOY.” I _ Unquestionably unique in treatment and , in theme, Columbia’s “Golden Boy” opens ,j on Saturday at the Meteor Theatre to ■ prove that Hollywood, when it wants to, . can turn out definitely superior entertainment. The new film, directed by Roulien Mamoulian and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Adolphe Menjou and William JJoil den, is based upon Clifford Odct’s romantic drama. “Golden Boy” lolls of a young . violinist, impatient and tired of working toward the day when he will he a success on j the concert stage, who rapidly lights his ; way to the top in the prize-ring. In his swift climb lo pugilistic stardom, he ruthlessly tramples upon the hopes of his musiet - loving father, ignores the eryings-oul of his . own conscience. He becomes brutalised by his new environment, until his love for a J disillusioned young woman —t,he only per- , son who really understands the tremendous conflict raging within him —causes him to ’ give up the ring and return to the forgiveness of his family. Of the utmost importance in any consideration of “Golden Boy” is the performance turned in by new comer William Ilohlcn, making his motion picture debut in the all-important title role. This handsome youth is so convincing in his “Golden Boy” characterisation that we risk little in prophesying stardom and tremendous popularity lor him. Flawless performances by Barbara Stanwyck and Adolphe Menjou add charm and a certain exuberance lo the picture. Miss Stanwyck . is so ideallv cast that one forgets her identity and remembers only Lomu Moon, the girl who finds romance for the first time when “Golden Boy” tells her his dreams. Air Menjou is superb as the cynical, harassed fight manager. Other splendid performers in important roles include Joseph Galicia, Lee J. Cobb, Edward Brcphyund Sam Levene, KOSY THEATRE. “SUBMARINE PATROL.” The big supcrdreadnouglils that so frequently plough the newsreel in our theatres may he the pride of the American Navy. But it took the frail, splintery, 110foot submarine chasers to write the most dramatic chapter in World War naval history. Constructed entirely, of wood and for speed rather than seaworthiness, the subchasers answered the crying need of the A.E.F. for safe transport through the f, ! - boat infested sea lanes of the Atlantic. Ridiculed at first by the rest of the Navy, who doubted the tiny ships could even cross tiie ocean, the amazing craft demonstrated a phenomenal ability for destroying undersea marauders. In recognition of litis a fleet of “splinter boats” was ordered to Brindisi, an Italian port, for a raid in conjunction with British men-of-war on the enemy submarine base at Durazzo. With (lie British ships standing oil to lay a protective barrage, the tiny chasers stormed right into a nest of enemy mines, U-boats and land fortresses to win one of the. greatest naval encounters of the entire war, and the only general engagement in which America participated. Charlie McCarthy can now talk about his operation. During tiie production of “[.otter of Introduction.” Charlie was rushed lo flic hospital whore ho underwent a long-anticipated operation for wlutt ailed him. Escorted by Edgar Bergen, McCarthy entered the hospital at 4.10 p.m. where he was tho object of an immediate consultation. “Charlie is afflicted with an advanced ease of■ Termitis,” Edgar Bergen announced to press and public at 4.57. “There is nothing wrong wit.it him that a creosote hat it will not cure.” |