ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 25 January 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE THEATRE. “UP FOR THE DERBY.” When patrons of the Palace Theatre see the Sydney Howard comedy, “Up For the Derby,” currently showing, they will see one of the biggest and most impressive “sets” ever built for use in a British picture. It is the set representing the_ stable yard. It not only: took all the available studio 6pace, but also extended right out into the studio grounds, where genuine trees and hayricks gave a still more authentio “air” to the scene. The cobbled, sandy yard, the area of whioh was at least four thousand feet square, was surrounded by large horse boxes and the usual paraphernalia associated with stables. To lend the finishing touch to the scene and one that conjures up memories of tho sport of kings in days gone by, is a water pump situated in the middle of the yard with tho dpto 1790 clearly discernible on the creeper covered walls. Six thoroughbreds were brought specially from championship stables at Epsom to figure in the stable sequences. The inimitable Sydney Howard is tho star of the production, which is a comedy of the first, magnitude. Supporting him is Frank Plarvey, remembered for his appearances on the Australian stage, Mark Daly and beautiful Dorothy Bartlam, who supplies the feminine charm to the production. An added attraction is provided by the Indian romance, “I-Carama,” a most interesting and unusual film, enacted by an all-Indian cast, the members of which speak faultless English. The story of deals with the life of an Indian princess, and a thrilling tiger hunt, and splendid interior scenes of a palace and temple are some of the highlights of the production. STATE THEATRE. “THIS WEEK OF GRACE.” “This Week of Grace” introduces to the ranks of screen writers Maurice Braddell, a young man who is rapidly developing into one of the most versatile people in the world of entertainment. Just now he is in the public eye in four distinct' capacities. Maurice Braddell, film author, film actor, stage actor, and stage author. “This Week of Grace,” which he wrote for Grade Fields in collaboration with Noll Emerald, is at the State Theatre till Friday. “Men of To-morrow,” in which he starred, is being screened throughout the country; he is playing light comedy parts' on the stage; and the farce he wrote for Seymour Hicks, “It’s You I Want,” has settled down at Daly’s Theatre into one of the biggest London successes of the year. In addition, Braddell has had another play running recently for several months in New York, which’ is shortly being produced over here. Braddell made his stage debut in “The Charm School,” and his English film debut in “A Window in Piccadilly.” Among his subsequent appearances are “Dawn,” “Not Quito a Lady, “Latin Quarter,” “The Wolves,” “School for Scandal,” “Her Reputation,” - and Lcontino Sagan’s film of Oxford life, “Men of To-morrow.” “This Week of Grace will terminate on Friday evening and will bo replaced on Saturday by “My Weakness,” Fox Film Corporation’s most ambitious extravaganza which recently succeeded in dazzling blase New York.. <4 My Weakness” features a new star, Lilian Harvey, who is said to he already a star of the first magnitude on the Continent, and the debonair Lew Ayres of “All Quiet ’ fame, is her leading man.

REGENT THEATRE. “THE WORKING MAN.” ’ In a character different from any ho has portrayed during his long and brilliant career on stage and screon, George Arliss is seen at tho Regent Theatre in his latest production, “Tho Working Man,” the last two nights of which are announced. He has portrayed kings, potentates, statesmen and geniuses; now he gives us a change from these somewhat remoto people and plays a genuine, down-to-oarth working man. After a period of sedate, dignified characterisations it is particularly entertaining to see him kicking up his heels, wearing wrinkled clothes, with liis hair dishevelled, and actually . appearing barefooted. In this film Arliss portrays with every nuance tho role of an irascible &nd highly successful shoe manufacturer, as sentimental as ho is short-tempered, who starts off on a holiday fishing trip and ends up with a most oxciting and dramatic business adventure. Behind him he has left his business in the hands of his young nephew, whose insufferable conceit has almost driven him to distraction. On his holiday the “working man” meets the son and daughter of his former bitter business rival. These two chidlren, now orphans, arc wild and reckless members of the younger and brighter set, interested only in having a good timo without any regard for the business thoir father left them. Mr Arliss has himself appointed as their guardian, and thereafter sets about untangling not only their business affairs, but also their romantic complications. He succeeds eventually, but not before bo has nearly ruined his own company, by becoming his own competitor. “The Working Man” has a personality of its own; and it can rank easily with Arliss’s other successes in the light-comedy field. Thcro is a wido variety of supporting “shorts,” including a bright minstrel show entitled “Speaking of Operations”; “Tho Coninentah” Jazz Band in a syncopated specialty, “Hot Competition”; an exceptionally interesting travel talk, “Beauty Spots of the World,” and a Graham McNamec Newsreel. “THE INVISIBLE MAN.” “The Invisible Man” has arrived to join the fantastic cavalcade of characters who have stalked with intriguing steps across the silver screen, and it will bo screened at the Regent Theatre next Saturday. With tho filming of H. G. Wells’s fascinating tale, it seems that the ultimate in screen fantasy has been reached. “Griffin,” tho Wells elusive character, is being counted on by ’Universal to provide this year’s sensation. R. C. Sheriff, who adapted the Wells story for the screen, has built this unique character into a starring role, and Claude Rains, famous London stage star, who plays it ; is said to have risen to great heights in his portrayal. In this, his debut picture, Rains’s features are never seen, and |in six or eight reels he will bo wholly inI visible. Universal has closoly guarded tho • secret of the manner in which “Tho Invisible Man” was photographed, and until the picture is shown tho secret will bo kept. Claude Rains is seen walking jauntily along, completely dressed, and with a hat perched nonchalantly on what would bo a head, if any head were there. In another scene he will bo seen disrobing, and, as his clothes fall away, nothing will remain. “The Invisible Man” can bo recommended as splendid novelty entertainment, free from the horrors that mar so many mystery thrillers, for in this thero 1 aro more laughs than shivers.

KOSY THEATRE. “CENTRAL AIRPORT.” Richard Barthelmess zoomed into town yesterday in his latest air picture “Central Airport” showing at the Kosy Theatre, and judging by tho reception accorded him nothing could stir the emotions of yesterday’s audiences more than did the exploits depicted in this film. This thrilling air story is unusual in that it glorifys tho commercial flyers of peace, rather than the birdmen Of war, and it is said that “Central Airport” tops anything ever filmed in a picture of this nature in breath-taking flying scenes, romantic love and' unusual story content. One of the most fascinating love triangles is formed between Dick, who believes a flyer’s place is in tho sky, not in the homo, his younger aviator brother, Tom Browne, whose viewpoint is just the opposite ; and the girl, Sally Filers, who wants Dick’s love but Tom’s security. Barthclmess plays the role of a commercial pilot who cracks up with a plane filled with passengers. After losing his sweetheart Barthelmess enters free-lance piloting with a savage recklessness, seeking danger in far-off places, always to come through unscathed because of liis uncanny ability. William A. Wellman, a decorated World War airman, as well as being one of Hollywood’s foremost directors, megaphoned' “Central Airport.” In his fine cast supporting the stars are Glenda Farrell, Harold Huber, Claire McDowell and James Murray. Prominent among the supporting items is the revue “Way of All Freshmen,” In this featurette some exceptionally diverting ballet and solo dances are to be seen. Humour is amply supplied in the comedy, “Here; Prince,” while items of universal interest are included in the Paramount News and the Travelogue, “Strange Ceremonies of the World.”