PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7401, 8 December 1930, Page 2

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

AT THE REGENT. “SO THIS IS LONDON,” IS EXCEPTIONAL COMEDY,

•< An example of perfect casting is in evidence in tlie Fox Movietone talkie, ‘•'So This Is London,” starring Will Rogers, now showing at the liegcut Theatre. Three very essential roles are thoso. of a family of titled British folk, “Lord and Lady Percy Worthing,” and their daughter, “Elinor Wortning.” Lumsden tare, who has been 30 years on stage and screen the major portion of his experience on the London stage and an EngLsiiman, plays the role of “Lord Worthing,” Mary Forbes, 100 per cent. English, the mother of Ralph ITorbes, plays the role of “Lady Worthing” and Maureen O’Sullivan, who wins fame in John McCormack’s picture the role of “Elinor.” Obviously Rogers is ideal as the Texan owner of a large cotton mill, Irene Rich perfect as his wife and surely a typical American son of an American father is Frank Albertson. Add to that Bramwell Fletcher, an Englishman who started his career on the London stage and has only recently gone to America, playing the role of “Alfred Honeycutt.” and the idealism is complete. Plans are rapidly filling at the Central Booking Office, ’phone 7178. PALACE THEATRE. CROWDS THRILL TO ACTION OF NEW FILM FARE. “Girl of the Port,” Radio Pictures’ Fiji Island story at the Palace Theatre, is an intense drama livened at logical intervals with hilarious dialogue from the lips of saucy Wally O’Neil. These occasional breaks in the serious narratice, lifts it from the melodramatic strata of the John Russell short story to a place among the most interesting talking films of the season. Through the network ’of villainy, native conniving and the general indigency of the tropical port of Suva, Fiji, shines the spirit of regeneration, the salvaging of a human soul. Sally O’Neil, in tho part of Josie, is well cast. Through her screen efforts Sir James Jamison, known by his derelict cohorts as Whiskey John, is restored to his former estate —mentally and morally. What an ideal motive for a story! Of unusual interest is a graphic depiction of “fire walking” as a practiced by religious fanatics of the isolated islands of the Fijis. Also a demonstration of the use, in actual warfare of German flame throwers provides a thrilling highlight in the earlier scenes of the story. Reginald Sharland, leading man, Teveals a "decided talent for dramatic work. Sally O’Neil capably handles what may be considered the best role of her career. Others in the cast are Mitchell Lewis, the villain; Duke Ivahanamoku as Kalita, Fijian chief; Donald Mackenzie, Renee Macready, Arthur Clayton, Gerald Barry, Barrie O’Daniels, .John Webb Dillion, William Burt and Hugh Crumplin. Bert Glencon directed; Beulah Marie Dix wrote the dialogue and adaptation; Frank Reichcr directed the dialogue, Max linesman advised on native “fire walking” effects and Bertram Millhauscr, RKO associate producer, supervised.