ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “ISLE OF FURY.” Lovers of primitivo melodrama have a treat in store beginning to-night, when “Isle of Fury,” the brilliant Warner Bros.’ picturisation of Somerset Maugham’s romance of the South Seas, “Three in Eden,” shows at the Kos.y Theatre. The hero of the thrilling story is Yal Stevons, a man of primitive instincts and a refugee from the clutches of the law, who has built up a profitable pearl fishery on a remote Pacific island,, but- is compelled to do battle for big beautiful young bride against a polished man of the world, Eric Blake, whom he has rescued from a shipwreck and brought into his homo as a friend. The role of Yal Stevens is played by Humphrey Bogart, remembered for his outstanding performance of the killer in “The Petrified Forest.” Stevens, wanted for a crime he did not commit, is rich in pearls he cannot spend, and an exile from civilisation. To his island hideaway a child is brought by her scapegrace grandfather, and his drunken friend. She grows to beautiful womanhood and reluctantly marries Val. Margaret Lindsay plays tho rolo. During the marriage ceremony a ship is wrecked on a nearby coral reef and Val rushes to the rescue, and brings ashore young Eric Blake, played by Donald Woods. Tho newcomer and Val’s bride fall in love. The divers mutiny and Val himself dives for pearls when an octopus coils its tentacles about him. Other thrill ing adventures follow with lightning speed to tho final fade-out. “PRIDE OF THE MARINES.”

A star-spangled drama of America’s military might, entitled “Pride of the Marines,” will head the new feature programme now showing at the Rosy Theatre. Filmed in its entirety at the United Slates Marine Corps base in San Diego, California, the film features a large cast- of popular favourites, including Charles Bickford, Florence Rice, Billy Burrud, Robert Allen and Ward Bond. Relating the story of an orphaned urchin, played by little Billy Burrud, who becomes the- charge and mascot of America’s life-loving leathernecks, the camera encompasses in the colourful background all tho facilities of the heavy coast artillery and anti-aircraft guns, the fleet of fighting ’planes, tho giant grey battleships, and the complete 6th Regiment of tho United States Marines, some 2600 of America’s finest fighting men.

REGENT THEATRE. - “FOR VALOUR.” After a lapse of some 18 months, one of the most brilliant- comedy trios ever united on the screen is once more launched on a great new laughter campaign, and the result—a film which is proving to he the comedy sensation of the year at the Regent Theatre. It is “For Valour,” a Capitol Film production, co-starring Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, and which has been adapted from an original story by that prince of comedy authors, Ben Travers. Directed by Tom Walls, it is the most ambitious picture ever undertaken by this great trio, providing them with unique opportunities. The famous comedy co-stars both appear in dual roles. Tom Walls, minus his moustache, appears as a private in tho Boer War, and a convict adorned with a perfect cauliflower ear. Ralph Lynn will be seen for tbo first time without his monocle, as a major in the British Army, and later as a senile, doddering old man, and, of course, both stars contrive to appear as themselves. These facts alone aro a sufficient guarantee of the film’s entertainment value, but, in addition, the Ben Travers story is unlike anything this inimitable pair have ever essayed. Major Pylce, wishing to reward suitably a private in his battalion for saving his life, is distressed to discover the man is an escaped convict, and when, years afterwards, he sees him in prison, offers to bring up the crook’s son with his own grandson, who, it is hoped, will prove an influence for tho good. In this he proves sadly mistaken, for, from then on, a life of crime is led by all 1

METEOR THEATRE. “ANTHONY ADVERSE.” “Anthony Adverse” is the last word in magnificent screen entertainment. This Warner Bros, production at the Meteor Theatre holds audiences in a spell of breathless suspense reel after reel. It is the vivid story of Hcrvey Allen’s monumental literary classic. The picture follows the romantic advepturcs of Anthony Adverse through five countries, across the seas and over three continents. The mammoth sots, for colourful and picturesque backgrounds, for dynamic action, for the unusual characterisation of its tremendous cast from Frederic March, the star, down to the smallest bit player, for the glamour of its romance, its human interest and sheer, unadulterated entertainment, this picture is unsurpassed. It has a tremendous cast, with 98 speaking parts and 2500 bit players and extras. But all this, while full of colour, is but the background for a drama of human life, its love and hates, its hopes and its disappointments, its desires and its passions, its vain and futile struttings and its vast achievements. Frederic March has given the screen some wonderful portrayals in the past but never has he risen to the heights of dramatic fire as in the title role of this picture. His Anthony is a living, breathing person, stepping out of a book into real life on the screen. He is ably supported by Olivia dc Havilland, who caine to screen prominence with her work in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Captain Blood.” This is Miss Dc Havilland’s first great emotional role, and she rises to it with true artistry. Other loves of Anthony arc found in the characterisations portrayed by Steffi Duna, a- fiery half-caste with whom he lives in his African slave mart, and Gale Sondergaard, a voluptuous and passionate _ housekeeper. Both give unusually fine interpretations. Edmund Gwenn, the famous English actor, gives a wonderful portrayal of John Bonnyfeather, the grandfather of Anthony, who sells his daughter into a loveless match for the price of a title. Anita Louise has never appeared more beautiful, nor has she ever given a hotter performance than as the daughter, who, married to a Spanish grandee refuses to give up her handsome Irish army officer. Claude Rains gives an excellent portrayal of the grandee of Spain as docs Louis Haywaru as the young Irish officer. The members of the cast are too numerous to mention in their entirety, but among those of special prominence who do exceptional work are Billy Mauch, Donald Woods, Henry O’Neill, Pedro de Cordoba and George E. Stone.