ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 220, 17 August 1939, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “WUTHERING HEIGHTS.” “WuLhcring Heights” is based on the unforgettable love of the Emily Bronte novel of the same name. Merle Oberon and Laurence Oliver are cast as the romantic lovers who discover the beauty and despair of love as they wander wildly over the desolate moors of the Yorkshire country. The stars are brilliantly supported by a cast of outstanding players, including David Niven, Flora Hobson, •Hugh Williams, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Donald Crisp and Miles Mandcr. Briefly, the story concerns the lives of five strangely assorted people. Its mood is one of great love and great disaster, played out in an atmosphere of strange emotions, strange hates, strange moods. Merle Oberon is magnificently cast as Cathy, a high-spirited beauty whoso life is mysteriously influenced- by the moors on which she lias lived all her life. Laurence Oliver plays the role of Hcatheliff, a brooding, melancholy figure in love with Cathv, with remarkable strength and poignant fervour. David Niven, as Edgar Linton, turns in a portrait of unusual fidelity and conviction, and Flora Robson, known as England's greatest character actress, is perfectly cast, as Cathy’s nurse. Too much praise cannot be given to the beautiful production and brilliant, photography which heighten the story of “Wuthering Heights 1 ’ and make it one of the screen’s greatest -contributions since picture-making came of ago. Also latest “March of Time.” REGENT THEATRE. “OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS.” When the Hardys go Wild West in the wide open spaces, Judge Hardy faces the serious problem of keeping his energetic family properly corialed. But with his usual wisdom and understanding he man ages to settle Andy’s troubles, prevents Marian from making a hasty marriage and solves the perplexing legal difficulties of an old sweetheart in “Out West With the Hardys.” This, the fifth of the Hardy pictures, screens finally at the Regent Theatre to-night. “HONOLULU.” Dancing, singing, romance and laughs are represented by the topnotchers in their respective fields in the star-packed cast of the new M.G.M. musical, “Honolulu.” Eleanor Powell, the screen’s renowned Queen of Taps, handles the dancing end of the lavish new picture, with the other headliners composed of Robert Young and the inimitable comedy team of Burns and Allen. Miss Powell introduces three specialties, “Hymn to the Sun,” a tap hula, based on the traditional Hawaiian dance; an imitation of Bill Robinson’s entertaining stair dance, and a tap dance done with a skipping rope. The story concerns a screen star, impersonated by Young, who wearies of tiie Hollywood routine and wants to get away for a- rest. On a big “opening night” he encounters His opportunity when a Hawaiian planter, who closely resembles him, is mobbed by. autograph fiends in the thafre lobby. The actor arranges with the visitor for an exchange of personalities and the chap agrees almost too readily. The deal is made and Young heads for Honolulu, while the planter continues to impersonate the star. Aboard ship, Young meets Eleanor Powell, a cabaret dancer, and, of course, falls in love with her. The complications become serious in Hawaii when he learns that he is wanted there for embezzlement and also is engaged to a girl lie never saw.