PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6919, 25 July 1932, Page 3

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

KOSY THEATRE

THRILLS AND COMEDY

Priceless emeralds, covetous international crooks, daring thefts and even moro daring rescues, the catapulting'of an aeroplane from the deck of a liner in mid-ocean, a bold kidnapping, and other ingredients of a similarly exciting nature provide a host of thrills for the audience of “Cheaters at Play” at the Kosy theatre to-day. With Thomas Meighan, Charlotto Greenwood, William Bakewcll, Barbara Weeks, Linda Watkins, James Kirkwood and Ralph Morgan heading the notable cast, "Cheaters at Play” is expertly acted, and with the deft direction of Hamilton MeFadden it is as interesting a picture as has been shown here in a long, long time. The story deals with Miss Greenwood’s efforts to smuggle a priceless string of emeralds into the country. Various international crooks have evil designs on these same jewels, which do, in fact, vanish on three occasions, thus giving tho rcdoubtablo Mr. Meighan plenty of exercise and trouble in recovering them. Mr. Meighan, it seems, was onco a master crook himself, and his knowledge of the tricks of tho trade comes in handily as lie disappoints the various malefactors.

PALACE THEATRE

■SCANDAL FOR SALE

The virile Charles Bickford is maguilicent as tho scandal-seeking city editor and does the best work of his career. Rose Hobart is pleasing and capable as his wife, and Pat O’Brien is a star reporter to the life in “Scandal for Sale,” the Universal drama which continues its season at the Palace theatre to-night. Though it docs not pretend to present a picture of typical newspaper life, the story deals with the stormy career of one man who finds himself directing tho destinies of a New York newspaper, and who embarks on a reckless course of sensationalism for tho avowed purpose of adding to the circulation of tho daily. He becomes a ruthless scandalmonger who will go to any lengths to secure or manufacture a sensational “story” for his paper, and even his own associates tuui away from him before a terrible tragedy brings him to his senses. Others in the cast aro Claudia 8011, Burton Churchill, J. Farrell Macdonald, Glenda Farrell, Tully Marshall, Lew Kelly and two delightful children, Buster Phelps and Betty Jane Graham. The “city room” of a metropolitan newspaper forms a background for much of tho action of tho story, and thero are many impressive scones aboard an aeroplane oil a trans-Atlan-tic flight from New York to Europe, with O'Brien accompanying tho pilot in the capacity of reporter.

REGENT THEATRE

CONSTANCE BENNETT GAINS FAVOUR IN “EASIEST. WAY”

One of the grca.tcst stage classics, Eugene Walter’s “Tho Easiest Way,” suffered no diminution of dramatic .importance when it was presented at the Regent theatre by Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer with the charming Constance Bennett as the star. Miss Bennett makes a very believable Laura Murdock, while tho suave but human Brockton, man about town, is delightfully done by Adolphe Menjou. It screens again this evening and finally to-mor-row. The scenes between this pair have none of the old melodramatic heroine and villain quality. Menjou and Miss Bennett, make their characters live, - they are real. Robert Montgomery, tho straight lover is great, as usual, with particular emphasis on. the denouement scene, where Menjou brings about a show-down. This young man always excels in natural, carefully considered acting. Madison is a difficult part, dono superbly. Marjorie Rami',eau, tho New York stage character, follows up her talkie, ‘“Min and Bill,” success with a beautifully etcbcl Elfie. Elfic, as the "bad example” of the piece, fits easily into the warp and woof of the plot, and tho Rambcau interpretation is indeed splendid. Anita Page is good in anything she attempts, and her Peg, Laura’s sister, is very satisfying. Clark Gable is extremely fine. J. Farrell Macdonald and Clara Blandick are excellent- as Mr. and Mrs. Murdock, respective father and mother of the heroine. There is also an excellent supporting programme, including No. 6 ot tho Bobby Jones golf series. “This Reckless Age” to Screen Only Three Times

Charles (Buddy) Rogers opened up with a new and more realistic brand oi acting in “The Lawyer’s Secret.” He is even more intriguing as the son and lover in “This Reckless Age,” which commences with a matinee on Wednesday at the Regent theatre. It will then screen only on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Charlio Rugglcs, v-lio has been a bachelor in film after film, and an amusing one at that, is a bachelor . again in this picture—even more amusing—and he gets married right before your eyes. Peggy Shannon, who was Rogers’ sweetheart in “The Road to Reno,” is his lady love again in this show. Richard Bennett, the distinguished stage veteran, who in real life is the father of those famous Bennett girls, Constance, Barbara and Joan ; here portrays an indulgent dad who stakes his good reputation in the community in order to get money to help his children enjoy life. Frances Dee, who shewed the fans a thing or two about jazz-ago love in “An American Tragedy,” hero portrays a dancedizzy daughter of a middle-class family who finally falls soberly in love with substantial, wealthy bachelor and reforms to a. saner, calmer woman.