AMUSEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 260, 16 October 1933, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

ARCADIA TALKIE'S. HASTINGS. “THE .MATCH KING” TO-NIGHT. “The Match King,” which is showing at the Arcadia Talkies, Hastings, this change, is said to i lie the most amazing true story ever I presented on the screen. It is a I powerful dramatisation of the life and I loves of a character who stole a bil- ! lion dollars, forged a government’s i bonds, and was a power behind a dozen I thrones. This story of gigantic financial deals and political intrigues in one man’s attempt to control the world is i the epic of the generation. The role is ■ played by Warren William with Lili . Damita as one of his many inamoratas. High finance and high handed methods of romance share almost, equally in this thinly disguised paraphrase of the life and career of the most amazing swindler of the century. True it is that the names arc changed and that the locations and associates of Mr William in this fascinating story of pyramiding credit and complicated love, are all fictitious. Truth and fiction meet in “The Match King,” and result in an astounding climax of conflicting passions and spurious financial miracles. No picture in months has carried the dramatic force that culminates this screen drama. The work of Warren William, whoso own screen career has been almost, as spectacular in its way as was that of “The Match King” in his, has the best chance of his life and he gives it everything that ; could be expected and adds more than a touch of sheer genius. Lili Damita, as the aloof and mysterious actress who figured romantically in the life of the ablest, swindler of modern times, is lovely beyond comparison and adds a fascinating touch to the high quality of the picture.

COSY THEATRE, HASTINGS.

JESSIE MATTHEWS IN “THE MIDSHIPMAID.” Jessie Matthews, who made her talking film debut to Australasian audiences in the Gainsborough picture “There Goes the Bride,” once again collects laurels for so obviously putting “it” in British films, in her latest allstarring vehicle, “The Midshipmaid,” at present screen at the Cosy Theatre, Hastings. Miss Matthews presents a screen front in this picture that is unexcelled for spontaniety and personality. Not very tall, Miss Matthews is a specimen of humanity that I will find instant appeal in the hearts al all audiences. Her new talkie is a rolj licking film, and its uproarious humour i has made it very popular. This story | of the visit of a naval economist to the Fleet at Malta—sent there to keep him quiet—is full of fun and jollity. While the pompous old man is poking about, his daughter is setting the hearts of all the officers aflutter. To flatter him, the officers organise an amateur variety show, and a great part of the picture is devoted to the really laughable entertainment provided by the lower deck Having the appearance of being played by amateurs, the show has behind it that experience and individual cleverness which gives the necessary illusion of spontaneity to the humour. Jessie Matthews scores a great success; Fred Kerr brings his amusing crustiness to the part of the pompous economist with the beautiful daughter; the inimitable A. W. Baskcomb and Nigel Bruce are amazingly good, and the study of a bandmaster by Edwin Lawrence is one of the hits of the picture.

MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS SIR GERALD DU MAURIER PICTURE. Boasting as it does a list of distinguished names both associated with and playing in “Lord Camber’s Ladies,” at the Municipal Theatre, Hastings, tonight, this film may be definitely regarded as one of the dramatic milestones in the history of filin-making. Sir Gerald <lu Maurier, one of Britain’s foremost actors, whose successes are unnumbered and whose popularity is unsurpassed, in this, his first starring picture for 8.1. P., has brought to the screen all the talent and genius of which ho only is capable, in the role of the irascible, but lovable Dr. Napier. Gertrude Lawrence, beloved of English and American i. ences alike, should make an instantaneous success in the dramatic role of Shirley Neville, Although she has appeared in but two films ere this —“Tho Battle of Paris” and “Aren't We All,” she may truly be said to have “arrived” on tho British screen. Violently in love with the worthless Lord Camber, Shirley inveigles him into marrying her but the marriage is not a success and after a hectic world-tour Shirley collapses and goes into a nursing homo, suffering from a broken and overstrained heart. On the eve of her recovery she discovers her husband is carrying on an intrigue with her nurse, which causes a relapse and she dies. On Lady Camber’s death many peculiar facts rear their heads, and a tragedy is imminent. “Lord Camber’s Ladies” provides Miss Lawrence with a perfect vehicle for “putting over” her amazing versatility.