ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 310, 28 November 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “THE FLYING DOCTOR.” Australian film production has come into its own. With international stars heading tht cast, expert British technicians behind the production, and a story no Australian or New Zealander cun tail to appreciate, “Tho Flying Doctor” conies to the State Theatre to-night, starring Charles Farrell, with Mary Maguire, anu a magnificent supporting cast. The film is billed as Australia’s supremo screen achievement and it fully justifies the claim 1 The story has lor its theme two dramas. Sandy Nelson (Charles Farrell) is a wanderer. Casual tireless, incurably restless, ever on the look-out for wider horizons, ho typifies the Australian adventurer; and lie is a man whom none could fail to like, and trust. By chance ho meets little Jenny Rutherford (Mary Maguire), and before liis true spirit, momeiitairly drugged by the sweet romance, can rc-awaken to assert itself, he is married to her. But the eagle cannot be pinioned. He disappears, and after vicissitudes in Sydney, working ht casual jobs, and fighting for a crust in the wrestling ring, he heads for out-back again. And this time he is lucky, tie anu his little pal, “Dodger” (Joe Yaili), strike gold. The story of Sandy’s love is interwoven with the diama of the Aerial Medical Service. The Flving Doctor (James Raglan) who has Cloncurry as his base, is Sandy’s friend, and their lives are inevitably linked by an intriguing twist of fate. How Sandy sustains a tragic loss but becomes victorious even in defeat; how Dodger Green makes a fortune; how Jenny Ruthcrlord finds happiness at last; and how tho Flying Doctor makes history, build a story both human and noble. Adapted by J. 0. C. Orton from Robert Waldron’s novel of tho same name, “The Flying Doctor” is the finest film medium Australia has yet handled. The action throughout is brisk tempo. Careful casting has ensured that an excellent balance is maintained throughout by the players, who packed the film with thrills, comedy, and truo-to-life drama that makes instant appeal. REGENT THEATRE. “THE CASE AGAINST MRS AMES.” George Brent, dynamic Irish hero of a score of hits, is co-starred with Madeleino Carroll, English screen favourite, in her first American picture, “The Case Against Mrs Ames,” screening at the Regent to-night. A story as close to hie as yesterday’s headlines, centred about a woman’s fight to clear her name of murder and to keep the custody of her six-year-old child, is the basis of “The Case Against Mrs Ames.” Miss Carroll is cast in the title role. George Brent, who costars with Miss Carroll, appears as a ruthless district attorney who seeks to send Mrs. Arnes to the gallows, vet proves the means of her salvation. The story opens -with Muss Carroll on trial for tho murder of her husband, a wealthy California social leader. A mass of circumstantial evidence points to her guilt. Public opinion is against her; her husband’s mother is a bitter enemy; her own lawyer seems lukewarm in her defence. The accused woman, in a dramatic courtroom scene, pleads for a chance to defend herself. Acquitted, she remains guilty in tho public eye. Tho subsequent battle for her child, in which she is opposed by the power and wealth of her mother-in-law, makes an unusual and powerful screen story. An outstanding group of featured players support the star. Loading the list are Arthur Treacher, Alan Baxter, Beulah Bondi, Alan Mowbray, Brenda Fowler, Esther. Dale. Edward Brophy, Richard Carle and Scotty Beckett. William A. Softer directed tho production.