ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 82, 5 March 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE BRIDE WORE RED.’’ Joan Crawford again demonstrates her superb artistry in “The Bride Wore Red,” which presents the Me tro-Goldwy 11-May or adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s stage hit, “The Girl From Trieste.” With the lovely star are her distinguished actor-husband, Franchot Tone, and Robert Young in romantic competition. Others in the cast, whoso performances nro noteworthy are Reginald Owen and Billie Burke, Lynne Carver, George Zucco and Dickie Moore. The story describes’ the dramatic adventures of a charming girl who rose from poverty to wealth and then gained spiritual riches in love. It is, of course, Cinderella up-to-date, but this one is dated every night in the modern manner. Miss Crawford handles tho part with finesse. Tho director was Dorothy Arzner, Hollywood’s only woman megaphonist, and as her first achievement for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer it becomes at once a proof of her future success. Settings for “The Bride Wore Red” offor unusual scenic effects. The gay night life of Trieste’s cosmopolitan waterfront brings a new and invigorating locale to tho screen. In contrast, much of the action was filmed in tho High

Sierras, 10,000 feet among snow-capped peaks and the June Lake district where the company was on location several weeks. World travellers compare the Sierras favourably with the Austrian Tyrol for majestic mountain scenery. Gowns by Adrian have a European flair. Many arc startlingly different, featuring the influence of colourful peasant costumes. Miss Crawford appears in one of the most startling creations over fashioned even for screen purposes. It is a gown of rod beads weighing, it is related, all of 30 pounds. “The Bride Wore Red” screens to-night at the Regent Theatre. KOSY THEATRE. ‘•'FAIR WARNING.” The unusual 6lory of secret murder and sudden romance in Death Valiev’s millionaire playground, with J. Edward Bromberg as a naive detective faced by a startling crime and just sure he can’t solve it at all, “Fair Warning,” now showing at the Kosy Theatre, features Betty Furness and John Howard Payne as the romantic pair whose love comes under the strange spoil of the Great Desert. Victor Kilian and young Billy Burrud also have important, roles in the film. At Paradise Inn, fashionable Death Valley playground, a romance springs up between Betty and John, the new swimming instructor, but sudden death strikes at the same time as sudden love. One of the millionaire guests is murdered, with suspicion pointing at several of the patrons, and the arrival of Detective Bromberg finds the hotel aghast at the crime. A timid soul, the detective gumshoes clues between gumdrops, positive that he can’t deduce a thing, and is thrown into a panic by subsequent attempts of the killer to follow up his first deed. It is a thoroughly embarrassed and apologetic sleuth who assembles the group in an abandoned mine shaft for the climatic solution, but he undergoes a remarkable change as his clever ruse tricks the murderer into revealing his identity. A thrilling chase brings justice to the killer and restores smooth romance to the lovers. “DON’T GAMBLE WITH LOVE.” Columbia Pictures’ “Don’t Gamble With Love,” now showing at the Kosy Theatre, co-starring lovely blonde Ann Sothern and Bruce Cabot, is thrilling audiences with the novel story of what happens in the top hat society gambling palaces of New York’s gay White Way. Ann Sothern is seen as the wife of Bruce Cabot, owner of a gambling club, which is run on the level. When the young couple decide that a gambling establishment is not the proper environment for their child and try,. to get away from it. serious obstacles arise. Dramatic situations build to an exciting clkjiax. With amusing comedy woven throughout, “Don’t Gamble With Love” presents a heart-warming portrait of modern Broadway night life and its gay intrigues. STANLEY McKAY’S “GAIETIES.” “THE NAVY’S IN TOWN.” To-night at the Opera House Stanley McKay’s “Gaieties” vaudeville and revue company, whose yearly visits from Australia have become so popular in the Do- ! minion, is to open its three nights and a matinee season with the spectacular and sparkling revue, “The Navy’s in Town.” | The Dunedin Times of February 17, in Us review of this production, _ says: “The Navy’s in Town” is a series of bright sketches, strung out with clever ballots, musical items, song scenas, frolic and fooling, and speciality turns by deft and daring artists. Team work is the secret of the fast moving performance, and at the head of the team is Joe Lawman, whistling comedian, who sots a pace. which everyone of tho company docs his best to lollow. One of tho big features of tho programme is a cleverly arranged scena, ending the first act, which is complete in itself. Written and produced by Geo. Grcig, of tho Hilo Duo, the scene. is well arranged and dressed, and the lighting effects are cleverly conceived. Under Commander Joe Lawman H.M.S. Sunshine steams boldly into port with band 'playing and dainty middies dancing round, hauling on a heavy rope with good effect. “Seaman Heather Wright presented an eccentric dance with charming ease, and then “Lieut.” Leo Trcnette escorted Miss Wyn Edgerton on board, where, charmed by the scone, she sang “Harbour Lights,” the gallant lieutenant responding with “Lights Out.” Night falls, lights on the ships and in the town ahead make a picturesque display, tho scone concluding with the lowering of a huge Union Jack at the the stage, to the accompaniment of “Tho Red, White and Blue” sang by the complete company. Tho outstanding specialities include Les Diamondos, from the Folios Bergorcs, Paris, in a beautiful statuary posing; Ercdo Ercres, Continental acrobatic violinists; Heather Wright, charming eccentric dancer and contortionist; Elvy Ferguson, solo violinist; James the man with tho cigarettes; Elton Black, Scottish comedian; tho Big Four Harmony Male Quartette, directed by Cliff O’Keefe; and the Popular Hilo Duo, Goo. and Wehi Grcig, Hawaiian entertainers. The box plan is at Collinson and Cunmnghames till noon, then at tho Opera House. The only matinee of the season is to bo given on Tuesday afternoon.