Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 268, 15 November 1934, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE TO-MORROW “STRIKE ME LUCKY'' Roy Rene, better known as “Mo,” who convulsed thousands on the Fuller stage a few years back, appears once again at the Regent to-morrow, in an Australian production that is guaranteed to create the same laughter records as the inimitable Yiddish comedian caused before he broke in on the silver sheet. All those old characteristics—the lisping tongue, and stupidly amusing sayings—are brought back again, and there is just enough saucincss to make the show enjoyable.. To see “Mo” once more is like welcoming an old friend, for there is no doubt that ho and his partner, “Stiffy,” were tremendously popular, even if their jokes were daring at times. Indeed, many New Zealand audiences have roared when the bearded "Mo,” in a manner all his own, put across that pet saying of his, "What a character you are,” an expression that is an integral part of his stock-in-trade, and one that has a definite connection with the comedian. I’lenty of scope is provided for “Mo” to exploit his particular talents, more scope, in fact, than the stage ever offered. One laughed to see him as the blundering handyman in the second-hand clothing shop of Lowenstein, as the "tough” man in a speakeasy, as the stunting aviator, gold prospector, lover (hard to imagine), and conqueror of a gang of robbers (also hard to imagine). And one sympathised with him when he was deprived of his ill-gotten gains, and when he was turned out on tho street because lie had overlooked a matter of a few months’ rent For “Mo" has a way of getting under the skin, as it were, and making the audience live his life with him. While most of the plums must inevitably go to “Mo,” credit is due to every member of the cast, fur they assisted him wonderfully to make “Strike Me Lucky” an undoubted success. Beautiful girls are not lacking In this film, and there is' even a replica of a famous Hollywood star. She is called June East, but she has tho contours, voice and looks of Mae West. Good fare is also contained in the featurettes, one of these, "Morocco Nights,” in technicolour, being particularly well done. PALACE THEATRE. “BEG O’ MY HEART.” On no account should the return season of “Peg o’ My Heart” at the Palace Theatre be missed. For sheer simplicity and charm it reaches an exceptionally high entertainment standard. Marion Davies as “Peg” handles the part in great style and one could not wish to see a more awkward yet lovable Irish Jass than the “Peg” she brings to the screen. Peg McConnell, motherless daughter of an old Irish fisherman, is taken to make her home with tho socially promineni Chichesters in England, relatives on the mother’s side. The Chichesters, through Peg’s custody, retain the ancestral estate which is left in her trust. In spite of the luxuries of her new home. Peg is unhappy. She misses her father and she loves Jerry, the liandsomo young lawyer who arranged the details of her estate. Her sojourn in tho unnatural surroundings and the many comical situations that arise, intermingled with the drama and romance that completes this delightful story are exceptionally well portrayed. “Peg” was a misfit and what’s more was proud of it and as she said herself, the more she saw of some people the better she loved her dog. Several old Irish songs and a musical fox hunt are included- in this delightful picture. The supporting programme is particularly good and comprises a Metro newsreel, a film on Hawaiian coloured fish find the latest Cinesound news showing the visit of Uie Duko of Gloucester to Melbourne.

oTATE THEATRE. GIGANTIC DOUBLE-STAR ATTRACTION. .Will Rogers keeps the laughs rolling right along in his latest picture, "Handv Andy,” which opens at the State Theatre to-day for a season, of two days. Without doubt, its his funniest picture. Dialogue and situations combine to maintain a steadily mounting crescendo of mirth—just a whirlwind of hearty laughs. Ho keeps the audience in stitches most oi the time. Rogers portrays a druggist who wants to work in peace. But liis wife, expertly played by Peggy Wood, nags him to sell out and learn to play. And he does! First he becomes a pigeon fancier, and lets his pets fly all over the house. Then he takes up golf with excruciatingly funny results. The climax comes, however, when his wife persuades him to take a trip to tho Mardi Gras in New Orleans. There Rogers rebels violently when his wife tries to make him dress in a fancy costume to attend the Comus ball. She attends with a gigolo and leaves Rogers at homo. Lonesome he meets a druggist and the latter’s girl menu, uonchita Montenegro. After a few ■cock taiis witli his new mends, Rogers is persuaued to attend the ball after ail. Rogers appears in a Tarzan costume ana causes a sensation witli his rough and tumble dance with Conchita. Tho dance ends in a free-for-all fight that lands Rogers in gaol. Of course his wife is completely cured and pleads with him to return home to his old quiet life There is a clever surprise finish involving Rogers, Miss Wood and the culmination of the diverting romance running through tho picture between Rogers’ daughter, Mary Carlisle, and Robert Taylor. The screen play was written from Lewis Beach’s stage success, “Merry Andrew,” by William Conselman and Henrj Johnson. David Butler directed under the supervision of Producer Sol M. Wurtzel. The second feature is one of the most daring serial stories ever published in McCali’s Magazine. So it is said of Elisabeth Cobb's novel, “She Was a Lady.” Tho big cast includes such stars as Helen Tweivetrees, Donald Woods, Ralph Morgan, Monroe Owsley, Barbara Weeks and Jackie Searle. KOSY THEATRE. “JOURNAL OF A CRIME.” Once again Ruth Chatlerton has come to the city. She takes tire principal role ' in "Journal of a Crime,” whion commenced yesterday at the Kosy Theatre, but besides her there aro also Adoiplio Menjou and Claire Dodd. With Ruth Chatterton the fastidious, there is contrasted Adolphe Menjou, the suave and immacu.ate, for they act as husband and wife. The story is unusual—or rather a common basis, for a plot treated in an unusual way. Because Menjou philanders with one of the stars in his musical production, Ruth, his wife, enters the theatre and kills .her rival. Another, the murderer of another mah, is accused of I the crime and goes to the guillotine with I his lips sealed. The hell the guilty \ woman goes through gives Ruth Chatter- ; ton great scope. She is not a tragedy I actress really. She has too much of the joie de vivre, which she radiates from | her glorious personality until the Whole f audience bathes in it, but she enters into ! the scenes until the picture becomes more ' than a picture. It becomes life, with ' all- the poignancy of reality. She is winsome; she is again almost domineering; she is gallant through guilty; 3he is never debased, though she commits murder. Site has a detached personality, or an inner reserve, which somehow her guilt does not touch. These things the picture does not say, hut that is the impression received. It is but the reflection of the actress’ genius. Then there is another attraction. The gowning in sumptuous. There are ideas and inspirations for women who appreciate beautiful clothes. For these reasons, then, “Journal of a Crime” should appeal to all classes of ■film-goers*^- —