ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 101, 31 March 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

P.EGENT THEATRE. “THREE SMART GIRLS.” Man proposes and woman disposes of him with swift dispatch, especially if ho is a millionaire susceptible to the wiles of an international beauty who has her eyes on his bank roll. That, with amusing embroidery, is the theme of Universal’s comedy drama, “Three Smart Girls, screening to-day at the Regent Theatre. Surrounded by a cast of established cinema favourites including Binnie Barnes, Deanna Durbin, Alice Brady, Ruy Mi Hand and Charles Winninger, the youthful newcomer to the screen lives up to advance notice of her musical genius. She proves, too, that she is much inoro than just a singing child prodigy. Possessing exquisite beauty and rare charm, the talented youngoter gives a smooth performance. “Three Smart Girls’’ tells the amusing story of three daughters of a rich Muw Yorker who upset their lather’s MayDecembcr romance with a gold-digging blonde. The title roles are played by Miss Durbin, Nan Grey and Barbara Head. As the father, Charles Winninger essays a new type of role and turns in a grand performance. Miss Barnes plays the part of the gold-digger and Miss Brady is ideally cast as the blonde’s scheming mother. Mischa Auer is a hit as an impoverished nobleman whom the three youngsters hire to lure the adventuress away from their giddy parent. Ilay Milland and •John King provide handsome romantic interest as sweethearts of the two elder of the three girls. The remainder of the cast includes Ernest Cossart, Hobart Cavanaugh, Lucille Watson, and Nella Walker. STATE THEATRE. “VALIANT IS THE WORD FOR CARRIE.’* The Paramount picture version of Barry Benefield’s best-selling novel, “Valiant is the Word for Carrie,” which opens at the State r I heatre to-day, brings to the screen Gladys George, noted dramatic actress, supported by an elaborate cast. Miss George has been a stage actress for many years but did not utiracl the attention of Hollywood until she made a new record in New York last year by ap pearing in 700 successive performances of “Personal Appearance.** She is an actress of great charm and ability and big things arc expected of her by Hollywood. “Valiant is the Word for Carrie” is the story of Carrie Snyder, a woman frowned upon by “respectable” residents of a small Louisiana town, and her friendship with a small boy. When the bov is forsaken by the world, she takes him, together with an orphan girl, and brings them up as her own. The years pass and Carrie becomes a highly successful operator ot a dry-cleaning business. 'I he children grow up and when it seems that all is serenity, a situation arises which leads to Carrie’s arrest. Before the trial she is faced with a dilemma. The children know nothing of her past. To go through a trial would mean the whole tawdry story of her former career would he paraded before them. To plead guilty and waive the trial would mean a long gaol term. But in that case the children would never know. She makos her decision in a thrilling climax. Supporting Miss George are Arlinc Judge, John Howard, Isabel Jewell, Harry Carey, Dudley Digges, and many others.