ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 304, 21 November 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

PALACE THEATRE. “VOLTAIRE.” The Palace Theatre have been enabled to at last secure "Voltaire” for a return season. This picture has been in such demand all over New Zealand that it has been difficult to bring it back to Palmerston North for even a few days’ run. George Arliss, easily tlie greatest screen actor of all time, has never been bolter than in “Voltaire” and his mightly characterisation of tlie famous Frenchman is nothing short of a masterpiece of stagecraft. The remarkable seasons that have been accorded “Voltaire”, are sufficient evidence of the nature of the picture and if further proof of its entertainment value is needed, one only has to remember that Mr George Arliss is the star and that in itself means a picture of extremely high merit. Large attendances arc anticipated as “Voltaire” had only a three-day season in Palmerston North previously and many wore unable to see it, whilst many others will not doubt desiro to see it again. It is certainly a picture which gives real entertainment and shows that master actor, George Arliss, at his best.

STATE THEATRE. “PURSUED” ANd”“JUDGE PRIEST.” Will Rogers—in the most human and lovable role ho has ’ yet played! That is the screen fare promised at the State Theatre, where Will’s latest Fox picture, “Judge Priest,” begins an engagement to night According to advance reports, the star has never been so well suited as by this screen character, the shrewd, kindly but strong-willed Kentucky jurist, who is already famous in the stories of Irvin; S. Cobb, perhaps America’s most noted humorist. With his characterisation ot the

“Judge,” Rogers ifl said to add a new and original figure to his already famous gallery, wh ; ch includes such memorable portraits ae David Haram, Mr Skitch, Dr Bull and the Connecticut Yankee. This time he plays a wise old fellow who, following the Civil War, has settled down in his native Kentucky village, with his Confederate cronies. The story opens in his court room on a lazy spring day in 1890. One does not expect drama in a village, perhaps, but in “Judge Priest” plenty of it transpires, according to advance accounts. The Judge’s nephew, a novice lawyer, and his sweetheart, a girl wliose birth is shrouded in mystery, iigure importantly in the touching and dramatic story. Always there is Judge Priest, who dilutes justice with the milk of human kindness and who helps to shoulder the troubles of the town.; -The notable cast includes Tom Brown-, Anita Louise, Rochelle Hudson, Henry 13. Walthall, Oavid Landau and Stcpin Fete-hit. Enacted amidst the colourful surround.ngs of a copra plantation in the Dutch East Indies, “Pursued,” described as a love drama of the tropics, packed with thrills, is tile second feature, on the programme. In the cast are Rosemary Amos, Victor Jory, Pert Kclton and Russell Hardie, with George Irving and Torhen Meyer in support.

KOSY THEATRE. “UNCERTAIN LADY.” Two favourite film stars, Edward Everett Horton and Genevieve Tobin, head the cast ill “Uncertain Lady,” art unusual film of the eternal triangle which begins a season at the Kosy Theatre to-night. The picture reveals what happens when a modern, sophisticated business woman loses , her husband to another girl. She is quite willing to let her husband go, but expects another in return. That, at least, is what she says, and as she is 100 busy “to lurk and lure” a new husband she pluccfs upon her defaulting spouse the duty of finding his successor. His efforts are not very ,suc-ect-sful, and when the lady herself takes a hand in the game the house party at which most of, the action takes place assumes quite a new aspect. For the wife knows a very-wealthy and very attractive shipowner (Paul Cavanagh) and when lie comes to the rescue there is a change all round. 11l the large cast supporting Horton and Mies Tobin, who play the parts of the couple around which the action revolves, are Renee Gadd, Mary Nash, George Meeker, and Dorothy Peterson. The supporting bill includes the latest newsreels, a cartoon film, “The Gingerbread Boy,” a novelty number, a comedy, and the first pictures of the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia.

MURDER OF KING ALEXANDER. SPECIAL PICTURES OF ASSASSINATION. Hushed to New Zealand by Paramount Pictures the exclusive film of the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and M. Barthou, the French Foreign Minister, will commence screening at tno Regent, Palace and Kosy Theatres today. It is a thrilling record of the crime that shook the world. Tlie King and iiis party are shown landing at Marseilles. Then follows the precession through the crowded streets, and suddenly the assassin strikes., and the report of his fatal bullcls is plainly heard. A mounted colonel of the guards gallops forward ancl tlioic is a vivid “shot” depicting him striking down the murderer with his sabre. The remaining scones show the crowd frenzied by the tragedy, surging about the assassin. The larious incidents have been excellently photographed, and form what arc undoubtedly' the most remarkable scenes over caught by a cinematographer.

REGENT THEATRE. “WONDER BAR.” In making the ‘‘stupendous spectacle'’ type of picture, it must he conceded lhat Hollywood producers know their job. In making “Wonder Bar,” a Paris ntusicale, which is now screcnuig at the Regent Theatre, Warner Brothers-First National have made several scones of which “stupendous spectacle” now becomes an almost inadequate description. The cleverness and ingenuity of a battalion of experts must have boon concentrated i;i the production of these scenes, which arc the most notable features of a remarkably entertaining film. And an army of actors and actresses is their material. Not very unusual, perhaps, when a large mixed chorus nimbly kicks and patters a speedy modern ballet on an ordinary stage, but when the setting gradually changes and becomes no less than a bread plain of moving figures, stretching as far as tho eye can see, it undoubtedly has become extraordinary. When, however, the plain has turned into a vast leafy wood, through which the dancers still move rhythmically, it really has reached tho “stupendously spectacular.” Designs formed by dancers and “shot” from far above prove very effective. Some brief “glimpses” of the Pearly Gatos and of Heaven may not quite be in accord with our own ideas, but nevertheless they arc most interesting. Apart from the settings, however, “Wonder Bar” has much else to offer. A plot, essentially dramatic in type, is woven through the picture, and mainly concerns Kay Francis, A 1 Jolson, and Dolores Del Rio. A 1 Jolson has plenty to sing about and, fortunately, seems to have lost • that catch ill his voice that made many of his carier attempts almost absurd. Dick Powell also sings. Tho dancing of Dolores Del Rio is delightful, and she lias an able partner in Ricardo (Jortez. In Louisu Fazenda, Ruth Donnelly, Hugh Herbert, and Guy Kibbcc, there is a first-rate comedy team.