Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

KOSY THEATRE GIRLS, COMEDY AND HIT TUNES IN “COLLEGE RHYTHM" Girls, melody and laughs play an equal part in Paramount’s campus comedy, “College Rhythm," coming to the Kosy Theatre to-morrow, with Joe Penner heading the featured part. Directed by Norman Taurog, “College Rhythm” presents Penner, Lanny Ross, Jack Oakie, Helen Mack, Lyda Robert! and Mary Brian in a story about the campus cutups who turned the department store business into a college football campaign. The story has its beginning at State College where Jack Oakie, as “Love and Kisses” Finnegan, a football hero, becomes Lanny Ross’ deadly rival for the love of Mary Brian. Their rivalry is carried over into the business world, but temporarily submerged when Oakie gets a job in the store owned by Lanny Ross’ father. Here he gets bright ideas of introducing coilegiate atmosphere—beautigirls, cheering sections and football teams —into department store business as a means of boosting sales. Everything goes beautifully until their competitors start stealing their thunder. The climax of the film comes after the big football game when Lanny Ross realises that he does not love Mary Brian after all, but his father’s demure little secretary, playSd by Helen Mack. And Oakie and Miss Brian turn love-birds on their own account. Melodies for "College Rhythm” were written by Gordon and Revel and include “Stay as Sweet as You Are,” “Let’s Give Three Cheers for Love” and "Take a Number From One to Ten.” The supports include two news reels, Paramount Pictorial, a Travelogue and Betty Boop cartoon. There will be three sessions to-day —2 p.m., C. 30 and S o’clock.

REGENT THEATRE. "BRITISH AGENT” It: has always been a maxim of . the theatre that "a good bill has something on it for everybody.” This is but another way of saying that successful entertainment must have a general, rather than a limited appeal. "British Agent,” the First National production which commences at the Regent Theatre to-day, was inspired by Mr. R. H. Bruce Lockhart’s novel that went through 33 editions in England and America. Lockhart's life during the Russian Revolution was a spirited admixture of the very elements of human interest; dangerous adventure, romance, intrigue, suspense and a dramatic background of devastation and death. It may appear strange that Michael Curtiz, who directed the screen version with Kay Francis and Leslie Howard, should find the love story development the most difficult part of his task. Briefly, Stephen Locke, a young adventurer, is bending every effort to prevent the Soviet from declaring a separate peace with Germany. If he fails, it means that Germany can withdraw her troops from the Russian front and throw them into the offensive on the "Western Front. This would be disastrous for the Allies. Stephen is in love with Elena, a young Russian girl who serves the leader of the Soviet with a fanatical fervour. The conflict between their love and their political ideals is inescapable drama. "Even the struggle of a whole World "against annihilation,” said Curtiz, "does hot move an audience as deeply as the struggle of the two young hearts to save their love! It is, therefore, qui'*! necessary from a director's standpoint to let nothing overwhelm the love Interest In ‘British Agent.’ The very magnitude of this production could easily overpower it, •unless the romance were given careful development. When these two young people meet,” he continued, “they open their arms to each other, firm in the belief that though they are fighting for different

STATE THEATRE SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN “ERIGHT EYES” One of the finest, most human, most heart-warming films in a decade, now showing to capacity houses at the State Theatre, will have its final screenings to-day, and the management has no hesitation in recommending it eagerly to every filmgoer, of whatever age. The picture so heartily endorsed is “Bright Eyes,” Fox Film’s newest and best vehicle for the amazing talents of Shirley Temple, child stai extraordinary. No such sensational performance as Shirley’s, no such dramatic and persuasive film story has been seen on a local screen in "recent months. James Dunn is once again cast “opposite” Shirley, and delivers one of the ablest performances of his notable Hollywood career. A brilliant supporting programme includes Fox Australian News, an hilarious comedy, “Two Lame Ducks,” a thrilling sporting support, “Wrestling Swordfish,” and the State’s overseas news service. Patrons, are advised to reserve early and so ensure their seats for this great programme. “Waltzes From Vienna”—To-morrow.

Viennese music has never been more popular than it is to-day and has never been presented on the screen with more scintillating effect than in the GaumontBritish film, “Waltzes From Vienna,” which opens at the State to-morrow for a season of two days. The picture makes the most of the opportunity to present the music of Johann Strauss senior and that of his son Johann, who composed the famous “Blue Danube.” Tho playing of this beautiful waltz is a high-light of the production and the skill and charm of its performance earned much well-merited applause. The story deals chiefly with the origin and composition of “The Blue Danube,” passages in the theme of which wander through the earlier action of the picture, elfishly teasing the ear of the listener and sharpening his desire to hear the composition in full. Wreathed among the enchanting melodies is the romantic story of young Johann's lovo for a pastrycook’s daughter, providing laughable scenes tnd a reason for the contrasting element of jealousy. With a notable cast, excellent music, a romantic story, and many delightful settings the whole production strikes a different note in entertainment. Jessie Matthews has the leading role of Resi, the daughter of the pastrycook, and provides a gay portrait of a provoking little creaturo who is, however, a very well blended vis-a-vis for the highly-strung, music-minded Johann Strauss junior, excellently presented by Esmond Knight. Edmund Gwenn depicts Strauss pere in strong, masterly strokes and Fay Compton is charming as the accomplished Countess whose interest in young Johann becomes very marked—sbo marked to please tho Prince, in which character Frank Vosper earns high acting honours for the light and shade with which he endows the part and his careful period -study. Full of gaiet-v and happiness, “Waltzes From Vienna” should make a strong appeal to popular taste in any music-loving community.

causes, their love can remain a ground of common understanding. Then the gir! finds that to serve her cause, she must destroy her love. It is in this conflict that the director's problem is a delicate one." Kay Francis, wdio plays Elena, has done foreign role 3 before. In tbe previous ones, however, she was the central figure of the entire story. In “British Agent” there are so many tremendous elements involved, that she must rise above the conventional heroine in a subdued background. Leslie Howard, as her vis-a-vis, has the same problem. Howard and Miss Francis are supported by William Caro-an Phillip Reed and Irving Pichel.