Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “THE INFORMER.” Reaching supreme heights in characterisation and in strength of emotional appeal, RKO-Radio’s “The Informer,” now screening at the State Theatre. ranks as one of the most powerful dramas ever brought to tho screen. Superbly enacted by a brilliant cast, the picture, under the direction geniu3 of John Ford, brings to vivid, unforgettable life the characters and scenes of Liam O’Flahcrty’s widely-read and much-discussed novel. Here, indeed, is drama; stark and '-eal; poignantly human. In the role of “The Informer,” William McLaglen reaches even greater heights than those to which ho attained with his universally praised performance in “The Lost Patrol.” A brilliant addition to the roster of Hollywood talent is Margot Grahanie, blonde star of the English stage and cinema. She gives a magnificent performance as a woman who clings to her man through storm and strife. Other sterling performances are contributed by Preston Foster, Heather Angel, AVallaco Ford, Una O’Connor, J. M. Kerrigan, and Donald Aleck. Against tho colourful background of Dublin, Ireland, the picture has the troubled years just after the World War as its period. AVith the 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. AA’ith £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 his 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 tho attraction between McLaglen and Miss Grahanie. “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 tile screening of “Our Little Girl,” a huge Shirley Temple birthday paity will be held. A gigantic 801 b birthday cake lias been ordered and every child attending this special session will receive a slice of this cako, together with a coloured paper hat. Tho 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.

REGENT THEATRE. “ONE NEW YORK NIGHT.” The scene of “One New A r ork Night,” which commences at the Regent Theatre to-night, is a great modern hotel in (ho American metropolis. The story tells how Foxhall Ridgeway (Franchot Tone), u wealthy Western rancher, frankly in search of a wife, eventually finds one in Phoebe (Una Arerkel), the attractive switchboard operator. Carlisle (Henry Kolkev), a crooked financier, and bis confederate. Kent (Conrad Nagel) are extorting monev from the _ Countess BrnussilofT (Steffi Dima). AATiilo she is in Carlisle room, he is murdered —no great loss, but a mystery which takes much solving. In her haste to ouit 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 l’hoebe. 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. AA'hile searching the corpse ho is assaulted by an unknown man, knocked on the head, and bound. I’boebe releases him. The only clue lo 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. AA’hile talking to her through a window they see the body, which has again been spirted away, being lowered to the basement. On his way to investigate Foxhall encounters Kent. There is one button missing from bis 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, which includes In its cast Harvey Stevens, Louise Henry, Tommy Dugan, and Harold Huber, is supported by an excellent programme of featurettes and news.

KOSY THEATRE. “MeFADDEN’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 “McFaddon’s Flats,” to-night to the Kosy Theatre with Walter C. Kelly, “The Virginia Judge” of American vaudeville and radio fame, in the leading role. Andy Clyde, popular screen comedian is cast as tins Scotsman and the friendly enemy is Kelly, who has risen from hod-carrier to the builder of the grand new McFaddcn tenements. When MeFadden’s project is faced with ruin, Clyde comes to his aid secretly. But, Clyde arid 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, ho is wealthy, Kelly sends his daughter off to finishing school to acquire the manners of a lady. When the girl returns completely changed it seems as though the romance is broken and there will be a breach between the families. But all turns out happily in the end with the two ancient enemies united and happy in the engagement of their respective offspring. Jane Darwoll, George Barber and Howard Wilson are prominently featured in the supporting east of “MeFadden’s Flats.” ’’LEGONG.” Many funny stories have come out of the situation in which an actress and an actor refused to speak with one another except when acting their parts. A now twist to this familiar story idea was found during the filming of “Legong,” the all-tcelmicolour romance released by Paramount, is also screening at the Kosy Theatre to-night. “Legong,” which deals with primitive romance on the beautiful isle of Bali, was produced with an gii-iuuivc cast. The. two young principal players in the picture were of different castes, and herein lies the story. Poutou, the beautiful female lead in the picture, was of high caste stock. Nyong, the handsome male lead with whom Poutou fell in love, was of a lower caste. Because of the. difference in social standing, Poutou at first would not condescend to speak with her screen lover, and lie did not daro to speak to her. So, when intimate scenes were made between the two, Poutou spoko her own high caste language, and Nyong spoko his own low casto 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, the barriers were soon overthrown. By the time the film was completed Poutou and Nyong wore 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 bo bold at the Kosy on Saturday morning at 10.15.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19350926.2.36

Bibliographic details

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 3

Word Count
1,258

ENTERTAINMENTS Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 3