ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 194, 17 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “LAST OF AIRS CHEYNEY.” “The Last of Mrs C'hcyncy” screening at the Regent Theatre to-night brings together tor the first time three stars who, singly, have recently contributed to the screen three of the year’s most successful and outstanding pictures. Joan Crawford, direct from “The Gorgeous Hussy ; William Powell, from “Alter the Thin Man”; Robert Montgomery, whose “Piccadilly Jim” still remains one of the high spots of 1936 screen entertainment. To this triple-star cast Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr also has added an outstanding supporting cast that includes Frank Morgan, Jessie Ralph. Nigel Bruce, Colleen Clare, Benita Hume, Ralph Forbes, Ailcen Pringle and Melville Cooper. Lawrence Wciugartcn, who was -at the producer's helm on “Libelled Lady,” is the producer of the new picture. Based upon the famous Frederic Lonsdale play of a few years ago, Leon Gordon. Samson Raphaclsqn and Monckton Holfe completely modernised the story with a deft adaptation that promise* to establish the screen version as an outstanding riot of laughter and complicated situations. To .Miss Crawford falls the title role of the lovely American woman m whose hands gullible English socialities become easy victims of a plot to. trick them out of a fortune of jewels. W illiam Powell, as Mrs Chcyney’s butler, Charles, is revealed as the brains of the group of international thieves, but a lovable crook who makes unusual sacrifices to protect the good name of the woman lie adores. Montgomery appears its romantic young Lord Billing who uncovers the plot to fleece his British friends and who leains the true character of Mrs C'hcyncy when she chooses exposure as a thief rather than submit to his amorous advances. Frank Morgan is seen as Ixird Kelton and other assistants in weaving the hilarious plot arc Miss Bruce, as the Duchess of Ehlev; Nigel Bruce, as Lord Wynton; Benita Hume as Lady W inton; Ralph Forbes, as Cousin John; and Lumsden Hare, as Inspector Witherspoon. Adrian designed new and startling costumes for Miss Crawford which promise to set the fashion world agog, and t edric Gibbons and his assistants provided some of the most lavish settings yet to be seen on the screen.

. STATE THEATRE. ‘“SWING HIGH; SWING LOW.” Carole Lombard and Fred Mac Murray, tlie romantic team of former triumphs, aic together again in Paramount s Swing HiMi; Swing Low,” a romance with music, which screens at the State Theatre. “Swing High; Swing Low” is the story of nightclub life in Panama and New York. Miss Lombard plays the role of an entertainer in a Panama cabaret who makes a famous musician out of Mac Murray, who has been very much on the loose in the canal port. This role gives Miss Lombard an opportunity to sing and dance, the hrst time she exhibits hor talents in these fields, and Mac Murray plays the trumpet, also for the first time in pictures. The cast also includes glamorous Dorothy Lainour, the beauty who captivated everybody in her first screen appearance, “The Jungle Princess.” She plays the role of “the other woman,” with whom Mac Murray falls in love. Miss Lainour, who was laments as a radio singer before her entry into pictures, also tings and dances in “Swing High; Swing Low,” Charles Bultorworth, Jean Dixon, Harvey Stephens, and other well-known feature players complete the cast. “Swing High; Swing Low ’ was directed by Mitchol Leison, who directed other outstanding musical flints. Its music was written by Ralph Raingcr and Leo Robin, and Sam C.'oslow and Al Scigcl. t lie picture is one that maintains the Ingli standard of entertainment set by the Slate and is supported by an outstandmg selection of l'eaturcttcs.