PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6625, 11 August 1931, Page 10

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

AT THE REGENT. LAST NIGHT OP DELIGHTFUL ■ “MONTE CARLO" Those charming entertainers'Jeanette MacDonald and Jack Buchanan will finally appear in their singing romance, “Monte Carlo," at (ho Regent to-night. “Kismet" Commences To-morrow. The Regent theatre, beginning tomorrow, will oiler “Kisiuot," the Liist National and Vitapkone production starring Otto Skinner. “Kismet," based on Mr. Skinner’s greatest triumph on the stage, is one of the most elaborate productions ever made at the First National Studios. The scenery and costumes are truly Oriental in their magnificence and according to those who have seen the picture in advance, its photographic quality sots a now standard of excellence for the industry. Over 4500 people appear in the picture and the cast of principals supporting Mr. Skinner embraces such names as those of Loretta Young, David Manners, Mary Duncan, Sidney Dlackmcr, Ford Sterling, Montagu Love and Edmund Brcesc. The original play by Edward Knoblock has been adapted to the screen by Howard Estabrook. it was first produced in .London and New York in HHI, Oscar Asclto playing the role of Hajj, the beggar, in the London production, while Otis Skinner created the same role in America. After an engagement of an entire year, Mr Skinner played “Kismet" on tho road for two years more. Ten years ago “Kismet" was made by him as a silent picture, scoring a notable popular success. The new screen version presented by First National brings all the resources of modern motion picture and Vitapliono production to bear in making “Kismet" as it will be preserved for posterity—the ultimate achievement of tho art of Otis Skinner and the highwater mark to date in motion pictures. Plans are now open. KOBY THEATRE. BIG CAST IN PARAMOUNT ; S “THE SANTA EE TRAIL" A truly distinguished and versatile cast of screen favourites is featured in the new Paramount action romance, “The Santa Fo Trail," which will be scon at the Kosy theatre to-morrow. Among thoso who lend their talents to the diverting and entertaining dramatisation of Hal. G. Evarts’ best-selling novel, “Spanish Acres," are Richard Arlon, recently seen as the bronzed adventurer of “The Sea God"; Eugene Palletto, one of Paramount’s most popular players an another laugh-provoking comedy role; Mitzi Green, that engaging youngster who romped away with honours in ‘‘ Honey," “Paramount On Parade" and “Lovo Among the Millionaires'’; Junior Durkin, prominent juvenile of tho New York stage, and the beautiful and talented Mexican actress, Ilosita Moreno,- making iior first appearance on the screen. Perfectly cast in roles that do full justice to their talents, all these players arc seen to advantage in a picture that successfully combines thrilling adventure ansi’ easy flowing comedy with a romance that is at once charming and delightful. PALACE THEATRE. NUMBERING INMATES IN PENAL SYSTEM FOR OWN GOOD. “Men are numbered in a penitentiary as much for their own good as to humiliate them,” says Mcrvyn Lc Roy, director of tho powerful story of i prison life, “Numbered Men," which ,comes to the Palace theatre to-morrow with “College Loves." “Although a man generally does so, he does not need to reveal his identity to his fellow convicts unless he wants to. Ho can go by his number. Neither is any information given out by the prison officials concerning his home town, business, or relatives. The purpose of using numbers in a penitentiary instead of names was originally intended as a humiliation, but it has worked out in many ways as a benefit. Many convicts make but few personal friends among the others behind the grey walls. One of the fears of all convicts who pay their debt to society and have a genuine desire for rehabilitation in the world, is that, if they start afresh, their past record will bo revealed by some fellow convict they knew behind tho walls. For this reason many prisoners do not reveal their home town, or else give one that is a fake. There have been many cases where released convicts have blackmailed men they knew behind the walls, and who had made a success under a now name after leaving prison. This class of man is hated and despised by tho bulk of convicts, and is regarded as more of a menace to them than tho law. A number of convicts have been killed for attempting such blackmail, and probably many have been killed whose murders have not been discovered. Police make every attempt to apprehend such blackmailers and will always aid any ex-convict in solving such a situation." Conrad Nagel, Bernice Claire, Raymond Hnckett, Tully Marshall, Ralph luce and Maurice Black are among those in the cast of “Numbered Men."