ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “ONCE TO EVERY WOMAN.” “Once to Every Woman,” Columbia production opening at the Ivosy Theatre today, is the first story by A. J. Cronin, Scottish surgeon-author, to be adapted to tlio screen. The film is based on Cronin’s first magazine novelette, “Kaleidoscope in ‘K’,” which ran in the Cosmopolitan Magazine last year. Cronin’s first novel, “Hatter’s Castle,” which, was a best-seller two year’s ago, has been followed by “Three J/tves” and “Grand Canary.” Fay Wray is featured opposite Ralph Bellamy, Mary Carlisle, Walter Byron, Walter Connolly, Mary Eoy, Rebecca Wassam, Kathrin Clare Ward and Billie Seward play supporting roles. The supporting all-active programme includes “Micky McGuire” Comedy, travelogue novelty film and Gazette, also the final episode of “Perils of Pauline.”

PALACE THEATRE. “LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE” AND ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD CELEBRATIONS. Gracie Fields, who is almost as popular as a film star as she is a stage artist, comes to the Palace Theatre to-day on a return season in that ing Brjtish release, “Looking on the Bright Side.” The whole picture fairly bristles with that sly fun for which the Lancashire comedienne is famous, with that fluty vocalism which invests the most ordinary ballad with real piquancy and point. Gracie is seen as a manicurst in love with Lauri, a hairdresser by day and a song composer at various old times. Laurie composes some songs which, sung by Gracie, go straight to the heart and business head of Oscar Schultz. who offers them both a contract to compose and sing respectively for his forthcoming big show. Laurie accepts, but Gracie, already jealous of the loading lady, refuses, with the result that his songs, as sung by the latter, prove a flop. Meanwhilo Gracie has been sacked from her manicurist job, and it is then she joins the women police. Finally, Gracie rallies to Laurie’s aid, sings his songs in Schultz’s new show and instantly becomes a furore. On the same programme will be shown a complete film record taken on the occasion of Archbishop Redwood’s celebrations recently held in Wellington. There is the longest procession ever seen in New Zealand, to the Basin Reserve where 40,000 people witnessed and took part in the services; also the Jubilee Choir of 200 voices, and scenes taken at Otaki where the Maoris performed for his Grace, the haka with which they welcomed King George on Ills tour as the Prince of Wales ill 1904.

REGENT THEATRE. “BELOYED.” The newest cycle of entertainment in the motion picture world is bringing back to the screen the romantic musical picture. Though the revue type of “musical” has lately attained great success and again established the vogue of music on the screen, it has been a long time since the theatres of the country have presented a picture which might be truly described as a “musical romance,” exemplified on the stage for all time in “Blossom Time.” The forerunner of the new vogue is “Beloved,” now showing at the Regent Theatre, an epic drama 'with music which presents John Boles and Gloria Stuart in featured roles. The story presents the romantic career of a struggling composer throughout his lifetime, and before a constantly changing background covers a span of an entire century. In the first scene Boles is seen in his cradle as a baby, and in the final fade-out he appears as an old man of 96. Incidental to the story the screen presents starring pictures of important historical events in the growth of the United States, until the final scene takes place in the year 1933. There is a delightful interlude on the stage when Trevor and Dawn, two delightful dancers, give a charming exhibition of grace and beauty in a novelty dance. The Regent Orchestra will render a pot pourri of popular melodics.

STATE THEATRE. “SCANDALS.” At the State Theatre to-day. Fox Film will have the distinction o£ presenting the first and only motion picture edition of the famous George White’s “Scandals.” The entire production was conceived and staged by George White himself. The film is reported to bo as elaborate and as spectacular as any of White’s previous successes on the Broadway stage. With the advantages offered by recent developments in talking pictures. White was able to producc a film that he says lie could not possibly contemplate duplicating on the stage. When White left for Hollywood, he took with him his staff of song writers, dance directors and technicians. He also transported his gorgeous galaxy of original “Scandals” girls. The staff had been associated with White in his previous successes, and it was from them he anticipated the success that the film is said to be. The song writers, Jack Yellen, Irving Caesar and Ray Henderson, all hit composers, have created ten melodic songs for this production. The dazzling dances in tho eight revue numbers were directed by George Hale, past piaster at creating ultramodern routines. ’ Besides .the song hits and revues, the film is enriched with 15 comedy blackouts that give promise _ of being tho high points of the production. Interspersed with the song numbers, revues and blackouts, is a romantic story involving the principals of the show. At one time, the romance threatens to rum the show, but the clear thinking of tho producer, who is George White himself, saves the show and brings happiness to a pair of lovers. The cast with which White has surrounded himself is large, md is studded with an array of screen, stage and radio personalities. Among tho most prominent are Rudy Vallcc, .Jimmy Durante, Alice haye, Adrienne Ames, Cliff Edwards and Gregory Ratoff.