ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 199, 24 July 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE THEATRE. DE AIILLE SPECTACLE WITH MUSICAL FEATURES. “Madam Satan,” which is showing at the '"Palace Theatre, most certainly upholds Cecil B. de Mille’s long-sustained reputation of being a master in the realm of the exotic and unusual. Tho M.G.AI. director’s new comedy with music, his initial tuneful photoplay, touches upon about every conceivable phase of entertainment. It treats of domestic discord. It has clever scenes in milady’s boudoir. It takee one to a gorgeous masked ball aboard a Zeppelin, and finally bringß patrons to the edge of their seats as the airship tears loose from its mooring mast and the guests jump for safety in parachutes. MARION DAVIES IN “IT’S A WISE CHILD.”

Marion Davies’ new starring film, “It’s a Wise Child,” which will open to-morrow at tho Palace Theatre, is said to be the most mirth-provoking picture of this popular comedienne’s career. “It’s a Wise Child” was purchased for Miss Davies’ use because film executives believed that this stage hit would provide the screen star with an ideal vehicle. This story of tho embarrassing and uproarious effects caused, by .gossip in a small town has beert praised by dramatic critics as one of tho best farcccomedies of the theatre. Those who have seen the picture declare that it is even funnier. Miss Davies was directed by Robert Z. Leonard, who directed “Impersonating a Lady,” “Tho Cardboard Lover” and several of her other outstanding pictures. Sidney Blacknjer, James Gleason and Lester Vail, all of whom have attained prominence on the legitimate stago, have important roles in tho new picture.-Among tile important feminino supporting players are Polly Moran, who contributes another of her inimitable laugh-producing characterisations, and Mario Provost, last soon in “Within tho Law” and “Gontleman’s Fate.”

AT THE REGENT. “VIENNESE NIGHTS” AN ELABORATE PICTURE. “Viennese Nights,” the Warner Bros, and Vitaphono romance which is now at the Regent Theatre, proves that Keats was right in saying that a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. In “Viennese Nights” it takes three generations to eomplote a symphony and to unite in marriage the grandchildren of the boy and girl whoso romance shared tho fate of the music. This is a theme that Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstcin had long contemplated before Warner Bros, asked them to write the original story directly for tho talking screen. Tho production, which is ono of the most elaborate ever attempted on the screen,, is photographed in full natural colour. The final screening takes place this evening. CELEBRATED LONDON CAST IN BRITISH FARCE FILM. Reported to bo one of the year’s most outstanding talkie comedies, “Compromising Daphne,” a British International all-dialogue special attraction, commences at the Regent Theatre to-inorrow afternoon. It is a brilliant adaptation ot the famous West End farce by “Valentine.” The talking picture version has eclipsed even tho triumphal runs of other great British comedies such as “Rookery Nook,” “Plunder” and “Tile Aiidtl.c Watcn.” "Compromising Daphne” is a comedy bubbling over with mirth —laughter that never ceases from the opening scene to the final fade-out. Brilliantly directed and replete with cleverly conceived situations and sparkling dialogue, it tells, the story of a young man who for farcical reasons is supposed to compromise a young lady called Daphne before marrying her, but by mistake lie compromises her friend Sadie, with amazing and amusing consequences. The picture has a fine cast, including the English slage favourites, Jean Colin and Charles Hickman. KOSY THEATRE. BIG DOUBLE-STAR ATTRACTION. “The Lone Defender,” now showing at the Ivosy Theatre, is Rin-tin-tin’s latest picture, and that is about all a reviewer has to say about it to let ono know it is well worth seeing. Rin-tin-tin is tho most dependable of all screen stare. Ho never fails, Each new picture with this great dog seems better than any of his previous ones. He is the one animal in the annals of motion pictures who really deserved stardom. Rin-tin-tin’s career as a film star is proof positive that “you can teach an old dog now tricks.” In every picture in which the wondor dog hats played he lias learned new tricks. The second feature is “The Rampant Age.” SCREEN STAR’S PROBLEM.

A leading man in motion pictures lias to keep in perfect physical condition. This is the assertion of Edmund Lowe, one of the principal screen heroes of Hollywool. “A forty-inch waist doesn’t prevent a man from running a sawmill just as woll as the next fellow,” he says, “and doublo chins have littlo to do with the business of manufacturing collar buttons or automobiles. But you can’t got away with it if you’re on tho screen. “And another tiling,” Air Lowe continues, “you have to keep right at this condition business if you’re going to keep your waistline down to normal. Ask Jack Dempsy or any athletic coach or trainer of athletes. The best part of it all is, of course, that if you have the habit of athletic fitness you don’t feel right if you let yourself go.” Edmund Lowe is shown in tlie role of a man who accidentally falls in love with his friend’s wife, Jeanette AlacDonald, in “Don’t Bet on Women.” William K. Howard's Fox Alovietono production, coming to the Kosy Theatre to-morrow. Prominent in the supporting cast are Una Alerkel, Roland Young, Helene Alillard and J. Al. Kerri-