ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 72, 24 February 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “EAST IS WEST.” There is something about China which makes it attractive material for the 6creen. It is a picturesque setting for romance or for tragedy. Thus the Samuel Shipman etago-play, “East Is West,” which enjoyed such sensational runs in London, Paris, Berlin and New York, is certain to hold certain advantages over other transplanted plays. “East is West,” a Universal all-talk-ing attraction, will have its final screening 'at the Kosy to-night. Miss Lupe Velez, in the role of Ming Toy, whose Mexican facial contours lend themselves curiously enough to Chinese lines, makes Ming Toy mischievous, ingenious and charming, with her soft voico and her broken English. To Edward G. Robinson fall the chief acting honours. His impersonation of Charlio Yong is said to be a masterpiece of perfection in detail. The entire cast has been carefully selected, with the eye particularly on acting ability and pleasing, modulated voices, with the result that the transference to the screen of the stage play, with all its original dialoguo, has resulted in _ a screen entertainment of exceptional merit. “FREE AND EASY.” Buster Keaton, the stone-faced comedian, will be seen and heard at the Kcsy Theatre to-morrow in his latest all-talking comedy, “Free and Easy.” Wo are told that he keeps his audience laughing all through this picture and by reports “Free and Easy” has had extended seasons wherever it has been screened. Palmerston North picture fans can look forward to having a good timo on Wednesday. AT THE REGENT. FINAL PERFORMANCE OF GRETA GARBO IN “ROMANCE.” Tho charming Swedish beauty with her quaint accent, Greta Garbo, will finally appear at tho Regent to-night in her latest triumph, “Romance.” Lewis Stone and Gavin Gordon complete tho excellent starring cast. “SPRING IS HERE” —OPENS TOMORROW NIGHT. Regent audiences will have a chance to judge for themselves as to the merits of stage and screen training when “Spring is Hero” is presented. Half of the case has been recruited from tho stage and the other half from the old guard of the screen. Inex Courtney, of “Good News” fame in New York, plays tho part of baby sister Mary Jone Bralcy. Betty Braley,-tho older sister, is portrayed by Bernice Claire, who played “Margot” in “Tho Desert Song,’ in .New York, whereas Terry Clayton is played by Alexander Gray, who appeared opposite Marilyn Miller in “Sally,” and opposite Miss Claire in “The Desert Song.” On tho screen side we have such oid-cnners as Ford Sterling, of Keystone Kops fame. He plays the part of Peter Braley, the girls’ irritable father Louise i>azenda, also of Sennett fame, plays ilio part of his dutiful wife, Emily. The other of the screen guard is Lawrence Gray, who has played in “Stage Struck” and “The Untamed Lady.” Five new song hits are registered in this new Warner Bros.’ triumph. The plans are now on view. PALACE THEATRE. “PRINCE OF POISE AND POWER.” An Eastern movie writer has referred to William Powell as the “prince of poise and power” on the screen. There seems to be a definite basis for this opinion—namely, Powell’s own creed of the elements of acting. Powell belieaves that restraint is the most valuable asset in an actor. Emotions and moods should be suggested only; the imagination of the audience should be permitted to supply the character. This tonet guides him in all parts he plays for the screen, and was never better demonstrated than it is in r’uramount’s “For the Defence,” the dramatic thunderbolt of big city life which will have its final screening at tho palace to-night. In “For the Defence,” Powell plays the criminal defence lawyer who rises to the very heights of his profession, only to become ensnared by the very toils of the law ho so successfully had warded off for his numerous clients. “HER PRIVATE AFFAIR.”

Many critics have declared that Ann Harding, beautiful blondo stage star, who left Broadway to ally lierself with talking pictures, has the most perfect profile over filmed. Miss Harding will be seen in her second stellar screen venture, “Her Private Affair,” a Pathe dialogue feature, which comes to the Palace Theatre tomorrow.