THE THEATRES

Southland Times, Issue 24242, 27 September 1940, Page 3

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“SWEETHEARTS”

JEANETTE MacDONALD AND NELSON EDDY

Ever-popular Nelson Eddy’ and Jeanette MacDonald continue to thrill big crowds at the Regent Theatre in their latest vehicle, “Sweethearts,” which is to have its final presentations today. This is the first film in which they have co-starred that has a modern setting, but the enthusiasm with which it has been received by all audiences to date indicates that it is proving just as popular as in any of the costume productions. Another novel feature about “Sweethearts” is that it is in technicolour and through this all the beauty and tharm of the several spectacular dancing sequences is brought out. It also enhances the beauty of Miss MacDonald herself, with her glorious golden hair, and emphasizes the attractiveness of the many gowns she wears. The story is of a temporary breach in the happy marital relations of Nelson Eddy and Miss MacDonald, as a pair of famous musical comedy players. Much of the humour comes from those renowned comedians, Frank Morgan, Herman Bing and Mischa Auer.

STATE AND CIVIC

“REBECCA’’ TODAY

An exciting event in the history of motion pictures takes place today when David 0. Selznick’s production of “Rebecca,” based on the famous bestselling Daphne du Maurier novel, will be unreeled in all its moving brilliance and dramatic impact at both the State and Civic Theatres simultaneously “Rebecca” screens today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State and at 7.45 at the Civic. Directed by the brilliant and gifted Alfred Hitchcock, “Rebecca” is the most exciting and suspenseful picture ever brought to New Zealand. Heading the specially-chosen cast are Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, who play the starring roles, while in their support are Judith Anderson, C. Aubrey Smith, George Sanders, Nigel Bruce, Florence Bates and Gladys Cooper. Olivier is cast as Maxim de Winter, a prominent society man who is famous for his vast Tudor estate called Manderley. To this house he brings his second wife, played by Miss Fontaine, a shy and unsophisticated person who can hardly be compared to the glittering and brilliant former mistress of Manderley, Rebecca, now dead. But though Rebecca is dead, her forceful personality and dramatic beauty still continue to dominate Manderley and to haunt the lives of those who wander through its immense rooms. Judith Anderson, as the sadistically cruel Mrs Danvers, gives a screen portrayal which is unforgettably brilliant, and the performances of Olivier and Miss Fontaine must be rated as being unsurpassed on the screen this season. Alfred Hitchcock, the director who brought a new status to screen intrigue and melodrama, has directed “Rebecca” with startling impact, with amazing subtlety as to character delineation and with rich dramatic overtones. The picture moves with telling and engrossing swiftness from its initial scene to the final fadeout. Add to this brilliant pictorial backgrounds, an excellent musical score and unusually fine lighting effects, and you get some idea of why David O. Selznick’s newest picture, “Rebecca,” is not to be missed by all those who seek real entertainment. Box plans for today’s State sessions at 2.0 and 8.0 and the Civic session at 7.45 are on view at Begg’s or the State.

MAJESTIC

Clarence E. Mulford’s colourful western figure, Hopalong Cassidy, will again be seen at the Majestic Theatre today, this time as the star of “Sante Fe Marshal.” William Boyd is again cast as “Hopalong” and Russell Hayden as Lucky. Marjorie Rambeau and Britt Wood are also in the cast. In order to clean up a gang of bandits who are robbing the output of a Sante Fe silver mine, Hopalong Cassidy poses as a bandit himself while in reality he is the Sante Fe marshal. Lucky assists in the scheme by posing as the marshal instead of Hopalong. The bandits are so sucessfully duped that Hopalong succeeds in. getting them all to the mine together and after a series of gun fights and hair-raising escapades brings them to justice. Taken from one of the episodes in J. Edgar Hoover’s, “Persons in Hiding,” “Parole Fixer” is the associate feature on today’s programme at the Majestic Theatre, so that the story in reality is fact, not fiction. “Parole Fixer” is a straightforward film offering an insight into the workings of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation.

THEATRE ROYAL, WINTON

Robert Donat, who gave the screen one of its finest performances as the idealistic doctor of “The Citadel,” once again reveals his consummate artistry and acting skill in “Good-bye, Mr Chips,” the film story of the celebrated James Hilton novel, which will be shown at the Theatre Royal, Winton, tonight and tomorrow night. The story of “Mr Chips” is the story of the education of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly school master who comes to a large English school as a young man and passes his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his care, and when these boys grow up they send their sons back to “Mr Chips.” He meets and falls in love with a young and beautiful girl and when she ultimately dies the tragedy leaves “Chips” with a great human understanding and compassion.

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON

Dashing situations and devastating speed in a sparkling story that ripples along as merrily as a spring breeze, romping gaily from one farcical episode to another, such are features of “Bachelor Mother,” featuring David Niven and Ginger Rogers, which will be presented at Riverton tonight and tomorrow night. It is regarded as the funniest film ‘to be seen this year. It is full of fun, rich in romance and throbbing with life.