PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6626, 12 August 1931, Page 3

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

KOSY THEATRE. “SANTA FE TRAIL”—CHILD ACTRESS PAIR. (J.,,.." The two child actresses play the leading feminine roles in ‘ ‘ Tho Santa Fo Trail, ’ ’ filmed in dialogue by Paramount from Hal G. Evarts’ novel, “Spanish Acres,” and to bo shown at the Kosy theatre to-day. However, one of the misses places an “ex” before her title “child actress.” The players are Rosita Moreno, appearing opposite Kicharu Arlen, and Mitzi Green, who carries the juvenile interest of the picture with Junior Durkin. Mitzi is still a chikl actress. At nine, she is enjoying the popularity on the screen that Rosita held on the dancing stage at tue same age. Being an interpreter of the difficult Castilian dances, Rosita’s debut as a child favourite was delayed a couple of years past that of Mitzi. However, their careers are parallel. Rosita learned to dance almost as soon as she could walk; Mitzi was mimicking grown-ups before sho could talk. Both were born into stage families. Rosita and Mitzi have lived behind the stage scenes all their lives. Both made their debuts at the age of three. Rosita won a children's dancing contest in Mexico City at that age, while at three Mitzi first stepped on tho stage as a mimic, imitating Sadie Burt, who happened to be on the same bill with Mitzi’s parents. Mitzi’s professional stage debut was at six when she was signed for a vaudeville engagement after a scout had heard her do an imitation of Moran and Mack at a benefit performance. For two years, Mitzi was a "vaudeville headliner with her imitations and at eight she entered mation pictures, where sho has sinco been at work. Rosita’s actual professional stage debut came when sho was eight. Her parents were dancing in Beunos Aires and her father brought her on to tho stage one night to do a dance. The manager of the theatre ivas so impressed by her dancing that he secured her services as a featured dancer at another theatre which he also managed. From then until her fourteenth birthday, Rosita was a favourite dancer throughout. South America. She went to the United States when 15 and for the past five years has been a vaudeville headliner and a featured dancer in musical comedies in that country. PALACE THEATRE. ROMANCE PLAYS BIG PART IN NEW PRISON FILM. The real facts about our penitentiaries, and the causes of outbreaks and riots such as those that have startled the world recently, are set forth as tho background of a very dramatic First National picture now at the Palace theatre with “College Loves.” “Numbered Men ’ ’ is the title of the picture, and its featured players are Conrad Nagel, Bernice Claire and Raymond Hackett. Mervyn Leßoy directed the picture, which was based on the sensational prison drama of the stage by Dwight Taylor. Primarily as unusual romance, physical thrills and high drama as well as much comedy are supplied by the prison background m “Numbered Men.” In both senses ol the word, it is an “inside” story on prison life. 'fully Marshall, Ralpn luce, Ivan Linow, Blanche Fredonei, Maurice Black, William Holden, George Cooper and other favourites have important roles in the picture. The action takes place inside the grim prison walls, and outside at road work camps. High drama is evolved by the sacrifice ot ten years of freedom on tnc part of one honour-convict for the sake of a young couple who love each other and cannot marry until the man is freed. Bonus of the startling elements about the prison life-revelations of “Numbered Men'' are connected with the importance of the relations of prisoners with the outside world and “politics.” The more important prisoners arc by no means “buried alive” in a penal institution, and this, along with the workings of “tho honour system” and a great jailbreak are vital parts of tho story. AT THE REGENT.

FAAIOUS STAGE PLAY “KISMET” OPENS TO-NIGHT.

There has been some discussion as to the correct meaning of “Kismet,” probably the most popular—if not the only —Persian and Arabic word known J,« English speaking countries. “Kismet” is the title of the famous Edward Knoblock play, which First National lias picturized, starring Otis Skinner, and which is opening at the Regent theatre to-night. “Kismet” (or “qismet”) means destiny, or fate. An Oriental, learning that his daughter has run off with a person below her caste, will say, “It was her Kismet,” meaning that it was her fate and beyond her control. Nearly all the Eastern people are fatalists, and one of the reasons why they have become known as philosophical and self-contained is because they excuse the greatest catastrophies as being “Kismet.” It isn't so much that they foci that what is done is already done and there is no recalling it—which would come under the name of philosophy—but the Koran tells them that Allah has preordained their lives, and any occurrence, no matter how unusual or horrible, is met with the resignation that comes from realising that that particular event was writtcu in heaven before the birth ot time. The picture, “Kismet,” is laid in Bagdad of the Thousand and Ono Nights, and is probably the most elaborate production ever sponsored by First National. Loretta Young has tho principal feminine role in support ot Air. Skinner. Plans are on view at the Central Booking Office, Broadway. Phono 7178.