ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 123, 24 April 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “TWO FISTED.” “Two Fisted,” Paramount comedy scretning finally to-night at'(lie Rosy Theatre, has Lee Tracey in the loading role. Portraying the part of a fast talking light manager of a dim witfod boxer, Tracy has one of the best roles to date in “Two Fisted,” rollicking farce of two fight mugs, who crash Park Avenue society. “THE VIRGINIA JUDGE.” The second attraction is “The Virginia Judge,” starring Walter C. Kelly. “The Virginia Judge,” also features Marsha Hunt, Stcpin Fctcliit, Johnny Downs and Robert Cummings in a story of a small town' in the Tidewater country of Virginia with Kelly portraying himself, the Judge. The story centres around the many problems, both amusing and serious, which confront a genial, small town judge in his court room. How the judge is beloved by the whole community through his kindly and tolerant decisions is graphically pictured in the film in a. scries of laughable, yet dramatic events. “MURDERS IN THE ZOO.” Death strikes mysteriously—suddenly—horribly to all those who dare woo lavours lrom the warm, red lips of a beautiful . woman in Paramount’s thrilling “.Murders in the Zoo,” which opens at the Kosy Theatre at 10.50 p.lll. to-night, featuring Charlie Ruggles, Lionel Atwill, Kathleen Burke, Runuoiph Scott, John Lodge and Gail Patrick. The Green Mamba, scourge of the jungle, in quite the most insidious killer you've ever seen, and this deadly scourge of the jungle now’ strikes terror into the heart of a big city, aided and abetted by such deadly creatures as the voracious crocodiles and the bone-crush-ing python. Jealousy is the motive all the way through. The animals arc all symbols of the machinations of the perverted mind of Eric Gorman, big game collector, who guards his beautiful wife from the attentions of other men. One of her admirers goes to death in the Alrican jungle, the second in the zoo where Charlie Ruggles, the menagerie’s Press agent, has arranged , a society banquet to raise an endowment fund for the animals. The Green Mamba is found to be at large, the zoo is closed anil the city in aroused. The loosed animals, snarling through the zoo’s grounds, unwittingly provide the only possible satisfactory conclusion to this gory drama of death upon death. Edward Sutherland, director of “The Kid From Spain,” has produced a well-paced picture, full of th til in and action from startling beginning to absorbing finish. Charles lluggles provides a grand comedy performance. REGENT THEATRE. “THE GHOST GOES WEST.” However well-behaved a young man may be, if lie 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 “llio Ghost Goes West,” the London Film production released by United Artists, screening finally to-night, at the Regent Theatre. “THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936.” Tuneful, brisk and gay, “The Big Broadcast of 1906,” which opens, to-n ght at 10.30 at the Regent; Theatre, combines a diverting comedy plot with an impressive collection of stars! '* garnered from .the top ranks of radio, stage and screen. Packed with rich, comedy moments, handsomely produced, this liighiy entertaining production is headed by a cast that can be depended upon to lead the way when it comes to cutting crazy capers. Snell comedians as Jack Oakie, isurns and Alim and Bytla and ‘Roberti are surc-hre stand bys for light hearted humour and laugh-provoking antics, in addition, an imposing array of famous personalities such as Bing Crosby, Amos T) "Andy, Ethel Meriiu n, Bill Robinson, Ray Nob.o and lbs orchestra, Willie, West and McGiuty, Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles contribute specialty numbers that should not be missed. The, story centres around the hilarious adventures of two radio enterta.i id’s when they fall into the bands of a young Countess. Jack Oakie and Henry Wadsworth own and operate them own radio station. Air laws believe that the romantic singei, “Locliinvar, ’ is me man, whereas it is Oakie who does tlio announcing and Wadsworth the singing. To avert bankruptcy the boys decide to compete in an international radio contest. Burns and Alien bring their to evision invent’on, the Radio Lye, to two studio. Lyda Roberti, rich, romanticniindod Countess, and her social secretary, Windy Barrie, meet the boys. Miss Lioberti kidnaps Oakio and Wadsworth on her private yacht and takes them to liei Cuban island estato to decile which one die wants to marry. In their frantic efforts to escape, including a tlinll.ng chase Oakio, in calling Burns and Allen for help with the Radio Eye, unwittingly takes part in the broadcasting contest. /h uproar oils finale closes the fun film. As a background to the main theme, different specialties aro offered as .hmlrlights of the production. Amos n Andy, beloved black-face comics, arc . seeni in a typically familiar skit. Bing Crosby warbles bis “I Wished on the Moon, number, wlrlc Ethel Men urn sings Its. the Animal in Me” with an elaborately staged chorus ensemble background. Bill Robinson, world-famous negro lap dancer, presents bis sensational dance routine, the .Nicholas Brothers, two sepian singers, and dancers, are seen m Cue Mss Brown to You” musical presentation, while llay Noble and his band, render other of the comedy’s song hits, and Miss Robersti does the "Double Trouble number. Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles appear in a mirth-provoking sketch Norman Taurog did a Iwe directorial job. “The Big Broadcast ot 1936 is indeed a merry melange of music, mirth and amusement with comedy and acting honours equally divided among the participants. STATE THEATRE. “KING OF BURLESQUE.” In the colourful, glittering atmosphere of the burlesque theatre, with its soubrettes, songs, clowns and comics, the action of the new Fox picture, "King o Burlesque,” screening at the btate Theatre,. to-night. Warner Baxter heads the gala cast of this picture, which includes Alice Faye, Jack Oakie, Arlino Judge, Mona Barrie, Gregory Ratoff, Dixie Dunbar, Kenny Baker, bats Walter and Nick Long, junr., among the fcafiu'btl 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 bio two trusted aides, Alice Faye and Jack Oakie, Baxter lias climbed front . side street honky-tonks to Broadway’s glittering palaces. Then when he falls in love with a lovely society woman who represents everything Jic bad hoped to attain, bo deserts his erstwhile friends. Things go from bad to worse with Baxter, until bis wife, Mona Barrio, deserts him. When things look blackest, Baxter’s old friends return to help him on the most spectacular venture of bis life. The close of the film shows Baxter suddenly realising that it was Alice Faye be bad loved all the time. The bevy of sparkling new tunes which features “King of Burlesque” wore by Jimmy McHugh and Ted Koehler. The story, an original by Vina Dolniar, was adapl ed to the screen by Gene Markcy and Harry Tcgend, and directed by Sidney Lanficld.