PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7241, 22 August 1933, Page 3

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

REGENT THEATRE. KATHARINE HEPBURN FEATURED IN “CHRISTOPHER STRONG.” One of tlio most brilliantly acted and gripping dramas ever presented is “Christopher Strong,” the E.K.O. Radio release that will conclude this evening at the Regent Theatre. “Christopher Strong” is adapted from a story by the noted author, Gilbert Frankau, and is enacted by a specially chosen cast headed by Katharine Hepburn. Miss Hepburn is seen as a titled English girl, whose passion is aviation. Stic later falls in love with a married man, Sir Christopher Strong. And then the real story starts. Miss Hepburn invests the part with a realism difficult to imagine, and in this iilm definitely places herself among the ranks of the screen’s greatest stars. No one could possibly see this picture and remain indifferent to the performances of the star or those who play with her. No less convincing a performance is given by Colin Clive, the English actor, remembered for his portrayal of Captain Stanhope in “Journey’s End,” who plays tlie title role. There is an excellent supporting bill, which includes a comedy entitled “The Gay Nighties’” a film fable, “The Wild Goose Chase”; a Hal Roach Taxi Boys comedy, and a Motrotone News. John Barrymore lu “Topa^e.” Described as one of the most brilliantly acted and sparkling comedies the cinema produced in years, “Topaze” will be tfle big attraction at the Regent Theatre, beginning to-morrow evening, The title comes from the fact that the’ gay story concerns a certain Professor Topaze who, in the opening sequences, is a simple soul, preaching to his pupils the doctrine of “honesty is the best, policy.” But. as the action progresses the professor is involved in a surprising adventure, by which he learns that all the things he most desires in life are attainable only after he has been transformed into an unscrupulous, rollicking rogue. 'Tho dialogue throughout is brisk and bright, and the plot maintains a merry pace from start to finish. John Barrymore has the title role, and critics agree unanimously that he is at his best in this light comedy role. Myrna Loy is among the supporting players, and an outstanding performance is given by the polished English actor, Reginald Mason, who, as a baron of questionable business methods, finds the tables turned on himself when Topaze takes a hand. As ail appetiser for the mam attraction the supporting programme has been carefully selected and . will comprise a comedy bearing tho title, “Hip, Zip Hooray”; a cartoon fable, “Tumbledown Town”; an Audio Review, and on interesting Newsreel. , KOSY THEATRE. “'THE' CIRCUS QUEEN MURDER” AND “SILENT MEN.” The double-feature programme embracing “Silent Men” and “The Circus Queen Murder” concludes at the Rosy Theatre to-day. “Silent Men” features popular Tim McCoy with whom is associated Florence Britton and a cast of well-known “westerners.” “The Circus Queen Murder” is the second of the Thatcher Colt mystery series. Tho cast includes Greta Nissen, liuthelrna Stevens and Adolphe Menjou. To-morrow—“ 20,000 Years In Sing Sing.” The story oJ. “Twenty Thousand Years in Sing Sing,” the picture which comes to the Kosy Theatre to-morrow, was hailed by many critics as a sensational human document when it apimared in book form. It is said to have

gained in sheer thrilling intensity in its uramatisation for the screen. The original story is by tho only man with a wide enough knowledge of ciiminal character and sympathetic understanding to have conceived and written it, Warden Lewis E. Lawes, of Sing Sing. Paradoxical as it may seem, there a-ie touches of humour, glowing romance and undying love in this s„ory which deals with the pathos and the glim tragedy of life. There are sorrows that bring tears to the eyes, and touches of loyalty that renews tho faith in human nature, even when considered misguided. Spencer Tracy portrays the leading role of a convict who goes to the chair to save his sweetheart and to protect the warden who had been kind to him, in what is claimed to be the greatest picture of prison life ever filmed. PALACE THEATRE. CLAUDE ALISTER IN “DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.” “Confidence’'’ men, tho art of pocketpicking, jewel thieving, and all the tricks of “erookdom." are laughingly exposed in the new British leature, “Diamond Cut Diamond," which wilt be finally screened to-night at the Palace Theatre. Adolphe Menjou displays a comedy talent that lias not often been, seen before iu his great -screen career. In the role of Dan Macqueen, a super-crook with a fatalistic opinion of tnc opposite sex, his comedy is perfect. Partnered with Claude Alister, in the leading role of another crook, he goes through tho whole gamut of known and unknown crimes. The story follows them from the Mouth. Boas, where they rob a native of a valuable pearl to get passage money to England, to the Homes-of the society’s elite. Here, iu hilarious style, they' continue their life of crime, but eventually meet their Waterloo in the form of a girl. The picture is preceded by some entertaining short films, which include a comedy; a Flip the Frog cartoon, “The Room Runners"; the latest of tho New Zealand Souudsceacs Gazettes, and a Metrotoue English News. •' When London Sleeps. ’ ’ If it were only for its last few hundred feet, “When London Biceps," tho new all-British film, which will commence to-morrow afternoon at the Palace Theatre, would be worth going a long way to see. Tho iinalo is exceedingly cleverly conceived. “When London Bleeps" is a story of high dramatic intensity; it concerns mainly Uie doings of a fashionable set who frequent. a select gambling club. Tommy Ely the (Harold French) finds kimscir embarrassed in a love affair with Mary (Rene Ray), pretty daughter of an itinerant showman. The story takes a startling turn when the proprietor of a gambling club, Rodney Haines (Francis Bullivau) kidnaps Mary. This leads to an exciting and dramatic climax, m which a pretty girl finds herself trapped in the actic of a burning house. Diana Beaumont, in the principal feminine lead, plays an exceedingly fine role, lfie big picture will be preceded by an excellent selection of “shorts," including a, beautiful Irish scenic film, “The Blue Hills of Antrim"; an interest item entitled “London’s Peace"; “Eggshibitions," a Cine-Magazine, and a clever nature study, “Aphis.”