REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 March 1940, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

GOODBYE MR CHIPS.

Whatever may yet come to the screen the presentation of James Hilton’s famous story, “Goodbye Mr Chips,” which will be shown at the Regent Theatre tonight, will always remain one of its finest masterpieces. Il is a picture which reaches sublime heights in cinematographic art. It is, perhaps, the most moving of its kind that any producer has submitted. It is no exaggeration to acclaim it as a supreme Vindication of the films. Magnificently balanced, this beautifully directed story of an English schoolmaster, showing his life, from the time he enters Brookfield School until he dies there many years after, will make any "old boy” of any cld school, unashamedly wipe away a tear. And those in the audience around him will wipe away many. For although it is general in appeal, "Goodbye, Mr Chips” is sentimental, the screen has never made sentiment more touching. This film truly *reveals what lies behind that often derided tradition, “the old school tie,” something at which no one will want to smile again after

having been introduced to "old Chipping,” as Mr Chips was known to his ciders until the girl he met in the i Tyrol came back with him to college as his wife, thus inspiring confidence in the once shy and diffident, but now supremely happy man. These Tyrol sequences are among the finest in the film, Mr Chips finally became almost as great a tradition as the school itself. No one had a more trying time than Mr Chipping at the commencement of his career. He overcame those difficulties, as well as his shyness, and his sense of frustration. Time and

again a coveted position eluded his ambition. Accepted with amused but kindly toleration by his intimates, the news that Chipping had brought home a wife from the Continent stunned them. All that need be said of Robert Donat’s “Mr Chips” is that no character has ever held an audience so enraptured. No other screen impersonation has created such affection. Although one must get used to it, Mr Donat’s make-up as the octogenarian is astonishingly realistic, as is the portrait of the middle-aged Chips. Greer Garson makes a magnificent debut as Katherine. Terry Kilburn, who plays a youthful Colley through various generations, brings an irresistible personality to his roles. Outstanding is Paul Von Hernied as the German master and close friend of Mr Chips. Every character, in fact, in this impressive picture has been perfectly cast, down to the last schoolboy. The picture should have a record run in Masterton.

Featurettes include an all-colour presentation Of the romance of Mendelsohnn’s Wedding March, the latest air mail news, etc. There will be a special personal appearance of Miss Noeline Graham, a remarkably talented little Masterton girl, who will present an acrobatic and tap dancing specialty number.