ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY.” Frosli, clean and sweet from a st.ory of nearly 60 years ago comes the theme of “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” the exquisite-ly-presented film at tho Regent Theatre. This beautifully-acted picluro will st:r tho memory of many who in their youl.li saw tho play in New Zealand, Mid came under tho spell of its charm. “Little Lord Fauntleroy” is the story of an elder son of the Earl of Dorincourt, who marries an American g : rl against his father’s wishes, and seeks his forttno in New York, where lie d : cs, leaving only his wife, “Dearest,” and their son, Cedric. As time passes the earl ages. Ho feels that ho must have an hoir —must know the hoy, his grandson, who is to succeed him—so sends llaversham, his lawyer, to dig him out in the hack streets of BrookLn. There little Cedric, naturally refined and gentlemanly, has mado his own circle of friends in Ilobbs, the grocer, Dick, the bootblack, and the old apple-woman, Mid his intimacy with these good people is shown in Then comes the call of England and several delightfully humorous scenes. .Dorincourt, md Ceddie regretfully leaves his cronies for a coronet. But crusty old Dorincourt, confirmed in the bel'ef that his son was won by trickery, will have none of “Dearest” at the castle. She must stay at the lodge, white her son takes up the role of Lord Fninlloroy. The lad’s courage, honesty and sympathy _ subjugate everyone, including the irascible Dorincourt. Then . comes the news that Cedric is not, after all, the heir. Another woman with a si<i claims priority of marriage with the eldest son, a claim which is supported by documentary evidence difficult to combat. It is Dick the bootblack and Mr Ilobbs in far-away Brooklyn who expose the fako. The English scenes are beautifully done, and the early Victori; ,i • dresses and costumes arc carefully depicted. Acting of a very nigh class is notable throughout the cast, particularly in the caso of the winsome Freddio Bartholomew (as Cedric), C. Aubrey Smith (ns the Earl of Donneourt), Miss Dolores Costello Barrymore (as “Dearest”), and Guy Kibbe (as Mr Ilobbs). Another notable picture on the programme is “Music Land,” a I\ alt Disney S Uy Symph-.iy in representing in quaintest manner an ailair between the isles of Symphony and Jazz, which ends happily by the two islands Iteing connected by a bridge of harmony. It is a p'eture every musician should see. STATE THEATRE. SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN “CAPTAIN JANUARY.” Hummable now tunes, tantalising new’ dances, and Shirley Temple in her most iovablo, believable role! These are the entertainment delights that 20th ( cutup e “Captain January” now showing at the State Theatre. A score of three tinkling tunes, all with music by Lew Pollack, again give the curly-headed star an opportunity to exhibit her'singing talent.- Dimpled Slurlev Temple, who launched such songs a s “The Good Ship Lolly pop” ,and “When I Grow Up” to national fame, has a score of three hrand-new hits. Chief of these is “The Right Somebodv to Love.” For her dancing partner in a series of intricate new extern, Shirley now hne Buddy Ebson, tap star ’of Ziegfeltl Follies and sensation of “Broadway Melody of 1936.” The under; lying dramatic story of “Captain January deals with the adventures and near-trage-dics of Shirley and her two grizzled scasalt friends Guy Kihbeo and Slim Summerville. Kibbcc, who had rescued Shirley from tho sea when she was an infant, is jcnlouslv loud of the little girl, forever afraid that somebody will turn up with a better claim to her. When Sara Haden, the mean old truant officer, threatens t.o take Shirlov from him, Kibbcc stops lus quibbling with Slim, and, they join forces to temporarily outwit Miss Haden. Ihe climax of the picture is, devoted <o a thrilling sea-chase, in which Shirley and Kihbeo flee from Miss Haden in a sailing ketch. Although they are caught, their friends contrive to tiring a happy ending lo the picture. A romnnre between Jane tertaimuent delights in 20ih Century s elements of the story. A wonderful supporting programme includes “Ye Old ioy Shop” (cartoon). “Grand Siam Opera (comedy). “Mediterranean Memories (traveloguei. overseas news reels and Fox Aussie news. Patrons are specially advised ! to reserve if they wish to avoid disappointITlCllt.