PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6630, 18 August 1931, Page 4

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

AT THE REGENT CROWDS SEE “EAST LYNNE” DESPITE ROUGH WEATHER If the Regent theatre this week establishes a new record for attendance it will be because “East Lynne” not only represents the fulfilment of the management’s promise, but because the lovely Ann Harding, assisted by Clive Brook, Conrad Nagel, Beryl Mercer, Cecilia Loftus and other notable players, gives the finest portrayal of her meteoric career. There is absolutely no doubting the fact that Ann Harding in “East Lynne” attains the highest mark reached by any emotional actress in her characterisation of Isabel. Certainly “East Lynne” of the Movietone era is one of the most gripping entertainments the cinema has presented, primarily because it furnishes entertainment that, while making its strongest appeal to feminine theatregoers, cannot help hold the undivided attention of every type of movie fan. The presence of such a brilliant galaxy of popular stars as Ann Harding, Clive Brook and Conrad Nagel in a single picture is in itself an event that stamps the vehicle as one of exceptional merit. Noteworthy portrayals arc also contributed by Beryl Mercer as Joyce, the maid, and by Cecilia Loftus in her Eox film debut as Carlyle’s spinster sister, Cornelia. Others in the cast deserving mention arc 0. P. Hcggic, David Torrence and Flora Sheffield. Put “East Lynne” down as the season’s most powerful drama, one that will grip everybody—a picture that is the new screen at its very best.

KOSY THEATRE GARY COOPED IN BIGGEST OUTDOOR LOVE DRAMA YET “Fighting Caravans,” the thrilling and spectacular drama of tho battling pioneers who beat new trails across the North American continent, Is the tremendous attraction which tho Kosy theatre will show, starting from to--morrow, for three days. Gary Cooper and Lily Dumita head an exceptionally large and forceful cast of well-known screen favourites in this epic picture of the forefathers of tho west. “Fighting Caravans” has been filmed on the sarqe gigantic scale which made “The Covered Wagon a never-to-be-forgotten screen presentation. The lives, the equipment, the characters, even the dangers and privations of those for-ward-pushing days have been reconstructed and brought to life on tho screen in a breath-taking production that will make moving picture history. Into the intense atmosphere of the frontier caravan is introduced a tender romance between Gary Cooper, the swaggering, devil-may-care junior scout of the expedition, and Lily Damita, a French girl immigrant whose father dies during the gruelling march, leaving her alone with a giant wagon and a valuable cargo to carry on to the land of gold. Cooper, tempted to take advantage of the girl’s helpless position, Is quickly brought to his senses by her indomitable will. Their romance blossoms in danger and bursts into full bloom as the caravan straggles into F 1 dorado.

PALACE THEATRE “THE WIDOW FROM CHICAGO" Heading the list at the Palace to-mor-row is First National’s medodrama hit, “The Widow irom Chicago," whicii begins its engagement with “Hot Heiress. The picture is entitled to be labelled all-star, including as it does Edward G. Robinson. Neil Hamilton, Frank McHugh and A’lice White. Neil Hamilton plays opposite Miss White in an interesting role that ends by making him. a hero, though he just escapes the villain class. The love story is said to be very original, and don’t get the idea that Neil is killed off to justify the title. Alice only pretends to be the widow from Chicago. Outstanding iar the cast is the iiguro of Edward G. Robinson, who created the unforgetable gangster role in the stage version of “The Racket." He portrays an entirely different type of gangster, one more human, subtle and realistic, in “The Widow from Chicago." Even in smaller roles are such well-known players as Betty Francisco, Lee irfhumway, Brooks Benedict, E. H. Calvert and Harold Goodwin. Edward Cline directed the picture, which was adapted by Earl Baldwin from the thrilling crook melodrama of the same title. “The Hot Heiress." featured an the same programme with “The Widow from Chicago," is one of the most hilarious and human comedies of the year. There arc three songs in keeping with the spirit of the piece. They arc “Liko Ordinary People Do," “You’re the Cats," and “Nobody Loves a Riveter." Ben Lyon, celebrated for his line work in “Hell’s Angcis," is featured with beautiful Ona Munson. “The Hot Heiress", is modern, suffused with the gaiety of youth, and amusing in the extreme.