Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 306, 28 December 1939, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE TO-MORROW “GOODBYE MR. CHIPS." Has the picture been made that would please everybody? Few, if any, have claimed that distinction. It may be impossible, but if it is, there is at least one lilin that goes very close to achieving the impossible. It Is “Goodbye, Mr. Chips.” If it does not appeal to every moviegoer, then the fault is entirely on the side of the person who fails to enjoy it. Other pictures of public school and university life have passed across the screen, met with approval, and left their impression on the licklc public, but none has succeeded in the manner of ‘‘Mr. Chips” in revealing with the skill of a surgeon the very soul of the public school. Even he who despises the “old school tie” and all that sort of thing must admire Mr. Chips, a man who loves his fellowmen, even though they be rowdy, inconsiderate schoolboys, better than anything else in the world except, perhaps, his wife who taught him to give expression to this love. Many schools have their “Mr. Chips”—even in New Zealand, a country relatively young in tradition, there are schoolmasters whose association with one school has extended over half a century or longer, men who have played an inestimable part in the moulding of thousands of human lives, men who always think of other men as they were as schoolboys, men who have caned the men who are at the helm of the nation to-day. To such as these “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” is a splendid memorial. We have happy memories of Robert Donat as the strugirling voung doctor in “The Citadel,” and still like to think of his performance in "The Ghost Goes West,” but these. Ins earlier successes, are outshone by his incomparable acting in “Goodbye, Mr. Chips.” In particular, his portrayal of a very old but very energetic retired schoolmaster is peerless. An important part in the picture and in the life of “Mr. Chips i.s played by Greer Carson, charming lrish-Scottish actress, who, aa ins wife “Cathie,” is the embodiment of all the best one associates with womanhood. The author of “Goodbye, Mr. 9 t h !?'\’ T lames Hilton, thinks this of the M.G.M. screen version: “An author’s dream fulmied—a picture that does for him pracGcally ah that he would like to do for himself if he owned a studio and had million pounds to spare. METEOR THEATRE —TO-DAY “WINGS OF THE NAVY” ■produced with the unstinted co-opera-lion of the United States Navy, -Wings Of the Navy," a Warner liros.-uosmopoli-iL picture which effectively dramatises the thrilling story of naval aviation, £hcms to-day at the Meteor Theatre with a cast headed by George Brent, Oliva do Hat 1 land, John I'ayne and Fianlt MeHugh. The background of the new picture lends Itself naturally to the depiction of impics sive and thrilling scenes, and the studio, ivilh the navy's aid, has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented. About 600 planes, including eveiy tj pe used by the navy, are shown at various times in the course of the story, and there are several shots In which scores of planes take off or land in succession or are seen aloft simultaneously in breathtaking vistas of mass Hying, There are also "many exciting shots of dazzling manoeuvres by individual pilots and several bits of action —including three crashes —which are bound to electrify the beholder. The spirit and tradition of the aerial wing of the naval service are-effec-tively presented in a story that covers the life of the average navy liier from the beginning of his training to the tune when, as a veteran pilot, he can. take part in mass flights In huge seaplanes over thousands of miles of open ocean. Aside from the thrilling and engrossing flying background, the picture Is marked by a human ami moving story of brotherly affection and a charming romantic motif which for a time, however, threatens to shatter the bonds between the two brothers, played by Brent and Payne, for they both love the same girl, played by Olivia de llavilland.

STATE THEATRE TO-MORROW “THE REAL GLORY.” Samuel Goldwyn’s latest production, “The Real Glory” is reported to be the best action picture produced since “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.” Six-foot Gary Cooper and the lovely dark-tressed Andrea Leeds provide the romantic interest iu this stirring story of the Philippines. Henry Hathaway, who directed Gary Cooper in “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” also directs in “The Real Glory,’ which commences at the State Theatre to-mqrrow. The picture unfolds a thrilling and exciting tale of adventure and romance with a series of most exciting scenes filled with swift action and tense suspense. Gary Cooper plays the type of heroic outdoor role which has made him the prime favourite with motion picture lovers, portraying a doctor who has joined the constabulary in the Philippine Islands. The story of “The Real Glory” was transferred to the screen from the novel by Charles L. Clifford, and dramatises the bold era of adventure and turmoil which reigned in the Philippines following the Spanish-American war after the American army was evacuated and the islands were over-run by religious native terrorists. Andrea Leeds is the heroine. David Niven who recently gave magnificent performances in “The Dawn Patrol” and “Wuthering Heights,” plays an important and amusing role as Cooper’s rival for the heroine. Niven is now becoming almost as popular as Cooper in romantic and heroic roles. Reginald Owen, Broderick Crawford and Kay Johnson are also in the cast. “The Real Glory” is one of Goldwyn's finest production triumphs. He built panorama after panorama ot thrills in the lavish Uoldwyn manner, culminating in a breathless climax of the spectacular dynammiting of a dam that 6aves thousands from death by thirst and pestilence. KOSY THEATRE TO-DAY “STREET SINGER’S RETURN” “Street Singer’s Serenade” is /IfhUy termed the “Happiness Picture of A glorious modern musical romance, punc tuated with many delightful song eluding that great favourite, The Whisting Waltz,” is “Street Singers Serenade.” in his new screen story. The Street Singer's Return,” the feature now showing at the Kosy Theatre, Arthur Tracy is supported by a big cast, Including Arthur Riscoe, clown prince of comedians, lovely Margaret Lockwood, Hugh Wakefield, Rawiez and Landauer, celebrated piano duettists, who have had the honour of giving several performances before Royalty; Ellen Pollock, and Lew Stone and his merry music-makers. Arthur Tracy appears as a famous singer, who quarrels with his leading lady and “walks out’ on the show in his “Street Singer” clothes. Mistaken for what he looks, ne is befriended by a beautiful girl (Margaret Lockwood), who takes him to her tenement home, which she shares with her uncle (Arthur Riscoe) and With Tracy entering into the spirit of the adventure, the three become a trio of street entertainers. Meanwhile, the stage producers are searching high and low for Tracy, but Arthur has failn in love with his little benefactoress, and refuses to be “found.” Interwoven throughout the story are six song hits, including “Halfway to Heaven,” “Street Serenade” and "Haroun El Raschid,” that promise to rival in popularity even the merry numbers of “Street Singer’s Serenade.” The Secret of Stamboul.”

“The Secret of Stamboul,” the second attraction, co-starring Valerie Hobson and Frank Vosper, is the story of Larry, a young army officer, who, at a club ball, knocks down a Turkish diplomat who is forcing unwelcome attentions on the Colonel’s daughter. To avoid a military scandal, Larry resigns, and accepts a job to investigate the affairs of a tobacco company in Turkey. He soon learns that a political intrigue is concerned with the company, and a secret organisation is at work to upset the Government. He also meets a beautiful girl in Tania, a Russian refugee, now in the power of the scoundrels, and she tries to save him from their clutches. However, one of the revolutionary leaders, known'as the Eunuch of Stainboui, captures Larry and has him thrown into the sea, but Tania, knowing of the plans, js able to rescue iym, and in the nick oY tune they prevent-tlie uprising. Playing the role of the sinister Oriental revolutionary leader Is Frank Vosper, who reveals with amazing subtlety the reasoning of the Oriental mind, while Valerie Hobson as the Russian girl Tania, also gives a pleasing performance.