Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 276, 21 November 1936, Page 14

Palmerston Picture Programmes

regent THEATRE—TO-DAY “HEARTS DIVIDED” Never has the beautiful star, Clarion Davies, appeared in a more entertaining and gripping romance tnan in iier latest Cosmopolitan production, “Hearts diVided.” Tills story of tne wooing and winuing of uie brilliant anu ueauuiut Betsy Batterson, ot Baltimore, oy captain Jerome Bonaparte, urouier of tne I'rencn Emperor, is a real ueart-tnrou-bing drama, n’nilo tne romance is predominant, the picture nas an Historical baoKground, wim Jerome Bonaparte m America as the agent oi ins urouier to negotiate the sale oi the Louisiana territory. It brings in many noieu characters ot tiie penou, including Napoleon innisell, President Tnonias Jeiterson, Janies Madison, James monroe, jonu marsiian, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Tne picture is a la visa one, wun mammoth acts and colourful bacKgrounus, Willie the women are costumed in tne gorgeous Empire gowns oi tne period. Picturesque scenes taae place in the Patterson mansion anu estate and in tne palace oi the Emperor oi nance. Tne picture is enlivened by catcny songs written by tne ianious team of Harry Warren and Al uuolin, anu sung by Dicx Powell, who nas tne leauing 'niascuiine role opposite Miss Davies, 'mere is plenty oi thrilling action in aaumon to uie somewnat tangled up romance in which Jerome woos ms lady love mcogliito and against the wishes of the Emperor. But this madcap auventurer hurls his thundering denance at his powenui brother and brings ins wooing to a climax in whirlwind fashion. Never has miss Davies been more pleasing, nor more charming than as tne beautiful belle oi Baltimore who loses her heart to Jerome Who she knows only as her tutor in Prench and music. She carries off the lighter position of the romance with a delightful whimsy and rises to the more emotional scenes with the artistry oi an experienced and polisneu performer. Powell, who also- played opposite miss Davies in “Page miss Glory,” is highly amusing as wen as romantic in his roie of the carefree Jerome. Claude Rains does some exceptionally tine acting in tne role of Napoleon Bonaparte. Never does he over-emphasise tile traditional mannerisms of the Little Corporal, nor resort to the trite gestures with which the Emperor was credited. Rains' iacn of posing makes the character seem natural anu human. Charlie Buggies, Edward Everett Horton and Arthur Treacher add some line comedy touches in their roles oi three indefatigable suitors of the beautiful Betsy.

MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE BELOVED VAGABOND.” The world’s favourite —the real Chevalier is back again to steal anew the hearts of entertainment-lovers in a spanning adaptation of VV. J. Locke s worlu-popuiar romance, "The Beloved Vagabond.” Two versions of the production—Prench and English—were made at Elstree, with Maurice in the title role in each instance. This is the first time since 8.1.P.'s memorable "Atlantic" that a bi-lingual talkie has been made in England. The story ox “The Beloved Vagabond,” which has been translated into practically all languages, offers welcome and unlimited possioiluies to Maurice- for the display of his remarkable, natural talents. The role of "Paragot” affords him the eagerly accepted opportunity of 'Being his" charming sen, in a straight part, in which ho also has occasion to sing some delightful and original songs in his own Inimitable style. These songsj which were specially written for the lilm, are blended naturally into the action of the story. Two wellknown English playwrights. Arthur Wimperis and Hugh Mills, contributed to the writing of the screen play and dialogue for the film. Arthur'Wimperis wrote the brilliant dialogue of "Henry VIII.," ana he was also responsible for the dialogue of many successful films of the past few years. Hugh Haslem Mills is the author of the play, "Laughter in Court,” which C. B. Cochran is shortly producing in the West End. Playing opposite Chevalier as "Blanquette,” the little French entertainer, is -Margaret Lockwood, charming eighteen-year-old "find,” who, after exhaustive tests with hundreds ot other applicants for this coveted role, passed with flying colours. Maurice, who was in Patis at the time of the tests, expressed his delight when he saw the results, declaring that this petite and beautiful brunette is destined to go a long way in films. Another very important part played by Desmond. Tester is that of the boy “Asticot,” hero-worshipper and faithful companion of "Paragot" on his adventures. Of added interest to Australian audiences is the presence of our own Betty Stockfield, in the role of "Joanna,” the "beautiful English girl with whom “Paragot” is in love when the story opens. Effervescent with romance, laughter, merry music and unforgettable entertainment, "The Beloved Vagabond ’ will live long ’midst your cherished memories.

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE BRIDE WALKS OUT” “The Bride Walks Out,” Barbara Stanwyck’s new starring vehicle which opens to-day at the State Theatre, is one of the most hilarious and entertaining pieces of screen fare seen In many a moon. The story deals with Uie trials and tribulations of a pair of newly-weds, portrayed by Miss Stanwyck and Gene Raymond, who try to limit their expensive housekeeping ideas to a 35 dollars a week budget, while they endure the blandishments of a carefree young millionaire, enacted by Robert Young, aimed to breaking up tlieir scrappy borne. Revealing more difficulties in trying to balance their budget than the government ever dreamed of, the tale whirls dizzily from one comedy situation to another and winds up with a grand oldfashioned chase and a fight that lands the belligerent Mr. Raymond in gaol. The Titian-haired Miss Stanwyck, as the pleasure-loving bride, displays brilliant ability as a comedienne. And her performance is all the more brilliant for the competition she has at the hands of such accomplished farceurs as Messrs Raymond and Young, and of those of Ned Sparks and Helen Broderick, who, as a long and bitterly-married couple, provide much of the mirthful background of the film. Raymond’s portrayal tops his recent performance in "Love on a Bet,” both for comedy and for colourful character delineation, and Young is ideally cast as his champagne-loving rival whose attentions to Miss Stanwyck bring about many ot the film's more vivid moments. KOSY THEATRE "BROADWAY HOSTESS” “Broadway Hostess,” First National’s rollicking new musical comedy drama, with thrilling hign fights, catchy music and mammoui speclacies, wili be presented at Uie Kosy Theatre to-uay, Monday and Tuesday, wttfi an ail scar cast. The story treats oi ifio on the Great Wiiite Way, particularly the night ciubs and the paiatial gambling halls, u is tne story ot a fittie country girl who goes to the big city to maxo good in theatrical wont. Sue finds it a tougn jou to catch Broauway, however, until she meets a big snot gambler, wno puts her over in a uig way and makes her uie toast of the origin light district. Comedy and thrills follow in quick succession until a smasbing ciimax in wliich the gambler is slain by the brother of the woman he loves. Winifred Shaw, musical comedy star, has the role of tlie little country girl who sings her way to fame. Phil Regan is her assistant, while Lyle Talbot is the gambler and Genevieve Tobin tho society girt who Talbot loves.

Action, thrills, suspense, with a background of romance and stirring songs are promised in the third of Warner Bros.' series of new type Westerns, "Treachery Rides the Range,” which comes to the Kosy Theatre to-morrow. The story', by William Jacobs, is a gripping tale of the Old West, with Indians on the warpath. The Indians, however, are shown in a new light—more in accordance with the real history of the West. In this picture, peacefully inclined Indians are stirred into action by small bands of murderous whites who deliberately provoked warfare between the tribes and the U.S. troops in order to make possible the plunder of the reservations and slaughter of buffaloes. Dick Foran has the roie of a scout captain, who with the colonel of the troops at Fort Douglas, a part played by Monte Blue, negotiates a treaty with the Cheyenne tribe, by which the whites agree not to slaughter buffaloes, the chief source of the Indians’ food and clothing. Dick Foran sings some catchy songs of the West.