Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 68, 22 March 1935, Page 10

Palmerston Picture Programmes

KOSY THEATRE "BIG HEARTED HERBERT ’-

A new stellar team of gay comedians in Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbeo is keeping audiences in gales of laughter at the Kosy Theatre when Warner Bros.’ novel and. hilarious fun film will be shown on the screen for the first time locally. Commencing To-morrow—Mae West at Her Best. Mae West, who admits that she is at her best when she is acting a woman at her worst, is at her very best in her newest and gayest contribution to tho screen, “Belle of the Nineties,” which opens at the Kosy Theatre to-morrow. As the queen of hearts and diamonds who takes Dixie by storm and charm, Miss West returns to the period of tho gay and naughty nineties in a lavishly dressed, handsomely mounted and thoroughly engrossing entertainment. .Surrounded by three new “tall, dark and handsomes,” lloger Pryor. John Mack Brown and John Miljan, with Duko Ellington and his orchestra, Katherine Do Mille, Tubby Taylor, Stuart Holmes and Warren I-Iymer in the supporting cast, Miss West acts the part of a St. Louis burlesque queen who goes down to New Orleans to win the hearts of tho Southern cavaliers. In New Orleans she encounters Miljan, who, as the proprietor of the South's most famous night-club, lays siege to her heart and her diamonds. John Mack Brown enters into the picture as the unsophisticated youth who pours adulation on Miss West and gems at her feet. As tho plot moves forward at a breathless pace, Miss West falls in love with Roger Pryor, a current fistic hero, and, later, because she believes that he has double-crossed her, causes him to lose his most important fight. But it all ends happily, with Miljan, the true villain, getting his just deserts and Pryor and Miss West happily reunited. Against a. background of music provided by Duke Ellington and his orchestra Miss West sings several new songs written for her by Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow, tho team which composed many of Bing Crosby’s hit tunes. Roger Pryor, who lias been seen in few Hollywood roles before, emerges in this picture with distinction, as does Miss De Mille, also a newcomer to the screen. The balance of the roles are excellently cast under the able direction or Leo McCarey. The- settings by Hans Drefer and Bernard Herzbrun are breathtaking in their beauty and richness, as are the Mae West costumes which are the creations of Travis Banton, Paramount style chief. “Belle of the Nineties” is grand entertainment. Filled with laughs and whirlwind action, it is more than a fitting sequel to its two predecessors, the box office champions, “She Done Him Wrong” and “I’m No Angel.’’ There will be sessions every day from 1 p.m. REGENT THEATRE “BLOSSOM TIME” Franz Schubert is tho central figure of “Blossom Time,” Richard - Tauber's first all-English picture, which commences at tiio Regen.t Theatre to-morrow. Vienna, 100 years ago, knew Schubert’s music but not Schubert, the lovable, big-hearted but poor composer, who lived simply, unceremoniously, cheerily working at his beloved music. Schubert had an inspiration for his melodies in Vicki, lovely daughter of Wimpassinger who, however, had social ambitions for the girl. Vicki was very fond of Schubert, but she loved youth and romance, and when Count Rudt came to Wimpassinger for dancing lessons, the handsome, dashing nobleman swept her off her feet, and the old father rubbed his hands in gleeful anticipation of seeing his daughter a countess. Schubert, watching the romanco with an aching heart, decided to speak to Wimpassinger himself. “But you can’t even keep a piano, let alone a wife,” said the old man. He told Schubert that he was unknown, and that musicians had no social

STATE THEATRE “ANNE OF GREEN GABLES” With all the gaiety, whimsical imagination, tempestuous moods and lovable nature that has endeared her to fiction readers for a quarter of a century, “Anne of Green Gables” has come to life on tho motion picture screen. It will apen its Palmerston North season to-morrow at the State Theatre. In this picture, which has been proclaimed the screen's worthy successor to tho memorable "Little Women,” we see come to life the orphan heroine whom Mark Twain once described as the "dearest and most moving and delightful child of fiction since tho immortal Alice.” As a novel, L. M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” has won world-wide recognition as a classic of childhood and early youth. The picture is said to" fall into the same classification. Directed by George Nicholls, junr., and portrayed by an ideal cast, including Anne Shirley, Tom Brown, O. P. Heggie, Helen Westley, Sara Haden and others, the picture is one of great charm and strong heart appeal. Powerful in its very simplicity, and so human that it strikes a responsive chord in every breast, it should find universal favour. Anne Shirley, who adopted the name of the character she portrays in the film, gives a superb performance as the orphan heroine. She has made good in a most impressive manner. Tom Brown proves that ho was tho perfect choice to play Gilbert Blythe, Anne’s schoolboy beau. O. P. Heggie and Helen Westley, two of the finest character players of tho stage and screen, ’add new laurels to their already impressive records by their portrayals of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The story opens with Anne arriving at the farm homo of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, to be greeted my the dismaying knowledge that they had expected tho orphanage to send them a boy. In showing how Anno makes herself the real centre of tho “Green Gables” household, and transforms the lives of Matthew and Marilla, the film also traces her romanco with Gilbert Blythe. Starting with a schoolroom quarrel, the interest between tho two youngsters develops, as the years pass, into adult love, although an old family quarrel rises from the ashes of tho past to threaten their happiness. A really brilliant supporting programme includes one of the finest musical comedy hits of its kind yet presented on the screen, Ted Flo Rita and his world famous band in “The Bandage,” No. 4 of the Dumbell letter series, Path© News; also Fox Aussie News. Plans are now open at tho theatre, ’phone 559 D,

status, whereupon Schubert answered, “Beethoven was famous.” “i’es, but Beethoven was a genius,” said Wimpassinger. “So am I,” retorted Schubert; and in the distance we hear tho strains of the magnificent “Unfinished Symphony." Schubert’s success camo soon after, at a special concert arranged by nis friends. The great singer engaged to render his songs is stricken ill at the last moment, and Schubert is obliged to take the platform himself. His first number is “Red Roses,” followed by “Faith in Spring,” the beautiful “Serenade” and “impatience” (“Thine Is My Heart”). Right from the ill'st note his audience is captured by the sheer beauty of the music, the enthusiasm growing greater and greater with each successive song. Schubert’s triumph is complete and Wimpassinger invites his friends to join him in a little celebration. Schubert is thrilled at the change in his fortunes, particularly because lie is now in a position to ask Vicki to share his success. But all his hopes are dashed to tho ground when lie discovers that he has entirely mistaken her feelings for him and that her heart belongs to Rudi. Even in the midst of his bitter disappointment, ills uppermost thoughts are still for the happiness of the lovely Vicki, to which end ho works with a tire 1 " 011 d«vntion and a great selfsacrifice.