Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 307, 29 December 1939, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “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 film that goes very dose 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 tickle 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 struggling young doctor in "The Citadel, and still like to think of his performance in "The Ghost Goes West,” but these, his earlier successes, are outshone by his incomparable acting in "Goodbye, Mr. | Chips.” In particular, his portrayal ot a very old but very energetic retired schoolmaster is peerless. An important part m j the picture and in the life of “Mr. Chips I is played by Greer Garson, charming lrish-Scottlsh actress who, as his wiie “Cathie,” is the embodiment of all tnc best one associates with womanhood. The author of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips, James Hilton, thinks this of the M.G.M. I screen version: “An author s dream fulfilled—a picture that does for hml plastically all that he would like to 40 lor 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-tion of the United States Na\y, Wings of the Navy,” a Warner Brus.-Uosmopoli-tan picture which effectively dramatises the thrilling story of naval aviation, shows to-day at the Meteor Theatre with a tost headed by George Brent, Oliva de HaviiKnd John Payne and Frank McHugh. The background of the new picture lends itself naturally to the depiction of imprej. sive and thrilling scenes, and the studio, with the navy’s aid, has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented. About 600 planes, including every type used by the navy, arc shown at various times in 'the course of the story, and there are several shots in which scores ot planes take off or land in succession or are seen aloft simultaneously in breathtaking vistas of mass flying. 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 effectively presented in a story that covers the life of the average navy liier from the beginning of his training to the time when, as a veteran pilot, ho can lake 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 and 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 Havil-

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE READ 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 in 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 shows at the State . Theatre to-day. 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 I 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 of thrills in the lavish Goldwyn manner, culminating in a breathless climax of the ; spectacular dynammiting of a dam that 1 saves thousands from death by thirst and j pestilence. KOSY THEATRE “SMASHING THE RACKETS” A most revealing story ot underworld intrigue and of the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat racketeerimr unfolds on the screen at the Rosy Theatre when “Smashing the Rackets shows to-night. This RKO Radio film Is unique in the fact that it shows the cause of an important social problem as it exists to-day, and also vividly illustrates how it may ‘be solved by concerted co-operation between citizens and legal machinery* Presenting Chester Morris, Frances Mercer Rita Johnson and Bruce Cabot m the four leading roles, “Smashing the Rackets" deals with a sensational racket nurse in a large city. The dramatic story also throws light on the clever system employed by organised racketeers lit defrauding the public, particularly business men who are forced by intimidation to pay heavy tribute for so-called “Pfoteotion." The iron-fisted methods used by Morris', as the special grand jury prosecutor who has come up from the ranks or G-Men, in gaining evidence that sends the gang chieftains up the river, is realistically and absorbingly revealed. A dual romance is threaded throughout the dramatic plot. Frances Mercer is cast as a society girl in love with Morris, while Rita Johnson is seen as Miss Mercers sister who becomes innocently involved ■with the underworld when sne falls in love I with a racketeer baron, Bruce Cabot. A bitter clash between modern gangsters in high powered limousines and sheriffs of the West on horseback provides a new story twist in Action Pictures “The Old Corral,” the second attraction, starring the world’s most popular star, Gene Autry, with Smiley Burnette and Hope Manning. A sterling supporting cast appears with Gene Autry. These include Lou Chaney, junr., and Hope Manning. The third chapter of the new serial, “The Lone Ranger Rides Again,” completes tho bill. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TWO-DAY SEASON ONLY “DAD AND DAVE COME TO TOWN” Seven years ago the famous Rudd Family was first presented on the Australian screen, after nearly 30 years of sfage characterisation. In "On Our Selection” (they made their screen debut in much the same way as they had delighted audilences for so long over the footlights. In j this film Bert Bailey as “Dad” was the fiery, blunt honest old rarmer—“Mum,” a 'comfortably padded homely old soul—- “ Dave” awkward, gangling, slow spoken —“Sarah,” clumsy, with a drawling 'voice, and “country” screaming from her atrocious . hat to her ill-shod feet—“ Joe,” shy and hesitant in speech, was the second Rudd son. But that was seven years ago. In tho new Cinesound comedy, “Dad and Dave Come to Town,” tne Rudd Family has been modernised. In Bert Bailey, as “dad,” the change is merely In his clothes when he reaches the- city, and bursts forth in his frock salon a vision of sartorial splendour. “Mum,” as played by Connie Martyn in this 1938 version, is still a homely woman. But a natural dignity and motherly sweetness gives her distinction when she joins in the family adventures in the city. “Jill” is a new addition to the Rudd Family. Played by Shirley Ann Richards, she is presented to the ; audience as a typical modern and edui cated country girl, who funs a dressmaking business in a country town. “Sarah,” Dad’s second daughter, is a very different characterisation to tho “Sarah” of “On Our Selection.” Valerie Scanian, 18-year-old Sydney girl, makes her screen debut in this part. The scene where “Billy,” almost paralysed with nervousness, asks • “Dad” for “Sarah’s” hand, is one of the comedy highlights of the film. “Dave,” like “Dad,” is played by the man who ■originally portrayed this character in “On Our Selection”—Fred MacDonald. Ho is /tho ‘’Dave” we all know. He is the eldest son. lie is more mature, more set in his ways, than the younger members of the family. -