ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 202, 16 July 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “TWO IN THE DARK.” Breath-taking suspense, throbbing romance a.ml accelerating action arc artistically woven into RKO Radio’s thrilling murder mystery, “Two In the Dark,” screening to-day at the State Theatre. This pulsating, drama, haspd on an original story by Gelett Burgess, is apt to have the most astute detective pulling his hair and biting his linger nails in an effort to solve the baffling crime. Not only is there the mystery of the crime, but a shroud surrounds the identity of a strange man, who has lost his memory (played by Walter Abel), who is suspected of having committed the murder. Trying to aid the victim of amnesia is a destitute show girl (Margot Graliame) who, while seeing him drawn slowly into the mystifying vonex of clues, feels herself being engulfed by an apparently hopeless love. She begs him to flee. He ret uses, although pitifully handicapped by bis loss of memory. Each clue be follows brings him closer to the murder. He finally learns his identity, but in so learning it lie also discovers that be has a motive for the crime. Miss Grabame and Abel head a first-rate cast. Abel docs a splendid job of portraying the mentally sick victim, wiio is justifiably suspected of a heinous crime, while Miss Grabame gives a highly commendable performance of a frightened show girl, who sees the man she loves become entangled in a net of dangling circumstances.. Settings, photography and dialogue in "Two In the Dark” are of the highest standard. /.ion Myers is credited with producing the play; and directorial honours go to Ben Stoloif. “THE fAKilwii IN THE DELL.”

Homespun entertainment with a golden thread 01 comedy which gives it zest prevails in "The Tanner in the Dcil,” winch also screens to-day in an excel.int doubie-biil at the popular .mate Theatre. It brings bred Stone into a screen headliner with Jean Barker. Against a background ol tlie pictuie studios, the story' is essentially a comedy, with an uintuilying human' drama which touches a responsive chord in the hearts of young ;i;d oid alike. The story tells the adventures of l’a Boyer, u lovable old farmer, who is transplanted to Dolly wood by bis ambitious but rather stupid wife whose greatest ambition is Unit their young daughter, Adie, shall have a film career. However, it is Ba who is practically shanghaied into a film contract, because bo is a homely', natural type, from here on, things happen fast. Ma Boyer “goes Hollywood” in a big way, moves into a palatial home and becomes the target lor all the grafters and hangers on that infest the screen capital. Ba ref urns in time to save Adie from marriage with a bogus Russian count.

MAYFAIR THEATRE ‘MYSTERY OF MR X.’

If you arc thrilled by jii ingeniously woven tale of mystery and intrigue, touched by a charming love story and given to violently waving your hat at the dramatically graduated climax of a genuine thriller, then you had better go to the Mayfair Theatre to-day and see new hair-raiser, the “Mystery of Mr X.” J here are thrills from the moment you enter and see Robert Montgomery, as Revel, gentleman crook, gracefully lift the Drayton diamond from a safe, while the shadow ot “X,” London’s notorious murderer, passes by, to the ft ml show-down between the engaging young crook and the fiend. As Revel, Montgomery is superb, His clever characterisation breathes reality into the exciting role. \ou believe he is quick-witted enough to have slob 11 the diamond, to run the risks be docs. You understand and sympathise with his motive in this. And by the tune ihe picture has whirled on to the final sequence, you are sitting taut on .the edge of your seat, hoping be wm'l meet the fate" of the nine policemen, all victims oi ihe arch-fiend “X.” Elizabeth . Allan i s charming as ever in the role of Jane, daughter of the Chief Commissioner ot Scotland Yard, She im.iages to reveal a -love interest’’ that vies happily with the more adventurous aspects of the play. It is the old magic of all good mystery iiims, dressed up m beautiful new clothes. Wireless is used, as well as sword ca ies. Modern apartments are in strong (rast with Lttidon's muiky dock district. “X” D a villain who stem? terrible and more terrible as his exploits are recorded before vour eyes. You see tunc policemen stabbed to death and feel something like the harassed Scotland Vard Chief Commissioner himself when “X” ‘is at last at bay. The rest of the characters are admirable in their parts. Raip i Forbes, as the rather smug rival tor the

affections of -Miss A 11.., attain proves himself an excellent. actor. I'on-eater Xlai-vev is still Iho heat cockney coiue,i;i!n .ill the setcen. Ivan Simp.-ou I.eonartl Muclie. Alec B. Francis and l naries Irwi. art- all well cast, “Our comedy and a delightful coloured cartoon and newsreel complete the b.li.

REGENT THEATRE. -THE AMATEUR GENTLEMAN." .Jelfrev EarnolV: lasoiiiiii ing anil exoiinig romance. "The Amaumr Uent email, screenin': to-day at the Regent 1 heart e, lia'hecn made into a film which both Kuglirh and American critics hail tie a t iit.nipn for the new llritish studio ol Criterion Ijilm Productions. Evd. Although slightly adapted for screen purposes, the story contains all the romanticism of the original novel. The amateur gentleman is the son of an ex-pri <e-fighter, but he has been brought ui) as a gentleman. He breaks sensationallv into the society ol the flay in order to discover the truth about some stolen pearls, on account ot which his father has been clapped into the condemned cell'. Tn the course of bis quest he becomes a friend of the Prince Regent, the worshipper of the proud but romantic Lady ('leone, and the enemy of the suavely villainous Chichester. At various_ stages lie is lhe hero of a bare-kmickle light, the mftigator of a gaol- break, and the quarry of Bow Street .runners. As tne centre ot these varied escapades. Douglas Fairbanks, junr., looks, the part, has a virile and romantic air, natural ease of hearing and speech, a dash of chivalry, and the ability to suggest an underlying strength ol purnose. Klissa I.andi, Cordon Marker. I-rank Pettingeli, and l*’.siiie Percy all present good supporting charade: barious. One of the best features is the authentic air of the backgrounds.