ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 17 January 1929, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE PALACE. “ROSE MARIE” CROWDS THEATRE. The fairly good story of the NorthWest Alounted Police merely suggested in the musical play, “Rose Marie,” is wellbrought out in the film of the same name. But thougk the stage version had scope for concentrated pretentiousness and bizarre colouring, the screen story is dramatic simplicity against tho most magnificent natural background yet seen in motion pictures—wimpling waters that later turn -to icy torrents, rugged raoim-. tain passes and the white stretches of the winter of a northern outpost. Naturally, the story is not quite the same as the stage version. Alissing are Hard-Boiled Herman; the common, though good natured, Lady Jane, .proprietress of a saloon at Fond du Lac, Sackatchewan; the sinuous half-breed, Wanda and the Totem dance; Rose Alarie’s brother, Emil la Flammc; Edward Hawley; Ethel Brander and the Indian, “Black Eagle,” though the death of the latter is’ suggested on the screen and forms the chief motif' - of tho story. The stage and film versions obviously could not be the same, yet each is fine in its way, and “Rose Alarie” screened a decidedly refreshing change, -even though probability is sometimes rather strained in tho telling of the vivid romance .of. the little French Canadian girl and “Jeem” Kenyon. Joan Crawford is “Rose,” and ample for the part. Tho magic name of “Rose Alarie” filled the Palace to the regulation .requirement last evening,. and many perforce had to postpone an intended visit until to-night or Friday.. There was quite a brilliant prologue arranged by Air Ross Aioikle, the manager of this most popular film house. Mr Aioikle is possessed of many good ideas in the matter of presenting prologues, but lie has really surpassed himself in the Indian setting, made bright by a rather vivid moon, and with wigwams and totem pole complete. And in the prologue are Aiiss Joyce Hayward, who dances gracefully and vigorously, and Aiiss Eileen Woodfield, who, revealing herself to many as a vocalist with a sweet mezzo-soprano, sang “Totem Tom Tom” and the “Indian Love Call” from the musical play). With Air Meiklo she sang part of the latter number,- the voices blending harmoniously and true. Aiiss Woodfield is a distinguished pianist and incidentally is the conductor of the Palace orchestra. During the prologue the orchestral accompaniments were conducted by Air A. FI. P. Briasco, of Palmerston North, and formerly of Napier. Air Briasco is one of a well-known musical family in the Bay. KOSY THEATRE. “RIDING FOR FAAIE” AND “THE DEVIL PIORSE.” These two features wero well received by tho largo audience which attended the Kosy Theatre last night. Hoot Gibson is the star in “Riding for Fame,” an exciting story of tho west, where Hoot is employed in breaking in horses. He meets a girl who has returned from college and they become attached to each other. When the girl’s father is-robbed, the cowboy is accused of the theft, but

lig vindicates himself by capturing the real thief after a light and returtts the money. Also screening is Rex in an entirely new class of picture entitled “The Devil Horse.” This is a drama of the west with daring deeds, and Rex, *a black stallion driven to fury by a Redskin hatred, saving a pioneer fort from massacre. Rex plays the title role —that of a huge stallion of the wilderness who is feared by the Indians because of his killing power. Surely, they thought, in their superstitious terror, this great beast who stamped out life with his killing hoofs was no ordinary creature. He must be a supernatural creature—a creation of the devil. But there comes into the devil horse’s life a man—a man he recognises as the friend of his babyhood—and they becomes comrades in dangerous events that follow. This is a fine pro gramme and can bo highly recommended It will be repeated again to-night

THEATRE DE LUXE

“LOVES OF AN ACTRESS.”

Tho fury of a woman scorned usually brings dire results, but when a jealous mail of wealth and power is jilted, the danger signal goes up and stays there. That is one of the dramatic situations in “Loves of an Actress,” Pola Negri's latest Paramount production, now showing at tho Theatre de Luxe. Dr Durande, powerful Parisian publisher, learning that Rachel, the French tragedienne, has thrown off his love to replace it with that of an unsophisticated youth, rises in jealous rage and threatens the actress with ruin through the publication of certain of her lovo letters for the amusement of tho world. This menace leaves Rachel in a quandary. She is between two fires. If she relinquishes her claim on the youth, the real love of her lifo will vanish, and if she gives up tho attentions of the publisher she will never bo accepted again by the scandalised public. How the tragedienne overcomes the obstacle forms the basis of the story. The rolo of Rachel is tho greatest Pola Negri has over done. Tho actress herself is convinced of that. She is supported by an excellent cast, including Nils Asthcr, Alary McAlister, Richard Tucker, Philip Strange and Paul Lukas. Reserve plans are on view at Berryman’s. Coming to tho De Luxe on Saturday next will be “Hot Nows,” featuring Bobe Daniels. Tho vivacious star is a nows reel camera girl in a picture packed with all the thrills and action, daring and enterprise, keen rivalry and romance of intrepid workers.