TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 2

TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

—. —9 OPERA HOUSE. “FLYING DOWN TO RIO.” Thilling novelties are the rule rather than th© exception in REO-Radio Pictures’ musical extravaganza, “Flying Down to R-io.” The picture had its Hawera premiere at the Opera House yesterday, and marked the return of Dolores del Rio after a long absence. She is supported by Fred Alstaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Raymond and Paul Roulien. First, the story starts out with handsome Gene Raymond darting about the country in a “flying piano” (it flies, too) seeking secluded spots to compose harmony for his band. Then he takes his outfit, by air, to beautiful Rio de Janiero, where he is scheduled to open up a new hotel with a big musical show. He falls in love with the owner’s daughter, Dolores del Rio, and a rivalry for her hand is begun between himself and handsome Paul Roulien, a native BraThey in a miusjpaj duel, American melodies vieing with native ones for a supremacy, while tango dancers go quite mad with, their convolutions. Such music you’ve never heard, and such instruments you’ve never seen—the marimbola, upon wbich the player sits while he plays, the violao, the cavaquinho and the cholcalho. Finally the villains attempt to break up the romance by getting out an injunction preventing Raymond from putting on his show. When this threatens to break the heroine’s father, Raymond saves the day by taking' his 200 beauties and hi s band aloft, where they stage the first aerial musical show in the history of the world 1 And what a show—girls dancing on the wings of ’planes, gilds doing aeriaf acquaplaning (a real thriller), ballet giiis dancing on nothing but air as they flutter to earth in parachutes, girls being - tossed from ’plane to ’plane by adagio dancers, and many other dizzying, thrilling and entertaining stunts. “UP TO THE NECK.” “The most oriignal and diverting i story ever written for Ralph Lynn” such was a famous London critic’s description of “Up to the Neck,” the latest comedy, which, is to he presented: at the Opera House to-morrow at 2 p.m. and for a two-night season. “Up to the Neck” is written by Ben Travers, and this in itself is complete enough evidence of the entertainment possibilities involved, because there is no other author who understands Ralph Lynn’is type of comedy so fully as Ben Travers. By all accounts he has surpassed himself on this occasion. The story introduces Ralph Lynn as N. B. Good, a would-be actor, who acts as well as his name suggests. His rival at a dramatic academy remains his rival through life always succeeding where he fails. When N. B. Good is a bank clerk, Eric Warwick, th e rival, has become a successful West End actor. They meet at a local charity dramatic show with disastrous results. It is not until Ralph Lynn comes into a large sum of money that he is enabled, by various accidents, to fulfil his life’s ambition to play a leading part. . _ And how he plays it! This is without doubt one .of the funniest sequences ever written for Ralph Lynn. The east who appears in support of Lynn are well worthy of the standard he sets. Eric Warwick is played by Francis Lister, who is well competent to the part with all the necessary unscrupulousness, while at ihe sam© time conveying the impression of the “arrived” actor. . . - Opposite Ralph Lynn is Winifred Shotter—the heroine of so many Ralph Lvnn subjects—this time in a characterisation which is different. She is seen as April Dawne, nee Mary Jones, a tough chorus girl who is not so tough under the surface. The part of Jimmy Cattlin, a theatrical publicity agent, is undertaken by Reginald Purdell, who is well known for his natural) humorous manner and easy ability. Mary Brough, beloved veteran of the Aldwych farceurs, makes a brief but, it is said, wholly delightful appearance as a typical theatrical landlady. . The supporting programme is outstanding. COMMENCING SATURDAY. “TARZAN AND HIS MATE.” The box plans are now open for “Tarzan and His Mate” which screens at the Opera House on Saturday at 2 p.m. and for a two-night season. “Tarzan and His Mate” cast is headed by Johnny Weissmuller and Maurine O’Sullivan, who were featured in ' “Tarzan the Ape Man.’! 1 Neil Hamilton and' Paul Cavanagh are also featured. GRAND THEATRE. FINALLY TO-NIGHT. “HIS DOUBLE LIFE.” An enthusiastic audience at the Grand Theatre last night witnessed the triumphant return to the screen of Lillian Gish in “His Double Life” in which Roland Young shares star biling, and screens finally to-night. It is the story of a diffident genius. When his valet dies, the servant is mistaken for the master. The artist takes advantage of the strange error to marry the girl with whom the valet has been corresponding through a matrimonial agency, and to lead the retired, quiet life he likes. But he makes the mistake of resuming his painting and it is through this that he is discovered. How he is finally

forced to resume his real personality makes an amusing and exciting story. “THE HOUSE OF TRENT.” To-morrow night will see the first screening at me Grand Theatre of British Dominions Films’ powerful dramatic release, “The House of Trent,” which recently created an unusually strong impression during its successful season at London. It is an intensely real story of a village doctor who gave his life for his patient—leaving his chiicnren to he persecuted by those for whom he made the supreme .sacrifice. John Stuart is the male star lead, and his performance of the part of a young surgeon who is persecuted by the proprietor of a. hug© daily paper is said to be “the finest he has given to the screen.’’ Anne Grey has a striking, role in which she has scored a great personal success. Wendy Barrie, Peter Gawthorne, Jack Haine, Hop© Gregory and Hope Davey, in an excellent comedy role, are the principals of the cast.