Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 234, 3 October 1936, Page 2

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY. ANNA STEN IN “A WOMAN ALONE.” With the presentation of the Garrett Klement production, "A. Woman Alone,” screen audiences at last have the opportunity of "meeting” the REAL Anna Sten, tho beautiful and talented Russian star who is nothing short of a sensation on file Continent. Anna was born in Kiev, Russia, in 1910, to theatrical parents. When Anna was only twelve years old her lather was killed and she had to help support her mother and sister. Half her time she spent at work anu the other studying, but finally sue had to give up her studies and work -n a restaurant. A group of child performers with whom Anna had previously been associated, played in another town. A director or one of the State-endowed theatre companies of Stanislavsky companies in Moscow, coached them for the presentation oi Houptinann's "Haimeless Himmelfahrt" and Anna was given the leading role. It was her work in this production that won her admission to the f ilm Academy, at the age of litteen. In 1928—then eighteen—she appeared in plays with one of the Stanislavsky companies in Moscow. She was acimitl'ed to the Alasehapron Studios in Moscow and made several pictures, her great success being “The Yellow Ticket,” lollowed by "Bothers Karamazov,” a Uerman (film, which led to her UFA contract. Samuel Uoldwyn brought her to America, grooming her tor stardom before she appeared in "Nana,” followed by “We Live Again,” "Resurrection” and "Wedding Night.” And now. in “A Woman Alone,” her first English picture, Anna Sten has been given a role wnfcm fits her like a glove—a roie in wnlcii Russia's lovely contribution to tho screen can relax from her previous overglamorised films and be herself. Her part in "A Woman Alone’’ is that ot Marie, a little peasant girl, who tails in love with Captain Ilyinsky, an officer ot the guards, when she is dancing at his wedding festivities. Ilyinsky is also as deeply infatuated with Marie. They part —but months later—when on the birth ot his son, Ilyinsky is looking for a nursemaid for liis wife, Marie’s fiance. Yakov, who is one of Ilyinsky's guards, offers to find one for him, and persuades Marie, much against her will, to accept the position. "A Woman Alone,” which is now at the Regent Theatre, is the strangest, most stirring drama ot lovo over brought, to the screen—a drama that culminates in a court martial when tho testimony ot this lovely victim of circumstances meant death to one man . . . disgrace and resignation to the other. And tho decision rests with the woman alone.

KQSY THEATRE—TO-DAY. RICHARD DIX IN AIR DRAMA. No matter how large the theatre in which •'Devil's Squadron plays, there 11 always be enough thrills to go around. In fact, each one in the audience could have a second helping ot breath-taking moments, and the picture would sti l be dishing them out. The Columbia cUama is now at the Rosy Theatre, with Richard Dix the he-man star, taking the mam role’ "Devil’s Squadron" is tops for aviation thrillers. Dix turns in another ol lus strongly believable performances as a test pilot, a member of the devil s squadron Test pilots,* for the benefit of those whoso interest in aviation might have stopped when .Lindbergh landed safely in p a ri s are those men who tl.v new 'plarfes for tile first timo in order to test them for defects. If there is something seriously wrong with a particular plane, the test pilot has a very good chance of not coming out of the cockpit alive. Karen Morley, the feminine lead, does splendidly. And Lloyd Nolan, Shirley Ross and Billy Burrud also turn in some excellent performances, doing credit to a splendid story. Dick Grace, a- test pilot himself has conceived a tale of an ace pilot who, unable to escape an unfair stigma that has been attached to his name, is given a job by an old friend who is superintendent of a testing airport. The pilot, Redmond, falls in love with his friend's girl, and she with him. Grateful to Kirk, his friend, he doesn’t want to hurt him; hence he keeps as far away from Martha, the girl, as possible. Redmond. In an attempt to cover the suicide of Martha’s brother, who loses his nerve as he is about to test a ’plane, is instead blamed for the boy's death. Everyone hates Redmond, until he lav craves himself to bo highly courageous

STATE THEATRE "UNDER TWO FLAGS” SEASON POSTPONED Owing to tho phenomenal success enjoyed by this 20lh Century sensation which is demanding extended seasons everywhere it is screened, the copy for showing here to-day is not available, therefore all patrons who havo reserved may transfer to Saturday (October 10) when "Under Two Flags” will definitely be screened, by applying at the theatre or C. M. Ross, Co. 20th Century have supplied a worthy substitute in "The Crime of Dr. Forbes,” a murder mystery that startles and surprises with its implications in a theme entirely new to the screen which is daring in its conception and violent in its execution. It features Gloria Stuart, Robert Kent, and Henry Armetta, and shows whether a doctor violates his sacred oath. Even tho most astute mys-tery-solver will find it difficult to predict the solution. The supporting programme, which includes colour cartoons, travelogues and gazettes of interest, is excellent,

MAYFAIR THEATRE “PUBLIC ENEMY’S WIFE,” THRILLING G-MAN STORY. PAT O-BRIEN—MARGARET LINSAY IN CURRENT ATTRACTION. Tlie new attraction for the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday Is entirely different and most unusual type of G-Man story under the title of “Public Enemy's Wife.” Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong and Dick Koran have the featured roles. Many thrills ot an exciting nature are depicted, including the overpowering of guards on a train, the attempted murder of a bridegroom, the abduction of the bride, conflict between G-Men and the criminal band In a hideout, the seizing of a ship chartered by tho gangsters in which they plan to escape are all vividly depicted in this dynamic drama. Pat O’Brien plays the featured role of the ace G-Man and is ably supported by Robert Armstrong. Miss Lindsay has tho title role as the beautiful and cultured woman who falls for the suavity of the handsome Cesar Romero, public enemy, who is apprehended for a crime which involves his wife. To evade her cx-husband who is determined to prevent her marriage to a rich play boy, Dick Koran, in fear ot the gang’s activities being exposed, a thrilling battle of wits as well as guns between the G-Men and his gang bring about a smashing climax in which a killer is eliminated. An interesting selection ot shorter pictures, including tho latest news service, completes an entertaining programme.

by a thrilling deed. Besides the fine performances given by Dix and the others already mentioned, duo credit should bo given to Henry Mollison, Gene Morgan, Gordon Jones, William Sterling, and Thurston Hall, who also do their parts flawlessly. Eric C. Kenton, the director, kept "Devil's Squadron” speeding along. And the treatment on Dick Grace’s story was admirably handled by Howard J. Green, Bruce Manning, and Lionel Houser. See "Devil’s Squadron,” it's a new high for thrillers! Buck Jones in Associate Feature. Buck Jones, fast-riding, quick-shooting sou of the plains, comes to-day to tho Kosy Theatre in ”Tho Fighting Ranger,” the Columbia film picturing the old, bad West on the Arizona border. Buck is seen as an Arizona ranger bent on avenging the death of his brother by “The Cougar,” notorious outlaw. He adopts the Identity ot an imprisoned small-time badman, and soon wins the confidence of "Tho Cougar.” Buck prepares a trap and then induces “The Cougar” and his band to swoop down on a gold shipment bound for a bank in the vicinity., Tne thrilling clmlax finds Buck and his fellow rangers destroying the outlaw band, while Buck personally attends to the death of “The Cougar. Like all ot Buck's other pictures. The Fighting Ranger” is a series of fast-moving roaring episodes, with the cowboy star portraying a forceful, manly Westerner in the manner we have come to expect o. him. Dorothy Revier, Bradley Page, Ward Bond and Mozelle Brittono support Jones in this film, which was directed by George B. Seitz,