ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 119, 21 April 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “SHIP CAFE.” A grand assortment of lut tunes, and an uproarious plot, carry “Ship Cafe” and its able cast at a mad and humorous pace, providing an enjoyable hour of lively entertainment at the Kosy Theatre, where the comedy, shows finally to-night. Revolving around the sprightly experiences of a‘ singing ship stoker who becomes a waferfront night club bouncer, then a singing star, and finally, albeit accidentally, a rich countess’ gigolo, “Ship’s Cafe” becomes one of the most amusing comedy romances, with music, to date. ‘■AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD.” Death was always close at hand for Admiral Richard Byrd and the 55 men on his second Antarctic expedition. Transferring to the screen this struggle for life was the iob of John L. lierriman. Paramount cameraman, and Carl O. Petersen, his chief aide, during the 18 months they spent with the expedition at the South Pole lilming Paramount’s ‘"At the Bottom of the World,” also at the Kosy Theatre to-night. . The 136,000 feet of film they brought back to Hollywood, containing a record ot important events on the expedition, cost them painful injuries, long, weary hours in the open and innumerable frostbites. “TWO FISTED.” “Two Fisted,” Paramount comedy which comes to-morrow to the Kcny Theatre, has Lee Tracey in the loading role. Portraying the part of a fast talking fight manager of a dim wittod boxer, Tracy lias one of the best roles to date in “Two Fisted,” rollicking farce of two fight mugs, ■who crash Park Avenue society. Roscoc Earns, Gail Patrick, Kent Taylor, Grace Bradley and Billy Leo arc featured in the film. 'The supporting cast includes Samuel Hinds, G. P. Huntley, junr., and Florence Lake. The story centres around the hilarious adventures cf Tracy and Earns who are found hy Taylor, Park Avenue playboy, and brought lo his home. Kants "becomes involved in any number of amusing situations, starting with the staging of a hoxing bout for the benefit of their friend’s swanky society crowd and culminating in their expose of the crooked financial handling of their hostess’ affairs by her husband. . An uproarious climax brings the fun. film to a romantic, exciting finish. James Cruze directed. “THE VIRGINIA JUDGE.”

The second attraction is “The Virginia Judge,” starring Walter C. Kelly. “The Virginia Judge,” which also features .\larslui Hunt, Stepin Fete-hit, Jolmny Downs and Robert Cummings in a story of a small town in the Tidewater country of Virginia with Kelly portraying hinu-e.t, the Judge. The story centres around the many problems, both amusing and serious, which confront a genial, sinud town judge in His court room. How the judge is beloved by the whole community through hid kindly ' and tolerant decisions is graphically pictured in the film in a series gf laughable, yet dramatic events. REGENT THEATRE. “THE GHOST GOES WEST.” However, well-behaved a young man may be, if be lias a ghostly ancestor who is his double, and whose flirtatious habits are appealing, be is apt to find life rather complicated but never dull. This' is one angle on the comedy theme of “The Ghost Goes West,” the London Film production released by United Artists, screening tonight at the Regent Theatre. In this film three bright stars in their respective spheres' collaborate to turn out what critics and public overseas are unanimous in bailing as the laughter-rais ng success of the year. Robert JJonat, actor; Rene Claire, noted French director, and Alexander Korda, producer, are the trio to whom the credit is due. The story begins several centuries ago when young Murdoch Glourie, head of a warlike Scottish clan, gets himself killed because be is fonder of dallying with the lassies than of fighting the English. Tlis irate father dooms lus spirit to haunt the ancestral halls until lie shall have wiped out the stain on the family tartan hy tweaking the nose of a iVlcLaggan, hereditary enemines of the family. The scene changes to modern times, with the present eh ef of the Glouries, young Donald, forced for financial reasons to sell his haunted castle to an American millionaire. The castle is transported piecemeal to America, and young Donald accompanies it to see that everything is properly lifted together again. bo does the oartlibound ghost of Murdoch. He is asleep at the lime the castle is sold, and wakes up to find himself going west on the boat. Then tho fun t really starts, and continues till Murdock finds in America the nose of a McLaggan to tweak. Robert Donat in the dual role of Murdoch and Donald, Jean Parker •as the girl with whom both are in love; Eugene Paliettc as the American milliona re; Elsa Lancliester, Hay Petrie, Morton Selton. and all the others in tile cast drain every possible bit of fun out of their respective parts. STATE THEATRE “FIRST A GIRL.” The life of Jessie Matthews, star ol “First a Girl,” the braud-now GaumontBritish release, is a record of the triumphs gained by the “magnetism girl 1 ' as the idol ot the public on stage and screen. Endowed with natural graces, real beauty and feet that just can’t keep still, Jessie Matthews lias always been ambitious. Her determination to succeed lias' carried her up the uncertain ladder to stardom in an incredibly short space of time. Her first stage appearance was with Andre Chariots revue, then later came association with the great C. B. Cochran, in whose “Evergreen” Jessie Matthews touched the heights. Gene Gerrard secured her for his Elstree comedies and the films claimed her ‘Yor keeps.” Then came a quick succession of triumphs, _ including “The Good Companions,” “There Goes the B-ride,” and “This Year of Grace. “Evergreen” for Gaumont-British set the seal on her screen career and now, known as the “leading lady” in the galaxy ot British stars, she comes to us again with the new Gaumont spectacle “First a Girl.” This is her greatest triumph. It will have -its final screening at the State 'Theatre to-day. “KING OF BURLESQUE.” In the colourful, glittering atmosphere of the’ burlesque theatre, with its soubrettes, oongs, clowns and comics, the action of the new Fox picture, “King of Burlesque,” -which conics to-morrow to the State Theatre, takes place. Warner Baxter heads the gala cast of this picture, which includes Alice Faye, Jack Uakic, Arlinc Judge, Mona Barrie, Gregory Ratoff, Dixie Dunbar,- Kenny Baker, Tats Waller and Nick Long, junr., among the featured personalities. Although the picture is a revealing glimpse into the gaudy world of burlesque, it docs not confine its action to backstage drama, but launches into the life story of a genius of the theatre, played by Baxter. With his two trusted aides, Alice Faye and Jack Oakie, Baxter has climbed from _ side street honky-tonks to Broadway’s glittering palaces. Then when he falls in love with a lovely society woman who represents everything lie had hoped lo attain, lie deserts his erstwhile friends. Things go from bad to worse with Baxter, until his wife, Mona Barrie, deserts him. When tilings look blackest, Baxter’s old friends return to help him on tho most spectacular venture of his life. The close of the film shows Baxter suddenly realising that it was Alice Faye lie had loved all the time. Tho bevy of sparkling new tunes which features “King of Burlesque” ivcre composed by Jimmy McHugh and fed Koehler. 'The. story, an original by Vina Dclmar, was a'dapied to the screen by Gene Markcy and Harry Tcgend, and directed by Sidney Lanlield.