Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 175, 27 July 1935, Page 13

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE TO-DAY—"ALL. THE KING'S HOUSES'’ Fresh us a, sea breeze and ns sparkling as a champagne cocktail, a musical romance in the royal court of Laugenstein, the Regent Theatre presents this picture with the rhythmic tille of “All the King’s Horses,” l'or a season which commences to-day. Carl Frisson plays a double role, bearded and otherwise, as the King of a, small kingdom and as a matinee idol who lives in perpetual persecution from feminine autograph hunters. Elaine (Mary Ellis), Queen of her kingdom, beautiful and unhappy, finds that tlio first anniversary of her wedding is just, another day of state affairs for her husband, and besides, bis beard annoys her. Ho will not cut it off, neither will he depart from tile established order of things or waive the ceremony of his closing speech at a conference. So the Queen leaves the palace and seeks romance. A year passes, and King Rudolf invites Carlo the film star to the castle, to consult him as to ways of winning back tbe Queen. Under Carlo's direction he shaves off his beard, becomes possessed of adventurous ambitions, and changes identities with the lilrnstcr, who makes an impressive job of bis sovereignty. Then comes trouble. The Queen returns, enraptured by a beardless photograph of tlie King. Carlo, being a man of honour and integrity, realises that she must not know of the substitution, rushes off to find tho King, and ends . up by dancing the “Viennese’’ with Rosita, a Continental cabaret star. He finds the King in the nick of time, and there is a royal reunion in a Grinning garden. Mary Ellis, a Metropolitan Opera star, lends a charming grace to her songs, and Carl Brisson shows a keen sense of humour and effective singing in tho four attractive musical features. Edward Everett Horton and Eugene Pallet make a. perfect comedy team to support the stars.

KOSY THEATRE TO-DAY—MYSTERY THRILL IX ACTION FILM J3V ZANE GREY The new Zano Grey adventure picture, “Rocky Mountain Mystery,” produced by Paramount and coming to-day to the Kosy Theatre, is a blend of the famous Grey, rip-roaring outdoor action with the added element, of a gripping murder mystery. Adapted from Zane Grey’s “Golden Breams,” “Rocky .Mountain Mystery” features Randolph Scott and Ann Sheridan in the romantic leads and a supporting cast that includes such well-known actors as Charles “Chic” Sale and Mrs. Leslie Carter, who makes her debut in this film. Tho action of “Rocky Mountain Mystery” is sel In a deserted mining town in the West where an aged recluse lias summoned ills family to distribute his wealth before lie dies. Sole owner of a fabulously wealthy radium mine, he hires Randolph Scott, a. mining engineer, to start operations. Tho caretaker of the estate is mysteriously murdered and an unknown rider connected with his death. Shortly afterwards, one of the old man's nephews is murdered under strange circumstances and Scott turns his efforts to uncovering the murderer. Assisted by Charles “Chic” Sale, who plays a deputy, Scott begins to track down clues that will lead to the criminal. Suddenly, Ann Sheridan, tho girl he loves, disappears. Then a series of startling rapid-fire events lead to the rapid climax and tho surprising disclosures of the real criminal. Charles Barton, director of Paramount’s “Wagon Wheels,” was responsible for the direction of “Rocky Mountain Mystery.” Kathleen Burke and George Marion, semv, are featured in the supporting cast. “One Hour Late.” .Toe Morrison, youthful tenor, who first •’ulroduccd the song “The Last Round*

STATE THEATRE “LADDIE” Those privileged on Thursday to preview “Laddie,” tiro RKO-Radio adaptation of Gene Stratton-Porter's beautiful story, which opens at the Stale Theatre to-day, were greatly impressed by tbe sincerity with which a widelyknown subject has been created into a picture of rare merits it is a film of laughter and ready sympathies, witli a theme that cannot fail to commend itself, rendered by thoroughly accomplished actors. There is rich drama in the conflict between wholesome American ideals and English class prejudices, a drama (hat moves rapidly to a climax when Laddie pays court to his "princess,” Pamela Pryor, and encounters the unpiianl hauteur of her father, an Englishman who thinks his manorial superiority will impress no less in a new land than in the old one lie lias forsaken. Caste and personal pride are stern opponents, and only after a story pregnant with interest lias unfolded, can Laddie combat them. The action is patterned against a delightful background or rural life, and tho scenes are filmed with such art that no whit of the natural beauties has been lost. Pathos, humour, and all the deep emotional qualities of Gene StrattonPorter’s literary creation have been preserved, so that those for whom a film failing in any degree short of excellence would be a disillusionment need have no fear that the tenderness of the original, has been lost in the cinema transcription. Heading an understanding cast is John Beal, and bis originality in the title role is touically refreshing. With Gloria Stuart lie offers a romantic portrayal whose equal has seldom been seen. Their performance is one that must make an appeal to the most staid of filmgoers. Virginia Weidler renders immortal the naive wonderment and wisdom of “Little Sister,” living on the screen a very incarnation of that delicately beautiful child character. Not a touch of winsomeness escapes this talented young person, and she shares very generously the encomiums that must be tlie portion of this group of player*. Prejudiced people will forget their antipathy to an American accent when they hear it rendered from tho gracious lips of tin’s young Miss America. “Laddie” is coming! A story that has thrilled millions, conveying as it does so much of the riches of human experience, rendered now with a new power, a new veracity in its new medium, it must charm everyone with its fragrance, delight them with its qualities of freshness, and astound with its fidelity to the classic original by which it will inevitably be judged in public esteem, it will commend itself to ibe eternal youth that is harboured alike in young and old. A really great supporting programme inincludes “Parrovillo Old Folks,” a beautiful coloured rhapsody; “Isle of Spice” (scenic), Fox Aussie News, the Stale’s overseas news reels, and at tho matinee only chapter two of tho thrilling now serial “Rustlers of Red Dog.” Bookings aro very heavy for to-night. Box plans are now on view at the theatre, ’phone 5500. __

Up," plays his first leading role for the screen in the Paramount film, “One Hour Late,” commencing to-day at the Kosy Theatre. Jn addition to Morrison, the film features Helen Twelvetrees, Conrad Nagel. Arline Judge, Toby Wing, Edward Craven, Raymond Milland and Gail Patrick. The film was directed by Ralph Murphy. Morrison is cast as a young clerk who wants to marry tho girl of his dreams. But she puts him off while her boss, tho victim of unrequited love, tries to find companionship; and his wife tries to find freedom. Then, in ono dramatic hour, the lives, the loves and the plans of these unusual people are changed completely, How this is brought about is entertainingly told in a dramatic finale.