ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 74, 24 February 1938, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

METEOR THEATRE. “GIRLS’ DORMITORY.” One of ihe most important cinema events in years will take place, screening to-night at the Meteor Theatre when an exciting new personality, Simone Simon (pronounced See-Moan See-Moan), makes her debut in the Twentieth Century-Fox production, “Girls’ Dormitory.” Warm, young, refreshing and vital, with distinct magnetic appeal and rare, strange beauty, Miss Simon is being acclaimed the most important discovery in recent screen history. Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chalterton arc starred with her, in an exceptional cast that features Constance Collier, J. Edward Bromberg, Dixie Dunbar, John Qualcn and Shirley Deane. The film opens in an exclusive boarding school. Herbert Marshall is the director of the school, Ruth Chattcrton, Constance Collier, J. Edward Bromberg arc important members of the faculty. The students are all young girls in their late ’teens and all are daughters of wealthy families, sent to the school to complete their education. Beyond walls barred to men, the girls are taught and schooled in everything except what the rules forbid—life and love. . It is but a short time before graduation, Simone, a remarkably beautiful girl, is about to leave the surroundings she has known for years—and the man she has youthfully loved almost as long, Herbert -Marshall. On a dare, Simone asks Marshall to dance with her at a school, social event. He refuses the girl and. ashamed at the rebuff, she runs off,. to return just as a searching party is setting out to look for her. Ruth Chattcrton is also in lovo with Marshall, but she conceals her affection behind an appearance of friendly cooperation. One of the teachers discovers a romantic noto evidently written by one of tho girls. She livings the note to Marshall demanding that the girl be reprimanded at once. Behind tho words of tho letter, Marshall secs that the girl was evidently creating a fictitious character in her mind Simone is discovered to he the nuthur of the note. Hailed before the faculty, she admits writing it, but denies that the contents of the note are true.

STATE THEATRE. “KING SOLOMON’S MINES.” \ During the last six months or so there has been a dearth of brilliant film adaptions of story classics. “Les Miscrables,” “David Coppcrfield,” “Little \\ omen,” are but three productions that come to one’s mind. Strangely enough, England has contributed but little to tho really excellent classic productions to date, but now at Inst we have seen an English film that will rank with any previous classic brought to the screen. For sheer entertainment and unexcelled pictorial presentation of the author’s original ideas, “King Solomon’s Mines,” screening at four sessions at the State Theatre to-morrow, takes first place in to-day’s film world. H. Rider Haggard has been responsible for adventurous, imaginative talcs that -have thrilled readers since the ’eighties and will continue to do so for years to come. Those stories have all the glamour and romance that appeals to any imagination, and “King Solomon’s Mines” is probbalv. tho best of these. It is ideal film material, and as adapted and presented by G.-8.-D. under tho direction of Robert Stevenson, it is definitely Britain’s film triumph and intense, exciting entertainment. Tho story, of Kathy O’Brien and her diamond-mining father who obtain a wagon lift from a hunter, Allan Quartermain. and who arc later joined by Commander Good and Sir Henry Curtis, explorer and adventurer, with tho powerfully built Umbopn. for driver and guide, makes interesting material. O'Brien then disappears with a map he has obtained, supposedly locating .the fabulously rich diamond mines—King Solomon’s Mince —and the party, .following in the wake of Kathy who has gone in search of her father, takes an interest in tho proceedings. From the moment they are captured by Zulus and Umbopn reveals himself as "their rightful king, Ihe story builds up to a thrilling and powerful climax that involves fierce tribal wars, gruesome mischief by witch-doctors and an enormous volranic upheaval. These scenes have been brilliantly and realistically produced, and tho tribal war and celebration scenes in which thousands of natives take part are both impressive and spectacular. As Umbopa. Paul Robeson has never been seen to better advantage. Ho sings three songs during the action of tho film, in glorious vnios. and acts with conviction. Sharing all honours is Cedric Hardwickc as Allan Qua.-torniain, adventurer. This convincing English star adds but one more characterisation :o his successfiil list. Roland Young makes Commander Good an interesting, frienuly little fellow with brilliance, and the romantic interest is sincerely handled by Anna Lee and John Loder.