ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 283, 27 October 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “EVERGREEN.” A picture of unusual merit will be presented at the State Theatre tonight. Jessie Matthews and a strong cast, including Sonnie Halo, Betty Balfour Barry Mackay and many more, appear in “Evergreen,” a Gaumont-British adaptation of the famous G. 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 be 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, (locking 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. The following song hits will soon bo on the lips of everyone : “In the Cool of the Evening,” “Dancing on the Ceiling.” “Dear! Dear!” “If 1 Give in to You,” “No Place but Home,” • “Tinkle ! Tinkle ! Tinkle ! “When You’ve Got a Little Springtime in Your Heart,” “Over My Shoulder, and “Just by Your Sample.” There aro dances on the big scale; the story scintillates with comedy, while strong dramatic touches have their place. Victor Saville, who has directed so many successful Gaumont-British pictures, was responsible for “Evergreen,” and the remarkable quality of tlie photography, which matches the excellence of the direction, earns a high tribute to tho great ability by Mr Glen McWilliams. The supporting programme is really outstanding. Ivan Perrin, who has met with tremendous success during the last week, will continue to thrill patrons with his brilliant act; also assisting him will be Fred treason who will entertain on the xylophone. Without hesitation the management recommends this programme as the finest yet presented at the State. KOSY THEATRE. “LOVE BIRDS” AND “I’LL TELL THE WORLD.” “Love Birds.” starring Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville, the Universal ccmcdy which commences to-night at the Ivosy Theatre, lias this famous comedy pair in tlie starring roles. Miss. Pitts is Arammta Tootle, school teacher in an Ohio town, and Summerville is Henry Whipple, chicken fancying employee of a poultry farm. Their paths have crossed just once and that has resulted in Zasu losing her job. Henry’s antipathy toward the prim teacher has boon rendered even more bitter by her constant coddling of her little nephew Gladvvyn (Mickey Rooney). r I hrough an unscrupulous real estate operator both Araminta and Henry buy the same 1 alien in California, and eventually arrive there on the same day, . to begin a continuous quarrel as to which one actually owns the propertv. There is no water, food or nearby" habitation. Zasu casts longmp» eyes and despoiling bands on Sum s precious chickens. But a chance visit of a wandering prospector, who finally deals Henry a resounding blow on the jaw to shut him up, is the direct cause of a wild gold rush, which entirely alters the aspect of things. , The second feature on the programme, “I'll Tell the World,” concerns the adventures, of a stafl reporter for a worldwide newsgathering agency In the cast arc the beautiful, blonde G lona Stuart, Roger Pryor, Onslow Stevens, A ec li. Francis, - and many other noted players.

REGENT THEATRE. “HOLLYWOOD PARTY.” Schnarzan the Conqueror, “mighty monarch of the mudflats,” a film actor, is grandiose Jimmy Durante, whose home is his castle—literally. Schnarzan lives among tlie spacious halls alone, except for a gross of liveried servants. To him comes his manager, Knapp, w r ho warns him that his pictures aro flopping because his public knows that the "lions ho acts with arc all anaemic. Explorer Baron Munchausen is on his way from Africa with a cargo of allegedly fresh lions. But a bad rival producer is after the animals. They must beat him to it; Durante decided to hold I a party. That is the prologue in the Marcli-Haro-mad “Hollywood Party,” which comes to the Regent Theatre tonight. It is as fast and funny as a three-ring circus. Such a parly there never was before. Laurel and Hardy are there; so are Lnpc Vaiez, Polly Moran, Eddy j Quillan," a really big and hot jazz band, and plenty more stars. This is not to mention Mickey Mouse and his “Hot Chocolate Soldiers,” whose presence in person is an hilarious camera joke. And there are something over a thousand Hollywood girls, and also half a dozen new burlesqued songs. From the welter of I lie story there aro some main points which one cannot resist untangling. There is the Jaguar Woman (Lupe Velez), Schnarzan’s leading lady; he refuses' to invite her because she is too rough at parties. Tho rival producer's leading lady crashes tho party on a commission to bandit the lions. Schnarzan goes into the library to discuss reincarnation with some learned friends; m historical flashbacks wo see him as Adam. Laurel and Hardy’s arrival and the arrival of Mickey Mouse and his troop, and the invasion of the Baron and his lions, create some of the best of tho fun. The Jaguar Woman chases Schnarzan with a knife. After all this it may not bo believed that the film is essentially “straight drama, but it is, with a logical story, even though into it is incorporated almost every conceivable form of cnlcrlainmcnt. Together with the lion deal theme, there is a love story between June Clyde and Eddy Quillan. and a burlesque love affair between Durante and Polly Moran. Laurel and Hardy’s roles run through tho picture, and they figure in some very funny_ sequences with tho Jaguar Woman, and m a nudist colony. At the very end of the film tho audience is given a final surprise with which to leave the theatre. PALACE THEATRE. “LILY OF KILL ARNE Y.” Beautiful Irish settings are a notable feature of “Lily of Killarney,” a romance of the Emerald Isle, commencing to-night at the Palace Theatre. In the story of this musical lomanco there have been introduced some of the best tunes from Sir Julius Benedict’s opera, in addition to many of Moore’s Irish melodies. The popular ballad “Father O’Flynn” and a number of original melodics are also effectively rendered in the course of the story. “Lily of Killarney” puts real Ireland on the screen. The title role is played by the pretty Gina Malo, who is of Irish nationality and therefore ideally suited to tho part of the heroine. The main success of the play, however, is largely due to “Father O’Flynn,” who wins all hearts by his genial personality and his wonderful tact. The other leading parts aro ably represented and Irish accent and humour abound throughout and Keep the audience amused. There arc thrilling moments, including a horse race, on the result of which a fortune and tho happiness of families are at stake. The banquet and the wedding scenes are features of the story; the music and singing in these arc particularly fine, the music being strengthened by the addition of a special chorus. This is a film that really brings to the screen a healthy spirit of love, life arid laughter and set as it is amongst tho green fields of Erin, besides Killarney’s lakes and fells, an entirely refreshing and delightfully musical picture has resulted. Tho Irish airs will live on for over and it is a real joy to hear tho old favourites interpreted by a male voice choir of 50 with 100 dancing colleens, and solo numbers byHughes Macklin, famous Welsh tenor, John Garrick (the leading baritone of J. C. Williamson’s “Rose Marie” company), Stanley Holloway, Gina Malo and Percy Henii. Ten irresistible Irish national molodies, “Killarney,” “My Little Sheep Dog and I,” “Father O’Flynn,” “Hunting Song,” “The Moon Hath Raised Her Lamp Above,” “Believe Me if all Those Endearing Young Charms,” “The Dear Little Shamrock,” “My Little Irish Gig,” and “Ireland in Spring.” As a special attraction Miss June Scott, tho Palmerston North dancer, who has recently met with much success in competitions all over New Zealand, will present the Irish Jig with pipe accompaniment. This is a most outstanding programme and should not bo missed on any account.