Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL" Spectacular period romantic drama of adventures, brilliantly adapted from Baroness Orezy’s widely-read story, the outstanding- feature ot which is the magnificent acting of Leslie Howard. He invests the splendid entertainment with quality without diminishing general appeal, and is aided in his tasic by Merle Oberon, who has never cone better work, as well as by imaginative direction. Every department of mo picture measures up to tho lugii standard expected of London film productions; it has a little 01 everytmng, including an attractive title and immense feminine appeal. .Leslie Howard surpasses himself as Sir x j ercy Blakeney, his performance—a subtle combination of me romantic, the fatuous, and tho adventurous —is a supreme delignt. Aferle überon is a revelation as Lady tnaKoney; sno nas charm and unbounueu luiein, wnile Raymond Massey is excellent as Cnauvenn. ft is impossible to namo tho many supporting puiyers individually, but it win suruco to say that penect types aro represented throughout. mis mm uemonstraies beyond a suudow of aouot that tho sueeess of "Henry VHP was no nuite, lor Alexander ilorua, the production supervisor, has shown once again by bis artistic, graceful, yet sliowmaimko handling of Laronyss Orczy’s story, and his appreciation of Leslie Howard's great acting ability, how to effect a cunning compromise between tho high and uie low brow. Tne dramatic situa- 1 tions aro neatiy turned by clever comedy, tho spirit of adventure and romance are smooimy preserved, tne staging is superb. Tiio script is well nign penect, for there is' commenuabio economy of dialoguo with-' out injury to story continuity. The iilml in its entirety unquestionably represents entertainment of cnaractcr and quality, wedded to universal appeal. “Till We Meet Again." For sheer melodramatic entertainment a weil-constructed spy story capably and skilluily directed is nard to improve upon and tile P'aramount production "Till We Meet Again,” winch is to commence a season at tne Regent Theatre on Saturday, has all tho ingredients necessary lor complete success. Tile distinguished English actor, Herbert Marshall, nas tlio leading role, while playing opposite Him is tho charming Gertrude Micnael. Marshall taxes the part of an English matinee idol in the year llllf who is in love with his leading iaay, a lovely Austrian actress .played by Aliss Michael. Just when the two have almost completed their marriage plans, the war breaks out and the Austrian girl disappears. How tho young man becomes a British intelligence orucer and eventually discovers that his former sweetheart is a German spy is convincingly portrayed. An element of exciting drama is introduced when the Englishman becomes suspected by tho German secret service autnorities and Eionol Atwill’s characterisation if Ludwig, the official who nearly brings about his capture, is of equally high standard to the performance of tho two leading players. ROSY THEATRE—TO-DAY THRILLS IN “ROAMING LADY.” An ingratiating romance, framed in a setting of spectacular thrills and exciting adventures, shows to-day, also Thursday and Friday at the Kosy. The new film is called "Roaming Lady," a screen adaption of tho popular story by Diana Bourbon and Bruce Manning, recently published in a national magazine. Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy have tiie stellar roles, Fay as a madcap heiress and Bellamy as the aviator who is the object of her affections. When Fay’s father discovers tiiat his daughter is determined to marry the devil-may-care aviator, he arranges to have Bellamy shipped to China to fly for one of the companies he controls. Fay stows away aboard the same siiip. En route, tho treacnerous Chinese cretv overpowers tho captain and officers and forces them to deliver the ship and its contents into tho hands of a rebel leader. Bellamy is forced to fly for tiie outlaws who threaten death to the girl unless he obeys their orders. After a series of thrilling adventures. Fay escapes from tiie outlaws and a thrilling chase ensues. Bellamy, seeing her plight, takes to tho air and- with machine gun and bombs wrecks tiie pursuing armoured cars. Tlio suspense and thrills aro sustained at a terrific tempo, relenting now and then for a well-timed laugh. Particularly exciting are the spectacular battle scenes wherein hordes of Chinese banditrebels aro attacked from the air by a fleet of ’planes diving ineteor-liko and spraying machine-gun bullets The climactic escape, by armoured car and ’plane, is certainly one of tiie most exciting and action-filled sequences ever Aimed. Both Wray and Bellamy register outstanding performances in their respective roles. They are ably supported, too, by such veteran actors as Edward Cargan, Thurston Hall, Paul Guilfoyle, Roger Imlioff and Arthur Rankin. The production was directed with a sure appreciation of dramatic values and thrilling romance by Albert S. Rogell, from a script prepared by Earle Snell and Fred Niblo Jnr. "Broken Dreams,” Associate Feature. Human interest—the kind that gets right under your skin and clutches at the heart—is tho keynote of tho Monogram production, “Broken Dreams,’’ which commences its season at the Kosy Theatre to-day. Olga Printziau’s simple story of real life has been skilfully dramatised for tho screen with a sympathetic understanding that makes a powerful appeal to the emotions. Directed with keen understanding by Robert Vignola, and enacted by players of genuine ability, “Broken Dreams" supplies entertainment of a type that every member of the family can enjoy. Paternal loye is the theme of the story, and the three figures vitally concerned in its unfoldment are Robert Morley, a successful

young- physician; Martha, his well-mean-ing but selfish young wife; and Billy, the child of Morley’s former marriage. Billy’s mother had died at his birth, and, as a result, his heart-broken father hated the infant she had borne. Kind-hearted relatives of the mother—Pop and Mom -Miller—rear the boy. and he is six years old before his father ever makes his acquaintance. It would be unfair here to disclose just how paternal affection is awakened in Morley, and how Billy eventually gets into the good graces of his fashionable stepmother, but it makes a superlatively good screen story, and one that will live in memory for a long time. Randolph Scott, leading man with real personality, plays Robert Morley, and charming Martha Sleeper enacts the role of his wife. Billy is portrayed by Buster Phelps, who makes him just what he should be, a real boy. This lovable little chap will steal many hearts. Joseph Cawthorne and Beryl Mercer score ts Pop and Mom Miller, and others in the cast deserving mention are Charlotte Merriam. Sydney Bracey, Adele St. Maur, Phyllis Lee, Bradley Page, P'inls Barton. Edward LeSaint, and Sam Flint. “Broken Dreams’’ represents one. of the first of the new Monogram pictures to be released throughout Australasia and New Zealand, and such is of special interest to local picture patrons.

STATE THEATRE “LOVE BEFORE BREAKFAST.” “Lovo Before Breakfast”—there is a pleasant sounding phrase.. Sort of appetizing, 100. Romantic and a little on the sweet side, like syrup on your pancakes, but very interesting. "Love Before Breakfast” is the title of Universal’s smart modern comedy starring Carole Lombard, now showing at the State Theatre. Carolo gives a brilliant performance that sparkles with the bright humour of her lines. Sho falls in love with iwo men, at slightly different times, but finds herself just a little bit engaged to marry both of hem. Real sophisicated, Carole calls it. She does her best to charm them both with some brand new fashions that make Carole Lombard more glamorous than ever. Just wait until you see them on the screen. “Rove Before Breakfast” is like the little girl who was made of "spice and all things nice.” ft is aglimmer with icing, filled witli rich fruity lines, raisins of laughter and juicy plums of situations. A funny picture that will make you wish, “Please, can I have some more?” The climax sweeps to its crest on the waves of a storm at sea. Carole gets soaked, one of her sweethearts gets boiied and the other brave lad gets tied up in knots of matrimony with Carole. “Under Two Flags.” _ One woman offered caresses, flaming as Sahara’s sands; tho other gave him love and tho right to live again! To Ronald Colman falls tho necessity of making his decision between Claudette Colbert ond Rosalind Russell in 20th Century’s “Under Two Flags,” the glamorous spectacle which comes to tho State on Saturday. Adapted from Ouida’s famous novel the picture presents these three with Victor Me La glen and a supporting cast of ten thousand in a surging, tempestuous drama of tho French Foreign Region which is breaking all attendance records wherever screened in the Dominion. Patrons are advised that the box plan for ail sessions, 2 p.m., 4.30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., are now open at Roseo and Theatre. Owing to the heavy bookings ail ’phone reservations must bo cleared by noon on Saturday. MAYFAIR THEATRE. POPULAR DOUBRE BIRR. Tho current double bill. ‘‘Soak The Rich” and “The Pro-view Murder Case,” now at the Mayfair Theatre, combines a diversity of entertainment. Waiter Connolly, John Howard and a newcomer from tho Broadway stage, Mary Taylor, have the leading roles'. Hecht and MacArthur wrote, produced and directed “Soak tlie Rich.” This satirical comedy satirizes everything—student unrest, the financiers who endow universities and the college officials who run them. Walter Connolly is cast as a wealthy capitalist who has established a university. John Howard is a student who leads an undergraduate revoll when a popular professor is suspended for allegedly radical views. Miss Taylor is Connolly’s daughter. Pampered and petted al! her life, she is attracted to Howard, tho first youth who lias ever been anything but polite to her, and joins his cause. No one lampoons her father any moro energetically than she. The result is near-apoplexy for Connolly and trouble in a large dose for Howard. Miss Taylor is kidnapped, rescued and forcibly withdrawn from the university. When Connolly thinks his troubles are over, he discovers they are just beginning and the hilarity reaches a higher and higher pitch as tho plot moves to a climax. The second feature, "Pre-View Murder Mystery,” boasts of no less than eight well known players. They are Reginald Denny, Frances Drake, Gail Patrick. Rod Ra Roque, George Barbier. fan Keith, Conway Tearle, Jack Mulhall and George Barbier. ’’The Pre-View Murder Mystery” takes place in a movie studio where three comedies, one Spanish romance, one G-Man picture and a horror film arc in production. "The Pre-View Murder Mystery” uses all of them for a background. Next Saturday, “Bullets or Ballots.” Another gripping characterisation is provided by Edward G. Robinson in “Bullets or Ballots,” the newest G-Man story for release at tho Mayfair Theatre on Saturday. Robinson plays the part of a New York detective who routs a band of high society racketeers. Joan Blonde!, Humphrey Bogart and Frank McHugh are included in tho cast.