ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “SANDERS OF THE RIVER.” “Sanders of the River,” an Edgar Wal*aco. African story, will be finally screened to-night at the Regent Theatre. “ONE NEW YORK NIGHT.” Tiio scone of “One New York Night,” which commences at the Regent Thca*ro to-morrow, is a groat modern hotel in the American metropolis. The story tolls how Foxhall Ridgeway (Franqhot Tone), a wealthy Western rancher, frankly in search of a wife, eventually finds one in Phoebe (Una Merkel), the attractive switchboard operator. Carlisle (Henry Kolker), a crooked financier, and his confederate, Kent (Conrad Nagel) are extorting money from the. Countess BroussilofT (Steffi Duna). While she is in Carlisle room, he is murdered—no great loss, but a mystery which takes much solving. In her haste to quit the apartment the countess loses her diamond bracelet, a love gift from her fiancee, George (Charles Starrett). Foxhall discovers the body, and goes for the manager. On their return Kent assures them there is nobody in the room, and when they search they find Phoebe. She has gone there to retrieve the lost bracelet. The body is gone. _ But later Foxhall is amazed to find it in his own trunk. While searching the corpse he is assaulted by an unknown man, knocked on the iiead, and bound. Phoebe releases him. The only clue to his assailant is a dinnerjacket button detached from the aggressor’s suit in the midnight scuffle. Foxhall is now finding Phoebe a valuable ally—and a charming friend. While talking to her through a window they see the body, which lias again been spirted away, being lowered to the basement. On his way to investigate Foxhall encounters Kent. There is one button missing from his dinner jacket. Foxhall taxes him with the murder, and after some palaver knocks him down and recovers the bracelet. Ho slips it to Phoebe and she restores it to its greatly-gratified owner. Then the two lovers depart on a honeymoon in the West. This attractive romance, lAvhich includes in its cast Harvey Stcvcirt, Louise Henry, Tommy Dugan, and Harold Huber, is supported by an excellent programme of featurettes and news.

KOSY THEATRE. “McFADDEN’S FLATS.” A human, down-to-earth and robustly humorous story of a self-made Irishman and a Scotsman who were the best of enemies, Paramount’s “McFadden’s Flats,” comes to-night to the Kosv Theatre with Walter C. Kelly, “The Virginia Judge” of American vaudeville and radio fame, in the leading role. Andy Clyde, popular screen comedian, is east as the Scotsman and the friendly enemy is Kelly, who has risen from hod-carrier to the builder of the

grand now McFaddcn tenements. When McFadden’s project is faced with ruin, Clydo comes to his aid secretly. But Clyde and his unconscious beneficiary still carry on the old feud although their youngsters, Richard Cromwell and Betty Furness, arc romantically inclined about each other. Under the illusion that, be is wealthy, Kelly sends his daughter off to finishing school to acquiro tho manners of a lady. When the girl returns completely changed it seems as though the romance is broken and there will bo a breach between tho families. But all turns out happily in the end with tho two ancient enemies united and happy in the engagement of their respective offspring. Jane Darwoll, George Barber and Howard Wilson arc prominently featured in tho supporting cast of “McFaddcn’s Flats.” ’’LEGONG.” Many funny stories have come out of tho situation in which an actress and an actor refused to speak with one another except when acting their parts. A new twist to this familiar story idea was found during the filming of “Legong,” the all-tcchnicolour romance released by Paramount for screening at the Kosy Theatre to-night. “Legong,” which deals with primitive romance on the beautiful isle of Bali, was produced with an ali-nativo cast. The two young principal players in the picture were of different castes, and herein lies the story. Poutou, the beautiful female lead in tho picture, was of' high caste stock. Nyong, the handsome male lead with whom Poutou fell in love, was of a lower caste. Because of tho difference in social standing, Poutou at first would not condescend to speak with tier screen lover, and he did not dare to speak to her. So, when intimate scenes were made between the two, Poutou spoke her own high caste language, and Nyong spoke his own low caste language. Although they understood one another perfectly, they each feigned deafness to the other’s language. The picture was many days in the making, and although the caste complications were evident in the beginning, tho barriers were soon overthrown. By the time the film was completed .Poutou and Nyong were friendly regardless of the difference in their castes. “Legong” is a. native word, meaning “The Dance of the Virgins.” A special Mickey Mouse birthday party will be held at the Kosy on Saturday morning at 10.15.

STATE THEATRE. “THE INFORMER.” Reaching supreme heights in characterisation and in strength of emotional appeal, RKO-Radio’s “The Informer,” which comes to-night to the .State Theatre, ranks as one of the most powerful dramas ever brought to the screen. Superbly enacted by brilliant cast, the picture, under the direction genius of .John Ford, brings to vivid, unforgettable life the characters and scenes of Liam O’Flaherty’s widely-read and much-discussed novel. Here, indeed, is drama; stark and real; poignantly human. In tho role of “The Informer,” William McLaglen reaches even greater heights than those to which he attained with his universally praised performance in “The Lost Patrol.” A brilliant addition to the roster of Hollywood talent is Margot Grahame, blonde star of the English stago and cinema. She gives a magnificent performance ns a woman who clings to her man through storm and strife. Other sterling performances are contributed by Preston Foster, Heather Angel, Wallace Ford, Una O’Ccnnor, J. M. Kerrigan, and Donald Meek. Against tho colourful background of Dublin, Ireland, the picture has the troubled years just after the World War as its period. With tho desire to get money for Katie Madden, his sweetheart, Gypo Nolan, a human derelict with the body of a giant “informs” on his hunted pal, Frankie McPhiilip, for a price. Frankie, refusing to be taken alive, is killed. With £2O in his pocket and his treachery on his conscience, Gypo becomes alternately tortured by fear, crazed by remorse, and exalted to drunken delusions of grandeur produced by li is ill-gotten “wealth.” And all the time the net of his doom closes about him. All of the story transpires in one action-packed night, giving the drama a cohesion all too seldom attained. Suspense builds swiftly as Gypo blunders through the fog shrouded night, mounting to a terrific climax. Comedy relief highlights the stark drama of the story, and romance between Preston Foster and Heather Angel affords strong contrast to the attraction between McLaglen and Miss Grahame. “The Informer”, is exceptional in its dramatic strength, so powerfully created by splendid production. It is an achievement the year’s films will find it hard to equal. SHIRLEY TEMPLE BIRTHDAY PARTY. There is a real treat in store for the children of Palmerston North at the State Theatre next Saturday morning, when, in conjunction with the screening of “Our Littfe Girl,” a huge Shirley Temple birthday party will be held. A gigantic 801 b birthday cake has been ordered and every child attending this special session will receive a slice of this cake, together with a coloured paper hat. The management has gone to considerable expense in ensuring that this session shall he a grand and gala one and parents who send their children to it may rest assured that they will have a really good time.