ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 69, 20 February 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOBY THEATBfi. BUCK JONES IN “THE RANGE FEUD.” Buck Jones at his best will be soon and heard at tho Kosy for three days, commencing to-day. According ,to advance reports. Buck Jones, delineator of western rolos, has more than his share of obstacles to overcome in ‘‘The Range Feud,” his latost Columbia picture. Buck, as tho sheriff of Twin Oaks, Arizona, in enadvouring to bring peaco to tho community and observe strict neutrality in a rango war incurs tho enmity of both factions. On top of this, ho is forced to arrest his best friend for the murder of a ranchman. Making it still more difficult, tho murdered man’s daughter is tho best friend’s sweetheart. Continuing with tho series of bad breaks, the jury oouvicts. tho best friend on purely circumstantial ovidenco and tho judgo sentences him to hang. That ought to be enough for one to handle, but Buck’s difficulties aro said to continue up to tho last minute. Tho supporting programmo is up to tho usual standard of tne Kosy offerings. AT THE REGENT. “STRICTLY DISHONOURABLE.” . “Strictly Dishonourable, tho most piquant and provocative comedy yet to reach the talking screen, commences at the Regent to-day. The cast of the picture is headed by Paul Lukas, whom Universal borrowed from Paramount, Sidney Fox and Lewis Stone. Tho story concerns an innocent girl and her pugnacious fiance, who leaves in jealous anger when she casts admiring glances at an Italian opera singer whom she meets in a cabaret. The sudden romance that blossoms betwen this great lover and the deserted beauty As told with daring yet with tho utmost deilcacy. Laughter, tears and tingling suspense tumble over each other in delicious abandon. The original play was 'written by Preston Sturges, and the screen version is the work of Gladys Lehman, who recently wrote the story for Universal’s domestio drama, “Seed.” In addition to Lukas. Stone and Miss Fox, the cast of “Strictly Dishonourable” includes George Meeker and William Ricciardi, who appeared in the New York stage production of the play. John -VI. Stahl directed the picture. Sidney Fox, the only feminine player, wears only one gow-n, and a suit of borrowed pyjamas, in the picture, since tho events of the story all take placo in a single night and the morning following. Lewis Stone appears .with no change of clothing whatever, but Paul Lukas, who wears evening dross at night, makes his appearance in tho morning wearing a business suit. Tho supporting Featurottcs are Oswald Cartoon, “Strange as it Seems” and the screaming comedy, “Fast and Furious,” featuring Misa .D. Pollard. V , . PALACE THEATRE. . WILL ROGERS IN FOX COMEDY. Tom Sawyer is not tho only suitor who won his sweetheart by performing acrobatic teats for her benefit. In a similar way Will Rogers won the heart of Betty Blake, now Mrs Rogers. Tho 6tory of their courtship, until now concealed from the world, came out during tho filming of ‘‘Young As You Fed,” Rogers’s latest starring Fox picture which is now showing at tho Palace Theatre. Frank Borzage, .director of the picture, was having dinner at the Rogers ranch, as !)as been His frequent custom . since ho itarted direction of Rogers in his first Fox production, “They Had To See Paris.” ‘You know,” he said to Mrs Rogers, “I lon’t believe Will could suffer to see anyone in the world, outdo him at something ,ie wanted very much to do for himself.” •‘Yes, that’s very like him,” Mrs Rogers mswered. “The best example I can recall ,iF his originality in besting competitors was ihortly alter we . became acquainted. Every .■oung follow I knew could rido a horse, md.most of them were experts at difficult eats of horsemanship. Will, of course, was he best of them all; but realised that to ihow off on a horse wouldn’t mean much :o me. So he chose a bicycle. They were just gaining popularity then, and the mere .act that anyone could ride one was oon•idered an achievement. I knew that Will had purchased one, but I didn’t realise why 10 never showed himself in public riding ,r. Then one day he came riding by ray iiouse, as proud a 3 he could be, grinning rom ear to car. He kept riding back and .orth, each time with a now stunt,' as much .is to say: ‘Keep your eyes open, Betty Blake, and I’ll show you, how good this Rogers feller really is. To top his whole lorformance, the last trip by ho threw hia ‘iat on tho ground. With his rope twirling lie came down on the hat at top speed and roped it just iu> easily as ho would have roped a calf from a horse.” In •Young As You Feel” Will Rogers again demonstrates that he is not to be outdone. When, as Lemuel Morehouse, rich and old.ogyish moat-packer, his two sons show a preference to rounds of sport and socioty aver the routine of business, he decides to nako business men out of them by beating hem at their.own game. With the.aid of Fifi Dorsay, who played with him in "They lad To See Paris,” he stops out, and his stepping proves do fast that his sons arc -oon gasping. Donald Dillaway and Tcr.•anco Ray impersonate the two sons. Lucien Littlefield has a featured role with Lucilo Browne, Rosalie Roy, Brnndon Hurst and J. Henry Gordon in the cast of tho picture, which is tho screen version of George Ado’s lotcd play, “Father And tho Boys.” GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA COMPANY. “THE GONDOLIERS.” Palmerston North has not had the pleasure of a visit from a J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Musical Company for some considerable time, so the announcement in to-day’s paper that definite arrangements have been made for the appearance at tho Opera House on Wednesday and Thursdny, February 24 and 25, and also on the Thursday afternoon of the J. C. Williamson New Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will doubtless be read with much pleasure by playgoers. The opening opera will bo the exquisite and inspiring work of the famous collaborators, “The Gondoliers.” On Thursday afternoon tho magnificent comic opera “lolanthe’"’ will be . staged. On Thursday evening the whimsical comic opera “The Mikado” will- ho the farewell presentation. It has been claimed by the press of Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington that.the latest J. 0. Williamson Company is the host arfd moat powerful company of musical artists, singers and comedians that has over appeared in the Gilbert and Sullivan operna in Australia or New Zealand, And this opinion has been backed up •by the fact that never before have they been enjoyed by larger audiences. Mr Ivan Merizies (comedian), Mr:Gregory Srtoud (baritone) . and Misa Evelyn Gardiner (contralto), three of the principal members of tho London D’Oylcy Carte Savoy Theatre Company, were specially engaged for the prosent tour, and they aro regarded aa being throe of the finest comic opera artists who' have over visited Australia and New Zealand. Other artists who will appear here arid who have greatly assisted in the' phenomenal successes which have been won by the works of tho beloved collaborators are Miss Mario Bremner, who last toured New Zealand as principal artist with “The Desert Song,” Leo Darnton (tenor), who last year delighted playgoers in “The New Moon,” Bernard Manning, talented Gilbert and Sullivan artist. Miss Mary Hotham (contralto), Miss , Maisic Ramsay (soprano) and Mr John Ralston (bass). A feature of each opera will' be the brilliant work of the specially selected ; chorus and ballot, and a full operatic orchestra under the baton of Mr Gustave Slapoffski. The box plans for “The- Gondoliers,” “The Mikado,” and “lolanthe” are to open at the Central Booking Offico on Monday. Special arrangements have been made for country clients.