PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES –

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6865, 23 May 1932, Page 10

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES -

KOSY THEATRE YOUNGSTERS FROM 7 TO 70 WILL APPLAUD THIS FILM ■ Tlio finest combination in all-round entertainment for audiences ranging in age from seven to seventy is achieved by Warner Eros, in “Side Show," at the Ivosy to-day. Here is a story *of circus side-show life that has distinctly different and novel features. The teaming of Winnie Lightner with Charles Buttcrworth for comedy results is one of its high lights. Either of these alone would be enough to make the picture an hilarious evening’s fun. Both together, they make it one of the rarest treats it has over been this reviewer’s luck to enjoy. It all lies in the vast difference between tho Lightner and Buttcrworth brands of humour, which produce the most intoxicating mixture known. There are the freaks, stunts and animals to please the kiddies. The picture is alivo with interest in this respect, yet never does tho story lose itself in its colourful background. Evalyn Knapp and Donald Cook provide tho love interest around which the picture revolves. Coow gives a splendid performance as tho young barker, the lover of Winnie Lightner, until her sister, Evalyn Knapp, stops into the picture. A more poignant love story has seldom been brought to the screen. Between her moments of clowning, in which she substitutes her humorous side-show freaks —such as hula girl, lire diver and cannibal —Winnie Lightner demonstrates her versatility. It is shs Who is torn between love for the barker and for her younger sister who also loves him. The large supporting cast includes beside tho well known circus freaks several players who contribute much to heighten both tho comedy and dramatic interest. PALACE THEATRE. “SURRENDER" NOW SHOWING ‘ ‘Surrender," Fox drama based on Pierre Benoit’s novel, ‘Axelle,’’ and directed by William K. Howard, is continuing its engagement at the Palaco theatre to-day. It is a drama of uncompromising truth depicting me conflict between a woman’s lovo for a man and loyalty to her country. The girl is betrothed to the son of a retired Prussian general, but she falls in love with a French prisoner of war who lias boon detailed to work on the old general’s crumbling estate. Her aristocratic blood urges her to marry (he noble son of a Reichcndorf, but she finds herself in the valley of indecision and her heartbreaking struggle with herself is unforgettable. Warner Baxter of “In Old Arizona," “Such Men Are Dangerous," “The'Cisco Kid," “Doctors’ Wives," “Daddy Long Legs" and other outstanding screen successes, portrays the leading role, and the beautiful Leila Hyams enacts the role of the . girl. The cast is a large ono and includes such well-known stage and screen personalities as Alexander Kirkland, C. Aubrey Smith, Ralph Bellamy, William Pawley, Howard Phillips, Bodil Rosing and George Andre Berangcr. AT THE REGENT

“THE BELOVED BACHELOR” Raymond Griffith, who was a comedian of the first order when the screen had no voice, is about to achieve fame in. a new field. Griffith is now a scenario writer. His first important work as a maker of scripts is in "The Beloved Bachelor,” Paramount’s comedyromance, featuring Paul Lukas, Dorothy Jordan, Charles Rugglcs and Vivienne Osborne, which is now at the Regent. The story has to do with the life of a young San Francisco sculptor, played by Lukas, who falls in love in his youth with a beautiful actress (Vivienne ©sbornc). Because of a misunderstanding she forsakes him for another man and gets married. Meanwhile, Lukas has adopted the orphaned daughter of a woman who had once been a model for his early sculptures. A period of 12 years elapses, and Mitzi, the child he has adopted, is now a young woman (Dorothy Jordan), who is beginning to love her guardian with an intense romantic fervour. Lukas has become famous, but he is not happy, for he has never forgotten his affection for the actress. On the occasion of the unveiling of his most rgeent statue Miss Osborne is present. She, too, has not forgotten their earlier affair. Their friendship is renewed. The reconciliation arouses the youthful jealousy of Dorothy, who takes stern measures to apprise Lukas of her own love for him. This triangular situation is finally solved by a scries of appealing and very human incidents. As a special added stage attraction, the management has arranged for a short, season of the world-famous aerial act, the Flying Winskills, which is featured with “The Beloved Bachelor.’ This remarkable team of acrobats have appeared in every important theatre and country in-the world, and their appearance here will bo looked forward to with the greatest interest. Arrangements have'been completed with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to supply a succession of novelty vaudeville acts, should public support be forthcoming.