For Your Collection

Radio Record, 19 August 1938, Page 35

For Your Collection

"The Perfect S pecimen"’

Should Please Connoisseurs of Madcap Comedy

{"fhe Perfect Specimen." Warner Bros. Directed by Michael Ourtiz. Starring Errol Flynn and Joan Biondell, with Hugh Herbert, Edward Everett Horton, _ Dick Foran, Beverley Roberts, May Robson and Allen Jenkins, To be released in ‘Wellington August 19.]

N "The Perfect Specimen," Errol Flynn puts aside his cloak and sword and steps into his first modern comedy. Well fitted physically for his role of a godlike young man, Flynn acts with enthusiasm and easy charm rather than finesse; and it takes Joan Blondell to make this a most enjoyable (though not quite perfect) specimen of light entertainment. If I am not prepared to assert that Irishman Flynn is one of your really great actors, I certainly am prepared to stand by what I gaid a few weeks ago about Joan Blondell being very nearly

the neatest comedienne of them all. She’s the extraordinarily fascinating little serpent who invades the twenti-eth-century Garden of Eden in which Gerald Beresford Wicks is being reared by dictatorial Grandma Wicks as a paragon of all the virtues, fitted in every respect-from higher mathematics to cookery-to take control one day soon of the 10,000 employees who have built up the Wicks fortune of 30 million dollars. The Fall of Gerald Ror Grandma has omitted the knowledge of how to enjoy life from the curriculum, = and when, with spring in the air and an unholy gleam of mischief in her banjo eyes, Mona Carter (Joan Blondell) comes crashing into the Garden, poor Adam is ripe for the fall. In a‘very few minutes she has convinced Gerald Beresford Wicks that being a perfect specimen has its drawhacks:

next morning he is to be observed slip+ ping out of the Garden in a hired car, determined to take the serpent’s advice and é@mulate Don Quixote by "tilting at a few windmills," The serpent joins him in his escape from perfection, having first warned him, however, that she really has two sides to her character... One is represented by "Mona," a comparatively normal and well-behaved gitl; to. her other self ‘she gives the name "Tilly," who is by no méans a perfect specimen of womankind. Frankly, rather a dangerous little hussy. The hero is quite agreeable that "Tilly" and not "Mona" should be uppermost during his two days off the chain: and, intoxicated by his tewfound liberty, he soon sets a pate for indiscretion which leaves even "Tilly" breathless. That boxing is one of: his myriad accomplishments is proved when he flattens out a bruiser (Allen Jenkins), and then suecessfully ceputises for him in a bout at a. truck drivers’ picnic, (Contd. next page.)

Cross-Country Chase AGAIN ST charming outdoor scenery and in a mood very reminiscent of "Tt Happened One Night," the film goes on to show the runaways’ encounter with an eccentric poet, and evasion of the police forces who, whipped up by Grandma, are scouring the countryside for the missing and, presumably, kidnapped specimen, So far, very good. But when the inevitable moment arrives for hero and heroine to declare their love, it would have been better if the film had driven straight to its finale of a show-down with Grandma, instead of postponing it while the heroine deserts the hero from obscure romantic motives. In the last few scenes, however, the comedy recaptures much of its early spontaneity. Small, But Important "THE role of Gerald Beresford Wicks. the specimen raised in qa sort of social vacuum who expands astoundingly when exposed to the outside atmosphere, might have been developed as a subtle study of character, Errol Flynn prefers to play it straight-and does so with no lack of charm. Joan Blondell,

ou the other hand, has quite as much charm, but she also creates a character of many sides and many moods, from provocative impishness to appealing sentimentality. The seript of "The Perfect Specimen" has been written to give good opportunities to several lesser characters. Dick Foran. the former "Singing Cowboy," gets down off his horse and shows himself perfectly at home in the role of Joan Blondell’s husky brother who loves Beverly Roberts {most attractive as the fiancee chosen by Grandma for the "specimen"), As Grandma, that grand old actress May Robson (lominates several scenes, sometimes by sheer lung-power but more often by a true sense of comedy, which in this case is not hampered by the need to preach sermons or shed tears, Allen Jenkins and Edward Everett Horton are others who make the most of short but important roles. As the eccentric poet, Hugh Herbert is the only one who seems slightly off key-he’s too cranky even for this madcap story-but personally I enjoy him so much that I could forgive him almost anything. For comedy-seekers, "The Perfect Specimen" is qa perfectly safe het.

Busy Man ALTHOUGH he seldom gets into the limelight, one of the busiest and most capable men in the J. C. William: son theatrical organisation is Claude Kingston, He looked after Ruth Draper’s tour in Australia, came over to New Zealand with her, and then, havying seen Miss Draper successfully launched on her New Zealand visit, has turned to the handling of Lawrence Tibbett’s season in this country. Very soon he will be oceupied looking after the "Balalaika" musical comedy company on its Dominion tour.

Two Kinds Of Comedy In "Dr. Rhythm"

["Doetor Rhythm." Paramount. Directed by Frank Turtle. With Bing Crosby, Beatrice Lillie, Mary Carlisle, Andy Devine. Fir:t release: Auckland, August 19.]

WO widely different types of comedy-and music-are contrasted in "Doctor Rhythm," when Bing Crosby’s semi-apologet-ic and delightfully vague manner comes up against Beatrice Lillie’s clowning. Althorigh she appeared in some early talkies, Miss Lillie will be a newcomer to many picturegoers, and so it’s only right to mention that her distinctive style of fun is not the easiest iw the world to appreciate, mainly because it’s seldom obvious. Miss Lillie’s main asset ig unpre dictability (if there is such a word). She may not have the knack of making you laugh very loudly anywhere, but she certainly knows how to raise a chuckle when you least expect. it..In the midst of her singing she produces false notes as defiantly as a counterfeiter; with her solemnity unruffled she makes a classic tongue-twister of her order for ‘two dozen double damask ner napkins." P.C. Crosby ITH Beatrice Lillie to add the spice of novelty, "Doctor Rhythm" becomes something more than just a Bing Crosby musical-comedy, Not that being that is, to my mind, any fault in a picture. Indeed, anything I may say about Bing should be read in the light of my oft-confessed admiration of him as the best of all crooner-actors--avn admiration not shared by everyone. This time Bing brings his voice and his quaint sense of comedy to bear on an adaption of the play ‘The Badge of Policeman O’Roon," which turng him temporarily from a doctor into a policeman; in which guise his main job is to act as bodyguard to Beatrice Lillie’s young relative, Mary Carlisle. and prevent her eloping with & gambler. Fun In A Zoo THAT story, even when bolstered un by th? clever performances and some typical Crosby songs, is hardly strong enough to prevent the interest going for a downhill slide in parts. Such parts are in the middle of the picture: the opening. showing the doctor, his policeman friend (Andy Devine) and other old school chums at a hectic reunion in a zoo, is particularly bright, and tke finale at a policemen’s benefit concert almost equals it for frisky nonsense: Frank Tuttle’s direction gives a neat twist to several situations. In the final count, however, your reaction to "Doctor Rhythm" will depend almost entirely on a snown quantity--Bing Crosby-and an unknown oneBeatrice Lillie,

Gracie Allen Goes Gay At College ("College Swing," Paramount, directed by Raoul Walsh, with Gracie Allen, George Burns, Edward Everett Horton, Martha Raye. First release: Wellington, August 19.]

college picture narrows its appeal trom the start, and Martha Raye’s fairly prominent inclusion in the cast isn’t likely to have a broadening effect either. Yet within such limitations there have been a good many very much worse pictures than "College Swing." Two big things are in the film’s favour, One is a peppy opening and, for a college film, a rather original plotidea; the other is Gracie Allen. The T HE fact that this is another

opening shows a small country school of the year 1738, at which Gracie is a thoroughly hopeless pupil. Her wealthy grandparent provides in his will that should none of Gracie’s descendants pass an examination within 200 years, his fortune (including the college property) shall go to charity. In 1988, Gracie is still at college, with the zero hour approaching. The rest of the story, such as it is, depends on the mild dirty work of Bob Hope, to ensure that Gracie shall prove a scholar and inherit the property. Gracie Takes Charge: ORE muddled-headed than ever, Gracie Allen pushes all other members of the cast into the background, ineluding her husband, George Burns, and Hdward Everett Horton. She also sings and dances brightly; and other choice moments are her appointment of Professors of Musie, Physical Training and Economics as eccentric as herself (the economics expert sends himself to sleep with his own voice!). — For the rest there is a lavish collection of songs, co-educational romance and rather tedious foolery, and dancing routines in which Betty Grable cuts a comely figure. Jackie Coogan is dragged into it, presumably on the strength of hig marriage to Betty. She seems

to have picked herself a dumb husband,’ because he doesn’t open his mouth once in the picture. © Oh, Miss Raye! . EATHER-LUNGED. Martha Raye shouts and grimaces her way. through ker role-at one _ stage distinguishing herself by . singing with her ‘mouth full of food! I read somewhere the other day that Martha is known as "California’s Calliope," the significance being that a Calliope is "a series of steam- whistles toned to produce musical notes." As I think an English critic has mentioned, "College Swing" rather reminds one of the little girl who had a little eurl right in the middle of her forehead. When it’s good, it’s very good. but when it’s bad it’s-well, you know the rest. Fortunately, the good parts predominate, Garbo In Modern Comedy F special interest is the news that Greta Garbo is going to star in a modern comedy, with William Powell appearing opposite her, The tentative title of the film is ‘""Ninotska," written by Melchior Lengyel, well-known Hungarian dramatist, Lengyel wrote the scenario specially for Garbo when he heard that she wanted to make a break with her past tradition of tragic and very, often. his- torical heroines, From the point of view of many picturegoers it should be & very welcome break, The theme of "Ninotska" seems to haye some bearing on the news that Hollywood is showing some boldness in its approach toward more timelyand ecnsequently more controversial material. For "Ninotska" will be the story of a Russian girl brought up under the Soviet regime. Intelligent, witty, educated and energetic, she is sent by her Government to Paris to.

titted, ee a eee es th te tees ee ttl participate -in commercial negotiations requiring tact and diplomacy, There she meets William Powell, the aristocratic leader of the French industrial group, and he uses his masculine charm as*a weapon in his dealings with his Russian opponent, She, however, scorns at first to employ the similar weapon of her feminine wiles; but romance rapidly develops, unhindered by the fact that there is conflict between their rival ideals of Communism and Capitalism, — " Fatal Resemblance ALTHOUGH it enabled her to win fame by "doubling" for the late Jean Harlow in "Saratoga," Mary Dee’s resemblance to.the dead star appears

to have been fatal to her screen career. When "Saratoga" was finished, M-G-M kept Miss Dees at the studio under contract in order to prevent her signing up with another studio which might

‘have tried to capitalise her resemblance to Jean Harlow. Rut because of this very resemblance they would not give her roles in any of their own pictures either. So Mary Dees has done nothing in front of the cameras for more than a year. M-G-M have now released her from her contract. Still In The Wind ‘PHE controversy about who is to Play who in "Gone With the Wind" still goes on. At this rate we may all have long beards by the time we see the story on the screen. A few weeks ago Norma Shearer accepted the coveted role of Scarlett O’Hara. Immediately there was a howl

of protest from many people who claimed that she was not suited for the part of the temperamental heroine who scandalised Southern society in the days of the American Civil War. Now Miss Shearer has bowed before the wind of protest, and has turned down the part. However, everybody seems quite satisfied with Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. Iam myself. Also with Walter Sonnolly as Gerald O’Hara, Scarlett’s vigorous Irish father, At the moment, Tyrone Power is in the running for the part of Ashley Wilkes, although-he scarcely resembles the dreamy-eyed, blonde young man described in the novel. Janet Gaynor is mentioned as a possibility to portray the gentle Melanie. Margaret Tallichet, an unknown quantity, is already selected as Carreen. ; Best bet for "Scarlett" at the moment seems to be Katharine Hepburn. Stork Visits Hollywood HE stars at ‘Warner Bros. studios have been doing their fair share recently toward increasing the population. It is not so long since the Claude Rains’ acquired a bouncing baby girl, and Mr. and Mrs. Patric Knowles a son. Allen Jenkins also became a proud parent recently. And «a fev weeks ago, the stork called with a daughter at the home of Dick Powell and Joan Blondell,