ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 161, 7 June 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE, “GOODrBYE, MR CHIPS.” “Good-bye, Air Chips,” James Hilton’s charming novel cf the life of an English school teacher, brings to audiences, following his triumph in “The Citadel, Robert Donat, together with Greer Garson, beautiful English actress. Third ot the pictures filmed in M-G-M’s English Studios, “Good-bye, .Mr Chips” tells the story of a kindly schoolmaster, starting ms career in his twenties, becoming a rentable institution in a big English school and shaping the careers of boys destined to become great men. A 3 4 ‘The Citadel” dealt with medical ethics, so the new picture goes deeply into the heart-of education. Donat brings deep understanding to the role, which carries him through four periods. Ilis makeup is enhanced by the psychology which makes the characters fairly live at each age. Miss Garson is a compellingly skilful actress as well' as beautiful. . Terry ICilburn, the appealing youngster of “Lord Jeff” and A Christmas Carol,” has an interesting role, playing four •generations of boys who attend the school, grow up, and send their sons back. Dramatic highlights include the rescue of the heroine in the Tyrolean Alps and a spectacular air raid during the World War with football and cricket games at famous ’ English schools adding thrilling and exciting moments. Skilful human interest touches are supplied in the deft direction of Sam Wood. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “HOME FROM HOME.’.’ A great favourite the world over, by virtue of hie unique comedy radio recordings and bis oft-repeated slogan, “Can You Hear Me. Mother?” Sandy Towcll has already starred in two comedies, “It’s a Grand Old World” and “I’ve Got a Horse,” and his “Home From Home, which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre, will take him further up the ladder of fame. This time Sandy takes the role of a convict who is glad enough to remain in prison out of the way of his domineering wife, who continually . nags nim to find work and not to lie in bed half the day. When Sandy is pardoned and has to go homo the trouble starts, all over again, especially as he had collected; an out of work violinist and a glamorous cabaret star on the way. Gene Autry’s new picture, which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre, is called “Yodelin’ Kid from Pine Ridge,” and as usual the amiable Smiley Burnette is the hero’s companion in now and exciting adventures. The story tells of an estrangement between Autry and his father because they elect to take different sides in a cattle war. Autry leaves Pine Ridge and his sweetheart to seek adventure. Great cities topple, a terrible iron robot is destroyed in “To Destroy tile World.” the twelfth and concluding episode of “The Phantom Creeps,” daring lii-cliapter Universal serial which comes to a breath-taking climax to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. METEOR THEATRE. “THE STAR MAKER.” The world's foremost exponent of .popular song, the incomparable Bing Crosby, is returning to the screen in a new comedy-drama, “The Star Maker,” now showing at- the Meteor Theatre. Based on the career of the famed showman Cus Edwards, tile picture casts Bing as a penniless song writer who is convinced that he lias a real future in tho show business. It takes Bing through all the high lights of Edwards’ career, shows him succeeding with kiddie shows, rebuffed by the Gerry Society for having children perform after 10 o’clock, and finally trying to win success on the radio. A great supporting east . includes LouiseY Campbell. Nod Sparks, Laura Hope Crows, Walter Dainrosch, dean of symphonic conductors', and. Linda Ware;'” the sensational 14-ycar-old singing discovery. The picture is replete with song, with Bing Crosby singing such Gus Edwards’ favourites as “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “School Days,” “Jimmy Valentine,” and many others. Bing also sings four new hits, including “An Apple for the Teacher” and “A Man and His Dreams.” Linda Ware sings many songs, old and new. Bing Crosby is no believer in sticking to the same leading lady in , picture after picture, and consequently a new one is featured iri “The Star Maker,” Louise Campbell, who is cast as a girl who helps the matron of an orphanage, and finally consents to marry Bing. She helps him succeed in his ambition to . got to the top in shoiv business by making stars out of talented children.