Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 8

Palmerston Picture Programmes

KOSY THtATRE "SONG OP MY HEART.” Another double feature programme will be presented at the Kosy to-day when John McCormack’s “Song of My Heart" will be shown with "Once Bitten,” an amusing comedy in which Ursula Jeans and Frank , Pettingell are starred. In “Song of" My Heart” the worldfamous tenor has been faithfully recorded on the screen and his singing of such beautiful numbers as “Rose of Trallee” and “Song of My Heart” are a sheer delight. Rarely does one picture have as many elements that are pleasing. It has heart-warming appeal, that charm of direct sympathy in its tender story and the fascination of sympathetic direction. "Song of My Heart” is a genuine screen accomplishment, a splendid achievement and an immense entertainment. The supporting film, "Once Bitten,” is diverting in tho extreme and gives tho Yorkshire comedian Frank Pettingell scope to display his particular and peculiar brand of comedy. Tho screening times to-day are matinee 2 p.m., and evening session at 6.30 p.m. REGENT THEATRE. "THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO” The film version of Alexander Dumas’ celebrated story, "The Count of Monte Cristo,” which is now showing at the Regent Theatre gives Palmerston North picturegoers an opportunity of enjoying the spectacular character acting of Robert Donat. Everyone is familiar with the theme. Edmond Dantes, a young officer on a French ship, is given command and entrusted with a secret letter by the dying captain. Carrying out instructions to deliver the packet, ho is torn from his sweetheart, Mercedes, and imprisoned in the grim Chateau d’lf on a trumped-up charge. The machinations of three enemies—de Villefort, Danglars and Mondega, who seek the hand of Mercedes—result in Dantes being declared dead. Forgotten and languishing for years in his dungeon, ho finally finds companionship with venerable and learned Abbe Faria, another political prisoner, dho digs by mistake into Dantes’ cell while seeking freedom. The abbe contides in Dantes the secret of a fabulous fortune in gold and jewels buried on uninhabited Monte Cristo Island, off the coast of Elba. When tho abbe is fatally injured and his body is sewn up in a sack by guards to be thrown to an ocean grave, Dantes substitutes himself and is picked up by smugglers.' 1 Dantes obtains the millions in buried treasure, and, as the Count of Monte Cristo, goes to Paris, where his enemies have become three of the richest and most powerful men. Unrecognised and gaining their confidence, lie encompasses their ruin. Mondega, whim he found married to Mercedes in accordance with her mother’s dying wish, commits suicide when iiis scandalous private life and traitorous deeds are exposed by the Count of Monte Cristo, who now reveals his true identity. Danglars’ greed lures him into a speculative trap that wrecks his dominant, banking house and drives him insane. Do Villefort, the King’s attorney, brings the Count of Monte Cristo to trial as tho escaped Edmond Dantes, but the defendant turns the tables, wins acquittal, and brings about tho prosecutor’s prosecution for political corruption. Reunited, Dantes and Mercedes return to Marseilles and happiness. This is the story that United Artists have translated Into a masterpiece of film technique. "Tho Count of Monte Cristo” has had tremendous popularity as a literary classic, and it is expected to repeat this as a film play. Joan Crawford and Clark Gable in “Chained.” The co-starring appearance of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable in a photoplay is always an occasion for dancing in the streets so far as film fans are concerned. The countless admirers of this magnetic duo will not bo let down for their latest picture, “Chained,” which commences at the Regent Theatre to-mor-row, is by far the best, in which either the vivid Miss Crawford or Gable has appeared, and furnishes sparkling entertainment from its opening reel to its final fade-out. Based on an original story by Selwyn, the narrative of "Chained” concerns itself with a girl who by force of circumstances is tied to one man but loves another. The various romantic and sometimes tragic Interludes through which the girl passes before she is able to find release from her bondage make for a story which holds its full measure of lightning-like action, .suspense and dramatic power. It is obvious that the story was especially written for Miss Crawford and Gable for it is skilfully designed to give each tho sort of role in which the respective stars have proved themselves outstanding in the past. No little of the success of this latest Craw-ford-Gable romance is due its director, the noted Clarence Brown, whose distinguished touches set every production In which he has a hand far apart from the ordinary run of film fare. The entire production lias been conceived and photographed with finish and good taste. .The settings, both interior and exterior, re-

presenting a South American ranch, are extremely interesting, while it need hardly be said that Aliss Crawford’s new wardrobe will set plenty of feminine tongues wagging. Excellent support is given the stars by a reliable cast which includes Otto Kruger in the role next prominent to Gable’s, the amusing Stujrt Erwin, Una O’Connor, who will be remembered as the Cockney servant in “Cavalcade,” and Marjorie Gateson of the New York stage.

STATE THEATRE CELEBRATED EMOTIONAL NOVEL, “THE FOUNTAIN,” REACHES SCREEN Tlie motion picture screen is now enriched with one of the most poignant romances written in years, in the new starring vehicle for Ann Harding. This picture is “The Fountain,” from the highly popular novel by tho celebrated English author, Charles Morgan, which presents a romantic triangle powerful in its grip upon the human emotions. It opens at tlie State to-day. "The Fountain” recounts a great lovo and a great conflict of loyalty between three line people —a woman, her husband, and another man. Interned in Holland, Alison, an English officer, is thrown with Julie, whose husband, Rupert, is lighting for another cause at the front. Julie and Alison try to avoid the love that they know is creeping upon them, and even when it does overwhelm them, they manage to keep it ■wholesome and beautiful, it is their intention to tell Rupert about the romance when he returns from the war—but Rupert comes home, seriously injured, to die. His great Jove for his wife is tlie only thing.that keeps him alive. His adoration for his wife is the only reason for his wanting to live. She is his life. Duty, and admiration for the gallantry and real fineness of her husband draws Julie to him, and she finds she cannot tell him the things that are in her heart. She tends him faithfully, and both she and her lover realise they must ronounce their affection for each other. Rupert, however, even when made aware by a jealous girl that there is an affair between bis wifo and Alison, takes into consideration that he never had Julie’s love as Alison lias. So he releases her from her intended great sacrifice, and dies forgiving. Not only is Ann Harding starred in this fascinating emotional romance, but two eminent featured leads aid in making the story a thing of sympathetic appeal. As the manful lover who falters at destroying the martyred husband’s bliss, Brian Alierne, noted Britisli stage star, has been enlisted. Paul Lukas plays tlie ideally generous Rupert, a role parallel in its warm-hearted generosity to his beloved Prof. Bhaer in "Little Women.” Other principals in the cast are portrayed by Jean Hersliolt, Violet Kemble-Cooper, Sara Ha'den and Ralph Forbes. RlvO-Radio assigned the capable John Cromwell to direct. Critics in Ecstacies Over “La Cucaracha” That nothing so lovely lias before been seen on the screen as RKO-Radio’s new teehnicolour film, “La Cucaracha,” which will be screened in conjunction with "The Fountain,” is tho unanimous opinion of reviewers and critics. News Week and other publications of similar high calibre have already hailed it as.one of the more important milestones in the art of colour photography in motion. Heretofore, colour films, with their harsh contrasts and blurred effects have met with indifferent receptions. But tho new threecomponent process used for the first time in the .filming of "La Cucaracha” has such exquisite shadings as to assure its universal adoption. Steffi Duna, fiery and petite Hungarian actress, has the role of a Mexican minx, and Don Alvarado is seen as a local matinee idol, a professional dancer in a cantina. Paul Porcasi, another Broadway favourite, portrays a dance-hall impressario in "La Cucaracha,” tlie first production of tho newlyformed Pioneer Pictures.

PALACE THEATRE. “SHE MADE HER BED.” A most entertaining picture and one that possesses all the elements essential to a good show, romance, comedy, action and thrills, comes to the Palace today. Nicely balanced so as to maintain interest at concert pitch throughout, this picture' lias a very natural story—one that could happen in everyday life. Sally Ellers and Richard Arlen are featured in "She Mado Her Bed,” and another important player is little elght-months-old Richard Ralston Arlen. Tho picture depicts a dramatic romance between Arlen, racehorse trainer and oneman medicine show, and Sally Eilers, as Lura Gordon, the wife of a brutal animal trainer. Grace Bradley, as a vamp, makes love to Lura's husband and continually poisons his mind against his wife until he turns an enraged tiger loose in the house. After a thrilling battle with the tiger Arlen and bis- true love move away into happier surroundings. A special supporting programme includes a Alickey Alouse cartoon, two sports novelties and the latest Cinesound Newsreel.