ENTERTAINMENTS

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

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “NIGHT KEY.” A picture which belongs on every moviegoer’s list is Universal’s “Night Key,” showing to-night at the Kosy. Boris Karlolf, die star, makes an amazing rightabout face, tosses away the monster mask and steps forth as a thoroughly likeable human being. lie needs no makeup to prove his ability as a splendid dramatic actor. Revealing him in an entirely new light, his portrayal takes him out of the class of specialised performers and gives audiences a Karloff to bilk about. “Night Key” is a strong dramatic screen story, with an unusual plot that holds audiences with rapt attention. Karloff portrays an inventor of burglar alarm systems. When his partner cheats him of his patents, thereby robbing his dauglitoi of security in life, ho wrecks his enemy's burglar alarm system and defies police, gangsters —everybody—to force his foe to give him his just rights. Skillfully directed by Lloyd Corrigan, the picture carries suspense and action to a thrilling climax. Hobart Cavanaugh plu.ys the part of Petty Louie, who helps the inventor iri his daring enterprise. Warren Hull and Jean Rogers supply the picture’s heart interest. They develop their romance with a restraint that gives sincerity and conviction.

“FUGITIVE SHERIFF.” When Ken Marshall is elected sheriff of the lawless town of Rawhide over Louder Lucas, tool of the crooked Flamer W illis, the Flamer decides to run the town anyway. That night, Flamer amt his gang hold up a railroad train, robbing and killing passengers and crew. Flamer wears a copy of Ken’s well-known while hat, and rides a white horse, as is the new sheriff's custom. The criminal’s plan works perfectly, for the following day Ken is accused by members of the train crew of having engineered the robbery. Kon believes it is a joke until he is hailed before Judge Roberts, his friend, and father of Juno, the girl lie loves, and is found guilty. Before lie- can be sentenced, Ken leaps through a window, moulds his trained horse, and escape. 1 -. That night Ken comes to visit June Roberts, and is told that Flamer has had Lucas appointed sheriff- .and that a price has been placed on Kelt’s head. As Ken is leaving, a posse arrives at Judge Roberts’ home to search for Ivcn. but he again escapes. Flamer, hoping to force tile judge lo resign his post, decides to have June arrested for harbouring an escaped criminal. But when Flamer and Lucas come to arrest June the following day, Ken bailies them and escapes t • the hills with the girl.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “DREAMING LIPS.” The incomparable Elizabeth Bergner returns to tiic screen in the finest, film oi her career, “Dreaming Lips,” Max Sehacli-Trafalgar production directed by hor husband, Paul Czinnor. Bergner first, rose to international fame in a German version ot this him made several years ago. Alerely to say that here she repeats her triumph would bu an understatement The passing of years, while leaving hoi untouched physically, have given her confidence and serene maturity that only time can bring. In a role which calls for a sustained emotional display Bergncj dominates the whole film from start to finish. She discovers a whole symphony ol moods when a lessor artist would be well content to find an excerpt. Brilliant acting, amazing virtuosity, genius call it what you will, but the simple fact remains that Bergner is the most delightfm personality and outstanding artist on the .screen to-day. The story is an absorbing study of a wife torn between devotion to her husband and a wild, uncontrolluble passion for his best friend. The husband, played brilliantly by llonmey Brent, simple, unaffected, doting, blissfully uri aware of any intrigue, worships his wife and idolises his friend. Raymond Massey, as the friend, has a difficulty role, but by studied restraint and a delicate subtlety lie makes a moving, human and always sympathetic figuro of the “other man. The emotional drama of these .three moves inexorably to a gripping climax which cannot fail -to moisten the eye and bring a lump 'to the throat of oven the most hardened filmgoers. “Dreaming Lips” represents one of the most exciting dramas yet screened. Dr Paul Czjnner, Bcrgner’s husband, deserves the highest praise for his sensitive direction. 'Hie rest of the cast is inevitably overshadowed, hut mention must bo made of Joyce Bland, Sydney Fairbrother, Felix Aylmer and Donald Calthrop who shine m small parts. “Dreaming Lips” screens at the Mayfair Theatre to-night.