AMUSEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 193, 30 July 1932, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

ARCADIA TALKIES, HASTINGS ANN HARDING IN “PRESTIGE” Ann Harding’s latest starring vehicle is outstanding in many respects, all of which assure audiences who see “Prestige,” which opens at the Arcadia to-night, a thoroughly enjoyable hour with this great R.K.O. Pathe star. As the physically frail but spiritually gigantic heroine, Ann Harding gives a superb performance. Nor has she ever appeared to greater advantage from the standpoint of photography. Debonair Adolphe Alenjou and virile Melvyn Douglas prove excellent selections for the two principal roles opposite Miss Harding. For what is sail to be the first time, ceremonial dances of .Indo-China, where much of the story is laid are shown. In savagery, weird rhythm and curious interpertations these far surpass anything of this sort ever before attempted. In addition to the principal trio of tho cast other notables who appear are Guy Bates Post, lan AfacLaren, Carmelita Geraghty and Creighton Hale. This great heart drama is laid in tropical jungles. Alueh of the picture was photographed in the Wild beauty of the Florida Everglades. Nor is beauty of exterior locale all this picture has to offer. “Prestige” paints an inspiring story of romance, heroism and stirring action. The box plan is now open at the theatre shop, phone 4336.

COSY TALKIES, HASTINGS “DR. JEKYLL AND AIR HYDE” Probably the best story of a dual personality ever written is Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.” Certainly the greatest film of its type ever produced is “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde” which Paramount Films are presenting at the Cosy Talkies, Hastings, to-night, with that brilliant artist, Frederick March in the title role. It is a masterpiece among modern productions “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” as a talking picture, follows the written tale very faithfully, and is endowed with sufficient “punch” to satisfy the most ardent thrill-seeker of to-day. Undoubtedly Frederic Marsh plays both parts, though, thanks to a make-up man of diabolical skill, only his eyes reveal him. Toward the close, when the evil Mr Hyde takes possession of the remorseful Dr. Jekyll at will, the speed of the drama increases. Mr Hyde murders the woman he has terrorised He confesses his grim Secret to a friend, then rushes to his fiance and released her from her bond. He prepares once and for all to be rid of tho being that has captured him, but Air Hyde intervenes, and the climax comes swiftly. Rose Hobart and Miriam Hopkins are excellently contrasted as the two women who enter the dual life of the central character, while Holmes Herbert and Halliwell Hobbes are well cast as the friend of the doctor and the father of his fiance. “Dr. Jekyll and Air Hyde” is not fare for but the picturegoer with even the most jaded palate will find few disappointing moments in the pungent hour or so it provides.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS “THE EASIEST WAY” One of the greatest stage classics, Eugene Walter’s “The Easiest Way,” suffers no diminution of dramatic importance on its presentation by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The picture will bo shown at the Municipal Theatre, Hastings to-night with the charming Constance Bennett a sthe star. Miss Bennett makes a very believable “Laura Murdock”, while the sauve but human “Brockton”—man about town—is delightfully done by Menjou. The scenes between this pair have none of the old melodramatic heroine and villain quality. Alenjou and Bennett make their characters live. They are neither black nor white: they are real. Robert Montgomery, the straight lover, is great, as usual, with particular emphasis on the denouement scene, where Menjou brings about a show-down. This young man always excels in natural, carefully considered acting. “Madison” is a difficult part, done superbly. Alarjorie Rambeau, the New York stage character star, follows up her talkie “Min and Bill” success with a beautifully etched “Elfie”. “Elfie,” as the “bad example” of the piece, fits easily into the warp and woof of the plot and the Rambeau interpretation is indeed splendid. Anita Page is good in anything she attempts, and her “’.Peg,” sister to Laura, is very satisfying. Clark Gable is extremely fine. FERNHILL TALKIES. MARY PICKFORD IN “KIKI.” A suppressed, a new, a roguish Mary Pickford comes to life in the title role of “Kild” which screens at the Fernhill Talkies to-night. Kiki is the type of part Mary Pickford has always longed to play. Few people knew it. Only her most intimate friends were aware of the mischievous bent that urged the star to play the madcap, the harum-scarum rascal personified by Kild, “Kiki” is a combination of the now Mary Pickford and the one of the silent days. She is an adorable little spitfire, a creature of moods, caprices, emotions. There still remains the childhood dependence and trust, tho elfin joy that characterises the tiniest pleasure.