PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7065, 26 January 1933, Page 3

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

KOSY THEATRE INTENSE AND GRIPPING- DRAMA —“THE PENALTY OF FAME" One of the most colourful and revealing pictures to come to Palmerston North in a long time is showing at the Kosy theatre this week. “The Penalty of Fame" crystallises the thoughts of a nation as no other recent film has done. Its power lies in its graphic portrayal of modern journalism, the menace; of the underworld and the kidnapping activities which have been terrorising prominent Americans. Audiences that have seen this unusual film have been impressed with its dramatic commentary on these phenomena of our present civilisation. But “The Penalty of Fame” cannot be viewed solely as such, for it is a very engrossing screen story as well in which action, suspense and characterisation predominate. The film concerns the activities of a metropolitan newspaper “gossip" columnist and broadcasting reporter who gathers his uncanny news from various unorthodox news sources. Scorned by his fellow journalists, he is given an opportunity to break his biggest story and to perform a benefit to the nation in apprehending the kidnapping underworld gang which has baffled police in tho capture of the daughter of a nationally prominent family. How he manages to' discover the missing girl and defeat the plans of a powerful gang leader provides the exciting theme of the picture. Tho film is notable also for the fact that, it presents the popular star, Lew Ayres, in his first wholly mature role, that of Larry Wayne, tho newsgatherer. Ayres definitely proves his talent in the deft handling of this hard-bitten journalist. He is capably assisted by the winsome Maureen O’Sullivan, who seems 1o retain her Irish charm on the screen while projecting her personality into the part. Louis Calhern and Walter Catlett come through with their usual high standard performances while Nance O’Neil, Allan Dinchart and other cast memoers leave little to be desired. Slim Summerville and his old pal, Sergeant Gibbon, arc to be seen in a comedy, “Kid Glove Kisses," which presents these two in further adventures in which “Sergio" always seems to get the worst. Universal News reels and a cartoon complete the entertainment.

REGENT THEATRE A P. G. WODEHOUSE STORY, “BROTHER ALFRED" For hilarious fun, “Brother Alfred," the P. G. Wodehouse comedy concluding at the Regent theatre this evening, would be hard to beat. Gene Gerrard, who is in the role of Alfred and George, make's a great hit. As George he commits an assault on an exalted personage, aiul to escape the consequences adopts the role of a twin brother Alfred, a mole being supposed to be the distinguishing mark between the pair. Before the unfortunate incident on the yacht, on which most of the comedy is staged, he becomes betrothed to a charming girl, Molly Lament. There is a scene in a famous restaurant at Monte Carlo, where the assault takes place, and where a cabaret troupe dances gaily. Then the time arrives when Alfred finds it necessary to become George once more, and there are some ludicrous situations before he is able to satisfy his friends and more important still, his fiancee, that he is indeed George. Bobbie Comber and Elsie Randolph give excellent support. The fcaturettes include a Pathetonc Magazine, containing a number of entertaining variety items; a Pal he Gazette and a travelogue of the civilisation of Africa. It- tells of Ihc pioneer work done by Cecil Rhodes, the Empire builder, and the building of the Cape to Giro railway. Chevalier Sings Seven New Hits in Latest Film.

‘ * The Poor Apache, " “ Isn’t. lit Romantic, " and Mimi,” arc titles of three numbers sung by Maurice Chevalier in “Love Me To-night," his latest Paramount picture, which comes tomorrow evening to the Regent theatre. Chevalier is heard in seven of the ten numbers, written for the production by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, noted Broadway composing team. Those listed above he sings as solos. Four others he sings with other members of the cast. Jeanette MacDonald, leading woman in the picture, sings live numbers, one a solo. And she is heard with Chevalier in “Love Me Tonight," the theme song. Practically every member of tho large ease Charlie Ruggles, Charles Butterwortli, Myrna Loy, C. Aubrey Smith and others —sings during tho action. Titles of their numbers are: “The Song of Parec," “Lover," “A Woman Needs Something Like That," “The Man For Me," “The Son of a Gun is Nothing But a Tailor," “How are You" and “Isn't It Romantic." Among an entertaining selection of short subjects are an Old Time Novelty; A Betty Boop Talkartoou, entitled "Stopping The Show," and a Fox News showing tho English and Australian teams meeting on the Sydney Cricket Ground for the opening of the Test matches. PALACE THEATRE “LADIES OF THE JURY," DELIGHTFUL FUN. The inside intrigues of a jury room are revealed for the first time at the Palace theatre where RKO-Radio Pictures’ “Ladies of the .Jury" is showing with the inimitable Edna May

Oliver in the starring role. The film is a riot of laughs and pokes the merry finger of satire at the mixed jury system which expects 12 men and women of extremely opposite types to reach a verdict. For sheer fun this picture, directed by Lowell iSherman, is in a class of its own. Excellently constructed and superbly directed, it starts with a laugh and builds to a crescendo of hilarious situations and broadly comic moods at the end. Edna May Oliver is cast in the role of a determined, crafty social leader who is empanelled on a jury of plumbers, cooks, mechanics and dappers. Bhe alone votes for acquittal, and by devious schemes, promises and a few lies converts the jury against its will. The star, long one of the most noted stage comediennes in the Broadway galaxy, gives a performance that shouiu establish her as one of the leading comics of the screen. Blic combines the subtlety of satire and the broadness of comedy with a flair for pathos. The remainder of the cast is equally well placed. Ken Murray, the vaudeville and radio star, plays a loquacious type of juror; Jill Esmond, the British stage star, is the defendant. The jurors who do all bu-t shoot one another are Roseo Ates, Kitty Kelly, Lita Chevret, Andre Beranger, Charles Dow Clark, Kate Price, Susan Fleming, Guinn “Big Bov’’ Williams, Cora Witherspoon and George Humbert. A very fine array of short items is also presented. Among these are a comedy, “Stop That Run,” a cartoon, “In the Bag”; an enthralling mystery drama, entitled “Self Condemned,” and a News.