ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 140, 15 May 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. . “WE’RE ONLY HUMAN.’' Screening finally io-day at the State Theatre are two first-rate pictures, “We’re Only Human,’’ starring Preston Foster, and "My Marriage,” with Claire Trevor in the stellar role. “PADDY O’DAY.” About the adventures of the eunningist colleen ever brought to the screen, “Paddy O’Day,” the now Fox picture which opens to-morrow at the State Theatre, weaves a story of rapid fire song, dance and comedy with a heart tug. Jane Withers, star of “Ginger” and “This Is the Life,” heads the new production, with Pinky Tomlin, Rita Cansino, Jane Darwell and George Givot—radio’s Greek ambassador —backing her up. The story of “Paddy O’Day” follows the fascinating and often heart-warm-ing adventures of a motherless little Irish immigrant recently arrived in New York. Although she has run away from the immigration authorities at Ellis Island, numerous kindly people befriend her. _ Finally Pinky Tomlin, eccentric young heir to millions, gives her refuge in his house. It is Jane’s influence that creates a romance between Tomlin and Rita Cansino and which gets them all involved in the Russian show of that excitable improssario. George Givot. The film finds its climax in the happy culmination of the romance and the finding of a permanent homo for the little girl. Under Lewis Seller’s imaginative handling, the entire cast of “Paddy O’Dav” turns in sparkling, spontaneous performances. In addition to Jane Withers’ versatile and engaging performance, there is the acting of George Givot wfcHi created a laugh riot, and the dancing and vocalising ol Rita “Keep That Twinkle in Your Eye,” “I Like a Balalaika” and “Changing My Ambitions” are the names of some of the catchy tunes that feature “Paddy O Day. The box plans are now on view at the theatre, ’phone 6363.

REGENT THEATRE. “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY.” “Mutiny on the Bounty,” serceniog finally to-night at the Regent Theatre, cannot bo compared to any other film achievement. It stands alone and far above anything of its kuid that has ever been filmed or which may be filmed for years to come. It is sea drama as it actually took place 150 years ago, a true chapter from maritime history that resulted in a great reform among all ships of Ihe sea and which eliminated for all time the brutal treatment men who go to sea expected and suffered. “ROSE OF ■ THE RANCHO.”

High praise preceded the entry into New /caiu.n cili including a glowing tribute by that shewd him critic ot i’uucn, It. V. .Lucas, ot “Koso of the Rancho/ It is iecommended it only for one predominating feature —glorious music and its astounding interpretation by a newcomer to the profession of the screen. Pictures may have had a rather demoralising tendency in certain aspects since tiie advent of sound, but they have also brougu„ cultural benelits m tlieir tram. In liio latter category could be placed this one, for it introduces a singer, already tamed for briiliant performances in New York with the Metropolitan Opera. She is Gladys Swartliout. Palmerston North audiences have had the pleasurable experience of hearing another star ol the Metropolitan Opera in the person ol Grace Moore, and if this newcomer’s performance in ’’Rose of the Rancho,” opening at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, can be taken as a criterion, she should attain tiio same artistic heights as Miss Moore. The fine solo presentations ot Miss Swarlout arc glorious interpretations of compositions that took Broadway by storm when the stage versa n ol the piece was shown in New York <fo years ago. Her mezzo-soprano voice is of rich timbre and of great power and range, and she interprets the songs with a spontaneity that cannot but; charm. Unit the producers fully recognised the possibilities of her artistry in the film was shown by the fact that a special operetta score was written for the production, thus effectively eliminating any danger of the music slowing up the picture s action. As for the story, its charm and simplicity contribute ill no small mcasuie to the production’s general excellence. Miss Swartout is hist, seen in the role of the daughter of a wealthy Spanish family holding a vast estate outside Monterey at a tune when hordes of American landgrubbers invaded the territory, 111tent on wresting the estates from the Spanish dons, who organised bands ot vigilantes and rode by night against the Americans in the attempt to safeguard their homes. Gladys Swartliout enacts the dual roles of Rose and Don Carlos, the mysterious rider who led the vigilantes. One of the latter is instrumental in having a price put on the head of Den Carlos, who is really none other than the beautiful Eosita. Excitement rides high when a Federal officer acidentally sees Don Carlos niter the meeting place of the vigilantes and, following, finds on.y Rosita Later, when the Castros’ ranch is marked for plunder by the Americans, he follows arid captures DOll Carlos. Romance and music make delightful interludes in the adventurous and exciting story, while the scenes at the fiesta arc gay with music and daneng. iherc is a very talented supporting cast. John Boles, who possesses one of the best male voices Oil the screen, is seen andl hoard to great advantage opposite Miss Swarthout 110 sings several songs both_ alone and with Miss Swartliout. if. B. Warner, a line actor, enacts the role of Do Castro. Charles Bickford, always a forceful character is well chosen for the part of Joe Kincaid. Two well-knov.ll Broadway comedians, Herb Williams and Wnhc Howard, arc seen in briefly humorous sequences.