ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 73, 23 February 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “THIN ICE.” Dazzling in its undreamed-of crystaltipped spectacle, snow-drenched with shimmering Alpine beauty, exhilarating in its fresh, gay out-of-doors romance that will fill your eyes with dolight and open them wide in wonder, “Thin Ice,” Twentieth Century-Fox gay and magnificent, musical starring Sonja Ilcnic, moro radiantly exciting than ever before, and Tyrone Power, handsome young 6crecn star who soared to fame in “Lloyds of London,” screens to-night at the State Theatre. A star in her first picture, Miss Henic tops “One in a Million” with new miracles of grace never before revealed, as she skates and skiis along the silvery Alpine slopes, with Tyrone Power following close behind. Arthur Treacher, Raymond Walburn and Joan Davis are - featured in tho notable supporting cast, which also includes Sig Ru.mann, Alan Halo, Leah Ray, Melville Coopcf, Maurice Cass and George Givot. The story is swiftly paced, exhilaratingly exciting, and hilariously funny. It gets off to a fast start when Tyrone, a prince who has come to an Alpine winter resort to escape the bickering of two agents (Alan Hale and Maurice Cass) over a neutrality pact, accidentally meets Mis Henic white skating, and introduces himself as a newspaper reporter. A case of mistaken identity sends rumours about the village that Sonja is being favoured by the prince. Tho two agents, hearing the rumours, attempt to wm her to their side in ordor to get close to Tyrone. When sho refuses they dangle huge .offers before her worthless uncle (Raymond Walburn), who is unable to refuse. Although Sonja is still unmindful, of the rumours she continues to meet Tyrone. At the same time, tho agents discover trickery on the part of Walburn, and through sympathy for each other become friends. This makes the situation more complicated than ever, until the ideal solution to the entire affair is found to be what all concerned hoped for —the marriage of Sonja and Tyrone. Interspersed throughout the romantio story are three elaborate skating numbers, which arc the Prince Igor Russian ballet, a beautiful Venetian Waltz, and the Foxtrot Fantasy. In these iee innovations, Miss Hcnie cxecutiCs her most intricate ice designs. Hundreds of gorgeous girls are also in the sensational ice revels set against tho dazzling and breath-taking beauty of the Swiss Alps. These innovations on ice are more elaborate and intricate than anything ever before attempted on the screen. REGENT THEATRE. “MAYTIME.” Splendid in every sense of the word is Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr’s first lavish musical offering of 1938, “Maylimc,” with Jeanette MacDonald and. Nelson Eddy in the starring roles, which screens 'at the Regent Theatre to-night. A description of the original theme would be superfluous to veterans of the theatre, but it may be written here without fear of contradiction that the studio has gone far and beyond any beauty which the stage attained. “Maytime” was a musical piece of gorgeous proportions w r hcn Rida Johnson Young’s play was on the boards and it closely approaches the status of a musical masterpiece on the screen. The skilful adaptation was made by Noel Langley. The songs were written by Sigmund Romberg, composer of the original Broadway score, and also by Herbert Stothart, who has composed the first film operetta, “Czaritza,” which provides a lovely sequence in tho picture. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy have not been seen together on the screen for a year. IliCy rose to a unique dual stardom in “Naughty Marietta,” and then in “Rose Marie. In the supporting cast of “Maytime, John Barrymore plays a picturesque role as the temperamental impresario, his , first since tho memorable “Romeo and Juliet,” which was one of the scnsntional pictures of 1936. There is a newcomer in, the cast, Lynne Carver, a delicately beautiful youngsinger from the Kentucky Blue Grass regions who sings and acts unusually well. Sho and Tom Brown provide the juvenile romance in the story. FAY COMPTON. IN “VICTORIA REGINA.” The following was written by an Auckland critic regarding the second Performance in Auckland of “Victoria Regina,” which is to be presented here by the famous English actress, Fay Compton, and J. C. Williamson’s incomparable Jvondon company at the Opera House on Monday and Tuesday nights next: “The wholehearted enthusiasm of another large audience at His Majesty’s Theatre last night for the second performance of Victoria Regina,’ by Miss Fay Compton and her company gave further assurance, it anv were needed, that this remarkable cbrcnicle-play will have tho warmest possible welcome throughout its New Zealand tour. ‘Victoria Regina’ makes an immediate appeal -to all thoughtful people of the British stock from which New Zealanders are proud to have sprung. Its attraction is not limited to those older folk who remember the later years of Victoria s_ long reign; school history lessons are an .incentive to witness it because for a few brief hours the art of Laurence Housman and a talented company combine to make history live again upon the stage. Added to that, the play is an acuto and charming study of human character, a series of spaikling episodes, each in its own dramatic vein, and a pageant of 19th century costume in all the dignity and sumptuousness which, except on rare occasions, the modern world so sadly lacks. To playgoers who rejoice in fine acting Miss Compton s study of the Great Queen from youth through maturity to old age is a treat that comes but rarely, and when it comes should on no account be missed In every scene she is most ably supported by every member of the company, and oven those players who make but brief appearances leavo something to remember. In the difficult role of Prince Albert, Mr Bruno Barnabe shares honours with Miss Compton by making the Prince as human and well-rounded a character as the Queen herself. His interpretation should remove from many minds the impression that Albert was the stiff and over-consoientious person of popular legend. The presentation throughout fulfils every expeclation of those who have read Housman’s ‘lPlays of Queen Victoria’ and adds much that the average reader is bound to overlook. Among the many incidental features of ‘Victoria Regina 1 is the meticulous attention to period dressing and furnishing which, in conjunction with the able characterisation in minor roles, contributes to picturesque and brilliant spectaoular scenes bespeaking an exceptional standard in production. The fullrigged grace of the women characters gives to younger members of the audience an added meaning to the word deportment, and a new viewpoint on the crinoline is a notable phase of the frocks.” The box plans will be opened at Collinson and Cunriinghame’s on Friday morning next.