ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 21 April 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “THE RETURN OF THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL.” Romance rides tho screen again with London Films’ version of another grand Baroness Orczy story, “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel,” which comes to the State Theatre to-morrow. The film is a further chapter in the thrilling adventures of Sir Percy Blakcney—“that damned elusive Pimpernel”— a character brilliantly created on the screen two or' three years ago by Leslie Howard. In “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” this role is taken by a handsome young newcomer, Barry K. Barnes, who by his masterly performance establishes himself immediately as a starring personality. Although he has had extensive stage experience, this is the first time Barnes has appeared on the screen. But there is certainly' no suggestion of inexperience in his portrayal, which is a flawless exhibition of ease and charm. No greater praise could bo rendered him than to say his performance loses nothing by comparison with Howard’s masterly interpretation. Against' the same exciting background of' revolutionary France, with the same colourful Orczy characters, but with an entirely new set of adventures, the producers have created a swirling atmosphere of romance and drama, crisp and sparkling as a spring breeze. The story opens quietly in England, with Sir Percy in his foppisli guise, enjoying an exhilarating game of cricket in between exchanging witty sallies with the boisterous Prince Regent, But even at this moment, away in France, the tyrant Robespierre and his chief of police, Chauvelin, are plotting tho capture of Lady Blakcney. to bo used as an irresistible bait in the trap prepared for the “Pimpernel.” The plot succeeds, and Lady Blakcney, played with, grace and beauty by Sophie Stewart, is taken ..to Paris and put on trial for her life. W ith customary daring, Sir Percy and his Leaguers follow immediately. By ingenious disguise mid desperate cunning. Sir Percy effects her rescue, only to find the tables turned on him by Chauvelin. Lady Blakcney is recaptured and Sir Percy barely escape's with his life. His back to tho -wall, Sir Percy stakes all on a last, desperate gamble to release France from the grip of tyranny and save the life of the. woman ho loves. How he succeeds, is told in terms of tho finest scrcencraft, with suspense building up swiftly to a climax of thrills. The acting throughout maintains a high level, and Barry K. Barnes and Sophie Stewart receive excellent support from Margaret ta' Scott, James Mason, Francis Lister and Anthony Busliell. Such films as “The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel” are rare, providing as it does entertainment that can lie understood and enjoyed by every member of the family over the ago of 7 and under 97.

KOSY THEATRE. “MARK OF THE VAMPIRE.” With a great sky as the background for many of the sets in “Mark of the Vampin',” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s new detective drama directed by Tod Browning, is now showing at the Ivosy Theatre. A churchyard, a witch’s cave, an old castle, ami other settings were built before it, while, with optical instruments, similar to those used in a planetarium weird shadings were created. The weird sky is one of the principal effects to produce'a sense of picture, dealing with an eerie murder plot in the midst of a country infested with a fantastic vampire. The new picture, based on a story by Guy Endore, author of “Werewolf of Paris” and “IJabouk,” and Bernard Schubert, has an elaborate cast, including Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Bela Lugosi of “Dracula” fame, Lionel Atwill, Jean Ilersholl, Henry Wadsworth, Ivan Simpson, Donald Meek, Michael Visaroff, Holmes Herbert, Jessie Ralph and many others of note. Weird vampire bats from Trinidad, a stiange, corpseliko “vampire woman,” played by Carol Borland, and described as “so beautiful that she frightens people,” and other bizarre details enhance the thrills of the new. picture. “ONE NEW YORK NIGHT.” Now showing at the ICosy Theatre is “One New York Night,” with Franchot Tone and Una Merkel. The Hotel Diplomat, New York City, is pulsing with early evening activity when Carlisle, a crooked financier, arrives and meets his secretary, Kent. Kent has • registered for suite 309 and mysteriously passes the key to his boss. Shortly afterwards Foxall Ridgeway, wealthy Wyoming rancher in town to find a wife, also registers and is assigned room 307. Standing near the switchboard talking to the pretty operator, Phoebe, is Countess Broussiloff, nervously waiting for Carlisle. Their conversation reveals that Phoebe is a grateful friend whom the Countess helped through a recent illness. The Countess, who has failed in business with mdney secretly borrowed from Carlisle, is terrified that he will reveal the incident to her straignt-backed fiance, George, When the financier insists that she accompany him to his suite, she complies. Phoebe helps her friend by stalling George when he arrives soon afterwards. Meanwhile, Foxall, whose tastes run toward brunettes, is looking for a likely one to take home as a wife, but without luck. Phoebe, the operator, is a manhater until she meets the rancher; then she falls in spite of his disdain for blondes.