PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7106, 15 March 1933, Page 12

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

REGENT THEATRE. “BLONDE VENUS,” STARRING AIAIvLENE DIETRICH. Marlene Dietrich, attractive German actress, Herbert. Alarsball, Cary Grant, and Dickie Moore, all act magnificently in Joseph von Sternberg’s production for Paramount of “The Blonde Venus,” which is the featured attraction concluding to-night at the Regent Theatre. The leading characters are a research chemist suffering from radium poisoning; his wife, who was formorly an actress; and their small son. The mainspring of tho plot is that the chemist will die unies she can go to Germany for a cure which is to cost an inordinate sum of money. The following scenes deal with tho wife’s efforts to secure the necessary money. Aliss Dietrich gives a superb performance. There is a worthy array of subsidiary films, fully up to the standard filmgoers have oome to expect from the management of tho Regent Theatro. These include: A Tom Howard comedy entitled “Breaking Even,” an old-time novelty, a screen song, “Just a Gigolo,” and a British Overseas News. An .niianous isrroisn uomeay—“His Wife’s Mother.” The hilarious adventures of a married man, who performed the almost impossible feat of outwitting his gorgon-like mother-in-law will be related at the Regent Theatre when “His Wife’s Alother, ” which is even funnier than the popular “Aly Wife’s Family,” has its initial showing to-morrow evening. The star of this really brilliant British International Pictures comody is Gus AlcNaughton, and he is excellently supported in the merry-making by Jimmy

Goddeu, Alolly Lamont, and Jack Hobbs. The story tells of a man who, in order to convince his mother-in-law that he has not been treading the primrose path of dalliance, impersonates a non-existent double, aided and übeited by his valet, who iu turn takes tho characters of a peppery old colonel, a German crook, and an American detective. Tho fun is fast and furious throughout, and it will be good to hear the spontaneous laughter which should ring through tho theatre. In view of tho tremendous popularity of this production’s predecessor (“My Wife’s Family”), it is suggested that intending patrons make reservations as early as possible at. the Central Booking Office, ’phone 7178, and thereby avoid disappointment.

KOSY THEATRE.

“ME AND MY GAL.”

Joan Bennett and Hpcnccr Tracy, who have not appeared together in a picture since thoy were co-featured iu “She Wanted a Alillionaire,” enact the leading roles iu “Ale and Aly Gal,” now playing at the lvosy, and both give refreshing characterisations. The story revolves around tho romance of a world-ly-wiso cashier in a restaurant of the lower strata and a wise-cracking young detective attached to the radio car division. As the romance nourishes, the detective discovers an escaped gangster hiding in the home of his sweetheart’s sister when her paralytic father-in-law, by signs made with his eyes, reveals tho presence of the gangster. “Ale and Aly Gal” depends, for the greater part, on its comedy. The dialogue is truly amusing and a few of tho situations arc of side-splitting quality. Aliss Bennett and Air. Tracy are supported by a cast that includes many favourites. Splendid work is done by J. Farrell Alacdonald iu the role of the irrepressible father, Alarion Burns as Miss Bennett’s sister, George Walsh as the escaped convict, Henry B. Walthall as the paralytic, aud Noel Aladison iu one of the gangster roles for which ho is famous. The picture was directed by Raoul Walsh and it is one of his best efforts since he transferred “The Yellow Ticket” to the screen. Entertaining featurettes are attached to this programme which should be voted as an excellent all-round entertainment. PALACE THEATRE. “THE I’HANTOiM OF CEESTWOOD.” E.K.O. Radio Pictures’ “The Phantom of Crostwood, ” will come to the Palace Theatre this afternoon. Alasterful development of suspense, skilful histrionics on the part of a genuinely able cast, elaborato mounting and a gripping, fast moving story, lift this production into a high class. Blonde, vibrant-voiced Karen Alorley plays Jenny Wren, a girl with a beautiful body and an ugly soul, whoso sense of the ironical prompts her to stage a house party in a spooky old mountain mansion to which she has in the style to w-hich they accustomed her, invitee the men who have supported her. (She is about to extract a final sum of money from each of her former supporters and to arrange the marriage of her young sister, played by Anita Louise, to a scion of wealth and position, when a feathered dart punctures her brain. From then on unusual situations, full of compelling interest, follow one after another, pointing suspicion and guilt at practically every member of the party. Deft direction prevents this becoming confusing. The “flash-back” technique of telling the story has been utilised more cleverly than ever before m a picture of this type. Ricardo Cortez is seen in tho role of a criminal who steals into the housß party intent on acquiring Jenny Wren’s jewels and is with her when she is murdered. He gives his usual suave and polished performance and tbo role will strengthen his position among movie-goers. The supiiorting programme includes “.Shocks From tho Third Test,” being exclusive pictures of this much discussed match, attributed to the adoption of the “Leg Theory”; a comedy entitled “The Bride’s Bereavement”; a j cartoon, “Feather Follies”; a travelogue, “Empire of the Sun,” and a New”