Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 2, 4 January 1937, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “MY MAN GODFREY" To-day Palmerston North will have its seasons, “My juan Godirey,” which is to uo the first of uie Regent Theatre s ex-lonueu-season attractions, uouirey first came to file in Erie naten s novel, anu ne moved into iiouywoou wnen Erie Eaten and Morn© liysiund nnisfiea the screen l'iay. Gregory L.a Cava oegon to uireoi mo madcap romantic comeuy, encouraging me piayers to romp anu maxe merry on tne set art tno time, and tne hilarity bubbled over into the mining oi tne picture. Gail Patrick, loosing for a ‘Torgotten man," nnus Gouirey (William roweil). no spins nor backward into an usn neap and spons her evening—as wen as her evening gown. Caroie nomburu, portraying tno ‘ uumbest uebutante in .vuumuiuui,” takes uouirey to tne swanky in. men sne appoints hail the lanniy butler. Gouirey nnus n.mseii buttling oiiu battling in tho goofiest huusenoid in America. Mother has a parlour am a stroke oi worn in his life, and who amuses me lady oi tile nouso oy imitating a panung chimpanzee or an overwound gorilla, leaping anu bounding irom montexpiece to ciiandeuer, swinging in doorways like an ape m me jungie—just anotner “protege oi the rien.' Caroie ijoinoard laints in the butier’s arms, uouirey carries her upstairs, using me nr email’s nit, and pms ner under tne snower, domes anu an. The cute litue ueoutante laus in love with Godirey, wants to marry him, anu won i taxe •T\o” for an answer. Eut he believes m personal liberty. Tne olaer sister is still angry with Godfrey tor pushing her into tlio ash heap. She plants a pearl necklace in tne uutler s room, and men calls the police, but When a ihorougn search is made, the pearls arc gone. The debutante corners Godirey at every turn, telling him he has to love her, but he is cooler than an icicle on Admiral Byrd s South Pole radio mast, and tho sweet young thing lias tne wrong wavelengm. Father's \vali Street boom stoexs go boom, and Mother's cheques are greeted as strangers at the bank. She threatens to sue Congress lor breach of promise because they went off the gold standard. Godirey saves the financial situation, and men scoots off, trying to save himselt from the dizzy daughter. But she gets him "on tho spot" at last. ROSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “GIRL ON FRONT PAGE" The methods of blackmail rings that have been revealed in newspaper headlines of the past were rarely more Ingenious than the plans developed by the “Thursday Club ’ in Universal’s offering, “The Girl on the Front Page, which shows at the Kosy Theatre to-day. lhe

blackmailers succeed in entering the employ of the most prominent wealthy families in the city as butlers, personal maids and household servants. They snoop for .scandal and improvise it where it does not previously exist. The latest in household help! Working in several homes simultaneously, they meet on Thursdays to compare notes and advance their schemes. When some person is ripe lor plucking, they send a representative to demand hush money. After collecting, i ho exclusive maid goes on to anothex victim. This bright little scheme is finally squashed by the managing editor of the city’s leading newspaper. The editor's role is portrayed by Edmund Eowe, remembered for his success in “What Price Glory," "Cockeyed World," "Born Reckless,” "Cisco Kid," "Old Arizona," “Dinner at Eight" and “Mr. Dynamite." Gloria Stuart is seen as “The Girl on the Front Page.” She portrays an heiress who inherits the newspaper and who engages in love quarrels with the managing editor. Gloria’s former pictures include “Tho Prisoner of Shark Island,” "Professional Soldier,” “Poor Little Rich Girl,” “Gold Diggers of 1935,” “Roman Scandals" and “Invisible Mqn.” The blackmailing butler is played by Reginald Owen who is recalled for his excellent work in "Rosemary," “Trouble for Two,” “Tale of Two Cities," "Of Human Bondage,” “House of Rothschild,” “Madame du Barry.” “Voltaire,” “Petticoat Fever,” “Anna Karenina” and “Queen Christina.” Dave Oliver has the part of the office boy ■who attempts to act as Dan Cupid between the managing editor and “The Girl on the Front Page.” In return lor his trouble he gets his ears pinned back.! Oliver’s first feature role was in “Postal Inspector.” The mother of the heiress is played by Spring Byington, who scored a hit on the New York stage. She made her film debut in "Eittle Women” ond has followed with roles in “Love Me Forever,” “Mutiny on the Bounty,” “Way Down East” and "Ah, Wilderness.” Gilbert Emery iiortrays the family lawyer who advises "The Girl on the Front Page" in her difficulties. He has scored in such films as "Magnificent Obsession,” “XTittift LcuM Foxdtlarctv,’ l .“.WifA 3uA£&US.

Secretary,” “House of Rothschild,” “Cardinal Richelieu” and “Clive of India.” “The Girl on the Front Page" was directed by Harry Beoumont. “RIDING WILD" One of Spanish California's genuine adobe ranch houses, filled with glowing memories of Spanish senorltas and gaily costumed Spanish-California cowboys, is seen in "Riding Wild," Columbia’s Col. Tim McCoy western picture now thrillling patrons of the Kosy Theatre. Built by Califox-nia Indians back in the '4o’s, before California became one of the Union’s 48 States, the Trem Carr ranch adobe has been preserved by careful repair and by the dry air of the Mohave Desert. Seldom have rains fallen to sook into and disintegrate its big blocks of sun-baked adobe clay. The Carr ranch is located in Placerita Canyon. 40 miles north of Hollywood. Against this characteristic California otmosphere most oi fijELuibs**: W.lLd’ 1 w=u» filraaA.

STATE THEATRE "EAST MEETS WEST" "East Meets West," the State’s grand current attraction which gives melodrama of a robust nature, with George Arliss giving a crafty Sultan who replenishes his exchequer by deft diplomacy involving Great Britain and an Eastern Power. Developed with great effect, ornate settings, largo erowu scenes, gripping suspense and the star's personality have combined to make a rich offering fur all lovers of spectacle and drama. George Arliss appears as tho Kajali of a tiny kingdom known as Kenang which, by virtue of its geographical position, is coveted by Great Britain for harbourage purposes. A powerful Eastern country also makes a bid for the Sultan's friendship, and tho wily potentate “plays” tneiii both until he has extracted a million pounds from eacu. Woven into tho main plot structure is the saga of a harddrinking British Customs officer, whose pretty wife lias an affair with the Sultan's Oxford-educated son, Nezim. Tho situation is provocative of suspense at the climax, when the white man is on the point of being hanged for rum-running, only to be saved at the cost of the English treaty with tbe Sultan. There are elaborate settings depicting Kenang, while large crowd scenes teature in the action. One of the highlignts is the gallows' scene when the moo snarls about the white man, and his contriie wile, awakened to the treachery of Nezim, pleads at his feet for his life. George Arliss plays the Sultan with relish. Deftly exploiting his famous mannerisms, he succeeds lu presenting a study in the ripe Arliss vein, peppering the dialogue with characteristic quips of his own. Godirey Tearle as the English diplomat renders yeoman support, with Romney Brent making an effective foil as tne representative of the Eastern Power. Lucie Mannheim is the lovely wife, Ronald Ward her drunken husband, and Ballard Berkely is a convincing princely lover. MAYFAIR THEATRE TO-DAY. "OUR RELATIONS" "Our Relations,” suggested by W. W. Jacobs' internationally-known “The Money Box,” gives Laurel and Hardy their greatest opportunity to exploit their specialised screen genius which has so mghly entertained tne world for tho past ten years. The new picture, a Stan Laurel production, which is now showing at the Mayfair Theatre. First as respectable residents of a quiet seaport town, living a sedate life with their wives; then as their twin sailor brothers, reported to have been hanged for joining in a mutiny, and finally doubly being Hashed on the screen. Laurel and Hardy in “Our Relations” keeps its audience in constant expectation of the stirring and funny adventures that beset them. The current production is the most elaborate ever furnished the renowned comedy team. Under the experienced direction of Harry Laehman and skilful photography by Rudolph Mate, the background for the inimitable antics and laughter-getting proclivities of Laurel and Hardy is so realistic and artistic that it could appropriately serve for a dramatic spectacle. A humorous musical score by Leroy Shield supplies a merry tune to the comedy. Several of the pretentious sets are outstanding. “Ship Ahoy Cafe,” in the form of an original and palatial pirate ship; a picturesque weather-beaten dock wharf, and the "Periwinkle,” an ancient sea-scarred vessel, form a spectacular background for many of the scenes. Alan Hale, Sidney Toler, Daphne Pollard, Betty Healy, Janies Finlayson, Iris Adrian, Lona Andre, Half Harolde, Neel Madison and Arthur Ilousman give uniformly fine performances of their characters in the most important cast ever to support Laurel and Hardy. Do not miss Laurel and Hardy in "Our Relations,” which remains at the Mayfair Theatre for four days. It is their greatest laugh hit and most elaborate feature.