PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6810, 17 March 1932, Page 5

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

REGENT. “DAIiuHTEK OP THE DRAGON" IS PULL OP REAL CREEPY THRILLS. Por those "who like romanco seasoned with puzzles, thrills and action evolved from lurking mystery, ‘‘Daughter of tho Dragon" at the Regent talks right out and says big things to any novio audience. Anna May Wong is an Oriental actress of obvious personal points, ■who surrenders to her dying fathor’s wish, and drops a glamorous point of vantago in London’s theatrical iirmajicnt to project a programme of vengeance. With all his fiendish application of chemistry and psychology, Manchu, Warner Oland, was not a mere resolute menace than the pretty daughter proved to be. Loved by an exalted gentleman of her own raco (kesuc Hayakawn), sho allows her heart dictate no chance to defeat tho accomplishment of hor oath. The scone of action spins from Limohouse, London’s gay white way, and murky Thames river, to luxurious estates of tho titled. There are plenty of secret panels and passage-ways, ominous shadows, and a ciimax that will grasp your heart. ‘‘The Champ."

Playing a father on tho screen in a story of paternal love is a new experience for Wallace Beery, who usually draws such roles as Butch, in "The Big House." But after ho did it in ‘‘The Champ," Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer’s new attraction coming to the Regent on Saturday, ho decided ho liked it. ‘‘ln fact," says Beery, ‘‘l have half a mind to adopt a lot of youngsters. I could give thorn bats and baseballs and give ’em a buck every time they broke one of the neighbours' windows." Which argues that fashionable Beverly Hills ought to hopo he'll change his mind about that. "I've worked with children beforo in short scenes here and there, but when they told me I was to play with Jackie Cooper in a picturo where we work together almost tho entire time, I had misgivings," relates Beery. ‘‘You see, it's so unusual in my type of work. But I got the biggest surprise of my life. Jackie 13 as seasoned a trouper as an actor with years of experience. I had seen him in ‘Skippy,' of course, but had no idea of what he could really do until T saw him work in the emotional scene in the cell, and in tho death scene in this picture. His dramatic sense almost passes belief." ‘‘The Champ P tells a vivid human interest story of a former prize fighter and his small son, living in a border town where tho ex-gladiator is trying to ffiake a "comeback;" The old lighter's sacrifice to get a "break" for the boy, the great love of the two and tho vivid climax are surrounded by thrills and racing and fighting. The cast includes Irene Rich, Rosco Ates, Edward Brophy, Hale Hamilton, Jesse Scott tnd Marcia Mac Jones. Eeaturettcs include the second of tho William Tilaen Technique Series, which should not bo missed by tennis players; Fox News, Flip the Frog Cartoon, Metrotonc News.

KOSY THEATRE. /'THE BRAT” LIFTS SALLY O’NEIL AMONG SCREEN STARS. Stronger than ardent desires for Rolls-Royces and pink stucco palaces -with, swimming pools is ono fond hope, foremost in the mind of every film player. That hope is that some day, somehow, someway ho or she will get a “break.” A “break,” in the language of Hollywood, means an opportunity, a role so well suited to the player’s personality that fame and longterm contracts will follow as a matter of course. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell found their “break” ?:i the memorable “7th. Heaven”; Marie Drossier in “Anna Christie”; Constance Bennett in “Common Clay.” These and similarly fortunate players who have also achieved this ambition all had some measure of success before the “break” came. The most recent addition to these exalted ranks is Hally O’Neil, who plays the title Tele in “The Brat,” which opened yesterday at the Kosy Theatre. The captivating little Irish actress has been m pictures since 1925, and has scored in many offerings since her featured debut in Marshall Neilan’s “Mike,” but despite all her efforts and her undoubted ability, the elusive combination of circumstances that bring about the “break” somehow never seemed to tell. Then last summer, things began to happen. The Fox Film Corporation was searching for an actress to cna.ct the title role in “The Brat,” Maude (Fulton’s famous play. The actress had to possess unusual qualities. The Tole required her to be sassy, sincere, emotional, impudent, curious, and there were few among filmdom’s ranks who appeared suited to the part. 'When Miss O’Neil arrived for a test, however, there was no further discussion. Hhe seemed perfectly fitted for the role, and the test confirmed it.