Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 220, 20 September 1934, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

KOSY THEATRE “PICTURE SNATCHER” James Cagney, who depicts a hard-boil-ed newspaper man in his latest Warner Bros. First National production, “Picture Snatcher,” showing at the Kosy theatre to-day, was born in New York. As a boy he had the usual run of jobs as office boy, bundle wrapper, etc., until he started his stage career as a chorus boy. His next step upward was in big time vaudeville and then on to Broadway productions. It was while appearing with Joan Blandell in “Penny Arcade” in New York that both ho and Miss Blondell were signed for pictures. Warner Bros, cast them in the screen version of the show which was released under the title of “Sinners’ Holiday.” Both have since risen to stardom under the Warner Bros, banner. The additional programme contains many items of interest, which includes musical items, Radio news, travel talks and gazette...

PALACE THEATRE “THE CRASH” The hectic days of post-war stock gambling, the spectacular crash of the stock market, the ruin of tire idle rich who went down with it, are depicted dramatically for tho first time on tho motion picture screen in “The Crash.” There are few surer signs of screen success than for a star to pick tho same leading man for two pictures in succession. This is the signal honour that has been accorded George Brent who is once more playing the leading role opposite Ruth Chatterton in her second First National shown at tho Palaco theatre. ,

production, “The Crash,” Which is being shown at the Palace theatre. Against a colourful background Is vividly told' the story of a young couple who have made a fortune in the market, only to lose It, like thousands of others, in the debacle that ended a nation’s gambling for quick riches. Ruth Chatterton as the stockbroker’s wife, and George Brent, in the role of the rapidly rising broker, carry the burden of the drama, which sweeps from the pent-houses of Park Avenue to the tropical latitudes of Bermuda and back to the metropolis before the events that engulf the husband and wife, finally run. their course. Surrounding Miss Chatterton and George Brent, who is her husband, is an exceptionally strong cast consisting of Hardle Albright, Henry Kolker, Ivan Simpson, Paul Cavanaugh, Lois Tucker, Helen Vinson, Edith Kingdon and Virginia Hammond.

REGENT THEATRE “OPERATOR 13” Out. of the pages of history has come another great motion picture theme to thrill theatre audiences with one of the finest romances seen upon tho screen in recent years. This time it is “Operator 13,” tho exciting Robert W. Chambers story which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Cos-mopolitan presents as Marion Davies’ newest starring vehicle which is now showing at the Regent theatre. Y'et it is not, in a sense, a -war story. It is the gripping lovo story for which the Civil War serves only as a background. It is the story of an all-powerful love affair involving a beautiful woman spy of the army ami a gallant spy of the,

i STATE THEATRE “WHEN NEW YORK SLEEPS.”“Now I’ll Tell by Mrs. Arnold Rothstein,” and picturised as “When New York Sleeps, which opened at the State theatre yesterday, will satisfy all types of movie goers—sensation seekers as well as lovers of real life drama. It bares for the first time things millions of men and women have wanted to know —amazing revelations by a wprnan about tho joys, sorrows, heartaches, emotions—the great drama of a woman’s life behind the scenes of the sporting and nignt life of New York City. It sends a great actor, Spencer Tracy, soaring to stardom on the strength of his powerful portrayal of the picture’s protagonist, Murray Golden. It presents a kaleidoscope of drama, comedy, night life and sporting events of New Y'ork during the exciting years from 1310 to 1932. In Its final denouement, it works up to a tremendous climax with the inexorability of a Greek drama. In brief, it is great entertainment Spencer Tracy has been waiting for a role like this to display the full gamut of his dramatic technique. It is a fine, sympathetic characterisation. Helen Twelvetrees plays the important part of the wife with a genuine appreciation of its depth. Alice Fayo comes through her first drama tic role very well as the "other woman.” Sinco sho is a night club singer, she has an opportunity to put over the song “Foolin’ With the Other Woman’s Man" with an emotional warmth that her fans expect after her interpretation of "Nasty Man” in George White’s “Scandals.” Tho capable supporting cast includes Robert Gleekler, Henry O’Neill, Hobart Cavanaugh, G. P. Huntley, junr., Claranco Wilson, Barbara Weeks, Vince Barnett and Shirley Temple. An excellent supporting programme includes cartoon, “Rip Van Winkle,” a popular travelogue, “In Old Guatemala”; also newsreels, etc.

Confederate forces. As Gail Loveless, the Federal spy who is sent into the Southern lines to destroy the most dangerous spy of the Confederacy, Miss Davies contributes her finest dramatic performance of her eventful screen career. Gary Cooper, the Southern spy, equally surpasses all his former screen roles as the man whom Miss Davies sets out to destroy—and with whom sho falls in love. The masterful direction ,of tho picture was conducted by Richard Boleslavsky, former noted director and actor of the Moscow Art Theatre who has been responsible for such entertaining pictures as “Rasputin arid tho Empress” and “Men in White.” The story is a story of spies, of espionage and intrigue, and throws a new historical light upon the most dramatic of ail America’s conflicts —the Civil War. Of comedy, there is plenty, supplied by Ted Healy in tho. role of a spy masquerading as a medicine man. A secondary romance, one of tho sweetest to be seen on the screen, Is supplied by charming Jean Parker and Henry Wadsworth, a juvenile newcomer to the screen. Too, tho musical spirit of the Old South has been aDly captured and made a vital part of the story with songs and music by the Four Mills Brothers of radio fame, by Miss Davies and by the old-fashioned dances that have been revived for the production. “Operator 13” is a picture well worth seeing. It is education, itself.