“Frankenstein” Monster is Real Entertainment With At Large Again “Nell Gwyn” Hit

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 250, 23 October 1935, Page 11

“Frankenstein” Monster is Real Entertainment With At Large Again “Nell Gwyn” Hit

KARLOFF THRILLS AS THE GROTESQUE, MAD CREATURE

ANNA NEAGLE AND SIR CEDRIC HARDWICKE STAR

(Kosy: Screening Saturday.) “The Monster” is at large again! Karloff, tho grotesque creature of the original “Frankenstein,” a murderous giant constructed from parts of dead bodies and brought to life at the height of a crashing electrical storm, is in “The Bride of Frankenstein,” a sequel to the first picture. In this strange urama, produced for Universal by Carl Laonunle, Jr., the Monster is seen in further adventures of such a hair-raising nature that the picture is said to furnish the very ultimate in ghastly thrills. At the conclusion of “Frankenstein,” it will bo remembered, the Monster was apparently destroyed in a burning mill but the opening scenes of “Tho Bride of Frankenstein” show how he escaped death, and returned to throw the entire countryside into a state of terror. Henry Frankenstein, the half-mad scientist who created the Monster, finds himself forced to continue his experiments with the evil Dr. Pretorius, already successful in the creation of tiny living human beings who lack only size to make them even more perfect figures than tho Monster himself.

(Regent: Screening To-day.) “Nell Gwyn” is a vivid picture of the rise of the frank and beautiful orange girl, the only woman of whom Charles 11. never tired, the woman who loved him and was loved by him until his death. Anna Neagle plays in the title role. Charles 11., a “merry monarch” whu kept his head and his throne for twenty-five years and died in bed, is played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke, who has never undertaken a film role more suited to his talents.

Tho story of “Nell Gwyn” begins when Charles, well established on the throne, had already achieved a reputation for tho liberality with which he bestowed his favours upon tho most beautiful women of bis time. One such was Louise do Kerouailles brought to England at Charles’ request and installed by liini at court with the title of Duchess of Portsmouth; but she was a French woman and her influence over the King was intensely disliked in England.

Then, suddenly, Charles became aware of Nell Gwyn, tho saucy red-headed young actress who was delighting audienpes at the King's Playhouse, Drury Lane.

Meanwhile, the terrifying creature continues his murderous career, until he is befriended by a hermit who teaches him to talk, but again lapses into savagery and takes to .the hills. From this point tho excitement increases, culminating when tho mad scientists collaborate on the creation of a mate for the lumbering giant. Then follows what is said to bo tho most amazing climax in the history of tho screen. James Whale directed “The Bride of Frankenstein,” and the cast supporting Karloff includes Colin Clive, Valerio Hobson, Ernest Thesiger, Elsa Lanehester, Dwight Frye, Una O’Connor and many other motion picture favourites.

In love, though not in polities, Charles scorned compromise. What started as a supper became an affair—and the Duchess of Portsmouth soon realised that she had in Nell Gwyn a powerful rival for the affections of the King. This rivalry is the mainspring of the drama, which reaches its height when the Duchess tries to poison the mind of the King by accusing Nell of those very intrigues with the French court which she herself is carrying on.

“Goodbye Again' 7 is Laugh Riot of Year

Did you over seo a full grown woman brought to life? All the astounding details of such a miraculous accomplishment were seen at tho studibs recently for tho benefit of tho camoras, with tho infusing of life into a fantastic form of a woman built up from parts of dead bodies, attached to a bleached skeleton stolen from an underground burial crypt. The feat took place in a great stono laboratory filled with advanced electrical appliances, and to the accompaniment of spurting flames, showers of sparks, and exploding clouds of white smoke, while outside a terrific thunderstorm raged and crashed. These scenes now form a part of the strange drama and depict the creating Tho story concerns Kenneth Bixby, of a mate for the Monster, himself pre- a romantic and philandering author, viously ‘‘ manufactured” by half-mad ilolised by women, especially for his scientists in exactly the same manner, nook, "Miriam.” He is in love with The rolo of the "Female Monster” was his secretary, Anne, who travels with played by the noted English actress, him on his lecture tours. Elsa Lanehester, and her make-up in Julie, a woman with whom Bixby the part is hardly less grotesque than went to College, had married a prosaic that of the Monster himself. _ business man of Cleveland, Harvey Wil “Well,” said Karloff philosophically son. She had been happy until shf, after tho scenes were finished, "the read “Miriam,” whereupon she imag proper amount of sparking has brought ines that she is "Miriam” and that she moro than one woman to life.” and Bixby had been lovers in College.

WARREN WILLIAM AND JOAN BI.ONDELL IN LEADING ROLES

(Ivosy: Screening To-day.)

Warren William, after a series of dramatic roles, now comes to tbe screen in Eirst National’s hilariously funny comedy drama, ‘ ‘ Goodbye Again.” Joan Blondell, Genevieve Tobin, Wally Ford, Ruth Donnelly, and Helen Chandler are in the cast directed by Michael Curtiz. Tho play is an outstanding hit on the Broadway stage.