Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY. ANNA STEN IN “A WOMAN ALONE.” With tho presentation of the Garrett Element production, “A Woman Alone,” screen audiences at last have the opportunity o£ "meeting” tho REAL Anna Sten, tho beautiful and talented Russian star who is nothing short of a. sensation on the Continent. Anna was born in Kiev, Russia, in 1910, to theatrical parents. When Anna was only twelve years old her father was killed and she had to help support her mother and sister. Half her time she spent at work arm the other studying, but linaiiy snu had to givo up her studies and work -u a restaurant, A group of child performers with whom Anna had ' previously beeu associated, played in another town. A director of one of the State-endowed theatre companies of Stanislavsky companies in Moscow, coached them for the presentation of Houptmann’s "Hanneless Himmelfahrt" and Anna was given the leading role. It was her work in this production that won her admission to the Film Academy, at the age of fifteen. In 192S —then eighteen—she appeared in plays with one - of the Stanislavsky companies in Moscow. She was admitted to the Maschapron Studios in Moscow and made several pictures, her great success being "The Yellow Ticket," followed by “Bothers Karamazov,” a German (film, which led to her UFA contract. Samuel Goldwyn brought her to America, grooming her for stardom before sho 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 wnlch fits her like a. glove—a rote m wnlch Russia’s lovely contribution to tlio screen can relax from her previous over-. glamorised films and be herself. Her. part in. “A Woman Alone’’ is that of Marie, a little peasant girl, who falls in lovo with Captain Ilyinsky, an officer of the guards, when sho is dancing at his wedding festivities. Ilyinsky is also as deeply infatuated with Marie. They part —but months later—when on the birth of his son, Ilyinsky is looking for a nursemaid for his 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 of lovo ever brought to tho screen—a drama that culminates in a court martial when tho testimony of this lovely victim of circumstances meani death to one man . . . disgrace and resignation to the other.. And tho decision rests with the woman alone. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY. RICHARD DIN IN AIR DRAMA. No matter how largo tho theatre in which “Devil’s Squadron” plays, there’)) always be enough thrills to go around, in fact, each one in tho audience could have a second helping of breath-taking moments, and the picture would still be dishing them out. The Columbia drama is now at the Kosy Theatre, with Richard Dix, the he-man star, taking tho main role. “Devil’s Squadron” is tops for aviation thrillers. Dix turns in another ol his strongly believable performances as a test pilot, a-member of the devil’s squadron. Test pilots, for tiro benefit of those whoso interest in aviation might have stopped when Lindbergh landed safely in Paris, are those men who fly new ’plan'es for the first time 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, tho 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 !ar proves himself to be highly courageous by a, thrilling deed. Besides the fine performances given by Dix and the others already mentioned, due credit should be given to Henry Mollison, Gene Morgan, Gordon Jones, William Sterling, and Thurston Hall, who also do their parts flawlessly. Eric C. ICenton. tho director, kept “Devil’s Squadron” speeding along. And the treatment on Dick Grace’s story was admirably handled' by Howard j. Green, Bruco 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 son of the plains, comes to-day to the Kosy Theatre in “The 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 of an imprisoned small-time badman, and soon wins the. confidence of “The Cougar.” Buck prepares a trap and then induces “The Cougar” and his

STATE THEATRE “THE CRIME OF DR. FORBES” Unusual for. its love story and its <lra■matic suspense, and packing a Justminute punch that stamps it one of the screen’s current triumphs, “The Crime of | Dr. Forbes,” new Fox picture, opened at the State Theatre on Saturday with a noteworthy east, including Gloria Stuart, Robert Kent, Henry Armetta, J. Edward Bromberg,' Sara'Haden and Alan Rinehart. Bringing to tho screen a. topic blazoned in tlio newspaper headlines, a daring theme that startles and surprises with its implications, the film presents a problem entirely new to the cinema. Does this doctor violate his sacred oath because lie loves so much? Is his deed 'murder or compassion? Robert Kent, chief assistant to J. Edward Bromberg, noted physician engaged m research , seeking a- cure for a fatal spinal disease, |, is seen as “Dr. Forbes,” who is faced (with tho dramatic dilemma. In tho story, I Bromberg goes to a prehistoric cavern in Arizona,-in connection with his work in research. He leaves the laboratory and his pretty young wife, Gloria Stuart, in charge of Kent. Kent and Gloria, attracted to each other by youth, are almost constantly together during Bromberg’s absence and, unaware of tho fact, fail in love. A cave-in traps Bromberg in Arizona and crushes him. Kent and Gloria rush to tile scene' and find Bromberg, hopelessly injured, in frightful agony. Doomed to an indefinite period of pain, liia plight can only bo alleviated by death. Suddenly, the injured man dies • —and unmistakeuble evidence points to an overdose of drugs. Kent is suspected ‘because of his association with Bromberg ' and .when it is discovered that he is in “love with Gloria'Stuart, lie is brought to trial. Tlie climax, a sensational surprise for every spectator, comes in a crescendo of dramatic episodes that mark “The Crime of Dr. Forbes” as one of the most unusual and engrossing of tho screen’s productions. “Under Two Flags.” This 20th Century sensation which was postponed, .will definitely be screened on Saturday next. Patrons are advised that the box plan for the season is now open at Rosco’s and tho theatre and that all ’phono reservations must bo claimed by noon on the Saturday, the day of screening. >- MAYFAIR THEATRE ’ EXCITING G-MAN STORY “PUBLIC.EMEMY’S WIFE” There is no question about tho exciting nature of the current film, Public Enemy’s Wife,” now at the Mayfair Theatre. Exposing' the woman's side of tlio underworld’s treachery, "Public Enemy’s Wife” story is as timely as the headliners in the daily newspapers. Pat O’Brien, Margaret Lindsay and Robert Armstrong have the leading roles. Many thrills of an exciting nature are depicted, including the overpowering of guards ou a train, tho 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 the gangsters in which they plan to escape are all vividly depicted in this dynamic drama. Pat O'Brien plays the featured role of tlio ace G-Man and is ably supported bv Robert Armstrong. Miss Lindsay has the title role as the beautiful and cultured woman who falls for the suavity of tho handsome Cesar llomero, public enemy, who is apprehended for a crime which involves his wife. To evade her ex-husband who is determined to prevent her marriage to a rich play boy, Dick Foran, in fear of 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 lit which a killer is eliminated. An interesting selection of shorter pictures, including the latest news service, completes an entertaining programme. Exciting mystery and satirical comedy are combined in tho Mayfair’s initial double featured programme for Wednesday. Both pictures are. the product of the famous Paramount studios. In “Soak the Rich,” a new comedy written and produced by Hecht and McArthur, is unquestionably one of the most appealing and entertaining pictures produced by this famous team, which reveals a charming lovo story and a satirical tirade against to-day’s social and economic unrest. Walter Connolly heads the list of players. An octet of stars, headed by such favourites as Reginald Denny, Gaii Patrick, Rod La Roque and Frances Drake, have the featured parts in the second film, “The Pre-view Murder Mystery,” which has for its background a modern sound studio.

band to swoop down on a gold shipment bound for a bank in the vicinity. The thrilling cimlax finds Buck and ins fellow rangers destroying the outlaw band, while Buck personally attends to the death of “The Cougar.” Like all of Buck’s. other pictures, “The Fighting Ranger”, is a series of fast-moving roaring episodes, with the cowboy star pot - ' traying a forceful, manly Westerner in the manner we have come to expect of him. ■ Dcrothv Revier, Bradley Page, Ward Bond arid Mozelle Brittone support Jones in this film, which was directed by George B. Seitz,