Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

PALACE THEATRE, ".MURDER AT THE VANITIES.” The musical extravaganza is no new form ot screen entertainment, neith'er. is the murder mystery, but a show combining the two elements of entertainment is worth more than passing attention for its novelty. Such a show is ‘‘Murder at the Vanities,” which shows finally to-day at the Palace. This production follows no direct line of movie production. It is a mixture, skilfully blended, of gaiety and tragedy, comedy and drama. The ballets seen are about the best ever shown in Palmerston North, and the backstage tragedy is skilfully portrayed. The acting is unusually good for an essentially musical show, but this talent is rendered necessary by the secondary mystery story. Two murders occur during the premiere of a big musical production, but, true to stage tradition, the show must, p,nd does, "go on.” Such a plot lays itself open to being over-acted, but no criticism on that score can be levelled against the players. Carl Brisson, Jack Oakie, Victor McLaglen and Kitty Carlisle head a strong cast. George Arliss in "Voltaire.” A return season of that master actor's great picture, ‘‘Voltaire," is announced tor the Palace on Wednesday next. This excellent screen entertainment needs no boosting as its reputation is already well known in this district and the management is confident that large numbers who have already seen "Voltaire’ 1 will come again to enjoy every minute of George Arliss’ marvellous interpretation of the famous Prenchman. It is said that Mr. Arliss has waited 20 years to find the suitable dramatisation of the life of yoltalre, called the father of the French Revolution. If so it has been time well spent, for the intervening years have ripened his artistry toward the memorable day when he put “Voltaire” on film. It is anticipated that there will be, as is the case with all Arliss films, a heavy demand for seats, so intending patrons would be well advised to reserve seats for this exceptional picture. KOSY THEATRE. "GIRL. MISSING” AND "EMPLOYEES' ENTRANCE.” The ideal double-feature programme which has delighted large audiences at the Kosy Theatre of late will conclude its season at to-day's sessions. "Girl Missing," featuring Glenda Parrell, supplies no end of laughs, while the second feature, "Employees' Entrance." starring Warren William and Loretta Young, gives excellent entertainment.

Edward Everett Horton—To-morrow.

The hilarious, smart and modern screen 'drama, “Uncertain Lady," which comes to the Kosy Theatre to-morrow, is one of the highlights of this season and has an excellent cast headed by Edward Everett Horton and Genevieve Tobin. Just imagine a wife giving up her husband to another woman on a business proposition—if the other woman will find her another husband equally as good! It sounds crazv, but that’s exactly what happens in "Uncertain Lady." Horton and Miss Tobin are ideally paired in this intensely amusing story, while the supporting players include such favourites as Paul Cavanagh, George Meeker, Renee Gadd, Mary Nash, Dorothy Peterson, Arthur Hoyt. Herbert Corthell, Gay Seabrook •and many-others. Karl Freund, one of Hollywood’s ace directors, who made "The Mummy,” with Karloff, ‘‘Moonlight and Pretzels,” “Madame Spy," and ■‘‘Countess of Monte Cristo,” performed an admirable job on this picture.

SPECTACULAR SCENES IN “WONDER BAR.” REGENT'S PICTURE IS BRILLIANT. In making the “stupendous spectacle” type of picture, it must be conceded that Hollywood producers know their job. In making ‘‘Wonder Bar," a Paris musicale, which opens to-morrow at-the Regent Theatre, Warner Brothers-First National have made several scenes of which “stupendous spectacle" now becomes an almost inadequate description. The cleverness and ingenuity of a battalion of experts must have been concentrated in the production of these scenes, which are

STATE THEATRE. “OF HUMAN BONDAGE.” If RKO-Radio Pictures had scoured the stage and screens of the world, it could not have* better cast Leslie Howard than in W. Somerset Maugham’s "Of Human Bondage,” which will have its final screenings at the State Theatre to-day. RKO-Radio provided an able supporting cast for “Of Human Bondage.” Bette Davis is a remarkable Mildred imparting to the role sincerity and realism. Frances Dee as Sally and Kay Johnson as Nora use their line talents with splendid success. Other roles are enacted admirably by such seasoned players as Reginald Denny, Reginald Owen, Reginald Sheffield, Alan Hale and Desmond Roberts.

"Pursued” and “Judge Priest” a Brilliant Programme.

Will Rogers—in the most human and lovable role he has yet played! That is the screen fare promised at the State Theatre, rvliere Will's latest Fox picture, "Judge Priest," begins an engagement tomorrow. According to advance reports, the star has never been so avell suited as by this screen character, the shrewd, kindly but strong-willed Kentucky jurist, who is already famous in the stories of Irvin S. Cobb, perhaps Americans most noted humorist. AVith his ehanf&terisation of the “Judge,” Kogers is said to add a new and original figure to his already famous gallery, which includes such memorable portraits as David Hjirum, Mr Skitch. Dr. Bull and the Connecticut Yankee. The notable cast includes Tom Brown, Anita Louise, Rochelle Hudson, Henry B. AValthall, David Landau and Stepin Fetchit. Enacted amidst the colourful surroundings of a copra plantation in the Dutch East Indies, "Pursued, described <is a, love dra,ma. of the tropics, packed with thrills, is the second feature on tho programme. In the cast are Rosemary Ames, Victor Jory, Pert Kelton and •Russell Hardie, with George Irving and Torben Meyer in support. the most notable features of a remarkably entertaining film. And an army of actors and actresses is their material. Not very unusual, perhaps, when a large mixed chorus nimbly kicks and patters a speedy modern ballet on an ordinary ctage,- but when the setting gradually changes and becomes no less than a broad plain of moving figures, stretching as far as the eye can see, it undoubtedly bas become extraordinary. AVhen, however, the plain has turned into a vast leafy wood, through which tho dancers still move rhythmically, it really has reached the "stupendously spectacular." Designs formed by dancers and "shot” from far above prove very effective. Some brief "glimpses" of the Pearly Gates and of Heaven may not quite be in accord with our own ideas, but nevertheless they are most interesting. Apart from the settings, however, "AVonder Bar” has much else to offer. A plot, essentially dramatic in type, is woven through the picture, and mainly concerns Kay Francis, A 1 Jolson, and Dolores Del Rio. A 1 Jotson has plenty to sing about and, fortunately, seems to have lost that catch in his voice that made many of Ills earlier attempts almost absurd. Dick Powell also sings. The dancing of Dolores Del Rio is delightful, and she has an able partner in Ricardo Cortez. In Louise Fazenda, Ruth Donnelly, Hugh Herbert, and Guy Kibbee, there is a first-rate comedy team.

EXTRA SPECIAL, Rushed to New Zealand by Paramount 'Pictures the exclusive film of the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and M. Barthou, the French Foreign Minister, will commence screening at the Regent, Palace and Kosy Theatres tomorrow. It is a thrilling record of the crime that shook the world. The King ( »nd his party are shown landing at Marseilles. Then follows the procession through tho crowded streets, and sudden- : ly the assassin strikes, and the report of his fatal bullets is plainly heard. A mounted colonel of the guards gallops forward and there is a vivid “shot" depicting him striking down the murderer with his sabre. The remaining scenes show the crowd frenzied by the tragedy, surging about the assassin. The various incidents have been excellently photographed, and from what are undoubtedly 'the most remarkable scenes ever caught by; a cinematographer,