Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 273, 21 November 1934, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

KOSY THEATRE “UNCERTAIN LADY” Two favourite film stars, Edward Everett Horton and Genevieve Tobin, head the cast in “Uncertain Lady,” an unusual film of the eternal triangle which begins a season at the Kosy Theatre tomorrow. The picture reveals what happens when a modern, sophisticated business woman loses her husband to another girl. She is quite willing to let her husband go, but expects another in return. That, at least, is what she says, and as she is too busy “to lurk and lure” a new husband she places upon her defaulting spouse the duty of finding his successor. His efforts are not very successful, and when the lady herself takes a hand in the game the house party at which most of the action takes place assumes quite a new aspect. For the wife knows a very wealthy and very attractive shipowner (Paul Cavanagh) and when he comes to the rescue there is a change all round. The husband is not so certain that he wants a new wife, tho new wife is quite certain that she prefers the millionaire, and the present wife begins to have doubts about the success of her little plan. Then the party breaks up and there is a quite unexpected ending. In the large cast supporting Horton and Miss Tobm, who play the parts of the couple around which the action revolves, are Renee Gadd, Mary Nash, George Meeker and Dorothy Peterson. The supporting Dill includes the latest newsreels, a cartoon film, “The Gingerbread Boy,” a novelty number, a comedy, and the first pictures of the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia. SPECTACULAR SCENES IN “WONDER BAR.” REGENT'S PICTURE IS BRILLIANT. In making tho "stupendous spectacle” type of picture, it must be conceded that Hollywood producers know their job. In making “Wonder Bar,” a Paris musicale, which is now screening 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 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 nixed chorus nimbly kicks and patters a speedy modern ballet on an ordinary «tage, 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 has become extraordinary. When, however, the plain has turned into a vast leafy wood, through which the 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, “Wonder 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 Jolson has plenty to sing about and, fortunately, seems to have lost that catch in his voice that made many of his 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 Klbbee, there is a first-rate comedy team. PALACE THEATRE GEORGE ARLISS IN “VOLTAIRE” The Palace Theatre have been enabled to at last secure "Voltaire” for a return season. This picture has been in such

STATE THEATRE "PURSUED” AND "JUDGE PRIEST” A BRILLIANT PROGRAMME Will Rogers—in the most human and lovable rolo he has yet played! That is •the screen fare promised at the State Theatre, where Will’s latest Fox picture, "Judge Priest,” begins an engagement tomorrow. According to advance reports, the star has never been so well 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 America’s most noted humorist. With his characterisation of the "Judge,” Rogers is said to add a new and original figure to his already famous gallery, which includes such memorable portraits as David Harum, Mr. Skitch, Dr. Bull and the Connecticut Yankee. This time he plays a wise old fellow who, following the Civil War, has settled down in his native Kentucky village with his Confederate cronies. The story opens in his court room on a lazy spring day in IS9O. One does not expect drama in a village, perhaps, but in "Judge Priest” plenty of it transpires, according to advance accounts. The Judge’s nephew, a novice lawyer, and his sweetheart, a girl whose birth is shrouded in mystery, figure importantly in the touching and dramatic story. Always there is Judge Priest, who dilutes justice with the milk of human kindness and who helps to shoulder tho troubles of the town. The notable cast includes Tom Brown, Anita Louise, Rochelle Hudson, Henry B. Walthall, David Landau and Stepin Fetchit. Enacted amidst the colourful surroundings of a copra plantation in the Dutch East Indies, "Pursued,” described as a lovo drama 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. 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 to- ! day. It is a thrilling record of the crime that shook the world. The King ,and his party are shown landing at Marseilles. Then follows the procession through the crowded streets, and suddenly 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 - demand all over New Zealand that it has been difficult to bring it back to Palmerston North for even a few days’ run. George Arliss, easily the greatest screen actor of all time, has never been better than in “Voltaire” and his mighty characterisation of the famous Frenchman is nothing short of a, masterpiece of stagecraft. The remarkable seasons that have been accorded "Voltaire” are sufficient evidence of tho nature of the picture and if further proof of its entertainment value is needed, one only has to remember that Mr. George Arliss is the star and that in itself means a picture of extremely high merit. Large attendances are anticipated as "Voltaire” had only a three-day season in Palmerston North previously and many were unable to see it, whilst many others will no doubt desire to see it again. It is certainly a. picture which gives real entertainment and shows that master actor, George Arliss, at his best.