ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 252, 21 September 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE

“PINOCCHIO.”

In bringing his version of the childhood classic “Pinocchio,’,’ to. the screen- as his second full-langth feature, Walt Disney has happily combined the most outstanding characteristics of the original book with the unique appeal which the world audience has come to look for in every Disney character. The film' shows at the Stato Theatre to-day. In tho original story of Pinocchio, the marionette who came to life, the title character was a brutish little rascal who not only tormented tile kind old wood-carver who created him, but killed a wise talking cricket that - had lived in the house for over a hundred years, when the cricket tried to give him some good advice. He was selfish, and had practically no likeable qualities at all. He was bad lor the sheer fun of being bad. Walt Disney’s little puppet character, as dramatised for R.K.O. Radio release, has been endowed with all tho typical Disney appeal without losing any mischievous qualities. Walt’s “Pinocchio” is bad more from an innocence of what is right and vvrongthan from anything else. In appearance, too, the Disney Pinocchio is different from the puppet who generally appears in old book illustrations. The original was generally depicted as a long,, tank marionette, very simple in construction, with a face . almost totally devoid of charm. Tho Pinocchio of Walt Disney’s artists has a loveable little boyish quality not only in appearance, but in his voice and in his sincere but blundering cfTort' to learn right from wrong.

KOSY THEATRE

“BRIDAL SUITE.”

Never were two leading players more happily cast than Annabe.'la and Robert Young, assuming respectively the roles of an irresistible manageress of a Swiss inn and an American playboy in the comedy. “Bridal Suite.” And when it is added that this romantic-comedy twain are bulwarked in their crazy doing by such screen artists as Walter Connolly, Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Arthur Treacher and Billie Burke, you may well gather than “Bridal Suite" is a picture not to be missed. In the story Robert Young is a thoroughly irresponsible happy-go-iucky pursuer of feminine hearts who forgets everything of importance, even his wedding date. To cure him his mother, Billie Burke, rushes him off to Switzerland. Walter Connolly is'the oschiatrist called upon to treat him. But Annabella, baker of nusspusserls and breaker of hearts; is there to intrigue Young’s heart while Connolly works vainly on his head. .The result is a mad whirl of daffy complications and troubles that take all four into perilous situations on the mountain sides, uproarious love scenes and hilarious battles.

Drama, romance, thrills, chills and comedy are expertly blended to make “Four Cirls in White” one of the most satisfying entertaining pictures of the year. Featuring Florence Rico, Una Merkel, Ann Rutherford and Mary Howard in tho title roles, and Alan Marshall in tho male lead, tho picture comes as a worthy successor and companion play to “Men in White” and more recent “Young Doctor Ivildarc,” glorifying the nursing profession as those two dramas glorified flic medical calling.

REGENT THEATRE

“YOUNG TOM EDISON.”

All suspicion that Mickey Rooney is strictly an unusual personality rather than an' actor will vanish when “Young Tom Ldison” is seen at the Regent 'Theatre. l’laying the great inventor as a youth. Mickey clearly establishes him self in the ranks of Hollywood’s “top notchers.” The picture tells- a vivid story of the triumph of a typical hoy and is so down-to-earth and human that it will bring a warm glow in the heart of many a boy and former boy and a tear to the eye of every sister and mother in the audience. There is a generous portion of .oniedy in tho story, comedy which Rooney docs to perfection because it is genuine .joyhood comedy. And tho story has its dreams, its tears, its thrills and, above all, its triumphs—the sort that brings an exultant lump into your throat. Mickey, of course, is superb, directed by tho genius of childhood story director, Norman Taurog. The man who made “Skippy” certainly has topped the Academy winning effort of a few years ago. The cast with Rooney is outstanding. First, there is Virginia Woildcr, who again proves she’s Hollywood’s leading child actress. As Edison’s sister she is a superb teammate fer Mickey. Fay Bainter is a per,ect selection as Edison’s mother and is magnificent. George Bancroft playing Edison’s father, has a role totally unlike anything she has ever done and one which may well spell “new career” for this grand actor. Eugene Pallette, Victor Kilian, Bobbio Jordan. J. M. Kerrigan, Lloyd Corigan, John Kollog. Clem Bcvans, Eily Malyon and Harry Shannon round out an excellent supporting cast.