ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “RIPTIDE.” All who can appreciate good acting—and modern picture-theatre audiences are discriminating: in this respect —will find unlimited enjoyment in “Riptide,” which commences at the Regent to-night. The story ot' “Riptide” is that of a woman who is unfaithful to her husband only after ho has demonstrated his lack of trust in Iter. ■ After discovering her unfaithfulness ho forgives her, and they live happily ever after. Although -the plot is woven in a manner calculated to rouse sympathy for the wife, her behaviour, from first to last is extremely stupid and indiscreet; in fact, as the story progresses it becomes a matter for lively interest as to how much more stupid and indiscreet she can become. However, the acting revealed in “Riptide” carries it triumphantly into the select coterie of films that must not bo missed. Norma (Shearer lias given few, if any better performances, and she has never been more strongly supported, or, as it happens, rivalled. “Riptide, in fact, provides a histrionic contest for four very clever people—Miss Shearer, Mrs Patrick Campbell, Robert Montgomery and Herbert Marshall. As the husband Marshall gives a magnificent performance, and steals the picture while ho is before the camera. Montgomery is at the top of his form as the devil-may-care philanderer who causes all the trouble and brings matters to a climax by seducing the silly but previously much-maligned wife. Mrs Campbell—a theatrical name to conjure with on both sides of the Atlantic—is delightful as the elderly, muddled, and startlingly broad-minded aunt of the husband and counsellor of the wife. Of the four Miss Shearer and Marshall win the contest, Mrs Campbell a close second.

PALACE THEATRE

“CRIME ON THE HILL.”

Interpreted by a most distinguished cast headed by Nigel Playfair, Lewis Casson and Sally Blanc, the “Crime on the Hill” is really an outstanding mystery drama. The suspense is maintained right to the end and the audience is kept guessing as to who is responsible for tho scircs of crimes. This entertaining film will _bo screened at the Palace for the- last time to-night.

“THE BROKEN MELODY.”

The world-famous stage play and haunting melody which have won popularity in many countries are woven into the Twickenham version of “The Broken Melody,” which will be screened for a season of three days only at the Palace Theatre. commencing to-morrow. The story of Paul Verlaine, the gifted composer of a broken melody of rare charm, who is wrongly accused of murder and transported to tho dreaded Devil’s Island, is one that will never lose its appeal. Produced in a way that is highly creditable to British film production, and acted by a brilliant east of _ singers and players, it is winning conspicuous success as a talking picture. John Garrick, who, as Reginald Dandy, is well remembered here as the leading baritone of tho “Rose Marie” Opera Company, and who recently scored heavily in “The. Lily of Killarnev,” is Paul Verlaine, and his singing of the charming broken melody is said to captivate. Merle Oberon, the 'Tasmanian beauty, who reached stardom in the “Private Life of Henry VIII.”, and who is hailed by many famous critics as. the most outstanding actress on tho screen to-day, plays tho part of Germaine and her performance is nothing short of remarkable. The introduction of a convict chorus of 50 and the singing of both John Garrick and Merle Oberon provide excellent musical and vocal fare. The numbers “Sorrow and Years,” “Just Call Me Chene, “Unless I'm With You,” “Devil’s Isle,” “Sea Chanty,” “My Heart’s Song’’ and “The Broken Melody” are included. the Evening Post stated the following: “There arc several reasons lor the popularity of the picture—first, the story; second, the music; and third, and not least, the excollencc of tho acting.” Tho supporting subjects are of more than usual interest—an exclusive film of . Scott and Black s arrival in Melbourne, and “Victoria, IUU Years of Progress,” being tho mam attractions.

BULLS TALKIES

Oil Friday and Saturday niglits, British Dominions Films’ super attraction. Loll Me To-night” will be screened. This- musical comedy romance, starring Jan lvicpUra the eminent Russian tenor, has broken all records for an extended season picture. Sonnic Hale, Edmund Gwen, and B-'Uv Chester give really brilliant support to this international star. The glorious scenery, gorgeous comedy, sparkling .romance in the merriest, magical, muscat ever seen on flic screen should not be missed by picture patrons at Bulls A good supporting programme will also no screened.

KOSY THEATRE. ’ t “FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE.” “Four Frightened People,’ the captivating adventure in the Malayan jungle starring Herbert Marshall and Claudette Colbeit, will bo screened finally at today’s sessions nt the Kosy Theatre. “LAWYER MAN” AND “THE MIND READER.” Quaint humour and sparkling comedy have been blended with romance and tense drama through a rare combination of writers in the Warner Bros, picture, “Lawyer Man,” which opens to-morrow with “The Mind Reader.” The picture, which stars William Powell, abounds in vivid, throbbing drama with political intrigue, in the atmosphere of which rises an honest lawyer, who takes delight in smashing the ring and defending Ins own people. Much of tnc fiery wit unu sparkling repartee of wise-cracking secretaries and chorus girls has been supplied by Rian James and James Seymour. Warren Willi»:n, who has previously been cast in serious, and heroic roles, proves his versatility by enacting a dynamic characterisation in “Mind Reader.” As Clmndra, tlie Great Magician, be plays the part of a blustering although altogether likeable rascal. A dyed-in-the-wool fraud who starts his career as a patent medicine man, Chandra winds up as a home wrecker by telling- wives their husbands’ secret love affairs and vice , versa. He not only hoodwinks the public, but the sweet girl he marries. Constance Cummings supplies the romance as the innocent girl he lioodwinks into marriage, with Allen Jenkins as the comical assistant to the Gient Chandra.

“The Vanishing Frontier,” starring Johnny Mack Brown, will bo screened only at the special 10 a.m. matinee tomorrow.

STATE THEATRE

TURKEY TIME.”

There are heaps of fun in “Turkey Time,” another of Ben Travers’s clever diversions, which has been produced by Gaumont-Bi-itish pictures and which will open its Palmerston North season at the State Theatre to-morrow. Nothing could bo better than to see Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn together again, romping, irresponsibly through this gay story of how they played good Samaritans to a pretty pierette stranded in a seaside' town at Christmas time, aided and abetted by Mary Brough of ample proportions and Robertson liare, henpecked as usual and oh! how innocent of the wiles of tho wily ones. Hie plot is brilliantly amplified by the clever, original work of the star comedians which oonistitutcis a laugh riot from start to finish. Tom Walls is superb. Whether blarneying his tortuous way out of compromising circumstances, whether scragging an unpleasant piece of work who pursues the pretty little lady over whose misfortunes the whole of those uproarious frolics arose, or whether demolishing a shop window, Tom’s elan is inspiring. Ralph Lynn, the screen’s most ingeiuous purveyor of gentlemanly-nit-wit studies is also delicious. One of his most joyous scenes is that in which, after admonishing in the best Lynnsian style, two urchins who were taking a surreptitious peep at a pierrot show, he docs the same thing himself and sees to it too that lie gets his share of the urchins’ lollies. Mrs Gather, .in the hands of Mary Brough, is a living example of that grasping, selfrighteous, irascible type of landlady whose normal reactions arc very familiar to these of us who have been called upon tc navigate the grey seas of boarding-house lite. All the more joy, then, to watch her in the throes of temptation induced by the spirit of Christmas, and ministered to sc effectively by the bottled spirit of Holland, that eventually she makes whoopee with a vigour that must be seen to he believed. Dorothy Hyson invests the character of the pretty pierette with much charm; and Norma Varden is probably the most ingenious o[ all the browbeating screen wives whom Mr Robertson Han. has the misfortune to own. “Turkey Time” presents abundance of piquant situations flavoured with sonic exhilarating dialogue and, as is customary with Gaumont-British pictures, it is impressively framed, the settings including a realistic jetty, a village street and some tasteful interiors.