ENTERTAINMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 April 1937, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA. HOUSE. Paul Muni has scored again. In “The Story, of Louis Pasteur” now at the Opera House, he gives the world not only one of the finest characterisations ever depicted on the screen, but makes a real contribution to the art of motion pictures. In a tense, smashing drama, replete with action and romance, he paints the turbulent life of Louis Pasteur, that amazing French scientist, whose battle for humanity against ignorance and prejudice is one of the most astounding chapters in modern history in an amazing colourful picture. It is hard to realise that there could be such momentous drama in Pasteur’s lifefor in popular imagination he is an almost legendary figure. The picture dramatises his battle against the ignorance, superstition and prejudice of the times. Physicians high in the favour of the court branded him as a charlatan, and fought his every move. So powerful were they that they had him banished from Paris. Bu,t this sterling character could not be swayed from his work to save humanity, even against his own wish. He carried on with a few faithful turning his back on the scorn and hatred of his fellow scientists. And he lived to triumph over them, to be recognised as the greatest of them all. Muni has entirely effaced himself, and makes Pasteur live and breathe on the screen. It is Pasteur —working, battling for humanity. The spectator is never conscious of the actor! He sees only the man Pasteur. Muni has an exceptionally •talented' supporting cast, chief of whom is Josephine Hutchinson, who plays Mme. Pasteur, the wife who stood staunchly beside the chemist during all his trials, and aided him in his work. Miss Hiftchinson gives a performance of rehiarkable artistry. The winsome Anita Loujse, as the daughter of Pasteur, and Donald Woods, have the romantic roles, being the lovers in the picture. Both give exceptionally fine performances in a very fascinating romance that adds much of interest to the drama. Others in the cast include Fritz Leiber and Porter Hall. |

“DANCING LADY.” Coming to the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday is a re-issue of “Dancing Lady.” Released early in 1935, “Dancing Lady” became immediately a tremendous hit all the world over. So great were the number of requests received to release the picture again that they decided to make a re-issue, with the entire members of the cast who were in the first production. So when “Dancing Lady” opens on Monday, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Fred Astaire and Nelson Eddy will be seen again in their original roles. REGENT THEATRE. “Polo Joe.” to be shown at the Regent Theatre to-night and Saturday, will have no trouble in pleasing the Joe E. Brown fans. Joe poses as a polo expert—in fact, a 10-goal man. His aunt. Fay Holden, welcomes him to her country club set, and he falls in love with Carol Hughes, a polo enthusiast. Carol’s sweetheart Cordon Elliott, is the villain, and is convinced Joe is bluffing as to his playing. Carol's father, Joseph King, insists that Joe play in his team — and Joe has himself “kidnapped” on the day of the big game. However, he is found by King and rushed to the polo field. His trusty aide, “Skeets” Gallagher, has him equipped with an inflated auto tube, and Joe bounces to victpry. He also wins Carol,

"LOVE ON A BET.”

Comedy, romance and adventure go on a mad rampage in the new gay attraction, “Love oh.a Bet,” to be shown at the Regent to-night and Saturday, with the feminine heart accelerator, Gene Raymond, and Wendy Barrie ; teamed. This rollicking comedy provides admirable role for the romantic pair. Their trans-Continental adventure in love makes “Loves on a Bet one of the season’s more unusual comedy attractions. Raymond, a young man-about-town, seeks 15,000 to produce a play with a seemingly impossible plot—a penniless young man leaves New York City garbed only in underwear, and arrives in Los Angeles ten days later with a new suit, a hundred dollars, and betrothed to a beautiful girl. His uncle Carlton agrees to sponsor the opus if Raymond accomplishes this feat of fiction. The uncanny ingenuity which he exhibits to snare the money, a sweetheart and apparel, makes his cross-country jaunt a thing of thrills and perilous adventure galore. Miss Barrie is a match for his talents. Helen Broderick, inmitable stage comedienne, dispenses lavish humour. William Collier (senr.), Morgan Wallace, Eddie Gribbon, Walter Johnson, Addison Randall and William R. Qavidson round out the cast with effective portrayals. “Love on a Bet” is brisk, rousing, well-paced. An excellent cast, sprightly dialogue, and the odd situations make a mighty fine comedy romance.

KU MARA MONDAY. “The Story of Louis Pasteur” will be presented by Behan’s pictures at Kumara on Monday. BLAKETOWN HALL DANCE A short night dance programme will be presented at the Blaketown Hall on Monday. Joe Marley’s full orchestra will provide the music, and the floor is in excellent condition. Dancers attending this popular weekly function are assured of another good night’s entertainment.

LANTERN LECTURE. Mr. E. J. Salisbury, a New Zealand missionary who has spent, over six years in Central Africa, and who has been associated with the Dan Crawford Memorial Hospital, in Belgian Congo, is visiting Greymouth, and will give a. lantern lecture in the Druids' Hall to-morrow evening. Mr. Crawford has a wide knowledge of the problems and interesting facts of the little known part of Africa lying along the Congo, having covered 16,000 miles in the course of his work.