ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 68, 16 February 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “EVELYN PRENTICE.” William Powell and Myrna Loy, who. . teamed in photoplays of the mystery type, n have won immense popularity in varied 1 forme of this drama, are reunited on one ' entirely different from anything they have f done : .n the past in -‘Evelyn Prentice,” > vivid production which comes to the Regent c Theatre to-night. This time, as in “The t Tliin -Man,” they again play husband and < wife, but this time both are enmeshed in 1 an amazing problem, worked out in one ) of the most dramatic courtroom scenes presented on the .screen in many a • month. It is the drama work of a great criminal attorney, who, i through an amazing trick of fate, finds his J own. wife enmeshed in. the tangled maze « of motives and evidence in which ho is 1 struggling to save a woman’s life. Based 1 oil W. E. Woodward’s novel, and directed < by William K. Howard, it was given lav.sli j presentation at the Mctro-Ooklwyn-Mayer ' studies. Powell plftys the amazingly clever « criminal attorney whose feats before a 1 jury and* whose brilliant coups make him a legal sensation. AJi-ss Loy plays the society wife, who, through a mis-step, finds - herself linked to a murder ease in which 1 her husband is defending another woman. ■ Suspense runs high, and an amazing denouement solves the mystery with a sur. I prise to tlic audience, as a twist of evi- ! 1 deuce gives the sensational ease an entirely new aspect. Thrills and comedy, mys;cry and suspense, keep a rapid fire sue- . cession in the' fast-moving drama. Comedy is aided by Edward Brophy, as Delaney, the comical special investigator. Harvey Stephens as Kermard, the Greenwich village playboy, provides a new type of genteel “heavy.” Rosiland Russell, New York stage star, plays an effective “vainu” as Nancy, ami the tragic, beleaguered blonde defendant in the murder trial, is played by Isabel Jewell, who lays aside comedy roles to prove herself an adept mistress, nf a tragic portrayal. Little Cora .Sue Colons, as the child of l’owcll and Miss Loy, adds to laurels already won in “Queen Christina” and the rest ol the cast is equally well chosen. The dramatic highlights include the attempt of the gigolo to blackmail tbe heroine, the gripping murder sequence, the search for hidden evidence to clear the defendant in the strange maze of circumstantial testimony, and the amazing duel of wits between Powell and the District Attorney. STATE THEATRE. “THE GAY DIVORCEE.” For sheer novelty, sensational spectacles and peals of laughter, “The Gay Divorcee” rates tiic gratitude of all moviegoers. It opens at (lie State Theatre to-night. Many a day has passed since’ Hollywood producers have leleased such a thoroughly hilarious story of romantic complications; and many a year has gone into obJ.vion sinco movieland lias produced, as this picture dees, musical spectacles so intriguing and interesting. It is a new triumph for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, while the comedy work of Alice Brady, challenging that of Edward Everett Horten, who plays opposite her, is a revelation. Astaire again proves himself to be a welcome new screen type, a romantic light comedian with bound.ess charm, nonchalance and whimsicality. Miss Rogers is excellent, even amazing, in her dances with Astaire, in which she rivals the grace of this man who danced his way into the hearts of New Yorkers and Londoners. They introduce a new dance, called “'lho Continental” that is seemingly more provocative than their former success, '"lho Carioca.” Others in the cast include Erik Rhodes and Eric Bloro . who repeat the same roles they enacted in the stage success from which the film was adapted. The film’s musical numbers are credited to five noted composers, Cole Porter, who wrote the music and lyrics for the play; Mack I Gordon and Harry Revel and Con Cotii cord and Herb Magidson. The song hits are (“Night and Day,” “The Continental,” “Needle in a Haystack” and “Let’s Knock I Kneez.” Mark Bandrich directed. Dave Gould staged the brilliant ensembles featuring 50 girls anti 50 boys. .A specially selected supporting programme includes the second series of “Dumped .Letters,” Bathe News, also Fox Aussie News containing scenes of Archbishop Redwood’s funeral, shewing the venerable prelate in the last picture before his death, also scenes at the gravesido in Wellington. Another item of interest is the final of the Australian Centenary tennis championships, Jack Crawford v. Fred Ferry, Dorothy Round v. Nancy Lyle, Crawford and McGrath v. l’crry and Hughes.

KOSY THEATRE. “RETURN OF THE TERROR.” “The Return cf the Terror,” commencing to-night at the Ivosy Theatre, is. a murder mystery of a now and refreshing lype. Adapted frem Edgar Wallace s ( famous book “The Terror,” it carries on : in a striking manner the story of t be career of Dr Redmavne, and toils of t.io exposure of a colossal and almost successful plot. The picture opens with the trial of Dr Rcdmauyc (John IJalliday) for the murder of patients in his sanitoriuni. ’File doctor’s lawyer (Irving Picked), on the advice of his colleague, Dr Goodman (Lylo Talbot), enters a plea of insanity in order to gain time. It is accepted, and Dr Rodmaync is incarcerated in ail asylum. lie escapes, and in and about the sanitorimn on a wild and stormy night are congregated a queer collection of people. The supposed maniac tilts about among the patients, hunted by Dr Goodman, two strange and suspicious chavactors (Robert Barrat and. George LStone), a dope-ridden doctor’s assistant (Frank Rcieber), Dr Redmayne's fiancee (Mary Astor), a newspaper reporter (Frank McHugh), a pretty nurse (Renee Whitney), a detective (Robert O’Connor) and a squad of very ellieieut, State troopers. During the hunt there are three more murders, with suspicion being thrown even stronger on Dr Redniayne. llcw his name is at last cleared and. how the real malefactors are brought to book forms the scilicet of a most intricate and entertaining story which is made s.rill more engrossing , by fine camera work and by the convincing acting of all concerned. John llal iday handles his difficult part m masterly fashion, and is well supported by Lyle Talbot and by the beautiful and appealing Mary Astor. Most of the humour is provided by Frank McHugh. The supporting programme, which includes a travelogue, a cartoon, and a “Believe or Not’ novelty and the fourth chapter of the exciting W estorn serial Buck Jones in “Red Ruler is excellent. A short feature ct about ten minutes, entitled “Better Badminton,” is most interesting and nistruelive, and a burlesque band number is one of the finest of its kind ever scon here.