ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 4, 1 December 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “AIYSTERY OF THE WAX AIUSEUM” AND “LADIES THEY TALK ABOUT.” Glenda Farrell has created a new role for the screen in “Tho Mystery of the Wax Museum,” a Warner Bros, mystery thriller which commences at tho Kosy Theatre to-night with “Ladies They Talk About.” It is. a female counterpart of the sophisticated, hard-boiled, wise-cracking reporter of “The Front Pago” and “Doctor X.” “The Alystory of the Wax Aluscuni” brings Miss Farrell into a leading .feminine role in an all-star cast which includes Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray and Frank AlcHugh. Barbara Stanwyck is the star of a most unusual picture, “Ladies They Talk About,” the second feature on the programme, The picture is based on the actual prison experiences of Dorothy Mackaye, tho actress, who was sentenced to tho institution after the violent death of her husband. Aliss Alackaye, since released, remarried and playing on the stage, is tho co-author of the play with Carlton Aides, from which play, the picturo was adapted by Sidney Sutherland and Brown Holmes. STATE THEATRE. “THE CAT’S PAW.” “The. Cat’s Paw,” which opens at the State Theatro to-night, is the original title of the Clarence Budington Kelland novel, which supplied the plot for tho first comedy Harold Lloyd has brought to the screen in two years. Like tho main points of tho Kelland story, Lloyd decided to retain tho original title, for it conveys definitely tho part lie portrays in tho picturo. Lloyd appears first in “The Cat’s Paw” as the son of an American missionary, who has spent virtually all his life with his father in tho interior of China. At 27, his folk fool it is time for him to return to his native land, and seek himself a wife. Ho thus is thrown into the maelstrom of life in an American city of 400,000 at first like a fish out of water. He unknowingly becomes the tool of unscnqelous politicians, but, when ho becomes mayor of the city, through accident, ho tries to apply Chinese philosophy to his operations of tho government. Ho refuses to become “Tho Cat’s Paw” of the defeated gang, and, in turn,. they frame him. How he extricates himself from an unenviable position, forms tho basis of the finest story , the comedian has ever filmed, and carries an audience through a sweeping change of comedy, 1 drama and thrilling adventure. In his efforts to clean up tho town, ho has tho caustic support of a cigar counter girl, played by Una Alerkel, and a loveable political rogue, portrayed by George Barbicr. Neither has ever given a finer performance nor been cast in a more acceptable part. Others in support arc Nat Pendleton, Graco Bradley, Alan Dinehart, Grant Alitchcll, Fred Warren, Warren Hymcr,, J. Farrell AlcDonald, James Donlan, Echvin Maxwell, Frank Sheridan, Fuzzy Knight and Vince Barnett. Tho first part of the programme consists of the usual superlative State featurettes. OPERA HOUSE. “GAIETIES OF 1934.”

With big Frank Perrin who tips Hie scales at nearly 20 stone and Ted Stanley, the midget comedian, a mere jockeyweight, heading the male comedians in the entertainment provided by Stanley AlcKny’s International Vaudeville and Revue Co., “The Gaieties of 1934,” the theatregoing public will be given a riot of entertainment in totally different styles of comedy. Perrin is an English comedian of high repute and the little chap is equally welt known in America where he played in pantomime and musical comedy shows. Noll Fleming is the principal comedienne and she also conics from tho London music halls and is ably backed up by Dorothy Arnold, a pretty and pleasing soubrotte. Of singers, male and female, the company is strong and supported by a beauty ballet, makes each number a real musical comedy presentation; but it is m the specialty acts that Stanley AlcKay’s company is superior in every way to anything seen in Now Zealand for many years. The numbers include, Trampo, a man who prefers to sleep on a clothes line to going to bed like an ordinary mortal, and amuses tho audience with the dexterity with which he juggles the clothes line garments, as a conjuror would clubs and plates. The Three Alexanders have international fame, and positively astound the onlooker vvith thenintrepid physical sets.* The Yodelling Newtons bring tho Tyrolean Alps close up for your vision and it is said of this troupe, in this particular branch of singing, nothing so clear and good has ever before been hoard hero. Willi clover clowns, Dickens’ sketches, violin solos, Adagio dancing and many other turns, this conmanv will entertain at tne Opeia House on Monday and Tuesday nights, and on Tuesday afternoon, an after-school pantomime, a “Once Upon a Time will be staged, at which schoolchildren will be admitted for only sixpence. The management has wisely kept the admission down to the very lowest possible. The box plans may be seen at the Central Booking Office.

PALACE THEATRE. “LILIES OF~THE FIELD.” To-night marks tho commencement of a particularly fino picturo at the Palace Theatre, entitled “Lillies of the Field.” This film is a comedy romance which is absolutely refreshing with its sparkling wit and extremely humorous situations. In this charming film adaptation of John Hastings Turner’s clever story, tho beautiful and talented English Star, Winifred Shottcr, is at her best as an English country vicar’s daughter, who turns Early Victorian in order to captivate a young and handsome export on antiques. The management of tho theatre publishes a recommendation in this issue that tho film is one of the finest that they have ever presented. Tho story shows how tho schemes of a country vicar’s daughter to attract the notice of a young collector of antiques wont further than tho daughter intended, and then the vicar and his wife approved, and created a sensation in London, ro-ostablishing a vogue in Victorian dross, furnishings and manners. Tho vicar has twin daughters, both of modern disposition, and eager for a change for London life. The vicar is a stickler foT conventions and traditional conduct. The arrival o£ tho modernistic mother of'the vicar’s wife leads an arrangement being made to decide which of the twins shall accompany tho grandmother to London. The vicar is expecting a visit from Anthony Bushel, an antiquary, who wishes to inspect tho old church. It is arranged—despite the protests of tho vicar, who is silenced effectively by the modernistic grandmother—that whichever of the twins makes the greatest impression on tho visitor shall go to Lon don. Tho twins overhear, and accept the position. They toss to see who shall enter first. Judy Gunn enters and takes tho visitor round tho garden. Meanwhile Winifred Shotter dons Victorian gowns and Victorian ways, and calls her parents primly “Papa” and “Mama.” The young antiquary is duly impressed, and off to London with “grandmama” goes Winifred, who carries out her Victorian ways almost to tho last. “SIGN OF THE CROSS.” ’ Tho City Band was indeed fortunate in being able to secure a picture of the calibre of “Sign of tho Cross” for the special screening at the Palace Theatre tomorrow evening in support of their queen candidate. This production has a cast. . of 7500 headed by Fredric Alarch, Elissa Landi, Charles Laughton and Claudette Colbert. Some of the scenes arc nothing short of stupendous. Tho burning of Romo, the dissolute court of Nero, the Roman holiday in tho Circus Alamimus gladiatorial combats, Nubian lions, persecution of Christians, a kaleidoscopic background for the glorious lovo of Mercia, the Christian maid and Alarcus Supcrbus, Prefect of Rome, who finds happiness alone in the Faith that was just beginning to sweep the world. A truly spectacular setting for tho presentation of the religious history of tho early Christians. REGENT THEATRE. “THE AFFAIRS OF CELLINI.” The world’s greatest lover, liar, . goldsmith,- and all-round rogue! That is the intriguing personage portrayed .by Fredric March in the title role of “The Affairs of Cellini,” which commences at the Regent Theatre to-night. He is co-starred with Constance Bennett. . Although specimens of tho fiery Florentine’s work as an artist in precious metals are * still visible in tho leading art museums,of the world today—the hearts of fair ladies he moulded to his will arc dust these many centuries—wo must take the word of the irresistible rascal who, in his amazing and candid autobiography, modestly admitted that he had a way with women far and away above the way of all other men. The love .exploits of Don Juan, Casanova, and other famous heartbreakers pale to mere pcccadillocs beside the elaborate amorous escapades claimed by this incomparable braggart. The film comedy deals specifically with Cellini’s affair. with .the beautiful Duchess of Florence, edv deals specifically with Cellini’s affair with the beautiful Dueliess of Florence, and his impassioned pursuit of his exquisite, but stupid, model Angela, portrayed by Fay Wray. Frank Aiorgan reenacts the role of the famous, philandering Duke. Tho story opens with tho fatuous henpecked old Duke of Florence deciding to hang Cellini for Ins . latest offence. He becomes intrigued with the lovely model, Angela, and lias. her carried off to the summer palace. The Duchess comes to investigate the notorious lover, Cellini, at first hand, and arranges a rendezvous for that evening, also at the summer palace. Events thereafter become very involved, intrigues, jealousies, and misunderstandings .creating remarkable situations, all ot which conclude with a poetic ending satisfying lo all. I here is also a most entertaining supporting programme, stated to bo the best yet presented by the Regent. There are three subjects all in colour. First Walt Disney’s “The W isc Little Hen,” blaze of music, comedy and colour. Then “Beauty Secrets of Holywood,” a delightful novelty, and nuaffy “Organlogue—A Bouquet of Roses. Ihe programme is nicely rounded off with the latest nows events, etc.

THE GRENADIER GUARDS. The advent of the Grenadier Guard? Band, under the direction of Messrs J and N. Tait at the Show Grounds on Saturday afternoon and evening, December 15th, is being awaited with great interest. By special perniisijion of his Majesty the King, the meet iatnous regimental band of °the United, Kingdom ie touring Now Zealand under the auspices of the Commonwealth Government and tho New Zealand Government, the musical director being Major G. Miller, M.8.K., whose name is a distinguished one ill the musical world of Great Britain. When the Grenadier Guards Band arrived in Melbourne it was met by the largest crowd ever known to assemble at the railway station. It is estimated that over 150,000 persons blocked the roadway so completely, as tho bandsmen marched from the station to the I own Hall, that on occasions the mounted troopers had great difficulty in clearing a path for them. Resplendent in scarlet and gold and huge bear-skin caps, their appearance in Australia was, it is said, an inspiring spectacle. The brilliant uniform of the guards, their perfect alignment, swinging, long striding style of inarching, and the heady intoxication of Their'playing whipped the Australian people into a foam of enthusiasm. At every performance in Sydney and Melbourne the Grenadier Guards Band played to record audiences. Every man in the band is a master of his instrument and the glowing ensemble is directed by Major G. Miller, whose high position has been won after long and arduous service. The Guards Band is a fully organised body designed to inspire the British world with the courage, loyalty and devotion to ideal causes for which the nation is famed. The programme to be presented here by the Grenadier Guards will be popular, stimulating and good.