ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 42, 20 January 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE THEATRE. RUTH CHATTERTON IN “LADY OF SCANDAL.” “The Lady of Scandal,” based on Frederick Lonsdale’s stage hit, “The High Road,” is Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr’s now all talking feature which concludes at the Palace Theatre to-night. Featuring Ruth Chatterton, with a notable cast which includes two players from the original London stage presentation, it is a brilliant comedy romance of modern society and show life. Miss Chatterton plays an actress thrust through a betrothal into the midst of London society. Sidney Franklin directed the play, written by the author of “The Last of Mrs Choyney.” The cast is a notable one, including Basil Rathbone, stage and screen player, as leading man; Ralph Forbes, Herbert Bunston, Nance O’Nill, Cyril Chadwick, Moon Carroll, Robert Bolder and other .notables. Rathbone appeared in the film vorsion of “The Last of Mrs Cheyncy.” Miss Chatterton came to the fore in “Madame X” and other notable productions. TO-MORROW’S FEATURE.

So pleased were Fdx Studio officials with the favourable reviews given everywhere of Irene Rich’s work in tho two Will Rogers successes, “They Had To See Paris” and “So This Is London,” they immediately signed her for the leading rolo in “On Your Back,” a Fox movietone production opening at tho Palace ' Theatre to-morrow afternoon. Her work in this dramatic story by Rita Weiman easily justifies tho choice. Action of the plot centres around an exclusive modiste portrayed by Miss Rich who achieves material success through ambition for her son. But she makes tho mistake of thinking she can sacrifice others for her son’s benefit. The outcome of this situation is reached when she finds one of the girls she had caught in her snare is in love with her son and is loved in return by him. Raymond Hackett and H. B. Warner axe also featured. An additional matinee will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

AT THE REGENT. “AFRICA SPEAKS’ ’FINALLY. “Africa Speaks,” which will be finally seen at the Regent Theatre to-night, is tho first sound and talking picture ever made in the darkest regions of tho Dark Continent. Tho picture was made by tho Colorado-African Expedition, under the leadership of Paul F. Hoeflcr, a noted African explorer. Mr Hoefier and his party left Denver bound for Africa on July 18, 1928, and returned at the end of 1929, with their work well done. They travelled through the very heart of Africa by motor truck. The Smithsonian Institute has decided to keep “Africa. Speaks” as a record of life in tho Dark Continent. The weird cries and savage howls and the tom-toms of the tribesmen are the natural sounds that penetrate the stillness of the strange unknown. A ferocious lion, a few feet away from tho camera, ieaps upon a native boy and crushes him to death, while Paul Hoefier and his companions leap for safety and barely escape with their lives. And then tho Masai warriors, called to arms to avenge tho killing of the native boy and one of thc:f tribe, seek the lion with spear and shield, and make strange guttural sounds, and to the accompaniment of the repetitious tom-toms surround him and attack him. Readers should take this final opportunity of seeing this strange and unusual entertainment. RAMON NOVARRO. “THE CALL OF ) THE FLESH.”

Ranron Novarro’s new talkie popularity will be strengthened and extended by this romantic story tailored to his talents. As a devil-may-care dancer of Seville, embarked indifferently on an operatic career, he is charming; Dorothy Jordan, opposite the star once more, is delightful. This is the last picture in which Renee Adoree appeared before her illness. And it’s a delightful ono: Plans are now open.

KOSY THEATRE

CONSTANCE BENNETT IN “RICH PEOPLE.” Not only as a daughter of the noted stage actor, Richard Bennett, has Constance Bennett a most unusual theatrical heritage, but from her mother’s lineage she also inherits tho blood of a long line of noted Thespians. As Adrienne Alorrison, the former Airs Bennett, who is now Airs Erie Pinker, of New York, was herself a famous actress. She is a direct descendant of the old Welsh family of Wodens, whose association with the thiatre goes back many years. Eventually the namo of Woden was changed to Woods, and several members of the family have been outstanding celebrities on the English stage. Tho dramatic traditions of these famous families is being carried on during the present generation by all three of the Bennett sisters, Constance, Barbara and Joan. Constance Bennett deserted the screen about four years ago, after having established herself as an outstanding actress, to marry and live in Europe. Recently she signed a contract with Pathe and she makes her initial appearance in “Rich People,” an all-dialogue picture directed by Edward H. Griffith, which is now at the Kosy Theatre. Regis Toomey, Robert Ames, Alahlon Hamilton and John Loder are in the supportnig cast.