Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 208, 4 September 1935, Page 8

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE “RUGGLES OF RED GAP” With Charles Laughton, eminent English actor, in the title role, “Ruggles of Red Gap,” Harry Leon Wilson's famous story of society in the backwoods of America during the rollicking 1900’s, shows for Paramount Week at the Regent to-day. The picture featuring Laughton with an all-star comedy cast, including Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, Roland Young and Zasu Pitts. He is, seen in the ludicrous tale of the perfect butler, won in a poker game and taken to a small Western town to create a furore among the socialites. The picture opens in London where “Ruggles” changes masters as the result of an allnight poker session, On his first day with his new—and democratic —master, "Ruggles’ starts cut to show him the picture . galleries and winds up on a drunken spree. Taken to Red Gap, U.S.A., he is' introduced to local society as Colonel Ruggles of the English Army. The butler becomes so infused with the democratic spirit himself that ho loses his old feeling of servility and starts out on a career of his own. The comic effects of Red Gap society when “Ruggles” begins courting the town’s leading, widow and setting himself up in business as a restauranteur are brought to a happy conclusion • when he achieves both ambitions. Laughton, round, jovial and plump, renders an inspired performance in the comic role of this favourite of all butlers, and the balance of the cast match him, laugh for laugh in the incredibly comic sequences. Maude Eburne and Leota Lorraine, a newcomer, prove agreeable surprises in minor characterisations. Credit for a fine job of direction goest to Leo McCarey, dean of Hollywood comedy directors. Charles Laughton was 29 before he mado his first appearance on the stage In London. He progressed very rapidly, however, to win recognition as one of the greatest actors on the Englishspeaking stage and screen, and in 1933 Motion Picture Academy Award for his portrayal of the title role in “The Private Life of Henry VIII.”

KOSY THEATRE MYSTERIOUS MURDER IN CHINATOWN A murder committed in Chinatown is the crimo most difficult of solution. San Francisco’s groat Chinatown, the largest in America, is the scene of “Chinatown Squad,” tho Universal mystery drama which is now screening at tlio ICosy Theatro. Lylo Talbot, Valerie Hobson, Hugh O’Connell and Andy Devine head tho cast of this thrilling screenplay, and the picture Itself was actually filmed for the most , part In tho exact locale of tho story. Several weeks were spent in San Francisco, and tho company literally took possession of tho Chinese quarter. The district’s most ornate cafe formed tho setting for much of tho action, and other scenes were filmed m the quarter’s busy streets and byways, as well as in the famous Chinatown telephone exchange, whero, calls in many dialects are handled by tho Chinese operators. Tho story concerns the murder of an agent for a revolutionary government in China, caught stealing funds which ho has collected from Americanised Chinese, and false clues lead tho police over a tortuous trail until the ldllor la finally apprehended through the efforts of the driver of a sightseeing bus, bringing to a climax his romance with a beautlfu girl. This absorbing film drama waa directed by Murray Roth from an original story by L. Q. Blochman, with tho screenplay by Vara Sehary and Ben Ryan. Tim picture presents a highly intimate picture of the Chinatown which is llttlo

known even to residents of San Francisco itself. Sir Seymour Hicks in “Mr. What's His Name” at the Kosy Theatre To-day. Sir Seymour Hicks, who is both an actor and writer, married Ellalino Terriss, tho actress, when lio first started on tho road to fame, Ho presented ills first play in 1905, entitled “Blue Ball of Fairyland," and later appeared in a play called “Beauty of Bath.” Later Sir Seymour wrote tho scenario, produced, and acton in tho film "Glamour.” In 1934 he slgneu lip with 8.1. P. to star in tho film, "The Secret of tho Loch.” "Mr. What's His Name" is Sir Soymour’a first picture for Warner Bros.’ Teddiugtou studios, and also the first tlmo lie lias appeared on tho screen since ho was knighted in May, 1936. In “Mr What’s His Name” Sir Seymour plays tho part of a millionaire sauce manufacturer. Ho meets with a train accident, loses Ills memory, and forgets ho is married, Ills namo, and all about hla past life. Ho joins partnership with a hairdresser, and on day while she is out is forced to cut a well known society woman’s hair. He makes such a hash of It that all her friends think it is a new .ashion and fioek to tho saloon, In no time tho firm of "Herbert” is famous, and, of course, this leads up to the exciting climax when his first wife finds no has married the hairdresser, she norseif also having married when he was raportod dead. Other well known players in tho cast include Enid Stamp Taylor, Toni Edgar Bruce, Martlla Hunt, Henry Longhurat, Louis Broughton, Margaret Darner, Arthur Metcalfe, Dorothy Hammond,