ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT.THEATRE. “THE LAST OUTPOST.” With “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” Paramount definitely proved the public s liking for rod-blooded, adventurous stories set in colourful corners of the earth. In “The Last Outpost,” -which will be shown to-night at the Regent Theatre, the same company has produced a worthy successor to “Bengal Lancer” and there is every indication that it will be equally popular with the public. Although entirely different in plot development, “'Hie Last Outpost” is strongly reminiscent in theme and treatment of “Bengal Lancer” for it deals with British military valour, daring i and chivalry ih savage parts of the world. Whereas, however, “Bengal Lancer” was (an all-male picture, this new production has the advantage of a heroine (Gertrude Michael) to give it romantic and feminine interest, though her presence does not detract in the least from the virile and thrilling action which tills almost every foot of the entertainment. “The Last Outpost” impresses immediately with its air of authenticity. Indeed, the character and career of the famous Lawrence of Arabia was obviously the inspiration of the rolo brilliantly played by Claude Rains. Ho is John Stevenson, a British secret service agent in ICurdistan, who saves the life of Captain Michael Andrews, of the armoured car division (Cary Grant), when the lattcr is captured by Turkish irregulars and about to bo shot. The two British officers then join forces to save an entire Armenian Balkari tribe, friendly to the British, from massacre by the Kurds, by taking men, women and children and cattle across . a flooded river to Mesopotamian mountains, at tho same time averting a surprise attack on the British army stationed there. The scene then shifts to Cairo, where a romantic side issue is introduced .by Gertrude Michael, as a nurse in a hospital to which Andrews has been sent with an injured leg, and with whom ho falls in love, not knowing her to he the wife of his comrade-in-arms. When Stevenson learns of this, his friendship for Andrews, tarns to hate and ho swears vengeance. Chance brings the two men togothi*- again, this time in an isolated fort in the Sudanese desert near the Abyssinian border, which hordes of fanatical tribesmen arc planning to attack. It is in this lonely outpost of- the Empire that the film reaches its thrilling climax and the strange human problem, involving' the conflict between love, friendship, and duty to country, is finally solved. The scenes of native warfare are particularly exciting and interesting, in view of current events in North Africa. The acting of tho principals captures perfectly the adventurous spirit of the story which is filmed throughout on a most spectacular and convincing scale; while the name of Colin Taplcy, the New Zealand actor, is prominent ii. the strong supporting cast.

STATE THEATRE. “STORMY WEATHER.” Another Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn story comes to life with “Stormy Weather,” a Gaumont-British picture based on a farce by - Ben Travers, in which the famous comedians appear with Yvonne Arnaud and Robertson Hare. It was released by Eox at the Slate Theatre before packed houses on Saturday. The picture, which is one full of piquant situations, intriguing scenes and sinister plots, holds the interest from the moment it opens in a Chinese dun until,it ends with a scene in which charming Yvoimu Arnaud is peering over the baluster, of her home watching an aspiring lover ill the person of Ralph Lynn being kicked down tho stairs by her husband. In . addition there is a sinister plot underlying the whole story; for Poiotski, a Russian villain, played by Andrews Engelntan, tries to blackmail Lady Duncan Graggs (Yvonne Arnaud) who had married him before she became a lady of fashion. She believed her first husband to he dead. Many delicious scenes between Sir Duncan Craggs (Tom Walls) and Ins wife Louise are laid in their sumptuous London home where the little lady queens it with irresistible charm. Tom Walls’ gift for being the domineering chief has full play in’ scenes in which as the Managing Director of a big business firm lie visits provincial branches to enquire mto their . methods. This part of the story takes us into some typical lingerie departments of ladies' shops, with pretty girls serving behind the counters and Sir Duncan makes his investigations under the clcak of a customer buying stockings. ’Two branch managers, of a successful and no-profit branch respectively, come under the lash of his tongue. 'They are Robertson Hare and Ralph Lynn, both of whom have full scope for characteristic comedy. In scenes also with Louise, Ralph Lynn’s gift of. playing, the goat leads him into many difficult situations in which Robertson Hare, as a blundering branch manager, also niays an amusing part. Cleverly tho picnire draws all the chief characters together in the exciting final scenes. These take place in a Chinese deri disguised as a laundry, where Sir Duncan gees to rescue, his wile. These scenes arc set in a most intriguing atmosphere of Oriental glamour and mystery where rogues congregate for ail kinds of sinister purposes. A police raid takes place giving some exciting glimpses of slinky Chinese figures and lovciy. ladies slipping round corners, pushing upstairs and crashing through trap doors in their haste to elude the arm of the law. Tom Walls' direction of this merry Ben Travers’, mirthquake is just right and the whole production goes with a snap and vim that mark it as first class entertainment. Laughable from beginning to end, it is a picture everyone should see. Aiso screening at the matimc only is chapter three of the new serial, “The Rearing West,” starring the popular Buck Jones. KOSY THEATRE. “BLONDIE JOHNSON.” In “Blondio Johnson,” a First National picture screening finally tonight at the Kosy Theatre, Joan Blonded appears in a different type of characterisation to anything she has played for tho screen before. As the brilliant and beautiful leader of a bigtime band of criminals she gets her man, or rather men, in more ways than one. Some she raises to power, only to dethrone according to her whim, while those that get in her way she eliminates with startling finality. “HOUSEWIFE.” Drama so real and so human that it appeals to every spectator in presented in “Housewife,” the Warner Bros, production which has its local premiere at the Kosy Theatre to-morrow with George Brent, Bette Davis and Ann Dvorak heading an all-star cast. The story by Robert Lord and Lillie Hayward concents the age old love triangle, but Warner Bros, have given tho theme new and novel treatment. The picture glorifies the woman of the home, for it is the wife, in this instance, who is the inspiration for her husband's success, and who, after she has made “her man,” stands by with an aching heart, the while ho makes love to a more flashy rival. Brent has the role of the husband with Mins Dvorak in the part of his wife and Miss Davis as the home wrecking siren. A former football hero hut now a cringing clerk, Brent is finally aroused by his wife into quitting his job and going on his own. His old spirit is revived and lie wins to success. After which Aliss Davis comes on the scene and tho two women, engage in a bitter battle for his love. The. result of this battle is revealed in the most unusual divorce court fight on record, bringing the play to a smashing climax. To this picture, Brent brings a now Tiro, a now dominance to Lis characterisation. He has come hue his own with a distinctly added vigour. Bette Davis gives a fine portrayal of a woman who takes what she wants in tile way of love regardless of the homes and lives she wrecks. AJiss Dvorak, in the title role, has the finest part she has had since h'er return to the screen and she en-, acts it with all her sparkling brilliance. John Halliday is excellent ns the fourth party in the love tangle, being infatuated with the neglected wife. While the story is powerfully dramatic, it is not without its lighter moments, rollicking humour being supplied by Ruth Donnelly. Hobart Cavanaugh and Leila Bennett. Phil Regan, radio’s “Singing Cop.” plays the part of it radio -singer and warbles some catchy airs written by that ace song- team, Alort Dixon and Allie Wmbel. Other principals jn the cast, all of whom do excellent work, include Robert Barrat, Joe fawthorne,

Willard Robertson, Ronnie Cosby, Harry Tyler, • and Charles Coleman. Alfred E. Green, noted for his direction of virilo human stories, lias handled the situations with exceptional understanding and ability, turning out an unusually strong drama. Tho story was dramatised with great skill by Manuel Self and Miss Hayward. “Murder at Monte Carlo” is the second attraction.