Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 8, 10 January 1936, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

BROADWAY MELODY OF 1936. THE REGENT TO-MORROW. Enchanting music, spectacular dance routines set in backgrounds of unprecedented splendour, a pageant of the world’s greatest entertainers headed by Jack Benny, and an intriguing story all combine to make "Broadway Melody of 1936,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s most ambitious musical extravaganza, the screen's outstanding eye and ear entertainment of the year.

The Regent take pleasure in presenting this attraction to the public of Palmerston North on Saturday next. So packed with entertainment is it that it at once registers its right to acclaim as the greatest extravaganza yet to be made by Hollywood. Stars, story, music, dancing, all are present in satisfying and often thrilling form, so splendidly elaborate is the picture and so skilfully is it fashioned. There is glorious comedy, and the story takes dramatic turns which set it above the usual vehicle of its type. The plot is superbly woven amid the gorgeously spectacular specialties, and the many song hits fall naturally out of the steaming action of the production. The five song hits by Nacio Herb. Brown and Arthur Freed, "Broadway Rhythm,” ‘‘l've got a. Feelin’ You’re Foolin’,” “On a Sunday Afternoon,” "Sing Before Breakfast” and “You Are My Lucky Star,” all were well received and seem destined to be hits without exception. Jack Benny, recently declared the most popular of all radio stars, repeats his success on the screen as the smart Broadway columnist. Sid Silvers, “king of the stooges,” gets many a laug'h with his droll humour. Other new screen personalities who definitely score in this elaborate musical are Eleanor Powell, for the past five years acclaimed as “the world’s greatest tap dancer,” who plays the lead opposite Robert Taylor. The latter does his best screen work to date. Una Merkel, as a wise-cracking secretary; June Knight, as a spoiled darling of New York society; Vilma and Buddy Ebsen, famous comedians and dancers; Nick Long junr., noted acrobatic dancer; Frances Langford, radio’s song bird, and Harry Stockwell, concert baritone, all deserve the highest praise for their amusing entertainment talent.

KOSY THEATRE. "HOP-A-LONG CASSIDY.” Dealing with the West of half a century ago, when it was more than wild, and drama entered Into the lives of those who were attempting to carve out homes in a country that knew not. barbed wire boundaries. “Hop-Along Cassidy” is coming to tiie Kosy theatre to-morrow. The men of Bar 20 ranch were a decent lot as men go, having the good fortune to possess a leader in honest. Bill Cassidy, who shot as straight as he acted, and was no man’s goat. Bar 20 had been hiding its cattle, and so had old man Meeker of the next range, and both suspected one another, but this did not deter Johnny Nelson (of Bar 20) from attending a dance at Meeker’s, for Mary Meeker was good to look at, and Johnny was ever so young and foolish. When Cassidy learns of Johnny’s • foolhardiness, he follows him up in case of trouble. It occurs sure enough. Johnny finds Jack Anthony (Meeker's foreman) emptying out the shells from' His (Johnny’s) gun. Nelson,

hot-headed, tears into him, but is overpowered and is about to bo strung up when Cassidy opens fire, and is shot in the leg for his pains.- This makes for a blood friendship between the two men. It is shrewd Bill Cassidy who hits on the truth. A gang of cattle rustlers has been playing the two ranches off against one another, and double-crossing Anthony is the leader. That is enough for Bar 20. All hands are mustered, and a wonderful gun fight takes place in the thieves’ rocky stronghold, ending in a clean-up. Then Johnny makes good with Mary, but on learning that Cassidy and Peters are off to Wyoming to take up country for themselves, Johnny cannot resist the new adventure.