ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 56, 3 February 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “THE EAGLE AND THE HAWK.’’ “The Eagle and the Hawk,” story of two wartime fliers who become heroes under the stress of their hatred for each other, opened its showing at the Kosy Theatre to-day. Fredric March, Gary. Grant, Carole Lombard and Jack Oakie play the leading roles in the' film, which is from a story by John Monk Saunders, author of “Wings.” The story centres around a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps who handles his ’plane with exceptional brilliance and an observer equally as skilful with his guns. Together in the same ’plane, they are an unbeatable combination, and one enemy ship after the other is outmanoeuvred by the pilot, sent crashing to the earth by the observer. Soon the pair are heroes, and decoration after decoration is pinned upon them. But though they are the best combination in the sky they are the bitterest of enemies on the ground. The brilliance that makes the pilot expert is based on his casual, reckless attitude. The skill that makes the observer expert is based on his cold delight in killing. Pilot hates observer for his ruthlessness; observer hates pilot for his sensitiveness. It is when the observer discovers that the pilot has begun to break down under the strain that the story takes a new twist. March is east as the pilot and Grant as the observer. Oakie, as another pilot, furnishes comedy interest. A Tom Mix Western, “Flaming Guns,” is the main support together with chapter ten of “Phantom of the Air,” a news 'of overseas events, a screen souvenirs item and a Betty Boop Cartoon.

STATE THEATRE. “AFTER TO-NIGHT.” With Constance Bennett starring- in a colourful role, an exciting and romantic drama of war time espionage is the attraction coming to the Stato Theatre tonight. The film is RKO-Radio Pictures’ “After To-night.” It deals with the activities of a feminine secret service agent operating in ‘ the danger none and in Vienna. Cleverly written, beautifully acted, and expertly directed, it provides superb entertainment which should please every class of audience. The delectable Miss Bennett never has been seen to better advantage than she is in her role of an Allied spy who carries out her dangerous missions behind the Austrian lines during the World War. Playing with rare skill and understanding, she invests the character with great realism and sympathy. Gilbert Roland gives an exceptional performance as an Austrian intelligence officer whom duty makes the relentless enemy of the woman he loves. While all of the dramatic situations centre about Miss Bennett and Roland, excellent supporting bits are contributed by Edward Ellis, John Wrav, Mischa Auer, Evelyn Carter Carrington and other capable players. Ellis’ work is especially noteworthy. George Archainbaud has gotten the ultimate in entertainment values from an unusually intriguing human interest story with his direction, and Charles Rosher’s photography uxlds much to the distinctive class of the production. Jane Murfin gets the credit for the story. She also collaborated with Albert Shelby Le Vino and Worthington Minor in preparing the photoplay, which, as brought to . the screen, _ must rank as one of the season’s real hits.

REGENT THEATRE. “DINNER AT EIGHT.” Never before has such a galaxy of talent boon presented in any one film as is the case in Mctro-Goklyn-Mayer s pioduction, “Dinner at Eight,” which is now being presented at the Regent Theatre. As a stage show, “Dinner at Eight” was an outstanding success both on Broadway and in London. Great as was the play, however, it is doubtful whether it could compare with .the film, for, as everyone knows, so much more can bo shown on the screen than on the stage. As for the cast, it is doubtful if a better one coilld have been selected had the whole film colony been searched from end to end. The plot of the film tells of a brief section in the lives of a group of various peoplo drawn together at.a dinner party. Romance,’ tragedy, coincdy, and self-sacrifice find their place as the picture progresses. There are no nobleminded heroes, no simple pure heroines, no double-dyed villians. Each _ character comes from life, with human virtues and human failings. Heading the .galaxy of stars is the one and only Marie Dressier, who excels in the role of a somewhat gushing actress. John Barrymore appears as the broken-down movie actor, and his brother Lionel has a very different type of role as Oliver Jordan, the head of a big shipping concern facing bankruptcy. Wallace Beery is cast as Dan Packard, a bluff and unscrupulous mining inagnato, and Jean Harlow plays his ill-mannered but beautiful _ cabaret-girl wife, Billie Burke plays Millicent Jordan, who arranges the fateful dinner that brings these widely different guests together. Leo Tracy plays Max Kane, the theatrical agent. Edmund Lowe as the philandering doctor, and Karen Morlcy as his understanding wife, make a charming couple, and Madge Evans receives her greatest opportunity to date in her role as Paula Jordan. The frocking of the women stars is most elaborate. The supporting featurettes include “Menu,” an all-colour novelty with humorous commentary by Pete Smith, and “Rio The Magnificent,” a fascinating Fitzpatrick travelogue.

PALACE THEATRE. REOPENS NEXT SATURDAY. When the popular Palace Theatre reopens on Saturday next, patrons will be surpirscd to see the many improvements which have boon carried out. Many workmen are working at top speed, putting down floors, installing new up-to-date scats, decorating the whole o£ the interior, including the foyer, whilo builders are busy altering the front entrance. At the new Palace on Saturday patrons will meet the “Hayseed” family, who will provide varied and bright entertainment. “The Hayseeds” is a whimsical and musical presentation of Australian life and character. Beautiful bush settings, gay songs, brilliant ensembles and Humour of the highest class are among the many features that combine to make “The Hayseeds” an outstanding film. A strong cast of Australian stage actors gives all aspects of the story a polished interpretation. Prominent among them are Cecil Ivollaway, Katie Towers and Molly Raynor. There is an exceptionally strong series of supporting films, including a coloured featurette, “Tho Pied Piper,” a Mickey Mouse comedy, and attractive newsreels. An all colour cartoon of Walt Disney’s scries, “Three Little Pigs,” will be an outstanding attraction on the programme. There is a lilting theme song, “Who’s Afraid of tho Big Bad Wolf,” which has become in recent weeks the “rage” in Australia.