ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 25 October 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “ON THE AIR.” Audiences at the Kosy Theatre yesterday were pleasantly entertained by the surprising programme “On the Air.” The fame of the many artiste concerned makes it unnecessary to dilate on their talents as screen performers for in practically every instance they register their act precisely as they would before the microphone, and patrons who know their radio stars will know exactly what to expect. It is sufficient to state that among the most prominent in a cast of 50 stars are Claphain and Dwyer, Scott and Whaley, Teddy Brown, Betty Astell (often a screen heroine), Reginald Purdell, Davy Burnaby (film comedian), Derek Oldham, Anona Winn, Hugh Wright, Mario de Pietro, Jane Carr (screen player), Eve Beck, Harry Champion, Max Wall, Laurie Devine, Edwin Styles, Buddy Bradley’s “Rhythm Girls” and Roy Fox’s Band. Amongst the supporting attractions is “Tembi,” an altogether remarkable picture of thp people and the wild animals of the South African veldt. The closo-ups of the denizens of the wilds and the waters are surprisingly clear. STATE THEATRE. “SHE LEARNED ABOUT SAILORS.” Here aro fivo good reasons to see Fox Film’s hilarious, comedy-romance, “She Learned About Sailors,” now screening at the State Theatre :—l, Alice Faye, beautiful blonde, playing the role of a smart girl who sings in a night club in an Asiatic Oriental seaport; 2, Lew Ayres, the champion heart-breaker of the U.S. Navy, who takes shore loave at this port and falls like a ton of bricks for the fair Faye; 3, Harry Greno as Jose Rubctistein, a South American impressario, visiting the same port, who besieges Faye with offers of an engagement in his hotel in South America; 4 and 5, Frank Mitchell and Jack Durant, America’s greatest knockabout vaudeville and musical comedy funsters, portraying Lew’s sailor buddies. They take it upon themselves to regulate and straighten out the latter’s romantic tangles with Alice Faye, thereby causing no end of ludicrous complications. To add to the hilarious comedy of the story, the film is tinged with spicy and zestful song numbers that promise to be real hits. Alice Faye sings “Hero’s the Key to My Heart.” “EVERGEEN.” A picture of unusual merit will bo at the State Theatre next Saturday. Jessie Matthews and a strong cast, including Sonnie Hale, Betty Balfour, Barry Maokay and many more, appear in “Evergreen,” a Gaumont-Brilish adaptation of the famous C. B. Cochran’s brilliantly successful stage production. This elaborate screen play, which will be distributed in ’Australia and New Zealand by Fox Films, has been pronounced the most brilliant British picture of its type ever made. Direction, photography, acting and art direction together create a film of which any studio in the whole world might bo proud. The story, too, is coherent as well as cohesive. In the prologue a famous music hall artist bids farewell, under dramatic circumstances, to the scene of many of her triumphs. Twentythree years later, her daughter, who has inherited her mother’s outstanding ability, impersonates her with such success that London, flocking to see her, is completely deceived. Emphatically “Evergreen” is a picture not to be missed. Every opportunity has been seized to present lavish spectacle; haunting melodies are generously distributed throughout the romantic show; there are dances on the big scale; the story scintillates with comedy, while strong dramatic touches have their place. Victor Savillo, who has directed so many successful Gaumont-British pictures, was responsible for “Evergreen,” and the remark--1 able quality of the photography, which matches the excellence of the direction, earns a high tribute to the great ability of Mr Glen McWilliams.

PALACE THEATRE. “DAMAGED” LIVES.” As in the other cities of New Zealand, I’a.iiicrslon North has flocked to see “Damaged Lives” and the Palace 'Theatre -last evening proved only too small to house the large number desirous of seeing this remarkable picture. It is seldom that a film lives up entirely to all the merit showered upon it in . the advance notices, but wo venture to say that every one of the 2061 people who saw “Damaged Lives” yesterday would verify every single statcrncnl, made. concerning this most outstanding and highly meritorious picture. It should readily bo appreciated that on account of so much scientific detail, “Damaged Lives” is not suitable for children and the censor has wisely stipulated that no person under 16 years of ago will bo permitted to witness it. As such it has mot with approval and support of loading physicians, health officers and welfare workers. throughout Australia. . The picture, which is presented under the auspices of the Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales, is supplemented by frank illustrated lectures by Dr Gordon Bates, an authority in disease. By means of diagrammatical studies one is enabled to grasp intelligently the true significance of llieso transniittablc afflictions, to watch the various processes of the production of a new life, and to. observe how the newborn child can ’ be seriously affected through the illnesses of the parents. All this is of interest for the solo reason that it educates and is calculated to combat in a measure the terrible scourge. The story, which is distinctly unusual as screen stories go, concerns a young girl who refuses to marry her lover until ho proves ho can settle down to work. The lad quickly shows that ho is made of the right stuff, takes a job and quickly rises to the top. By queer circumstances ho becomes acquainted with another woman and almost innocently allows himself to be guiled into an affair with her. When she later discovers she has, unknown to herself, been infected with a serious disease she fears for the boy’s health, and then in despair commits suicide. But the boy in the meantime has married and is horrified to learn from his physician that he also. has contracted the disease and has transmitted it to his wife, and that it may imperil the health of the baby that is soon to bo born. The working out of their salvation by the doctor is an interesting climax to the story. There are three sessions daily, the morning one being for ladies only and provision is made at the other sessions for those desirous of sitting with their own sox. REGENT THEATRE. “SCOTLAND YARD MYSTERY.” “Scotland Yard Mystery,” featuring those two admirable English actors, Sir Gerald du Mauricr and Mr George Curzon will bo screened at the Regent Theatre to-night. The directors of a big life insurance " company have been hit for big sums so,frequently that they become suspicious, and are inclined to lay the blame on their own medical examiner, Dr Freeman, who happens to be engaged to the daughter of Inspector Stanton of Scotland Yard. Threatened with dismissal for passing so many men, who die from heart failure, Freeman and his fiancee implore Stanton to take the case up. On inquiry he finds each of the men who have died to be persons with a dubious record. He gets to work, but strangely enough- finds himself checkmated by someone with a preknowledge of his plans. At length he secures a suspected accomplice in young Bailey, and is gaining valuable information from him when Dr Masters of Scotland Yard arrives and suggests that a whisky will help restore the terrorstricken youth. Bailey dies. Stanton then, knows who is playing him false, and with the tenacity of a bulldog he tracks this smoothest of villains until the thrilling denouement. The polish and reserve of Sir Gerald du Mauricr are admirably displayed as the cool detective, and Mr Curzon as the scheming murderer is played with disarming skill and cheeriness in manner. Irene, a French girl, who is one of the gang of crooks, shows to advantage, and Miss Belle Chrystn’.l is a commendable Mary Stanton. Walter Patch is also good as the burly, imperturbable detective-sergeant.