ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THEATRE DE LUXE. SIR HARRY LAUDER. “Huntingtowcr” is a splondid cxamplo of tho high standard attained to-day by the British film industry. Tho acting, settings, lighting and direction arc ail that could ho desired. “Huntingtowcr,” a tale of adventure in Scotland, written by John Buchan, was selected as the story for Sir Harry Lauder, and a brilliant cast. Tho direction was in tho very capable hands of George Pearson, famed British director. Briefly, “Huntingtowcr” is a glowing talc of adventure and ronianco in the Scottish hills; of a Glasgow grocer, who sets out on a walking tour and helps in the rescue of a princess in distress. A modern day story, it gives 1 Sir Harry Lauder opportunities for an inimitable characterisation. He proves his versatility, and soon will be as great boforo the camera as ho is on the stage in song. The playing of tho Manawatu Pipe Band created just the right atmosphere for this fine picture. The orchestra dc Luxe, under tho direction of Mrs Gihnour, renders delightfully appropriate music. “Huntingtowcr” wifi bo finally screened to-night. AT THE PALACE. “LAUGHING TIME.” . Johnny Hines is at tho Palaco Theatre to-night in his latest First National Picture “Chinatown Charlie.” This new photoplay is an hilarious thriller. Is is a film adaptation of tho cvlrn vaganza bv Owen Davis, givon an hilarious comedy reincarnation by Johnny Hines. And Johnny is at his funniest in tho titlo role of “Chinatown Charlie,” tho guide of a sight-seeing bus that takes tho credulous to the mystic mazes of Chinatown and tho underworld. The comedian’s most hilarious and thrilling stunt to date is his sensational aerial feat in tho picture. Trapped in a Chinese mandarin’s house, he makes his escape by walking over a human bridge of five acrobats, who swing across the Chinatown street from one second storey window to another. And Johnny manages to make the crossing with a basket on his head, balancing himself with a parasol. Tho box plan is located at Martin’s bookshop. “LA BOHEME” TO-MORROW. With “La Boheme” tho last of literature’s “great loves” has been converted to tho screen. Romeo and Juliet, Hcloisc and Abelard, Paolo and Francesca, Napoleon and Josephine have already been filmed. The film version of “La Bolicmo” was adapted to tho screen by a descendant of tho original author, Mme. De Grosac, who is descended on her mother’s sido from Henri Murger, author of the tale that inspired the famous opera. Thousands of dollars worth of rare old paintings wero rented in Franco, shipped to America under bond, and then returned to make the reproduction of “La Bohemo” worthy of Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr standards. Tho cafe scones reproduce not only tho familiar objects, but personalities of tho gay Latin Quarter, including Rosa Bonhour, famous painter of horses, whoso “horse fair” is a classic to-day; Guy Do Maupassant, flaming rocket in French literature; Charles Beaudelairo, who astounded tho world with his poems, and Sarah Bernhardt, destined to becomo the world’s greatest tragedienne. These celebrities, in their youth, are all represented in tho jovial crowd of tho cafe Momus, whore Mimi and her poet-lover Rodolpho minglo with the crowd of geniuses who laugh at poverty, to live, and love, and hope. The famous cast of characters in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s screen version of “the opera’s sweetest lovo story,’ ‘La Boheme,” probably have more screen plays to their credit, in tho aggregate, than any other cast over brought together in a motion picture.

KOSY THEATRE. TWO BIG FEATURES. “Bewaro of Married Mon,” starring Irene Rich and ably support by Audrey Ferris, Myrna Loy and Clyde Cook, is a clever comedy. “The Body Punch,” starring Jack Daugherty, is a story of the prize ring. Ln addition is Trail of the Tiger.” This programme will be repeated finally to-night. “FLEETWING” TO-MORROW. .

“Fleetwing,” coming to the Kosy tomorrow, is a story of the passionate love of a harem girl for a young sheik, threatened with death for their illicit affair. A beautiful white Arabian horse almost steals the picture with an almost human characterisation. The horse, a fullblooded Arabian, wa6 taken to America to play a featured role in the production. The picture was directed by Lambert Hillyer and is a splendid entertainment. The cast of the picture is a distinguished one. Besides Ben Bard, it includes Barry Norton, who will be remembered as the mother’s boy in “What Price Glory.” He portrays the hot-blooded young sheik with surprising finesse. Dorothy Janis, Erville Alderson, James Anderson and Robert Kortman are also in tho cast. Also to be soreened is Hoot Gibson’s latest picture entitled “The Flying Cowboy.” The idol of millions of picturegoers will be seen at the peak of his screen career. He surpasses even his former daredevil riding, and proves his ability to act in many romantic scenes, and also shows his rare gift for a western player of real comedy. This programme should not be missed by anybody.