PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6748, 5 January 1932, Page 10

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

REGENT THEATRE. 'THE PHANTOM OF PARIS” AN ENTHRALLING DRAMA. There have been, splendid audiences it the Regent theatre to see the presentation of ‘‘The Phantom of Pans,' the Metro-Go Id wyn-Mayer production in which John Gilbert stars so successfully, and which concludes to-night. What a role it is for the dashing John Gilbert! Never has the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer star appeared to better advantage than lie does in ‘‘The Phantom of Paris.” The screen version of Gaston Lcroux’s novel, “Cheri-Debi,” is a swift moving story of adventure, intrigue and romance set in the heart of modern Paris. He is submerged in a tank of water, handcuffed and shackled, escapes the day before ho is to be executed from a French prison, braves recapture and death to seek vengeance on the true criminal, and in between all this manages to Jind time to win the love of a daughter of- the aristocracy. John S. Robertson’s directorial guidance is evident throughout the whole of the picture. Ho has caught the very spirit of Paris and mixes intrigue with adventure, thrills with romance, as only he can. Leila Hyams plays the leading feminine role, and Lewis Stone, Jean Hcrsholt, lan Keith and Alfred Hickman arc included in the supporting cast.

‘‘The Outsider” is Really Clever British Drama. Coming to the Regent on Wednesday is ‘‘The Outsider,” a British dramatic triumph worthy to rank sido by side with the greatest screen truinphs. .Lt concerns the beautiful, talented, bur, crippled daughter of England's foremost surgeon, Dr. Sturdec, who is ap proachcd by Ragatzy, an unquaiiiied specialist, who wants to euro her. Her father, believing her incurable, hotly opposes the idea; her iianceo supports it; and in the end sho places herself in Ragatzy's hands, To light for life and love. There is romance, drama, suspense, with moments of priceless comedy', and the picture has wonderful genuine audience appeal. Harold Huth plays the role of Anton Ragatzy, and gives one of the Jincst exhibitions of sustained, emotional acting that has conic from any screen player, and Joan Barry as Lalage Sturdec scores a triumph that borders on the sensational.

PALACE THEATRE “COSTELLO CASE” CLOSES TO-NIGHT “Personally supervised by James Cruzo,” the lino which appears with each production of this famous director, means even more than it says, according to those who have watched the maker of “The Covered Wagon,” “The Costello Case” and other sensational photoplay hits at work. "The Costello Case” will bo shown finally to-night at the Palace theatre, with Tom Moore, Lola Lane, Russell Hardie, Roscoc Karns and Wheeler Oakman in the featured roles. In the selection of stories which his recently formed organisation, James Cruzo, Inc., turns into photoplay hits, and in the casting of each role from the star down to tho player of the smallest part, Cruzo never delegates any work which lie feels it his duty to carry out. While tho story is being

translated into screen form Cruzo is always at hand and, although he himself did not direct "Tho Costello Case," his unfailing touch is evident throughout the talkie. Walter Lang furnished the direction for the picture, which is based on a story by F. McGrow Willis, who also wrote tho dialogue and continuity. KOSY THEATRE SPLENDID SCREEN ENTERTAINMENT Turn an adventurer loose in a mythical kingdom; let him exercise his native wit, hob-nob with kings and queens —and if possible pull them out of a few royal scrapes —and you liavo a recipe for downright lively entertainment that will win every time. This is what is done in ‘‘Last of tho Lono Wolf,” Columbia’s thriller, which screens finally to-day at the Kosy theatre, and the result is a picture that hasn’t a dull moment. Romance, tense action and stirring climaxes arc all thrown in for good measure, and tho whole moves at a fast clip that leaves one dizzy but satisfied. “His Friend's Wife,” Rushing Drama Action is the keynote of “His Friend’s Wife,” a Warner Bros, drama of the singing rails and tho men who follow them, which opens at the Kosy theatre to-morrow with “Captain Applejack.” There are no standstill moments in “His Friend's Wife”; story, interest. and spectacle move forward with dramatic sweep and power. Against a background of driving wheels and crashing steel is patterned a maze of human emotions. Grant Withers, Alary Astor and Regis Toomey are the strange triumvirate of common people who iind tragedy and final peace in the midst of the drama and excitement of desperate railroading. William Wellman directed “His Friend’s Wife” with all the gusto and enthusiasm that has marked Ills earlier successes. Others in the superb cast arc James Cagney, Fred Kohler, J. Farrell MacDonald, Joan Blondcll and Walter Long. The story is from an original script by Maude Fulton,