ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 302, 19 November 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “CURLY TOP.” “Curly Top,” Shirley Temple’s bright and tuneful now pictures is now showing to capacity houses at the State Theatre. To the millions who have come to expect the utmost in cinema entertainment from this dimpled darling, the new picture brings new thrills in dancing, songs, laughter and sheer fun. Beyond all comparison “Curly Top” is Shirley Temple’s greatest picture. It has five now songs, all with the magical melody touch of Ray Henderson; a number of intriguing new Jack Donohue dance routines, including the sensational ropeskipping dance episode; a sterling supporting cast and a thrilling romantic story about /which all of the film’s varied activities centre. Against the colourful musical background which Fox has provided, “Curly lop” tells the fascinating story of tho curly-headed waif who brings happiness and romance to tho millionaire step father who befriends her. From the opening scenes in the orphanage where Shirley and her pets, a pony and a duck, arc perpetually getting into mischief, the picture quickly flashes to the Southampton home of John Boles, the millionaire who takes the little girl away from the stern domination of the orphanage. Accompanying Shirley is her older sister, lovely Rochelle Hudson. And while Shirley is stealing her way into the hearts of society’s blucbloods. Miss Hudson is winning the affection of John Boles. Shirley’s two songs, “When I Grow Up” and “Animal Crackers in My Soup,” are the highspots of the song programme. But John Boles gives his usual excellent rendition of two more numbers, and Miss Hudson surprises with an excellent voice in the first number she has ever sung for the screen. For all sessions box are now on view at the theatre and patrons are urged to reserve early for this stupendous attraction. MELBOURNE CUR

The management of the State Theatre take pleasure in announcing that they have procured a special film of the 1935 Melbourne Cup, now screening at the State Theatre. In view of the fact that Keith Voitre, the local rider, rode Marabou to a sensational victory in Australasia’s greatest Turf classic, local race tans are assured of a real thrill as our own New Zealand boy flashes past tho post to win his greatest race. REGENT THEATRE. “NO MORE LADIES.” An array of stars, plus a sophisticated story triumphantly tested first on Broadway, plus the important factors covered by “production value,” equals “No More Ladies,” Irving Thalberg’s new production for Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer, screening tonight at the Regent Theatre. Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery are costarred, beading a cast which includes Charlie Ruggles, Franehot Tone and Edna May Oliver. The co-stars wore last seen together in “Forosaking All Others,” and in “Lctty Lynton.” The new CrawfordMoiitgoincry vehicle is based on the stage hit by A. E. Thomas, which completed a Jong run on Broadway and was hailed by critics and public alike as the most sparkling romantic comedy ot recent seasons. The screen story stays close to the original, retaining all the comedy situations and bright dialogue that .characterised the play. The picture opens with a whirlwind romance between i\iareia (Joan Crawford) and Sherry (Robert Montgomery) and maintains a rapid-moving tempo until the final fade-out. Marcia is a lighthearted but level-headed society girl whose love for Sherry, an incorrigible heartbreaker, is such that the submits to wedding bolls well within the first reel. It is then that the picture settles down to revealing the problems that accumulate behind the glamorous exterior of the toopopular young Bark Avenue couple. Meantime, into the story have walked such truelife characters as Fanny, Marcia’s salty maiden aunt (Edna May Oliver) ; Jim, who wants 10 save Iter from Iter husband (Francliot Tone) ; Edgar, a thorn in the side of organised society (Charlie Ruggles): and Thcrese, the night club singer (Gail Patrick). Tlie final scene comes when Marcia, in revolt against Sherry wlto has neglected her, invites all Sherry’s former women friends with their ill-assorted husbands, to their country homo. The ensuing party, with its surprising consequences, carries the story to a triumphant finale.

KOSY THEATRE

THE IRISH IN US.”

Warner Bros.* latest comedy drama “The Irish In Üb” ■which presents James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Frank McHugh and Olivia de Havilland at the head of an unusually popular supporting cast, is being finally screened at tho Kosy Theatre to-night. “THE GLASS KEY.” Datshicll Hammett’s “The Glass Key,” a worthy successor to his phenomenally popular “The Thin Alan,” is at the Kosy Theatre to-morrow. With George Raft m the starring role and Edward Arnold, Claire Dodd, Rosalind Keith and Charles Uichnian featured, the picture finds an ingenious solution to a murder that threatens to blow up the political structure of a big city. Edward Arnold, the city’s political boss, is supporting Charles Uichman for a senatorial post when the latter’s son is killed. Rumour lays the responsibility for the murder at Arnold’s door. Arnold is in the throes of an autumnal love for tho boy’s sister; the boy hats jilted Arnold’s own daughter, and witnesses are ready to testify that the two were seen arguing. Only Raft, Arnold’s trusted friend and henchman, believes in the politician’s innocence. To find the murderer, Raft pretends to co-operate with Arnold’s enemies, is caught and subjected to fiendish torture. He escapes without solving the murder. Then, just as he is about to give up the pursuit as a bad job, ho stumbles on the clue that leads to the person least suspected. Tho climax of the film shows how Raft traps the criminal into a confession, clears Arnold and wins the love of his daughter. Frank Tuttle directed the picture, which ako features Guinn Williams and Tammany Young. “READY FOR LOVE.”

Richard Arlcn and the young English actress, Ida Lupino, will be seen in the new Paramount picture, “Ready for Love, also at the Kcsy Theatre to-morrow. Supporting the two young stars is Marjorie Rambeau, one of America’s stage anu sei ten’s best-known character actresses. “Ready for Love” tells the story of a girl who unwittingly loses her reputation. Instead of being overcome by the apparent disaster, she turns it to her advantage. She Is headstrong, gay and likeable, but she refuses to allow a bad name to interfcic with her activities. Even the young editor of the local paper plays up the scandal in which she appeara as the central figure until he falls in love with' her. Then he is forced to change his attack and instead oi fighting against her, he rallies to her defence. Ida Lupino plays the girl who sulteis the scorn of gossips, endures the shame ol a bad name until her ability to laugh m the face of trouble enables her to come out on top. Richard Arlcn is cast as the editor who makes the most of a scandal until he is forced to cat his own words. In addition to Marjorie Rambeau, the supporting cast includes Beulah Bondi and Esther Howard. “Ready for Love” was directed bv Marion Goring. j