ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 234, 31 August 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “RUGGLES OF RED GAP.” With Charles Laughton, eminent English aclor, in tlie tide role, “Haggles of Red Gap,” Harry Leon Wilson's liunous story ol society in liic backwoods of America during the rollicking 1900’s, conics for Paramount Week to Palmerston North to-day. The picture features Laughton with an all-star comedy cast, including Mary Boland. Charlie Buggies, Roland Young and Zasu Pitts, lie is seen in the ludicrous tale of the perfect butler, won in a poker game and taken to a small Western town to create a furore among the socialites. The picture opens in London where “Buggies” changes masters as the result of an all-night poker session. On his first day with his new —and democratic—master, “Buggies” stalls out to show him die picture galleries and winds up on a drunken spree. Taken to Bod Gap, U.S.A., he is introduced to local society as Colonel Buggies of the English Army. The butler becomes so infused with the democratic spirit himself that ho loses his old feeling of servility and starts out on a career of his own. The comic effects of Bed Gap society when “Buggies” begins courting the town’s leading widow and setting himself up in business as a restaurauteur are brought to a happy conclusion when he achieves both ambitions. Laughton, round, jovial and plump, renders an inspired performance in the comic role of this favourite of all butlers, and the balance of the cast malcli him, laugh for laugh in the incredibly Ix3llllo sequences. Maude Eburnc and Loota Lorraine, a newcomer, prove agreeable surprises in minor characterisations. Credit for a fine job of direction goes to Leo McCarey, dean of Hollywood comedy directors. Charles Laughton was 29 before he made his first appearance on the stage in London. Ho progressed very rapidly, however, to win recognition as one of the greatest actors on the English-speaking stage and screen, and in 19oi Motion Picture Academy Award for bis portrayal of the title role in “The Private Lile of Henry VIII.”

KOSY THEATRE. “IT'S A BET.” A new comedy of quite a different lyiic, opens to-night at the Kosy Theatre, is “It's a Bet,” made by 8.1.[\, at the Elstreo studios, under the direction of Alexander Eswuy. The star of the picture is Gene Gerrard and opposite him is JJelen Chandler, the popular litllo American slar, while other leading roles are filled by Judy Kelly, Allen Vincent, Nadine March, Alf. Goddard, Frank Staninoro, Jimmy Godden, Violet FarcbrotJicr, Ellen Pollock and Dudley Rolph. It is a fast-moving comedy played against a background of numerous English beauty stalls, and tells how, for a bet, Gene Gorlard promises to disappear for a month. When a national newspaper cifers £IOOO reward for bis capture, hiding becomes difficult, and the hero is kept constantly on the move from one part of the country to another. Jle does, however, in between bis many thrilling and amusing hairbreadth escapes, manage to meet and fall in love with a charming girl (played by Helen Chandler), and it is only with her assistance and encouragement that he finally manages to win his bet. This film is full of unexpected twists and has laughs and thrills galore, with the added attraction of some of the most beautiful shots yet seen on the screen of the English countryside. “WHILE THE PATIENT SLEPT.”

Miguon G. Eberbart’s “While the Patient Slept” lias its local premiere at the Kosy Tlioutre 10-niglit. it is hard to say whether laughs or thrills predominate, there are so many of them. But one thing is certain, thu team of Aline. MacMahun and Guy Kibbee lias scored again. Beginning with “The Merry brinks” and continuing through “Big Hearted Herbert” and “Babbitt,” Miss MacMalion and Kibbee have proceeded from one triumph to another. Now, Miss MacMalion brings to the screen Nurse Sarah Keate, the most remarkable character in ail detective fiction and the favourite sleuth of millions of mystery story readers. Nurse lveato iias a cool head, a kind heart atid a sense of humour, all three of which she tries to bide under a mark of cynicism. She lias a biller tongue, particularly where men arc concerned, and Miss MacMalion, whoso characterisations are among the most outstanding on the screen, iias created a role that grips the imagination of all who sec Nurse Keate in this remarkable drama. Thrill upon thrill, horror upon horror, mystery upon mystery, follow in rapid succession as the plot unfolds. But in addition there are so many. ridiculous situations, so much subtle humour, and so much action that the giggles almost overbalance the shivers. And to cap the climax, there is Guy Kibbee in the role of a small town detective. as bungling in Iris professional activities as lie is in the wooing of acrimonious Miss MacMalion. But, for tho first time hi many a picture, Guy finally wins the lady. The story is that of the kinfolk of a rich recluse. All hate each other, and the recluse as well. But when they hear 110 is iU, they rush to his home hoping in some, way to get in on the division of the spoils. While an aged man lies dying, two murders occur in tho house, flow aro these murders solved '!

STATE THEATRE. “D’YE KEN JOHN PEEL I” “D’yo Ken John Peel?” the British Dominions release, ,which opens at the State Theatre to-night, is a fox-hunting story of the olden days, inspired by the wellknown ballad. For the purposes of authenticity, first-hand scenes of hunting with celebrated packs were used in tho filming of this picture. The script for “D’ye Ken John Peel f” which is a Julius Hagen production, was written by 11. Fowler Mear, who was responsible for the adaptation of “Bella. Donna.” The screen story was based on the original narrative by Charles Cullum, and stars John Garrick and Winifred Shotter with a strong all-British cast of particular interest. John Stuart, the popular and versatile young British actor who plays a prominent role in tho picture, lias played many widely-differing parts, but never lias lie appeared in a more venturesome rolo or worn a more fascinating make-up than as Captain Moonlight in this story of English hunting lite. In one sequence 110 wears a remarkably dashing military outfit as an officer in His Majesty’s uniform about the tiino of Wellington. John has a “Fan Club” which is the largest in existence. His success in pictures seems to spring largely from the fact that he is absolutely natural. Incidentally, he is contemplating a stage appearance opposite Dorothy Boucher. John is seen in tragic situations in “D’yo Ken John Peel?” Apart from the drama of the story, Julius Hagen, who is himself a great lover of Nature, has gone right out to present wonderful shots of English country life, of hunting and sport. One of the highlights of the film is the fine old mansion, one of England’s stuteiiest homes, which forms a background to the story. Musical numbers in “D’ye Ken John Peel?” include: “A Soldier’s Toast,” “The Twenty-third Regiment,” sung by John Garrick and chorus; “Vivandiorc,” sung by Mary Lawson and chorus; “Tho Wine is Flowing Strong,” by John Stuart and chorus; “Drink To Me Only,” by John Garrick and Orphoum Singers; “Golden Slumber,” by the Orphoum Singers; “Nature’s Lullaby,” by Winifred Shotter; “D’yo Ken John Peel?” by John Garrick and hunting chorus; the world-famous monologue, “Sam, Pick Up Thy Musket,” by Stanley Holloway. An excellent supporting prograrnmo includes newsreels, comedy, etc.; also at tho matinee only episode 7 of the thrilling serial “Bustlers of Bed Dog.”