Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 193, 17 August 1936, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATREI TO-DAY—“PETTICOAT FEVER"

Against a background of ice-bound Labrador, Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy are enacting one of tlio funniest comedies ever screened, in the , ncv t Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, “Petticoat Fever,” adapted from the stage hit of the same name. The story concerns a wiieless operator who is so lonely that he holds prisoner two fliers, a beau tit u young girl and her male companion, whom he rescues from the Arctic night. Reginald Owen heads the featured cast, as “the blustery Englishman whose bride-to-be is snatched away under his _ very nose. Others in the cast are Otto Tamaoka, as the Eskimo man-servant; Forrester Harvey, Bo Ching ancl Iris Yam aok a. The brilliant direction of Georgo i'Jtzmaurico is to a large extent responsible for the unabating merriment of this exceedingly funny picture. Producer Frank Davis has dressed it with lavish production mountings. “Petticoat Fever" is the first picture to bring together Montgomery and Miss Loy since their memorable vehicle, “When Ladies Meet.” Each lias gone far in personal popularity since that time and improved vastly in acting technique. The funniest sequence in the new picture and, no doubt, ono of the funniest ever screened, is tho party given by Montgomery for his two guests—tho party for which only he and Miss Loy have the courageous flair to don evening clothes while an Arctic blizzard rages outside.

KOSY THEATRE.

“HKLL-SHIP MORGAN.”

Columbia’s “Hell-Ship Morgan,” the new arrival at tho Kosy llicatre, doubly blessed. It is, firstly, a varn of tho sea and its salty sailors, sec onffiy, it serves as the vehicle which brings back to the talking screen that iedoubtable he-man of Undervvorld j and “Dragnet” fame, George Bancroft. Hcu Ship Morgan" is a splendid vehicle for the burly, stern, yet sentimental Bancroft, who enacts tho role of Captain iia, Morgan, master of tho tuna fishing ship “Southern Cross” which plies the treacherous waters off the Mexican coast in search of her tuna cargo. Ann So the », as Marv Taylor, is a refreshing: and aeiignt ful character in this powerful story and it is about her that the plot ie\ohes. Victor Jory is the ‘’other man, a romantic role which he treats with robust good humour. Returning from a particuiany hazardous voyage Captain Morgan is celebrating at a waterfront saloon. He offers everyone in a place a drink, cine man, Jim Allen, played by \ ictor Joi y, refuses to drink. Insulted. Morgan engages In a fight with the handsome stranger knocks him out and then discovers that the man he had defeated 18 weak from hunger. The remorseful Morgan takes Allen aboard the Southern Cross, giving him a job as a seaman. The men strike up a close bond of friendship when they both discover they have suffered misfortune in life because of women. By a queer quirk of fate Captain Moigan finds Mary Taylor, played by Ann Sothern, penniless and alone and ho obtains a position in a cannery for her. Before he sails on his next cruise he proposes to Mary and they aro married. Aboard ship Mary discovers that she really loves handsome Jim Allen, that her reason for marrying Morgan arose from her desire to repay him for his help when she needed aid most. The three are involved in a hopeless conflict of emotions, bound by bonds stronger than steel, with happiness for any of them an utter impossibility. George Bancroft is superb in his virile role as the stern master of the Southern Cross who brooks no opposition and thunders his way to victory in every conquest. Ann Sothern’s loveliness and histrionic ability are outstanding while Victor Jory gives a performance noteworthy in every detail. The photography, especially of the Southern Cross in storms at sea is remarkable, bringing the audience to a pitch of exxitement time and again as the sturdy vessel plunges through mountainous seas. D. Ross Lederman’s direction has helped materially to maintain tho fast and thrilling tempo of “Hell-Ship Morgan.” Howard Hickman, Ralph Byrd, George Regas and Rollo Lloyd aro outstanding In the fine supporting cast. “Carnival.” “Carnival,” a fast-moving comedy drama featuring Leo Tracy. Sally Eilers, Jimmy Durante and a new little screen star. Baby Dickie Walters, will head the new programme at the Kosy Theatre, showing to-day. This Columbia film was authored by Robert Riskin, whoso screen achievements include "Lady for a Day,” “It Happened One Night,” "Broadway Bill” and "The Whole Town’s Talking,” which ho wrote in collaboration with Jo Swerling. It was directed by Walter Lang 'Lee Tracy is seen in the role of a spellbinding barker with a carnival show who finds he can’t talk the nolice out of taking away his infant, a

motherless son. Ho changes his name and chases around the country to prevent losing the child. Then romance comes into his life, and with it the solution of all ills woes. Sally Eilers is romantically cast as the girl whose love appears to be a lost cause—until the final .fade-out. She is "Daisy,” the pianist at the carnival puppet-show. Her more noteworthy film appearances include “Bad Girl,” “Dance Team” and "Disorderly Conduct.” The famous beschnozzled Durante is seen as "Fingers,” a kleptomaniac, or just plain pickpocket as he would ruefully admit. He is more happily cast here than in any of his recent films, among them "Student Tour,” “Strictly Dynamite” and “Hollywood Party.” Little Dickie Walters, press agented as a "bedimpled bundle of joy.” makes his film debut in “Carnival.” Only two and a-half years old, he speaks his lines like a veteran, and winks and smiles and sighs accordingly. Judging by the popularity of Baby Le Roy, and the old-timers, Shirley and Jane Withers, little Dickie ! Walters will undoubtedly find an eager '.fan public. “Carnival” is a diverting ad- ‘ mixture of comedy, romance and thrills. [The large cast includes, besides the principals, Florence Rice, Fred Kelsey and I Lucille Ball.