Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 262, 9 November 1934, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE. “RIPTIDE” All who can appreciate good acting—and modem picture-theatre audiences are discriminating in this respect—will find unlimited enjoyment in “Riptide," which comes to the Regent to-day. Tho story of “Riptide” is that of a woman who is unfaithful to her husband only after he lias demonstrated his lack of trust in her. After discovering her unfaithfulness he forgives her, and they live happily ever after. Although the plot is woven in a manner calculated to rouse sympathy for the wife, her behaviour from first to last is extremely stupid and indiscreet; in fact, as the story progresses it becomes a matter for lively interest as to how much more stupid and indiscreet she can become. However, the acting revealecs|in “Riptide’’ carries it triumphantly into the select coterie of films that must not be missed. Norma Shearer has given few, if any better, performances, and sho has never been more strongly supported, or, as it happens, rivalled. “Riptide,” in fact, provides a histrionic contest for four very clever people—Miss Shearer, Mrs. Pattrick Campbell, Robert Montgomery, and Herbert Marshall. As tho husband Marshall gives a magnificent performance, and steals the picture while he is before tho camera, Montgomery is at tho top of his form as tile devil-may-care philanderer who causes all the trouble and brings matters to a climax by seducing tho silly but previously much-maligned wife. Mrs Campbell—a theatrical name to conjure with on both sides of the Atlantic —is delightful as tho elderly, muddled, and startlingly broad-minded aunt of the husband and counsellor of the wife. Of the foux - , Miss Shearer and Marshall win the contest, Mrs. Campbell a closo second. PALACE THEATRE LAST DAY OF “CRIME ON TIIE HILL” Interpreted by a most distinguished cast headed by Nigel Playfair, Lewis Casson and Sally Blane, the "Crime on the Hill” is really an outstanding mystery drama. The suspense is maintained right to the end and tho audience is kept guessing as to who is responsible for the series of crimes. This entertaining film will be screened at the Palace for the last time to-day. “The Broken Melody” To-morrow. The world-famous stxxgo pluy and haunting melody which have won popularity in many countries are woven into the Twickenham version of “The Broken Melody,” which will bo screened for a season of three days only at the Palace theati-c, commencing to-morrow. The stoi-y of Paul Vex-laine, tile gifted composer of a broken melody of rare charm, who is wrongly accused of murder and ti'ansported to tho dreaded Devil’s Island, is one that will never lose its appeal. Produced in a way that is highly creditable to British film production, and acted by a bi-illiant cast of singers and players, it is winning conspicuous success as a talking picture. John Garrick, who as Reginald Dandy, is well remembered here as the leading baritone of the “Rose Mario” Opei'a Company, and wlxo recently scored heavily in "The Lily of Killarney," is Paul Vei-laino, and his singing of the charming broken melody is said to captivate. Merle Oheron, tho Tasmanian beauty, who reached stardom in tho "Private Life of Henxy VIII,” and who is hailed by many famous critics as tlie most outstanding actress on the screen to-day, plays the part of Germaine and hex- performance is nothing short of remarkable. The introduction of a con'vict chorus of 50 and the singing of both John Garrick and Merle Oheron provide excellent musical and vocal fare. The numbers “Sorrow and Years,” “Just Call Me Cherie,” "Unless I’m With You,” "Devil’s Isle,” “Sea Chanty,” "My Heart’s Song” and “Tho Broken Melody” arc included. The Evening Post stated the following: “Thei-e are several reasons for the popularity of tho picture—first, the stoi-y; second, the music; and thii-d, and not least, the excellence of the acting.” The supporting subjects are of more than usual interest—an exclusive film of Scott and Black’s arx-Ival in Melbourne, and “Victoria, 100 Years of Progress,” being the main attractions.

STATE THEATRE ANOTHER WALLS-LYNN TRIUMPH! Thero are heaps of fun in “Turkey Time,” another of Ben Travers’ clever diversions, which has been produced by Gaumont-British pictures and which will open its Palmerston North season at the State Theatre to-morrow. Nothing- could bo better than to see Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn together again, romping irresponsibly through this gay story of how they played good Samaritans to a pretty pierretto stranded in a seaside town at Christmas time, aided and abetted by Mary Brough of ample proportions and Robertson Hare, henpecked as usual and oh! how innocent of the wiles of the wily ones. The plot is brilliantly amplified by the clever, original work of the star comedians which constitutes a laugh riot from start to finish. Tom Walls is superb. Whether blarneying his tortuous way out of compromising circumstances, whether scragging an unpleasant piece of work who pursues the pretty little lady over whose misfortunes the whole of these uproarious frolics arose, or whether demolishing a shop window. Tom’s elan is Inspiring. Ralph Lynn, the screen’s most ingenious purveyor of gentlemanly nit-wit studies is also delicious. One of his most joyous scenes is that in which, after admonishing in the best Lynnsian style, two urchins who were taking a surreptitious poop at a pierrot show, does the same thing himself and sees to it too that ho gets his share of the urchins’ lollies. Mrs. Gather, in the hands of Mary Brough, is a living example of that grasping, selfriclieous, ii’ascible type of landlady whose normal reactions are very familiar to those of us who have been called upon to navigate the grey seas of boarding-house life. All the more joy, then, to watch her in the throes of temptation induced by the spirit of Christmas and ministered to so effectively, by the bottled spirit of Holland, that eventually she makes whoopee with a vigour that must be se'en to bo believed. Dorothy Hyson invests the character of the pretty pierrette with much charm; and Norma Varden is probably the most vigorous and ingenious of all the browbeating screen wives whom Mr. Robertson Haro lias the misfortune to own. "Turkey Time” presents abundance of piquant situations flavoured with some exhilarating dialogue and, as is customary with Gaumont-British pictures, it is impressively framed, the settings including a realistic jetty, a village street and some tasteful interiors. KOSY THEATRE “FOUR FRIGHTENED PEOPLE” “Four Frightened People,” the captivating adventure in the Malayan jungle, starring Herbert Marshall and Claudette Colbert, will be screened finally at today's sessions at the Ivosy Theatre. “Lawyer Man” and “The Mind Reader.” Quaint humour and sparkling comedy have been blended with romance and tense drama through a rare combination of writers "in the Warner Bros, picture, “Lawyer Man,” which opens to-morrow with “The Mind Reader.” The picture, which stars William Powell, is taken from tlio novel by Max Trell, who knows the East Side characters, with which the story deals, from actual contact and experience. His story abounds in vivid, throbbing drama with political intrigue, in the atmosphere of which rises an honest lawyer, who takes delight in smashing the ring and defending his own people. Trell’s own version is not without humorous touches on East Side characters, but much of the fiery wit and sparkling repartee of wise-cracking secretaries and chorus girls has been supplied by Rian James and James Seymour. -Warren William, who has previously been cast in serious and heroic roles, proves his versatility by enacting a dynamic characterisation in “Mind Pleader.” As Chandra, the Great Magician, he plays the part of a blustering although altogether likeable rascal. A dyed-in-the-wool fraud who starts his career as a patent medicine man. Chandra winds up as a borne wrecker by telling wives their husbands’ secret love affairs and vice versa. He not only hoodwinks the public, but the sweet girl he marries. Constance Cummings supplies tho romance as the innocent girl he hoodwinks into marriage, with Allen Jenkins as the comical assistant to the Great Chandra. Special Matinee To-morrow. “Tho Vanishing Frontier,” starring Johnny Mack Brown, will be screened only at the special 10 a.m. matinee to- I morrow.