TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 January 1935, Page 2

TALKIE ATTRACTIONS

OPERA HOUSE ‘ ‘TH 111 GBEAT DEFENDER ’’ No. 1 Court at Old Bailey is probably the most famous of all English Law Courts, and many sensational trials have been conducted within its time-honoured precincts, but for sheer unexpectedness and sensationalism, few have exceeded that of Leslie Locke, A.R.A., charged with the murder of his beautiful model, Phyllis Ware. This is the plot of “The Great Defender,” starring Matheson Lang, which opened a two-night’s season at the Opera House, Hawera, last night. The evidence appeared to be conclusive. Locke was in love with the girl who was his model in a nude painting, and his wife had engaged private detectives to watch him. He quarrelled with her over this humiliating shadowing, and later left her, and his followers saw him enter Miss Mare’s apartments. The next morning the girl was found murdered. This was the case Matheson Lang, in his role of Sir Douglas Rolls, had to defend, and despite the earnest entreaties of his doctor he did so in a remarkable manner, and in the portrayal Matheson Lang proved himself the greatest actor appearing in British films to-day. No more brilliant exhibition of dramatic acting has ever been given than that by Matheson Lang in the amazing trial scenes that ensue. It is the most difficult case in a long legal experience—a cast-iron prosecution and an unsympathetic client, enlisting in addition to bis wife, the aid of a pack of liars and fools.

Sir Douglas, “The Great Defender,” they called him, magnificently fights for the life of the man lie believes innocent, and comes through all his dil Acuities triumphantly, with a startling and tragic revelation, that upholds the fair name of English justice in the unsavoury case-

“THE CUCKOO IN THE NEST” Ralph Lynn, always original unde? trying circumstances, conclusively proves in “A Cuckoo in the Nest,” the Gaumont-Britifsh production of Ben Travers’ famous farcical comedy which opens its Hawera season on Saturday at the Opera House, that it is impossible to extemporise, from a washstand, anything even remotely approaching a comfortable bed. There are so many farcical absurdities in this riotous fun-picture that it is difficult to select any one incident as being more laughable than the rest. Comical complications are unending in variety; the fun is led by Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn most ably aided and abetted by Yvonne Arnaud, Mary Brough, Robertson Hare and many other old favourites. Tom Walls’ business with an innkeeper to obtain a drink by pretending that his wife is ill, is as funny a bit of fooling as has been seen on the screen for many a day.

Ralph Lynn, as the son-in-law, has another of his roles of a man who drops verbal bricks in every direction and gets into delicate situations —and out of them —-without in the least realising that his idiotic behaviour lias caused them.

GRAND THEATRE “ACE OF ACES” The tragedy and futility lurking beneath the surface glamour of aerial warfare is revealed in “Ace of Aees,” RKO-Radio Pictures’ ’ stirring drama of the career of a great war aviator which stars Richard Dix and screens at the Grand Theatre finally to-night. Dix has what is said to be the most colourful role of his long and successful film career as the heroic but tragic “Ace of Aces who brings his spectacular career to an end, after seeing, for the first time, the bullet-riddled body of one of the enemy flyers he has shot down in combat.

Elizabeth Allan, as the aee’s fiancee, lteads the notable supporting cast, which includes Ralph Bellamy, Frank Conroy, Bill Cagney, Howard Wilson, Art Jarrett and Theodore Newton. J. Walter Ruben directed “Ace of Aces.” “HOLD THAT GIRL” Playing opposite each other for the second time, James Dunn and Claire Trevor will make their appearance in “Hold That Girl!” Fox Films’ latest release which comes to the screen at tho Grand Theatre to-morrow for a two night season. Because of the success those two stars attained in their first picture, “Jimmy and Sally,” Fox has seen fit to star them again in this one, a breezy romance between a smart young detective and a fresh girl reporter.

“SHANGHAI MADNESS” “Shanghai Madness,” second attraction which screens at the Grand Theatre to-morrow and Monday, represents one of the outstanding contributions of the screen. It is a pulsing romance, laid amid intrigue, the adventure. the thrills and the excitement of Shanghai. The cast is studded with some of the finest performers in films. Spencer Tracy has the leading role of an impulsive naval officer. Fay Wray has the principal feminine role,' and promises to outdo her performances in “King Kong” ancl “Ann Carver’s Profession.” The supporting east, headed by Ralph Morgan and Eugene Pallette. also included Herbert Mundin, Reginald iMason, Arthur Hoyt. Albert Conti. Maude E.burne and William von Brineken. The film teams with action and is set against colorful, ever-shifting backgrounds as it traces the adventures of an officer through a naval station, aristocratic foreign clubs, native quarters. It takes you aboard a gun-running boat up the Hoang Ho River, through the hazards of battling armies, and to a spectacular attack upon a medical mission. The culmination is a climax that is guaranteed to stir! Episode 7 of the “Perils of Pauline” will also be presented.