AMUSEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 272, 1 November 1932, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS

AEOADIA TALKIES, HASTINGS “THE MENACE” Levers of the exciting in film enter toil—t have thriHdom at its best in s semen adaption of an Edgar Wallace beat seller that shows finally to-' night at the Arcadia. It is “fte Menace,” which was transfemd to the screen by Columbia Pictures from the well-known story “The Feathered Serpent” “The Menace” is a tremendously thrilling drama of vengeance. An escaped convict return to his ancestral home externally aa entirely ehanged man, but internally still burning with the desire to prove himself innocent of the murder of Ms father and bent upon tracking, down the guilty parties. An oil-wall explosion proved a blessing in disguise for Ronald Quale. His mutilated face was entirely reasade, and when he returned to his ancestral home, Quale Manor as Robertson Crockett nobody recognised hnn. As Robertson Crockett, a wealthy oil man anxious to buy the indebted Quale Manor, he becomes a willing victim of the crooked designs of his step-mother, Caroline Quale and her two accompli eee, who were the real murderers of hir father. Working on the theory that when thieves fall out the just man gets Me due, Ronald tosses something good tw the thieves to fight about and in riwi they all bring in their own eon vietions. His plan of action develops a series of exciting adventures typical of Wallace’s genius for the melodram atfe. *•77 PARK LANE” TO-MORROW The British comedy drama “77 Park Lane.” which opens at the Arcadia Theatre to-morrow, was adapted to the screen by Michael Powell (formerly of Rex Ingram’s staff I from Walter Hackett’s famous stage success of the same name. Dennis Neilson Terry, one of London’s most popular aetor-manag-en, has the male lead, and the rising young Australian, Betty Stockfield, healths feminine. The supporting cast » Wed by experienced and popular

players like Malcolm Keen, Ben Weldon, MoUy Johnson, Cec-1 Humphreys, and Esmond Knight. The picture was directed by Albert de Courville. a MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS. “THE DOOMED BATTALION.” Once in a blue moon a motion picture is produced which admits of no criticism. A blue meon and a full one at that is in order this week, because Universal’s tremendous drama of war on the Italian front, “The Doomed Battalion,” which is at the Municipal Theatre, Hastings, is just that kind of a picture. It is tremendously absorbing. The story deals with a beautiful friendship between a mountain guide of the Austrian Tyrol and an Italian gentlemen which is cemented by the perils of many Alpine climbs. Suddenly the World War arrives not only to part them but to place each in opposing mountain companies contesting for a vantage peak. This tense situation develops when military orders force the Italian to attempt annihilation of his friend’s detachment by blowing up the top of the mountain. Suspense runs high right up to the thrilling climax. Tala BireU, a young European actress of exceptional promise, has the feminine lead as the heroic Austrian wife and mother, a role permitting full play of her emotional talents. Victor Varconi plays the Italian officer to perfection, and Duis Trenker is perfectly cast as the mountain guide, a role ho formerly played in real life. The comic relief goes to Henry Arniettu, as the careless orderly. COSY TALKIES, HASTINGS. “SPEAK EASILY.” Hilarious antics . . . high-speed action . . . and a bevy of beautiful chorus girls provide excellent entertainment in “Speak Easily,” Buster Keaton and Jimmy “Schnozzle” Durante’s new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy at the Cosy Talkies, Hastings. The two comedians sent the audience into screams of laughter at their madcap antics during a wild theatrical ven-

ture in New York City. Keaton portrays the millionaire college professor who finances the show and Durante is Jimmy, the eccentric piano player who is his companion through the venture.

The two comedians are assisted in their antics by Ruth Selwyn, sparkling in the feminine lead as Pansy Peets, small-time chorus girl, and Thelma Todd, who exercises her alluring blonde wiles on Buster and “Schnozzle” with devastating effects. Hedda Hopper scores in a “mama” role as Mrs Peets, jealous guardian of Pansy, and Lawrence Grant is convincing as Dr. Bolton. The balance of the cast who capably fill their roles includes Sidney Toler as their stage manager, Henry Armetta as Tony, the acrobat, William Pawley and Edward Brophy.