ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 120, 21 April 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE THEATRE. FIRST SCREEN OPERA BASED ON “CARMEN.” Tho atmosphere of impending doom which overshadows the gipsy, Carmon, has been captured and brought to tho screen by Cecil Lewis, tho director of “Gipsy Love,” showing at tho Palaco Theatre on Saturday—an adaptation of tho famous opera, with a musical acoompaniment. Carmen, as the story relates, relentlessly pursues her prey, flinging away all scruples to satisfy her desire. Possessed of an ungovernable tempor she stabs a fellowworker, and is arrested, but her guards fall beneath her spell and she escapes. She brings about the degradation of many, but in Don Jose she finds ono who is not contont to play tho role of a discarded lover. Tho impending tragedy is foreseen by an old witch who prodicts her death, but oven this dire warning does not sway her from her course. She is eventually stabbed to death by Joso . who has been driven frantic by hor ardent love for Escamillo, a toreador. As Don Joso, Tom Burko makes his first appearanco in a fulllength talkio, bringing to film-goers a splendid opportunity to hoar Britain’s most renowned tenor, and Marguerite Namara, world-famous prima donna, gives an outstanding performance as Carmen. Lester Matthews, Lance Fairfax and D. Hay Potrio are among a strong supporting cast, and Doctor Malcolm Sargent, who arranged tho musical setting for tho film, personally conducted the Now Symphony Orchestra.

KOSY THEATRE

UNUSUAL RACE TRACK DRAMA

“Reckless Living-,” Universal’s race-track film of gamblers, tnat features Ricardo Cortez, Mae Clarke and Norman Foster, is the attraction announced by the Kosy Theatre for presentation again to-day. Based on last season’s stage hit, “On tho Up and Up,” the picture concerns the difficulties of a young wedded couplo whom circumstances force to act as a decoy for a group of raco track gamblers. To complicate matters, the suavo chief of tho gamblers is more than kindly disposed toward tho loving young wife, and tho young husband is the sort who makes many mistakes during the process of living. There arc exciting police raids, and thrills furnished by policemen, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Thomas Jackson. Slim Summerville, Marie Prevost add tho comedy, and Louis Natheaux, Murray Kinnell, Russell Hopton, Perry Ivins, and Brooks Benedict play the “bookie” characters. Pauline Moore, Universal’s 17-year-old “screen discovery,” makes her screen debut in “Reckless laving.” The little darkeyed actress was playing small roles with the Ashbury Park, Now Jersey, stock company, when Universal scouts gave her a test for pictures and immediately presented her with a ticket to Universal City and potential fame.

AT THE REGENT.

NORMA SHEARER SUCESS A GREAT HIT.

Norm Shearer is starred with Robert Montgomery in “Strangers May Kiss,” which is now at the Rgent Theatre.as her latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer offering. This picture marks tho return to the screen of the delightful star and is of unusual inters est because it again has her as the heroine of a best-selling novel from the pen of Ursula Parrott, popular author, whose first book provided the story for ‘‘The Divorcee.” This is the talkie in which Miss Shearer won the 1930 award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the outstanding performance of the year. Tho new role is an even more entertaining one than that of the previous picture, and the characterisation is one of glamour and smart sophistication, Miss Shearer’s’ best forte on the talking screen. George Fitzmaurico, master of Continental story telling, directed tho picture from tho adaptation by John Meehan of the novel. Meehan filled a similar capacity in tho production of “The Divorcee.” Fitzmaurice is one of the most artistic directors in the industry and is credited with an unusually skilful treatment of delicate situations. Robert Montgomery played with MiSs Shearer in “Their Own Desire” and “The Divorcee.” and starred in “Shipmates” and “The' Man in Possession.” An unusually imposing cast appears in supporting roles. Neil Hamilton is one of the most popular leading players to-day. Marjorie Rambeau, who last was seen in “Min and Bill,” now plays the part of Miss Shearer’s confidante. ireno Rich, Hale Hamilton, Jed Prouty, as Miss Rambeau’s “boy friend,”’ Conchita Montenegro, exotic Spanish dancer, who plays her first English-epeaking role, and Albert Conti as the Spaniard who is. enamoured of the heroine, are also prominent. The story concerns Lisbeth, a very modem young woman who takes romance as she finds it, attaching herself to a globe-trotting journajist. Hamilton is the roving chap, and when ho finds her likewise accepting favours of other men he casts her off. Montogmery is tho suave youth, always understanding and ever ready to marry Lisbeth when she tires of the other fellow. In tho end the true lovers get together, both having learned a bitter lesson in a bitter world. In addition is tho Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy laugh hit, “Beau Hunks.” ■