PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7103, 11 March 1933, Page 12

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

KOSY THEATRE,

THREE FAMOUS ACTORS IN "JACK O’ LANTERN.”

No less than three of the most prominent leading men on the English stage have starring roles in British Dominions’ detective opus, ‘‘Jack o’ Lantern,” which is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. The three are Arthur Wontncr, world-famous ‘‘Sherlock Holmes” of “The Sleeping Cardinal” and many stage plays; (Jordon Marker, probably the most notable character man in English pictures; and Edmund Gwenn, whose ‘‘Hornbloom” in Galsworthy’s ‘‘The Skin Game” is not easily forgotten. All three stars have done wonderful work on stage or screen, and it is going to be extremely interesting to see who wins the honours to be derived from ‘‘Jack o’ Lantern.” Of course, much depends on the nature of the various roles, and an artist can only be as good as his or her part will allow. Nevertheless, each ot the parts allotted to 'Wontncr, Marker and Gwenn respectively, arc pregnant with dramatic possibilities, and in this British Dominions attraction tho acme of histrionic perfection can be expected. The supports are headed by chapter 11 of the popular ‘‘Jungle Mystery” and include two cartoons, a ‘‘•Scrappy” and a “Hilly Hymphony,” and also a musical novelty item, played by Hal Hwaine and his saxophono orchestra.

REGENT THEATRE. “BLONDE YEN EH;” STARRING MARLENE DIETRICH. Magnificent performances arc again given by Marlene Dietrich, attractive German actress, Herbert Marshall, Cary Grant, and Dickie Moore, the stars of “The- Blonde Venus,” which will head tho new programme at the Regent Theatre to-day. The leading characters are a research chemist suffering from radium poisoning; his wife, and their small son. The mainspring of the plot is that the chemist will cue unless ho can go to Germany for a cure which is to cost an inordinate sum of money. Tho following scenes deal rvitn the wife’s efforts to secure tho necessary money. Miss Dietrich gives a superb performance. Hhe brings to licr portrayal a warmth and devotion which come of her previous characterisations have lacked. The tenderness with which sho invests the part of a mother striving to save the life of Jicr husband will appeal to all. Miss Dietrich is even more attractive than she has been in her previous pictures. Urged by love, Helen, the wife, determines to earn the money. Hlie succeeds in getting a job in a night club, where, billed as “Tho Blonde Venus,” she creates an overnight sensation and attracts the attention of wealthy Nick Townsend. Her salary is too small to be of any help to her husband, and, in desperation, she accepts tho*, attention of Townsend, hoping to get the necessary money from him. Hhe tells licr need so frankly that she surprises him into a generous offer of help. Tho husband goes abroad, believing she lias earned the money at the night club, and leaving her with Johnny to console tor uunng his absence. There will be a worthy array of subsidiary films, fully up to the standard film-goers have come to expect from the management of the Regent Theatre. These will include: Tom Howard comedy entitled “Breaking Even,” an old-time novelty, a screen song, “Just a Gigolo,” and a British Overseas News.

PALACE THEATRE. ••THE DIKES OH HATH. - ' “The Hires or Hate," the British International picture, which will open at the Palace Theatre this afternoon, is a stirring Conan Doyle story adapted by Dion Titheraclge, and worked out with the assistance of the ltoyal Air Porce and the Soudanese Camel Corps, which gives a clue to the picture. Colonel Dgerton has been given a year to live owing to ah affection of the spine due to an old wound. Tie is eontcmpviting a quick way out, when he is invited to join Sir William ltoyden, his medical man, and his brother, on a trip up the Nile. On the river steamer he meets an olu friend in Nora Deirnout, and her two friends, Byrne and Nay Byrne. The latter falls in love with Dgerton, but he dare not reciprocate, though his feelings run that way. When away above Luxor, a long trip into the desert is planned. .Scarcely has tiio objective been achieved than the party is captured by a marauding tribe. Jn the scrap Dgerton is wounded and left for dead, but recovering, is able to heliograph his presence by means of a mirror. The scout communicates with the Camel Corps, and guided by the ’planes, these pirates of the desert are surrounded and demolished, not, howexer,. before the tourists have undergone great privations. O i course, Dgerton, who has been the her* of the affair, is not allowed to die. Hap j^;iess is his and hers. The views of the Nile, and tho splendid manoeuvres of the Camel Corps in the desert, are features that command admiration. The programme also includes some charming views of the picturesque scenery of Capetown and the Cape of Good Hope, and a remarkably funny comedy entitled “Strip, Strip Hooray."