ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 150, 27 May 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE

“MY SONG GOES ROUND TITE WORLD.” Commencing at the Kosy Theatre tonight tho management is presenting an attraction of great interest to all lovers of the best in the cinematographic art, namely, the Joseph Schmidt, picture, “Al.v Song Goes Round the World.” This is the first picture in which the famous tenor had appeared and it is indeed fitting that it should hear the title of the song that he has popularised so effectively over the air. There arc few finer voices in the world than Schmidt’s. Every capital in Europe knows and appreciates him while his records enjoy tnemendous sales. Quite a contrast to the magnificence is the size of his body. He is only four feet high! So it is in “My Song Goes Round the World” in which he plays the part of a strolling singer—a partner in an act with Rigo, a clown. Rut whenever Ricardo seeks an audition he is laughed at on account of his small stature. It is the same everywhere so that although his friends. Rigo and Simoni tThe Three Musketeers), arc convinced that ho has the best voice in the world, he lives in obscurity—and poverty. At. length he docs force himself before the musical world by means of the gramophone and creates a sensation—just, as Schmidt has done in actual life. This happy turn of events relieves the pressure as far as the material resources of the trip are concerned, but shortly their happiness is destroyed by the appearance of Nina. She falls in love with Ricardo’s voice, imagining that it belongs to Rigo. Poor Ricardo imagines that she is in love with him and it is a terrible disappointment to him when he discovers that it is only his voice that she loves. Brokenhearted ho leaves his friend, but returns again, drawn by a wonderful spirit of brotherly love, just in time to save Rigo's act from utter failure. The audience takes him to its heart and ho must take its favour as a substitute for the cruel disappointment of being rejected bv one whom he loves. “THE SILENCE OF DEAN MAIT-

LAND.” The second attraction, the dramatic story of “The Silence of Dean Maitland,” is well known, a story woven around a man of the church who, because of a youthful indiscretion, is sentenced to a life of hypocrisy and torturing memories, and the. first impression audiences will gain of him is the tremendous advance on all previous Australian productions. Furthermore, the acting is first-class, each artist “living” his or her role. Particularly do the performances of John Longtlcn as “Dean Maitland,” Charlotte Franc.s, "Alma Lee,” both celebrated Eng.ish players, and Australia’s own John Warwick, call for special and sustained applause. All three are excellent. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “ItfARY BURNS, FUGITIVE.” Crammed with action, thrills and romance, “Mary Burns, Fugitive,” starring Sylvia Sidney, which opens a.t the Mayfair Theatre tonight, is a sw'ft-mov-ing, soul-stirr'ng drama, a distinguished photoplay of first-class entertainment. Providing Miss Sidney with a part that is distinctly her metier, “Mary Burns, Fugitive” emerges as an emotionally powerful, tensely dramat c ’ photoplay, packed with romance and adventure all the way. In the title role, Miss Sidney gives one of the finest performances of the year as an innocent girl, hunted by the law and relentlessly pursued by a former sweetheart gangster. Running a close second for acting honours are Mclvyn Douglas and a promising young film find, Alan Baxter. Both give splendid portrayals in widely d iTerent roles. glas, on.st as a wealthy, famous scientist, temporarily blinded, who falls in love with Miss Sidney, brings a finesse and dignity that characterises this able aclor. Baxter, playing his first film part, displays ease, poise and acting ability. In lesser roles, but equally well played, are Pert Kclton and Brian Donlevy, Wallace Ford is especially outstanding as a G-man. The story centres around Miss Sidney, b.issfully in love with Alin Baxter, unaware that he is a public enemy, knowing only that he is an ex-gridiron star, Escaping with stolen bonds, Baxter is almost caught at Miss Sidney’s restaurant retreat in the mountains. Making a quick getaway, Miss Sidney is trapped with the bonds, arrested and sentenced to prison. Successful in a gaol break with her ceil mate, Pert, Ke'.ton, she gets a job in a hospital and falls in love with Melyyn Douglas, temporarily blinded young scionlist. Meanwhile Miss Kelton, a tool ot the G-men, believing her Baxter’s accomplice, tried to drive Miss Sidney to Baxter's hideout, to no avail. Baxter, madly in love with Miss Sidney, sends Ins hencliman to kidnap her, but she escapes rud seeks refuge in Douglas’ home. As they aie about to be married, Baxter breaks in on the ceremony. A crashing, dramatic climax brings the film to a thrilling finale. Wili am K. Howard did a splendid directorial job.