Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 167, 16 July 1937, Page 7

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-MORROW “LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY” “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” brings together lor the first time three stars who, eingly, have recently contributed to the screen three of the year's most successful and outstanding picture*. Joan Crawford. direct from •'The Gorgeous Hussy "; William Howell, from “After the Thin Man"; Robert Montgomery, whose “Piccadilly Jim'* still remains one of the high spots of 1386 screen entertainment. To this triple-star cast Metro-Gold wynMayer also has added an outstanding supporting cast that includes hrana Morgan, Jessie Ralph, Nige. Bruce, Colleen Clare, Bemta nurne, Ralph Forbes, Ail•«u Pringle and Meiviiie Cooper. Lawrence Weingarten, who was at the producer*® helm on "Libelled Lady,” is the producer of the new picture. Rased upon the tamous Prederic Lonsdale play of a few years ago, Leon Gordon, aamson Raphaelson and Monckton i-ioffe completely modernised the story with _ a deit adaptation that promises to esiaoiish the screen version as an outstanding riot of laugnter and complicated situations. To Miss Craw lord fans the title roie of the lovely American woman in wnose nanus gullible Lnglish socialites become easy victims of a piOt to tries them out ot a fortune of jewels. William Powell, as Mrs. Cheyney's butlei, Charles, is revealed as the brains of the group of international thieves, but a lovable crook wno unusual sacrifices to protect the good name ot the woman he adores. Montgomery appears as romantic young Lord Hilling wno uncovers the plot to fleece his Bntisn friends and wno iearns the true character of Mrs. Cheyney wnen •he chooses exposure as a thief rather than submit to his amorous advances. Frank Morgan is seen as Lord Keiton and other assistants in weaving the hilarious plot are Miss Bruce, as the uuchess of Lblcy; Nigel Bruce, as Lord Wynton; Benita Hume, as Lady Wynton; Ralph Forbes, as Cousin Joan; and x.urusden Hare, as Inspector W'unerepoon. Adrian designed new and startling costumes for Miss Crawford which promise to set the fashion world agog, and Cedric Gibbons and his assistants provided some of the most lavish settings yet to be seen on the screen. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY WEST POINT OF THE Alß** From two entirely different environments come tne two unarming leading women ot Waua.ce Leery s "West Fouu of tne Air,’’ a aietro-Loiuwyn-.aaper picture which will snow 10-uay at tne Kosy Theatre, rrom civil war in ire.and, ana from socially elite Pars Avenue Lie> came to mmgn* their talents as the “heart interest of a tnrimng story played out at Randoipn rie*u. tne uinteu JS tales army s auuwng scnooi *or neugling aiers. Kooerc ioung. lieutenant sou or xnstructor-Jseigant Wallace Leery, is the “ODjeci” of tneir joint a.*.ecuons, to parapmase a song of tne period. The tiny mile xrisn girl, .uaureen. would seem at first glance to have oeen a protectee eoui careiuiiy guarueu against tne worm —so ethereal and sweet is ner appeal. But on tne contrary sue and ner motne* cowered on the floor oi their bedrooms right after night wmie guerilla Duiiets •pattered into tne wans. Ana lor tnree days tney were uncertain wneuer or noi their lamer, an army omcer. was alive or dead. Tue fact that Miss U'Sumvau Happened to go to a certain HuDiin nigm duo on & particular evening brought ner luto pictures. There Director rrana Lrozage saw ner and consmereu her luear for u new John McCormaca picture, omce then her tame in pictures has fc.own until tne rose to reauy steuar proportions in "'The Barrens oi \v impose Street anu “David Copperneld.” On me contrary. liusalind Rus3eu, wno iooxs cnarmaigiy oi tne world, was brougnt up very quietly iu strict private scnoois, uaugumr of a family which takes us nigu socuu obligations with seriousness anu extreme uigmty. in tact, her mother anu lauier and large coilecuon ot brouters and sisters are to mis day not completely sure mat sue did not make a mistake in turning ner back on park Avenue ior ihe stage, and later, lor Hollywood, in tne him colony bQo has made a particularly rapid rise, iu “The President Vanishes,’’ “Eveiyn Prentice,” "xrorsaking All tuners and • The Night Is loung.” ’West Point oi til* Air." a thrill teature or which is a simultaneous parachute jump by iuu men, was directed by xuenard Rosson and also includes in its cast Lewis e>tone, James Gleason and Henry Wadsworth. “Biography of a uacnclor Girl.’’ “Biography of a Bacneioi Girl," the new Metro-Golawyn-Aiayer him now playing at the Kosy Theatre, brings back a team which won dramatic ianie with a single picture. They are Ann Harding and Robert Montgomery, together again for the first time since the prize-winning “When Ladies Meet." Miss Harding, needless to say, is the bachelor girl, and an exceedingly glamorous one. She is Marion, artist and sophisticate, who has tread the gallant path to fame. Montgomery is tne curt Mr. Kurt, nard-ooued magazine editor who induces me girl to write the colourful story of her life. Immediately arises the amusing situation of a train of ex-admirers flocking back to beg her to abandon the project.

STATE THEATRE “WHEN’S YOUR BIRTHDAY?" “When’* Your Birthday?" starring Joe ), E. Brown, an hilarious comedy, screens e finally to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. -| Swing High; Swing Low." - I Carole Lombard and Fred Mac Murray, ; the romantic team of former triumphs, n ' are together again in Paramount’s “Swing - ! High; Swing Low,” a romance with n music, which commences its season too night at 10.30 p.m. sharp at the State - Theatre. Swing High; Swing Low” is g the story of night club life in Panama - and New York. Miss Lombard plays tho n role of an entertainer In a Panama cab- - aret who makes a famous musician out - of AlacAlurray, who has been very much -! on tho loose in the canal pore This role e gives Miss Lombard an opportunity to n | sing and dance, the first time she exx 1 hibits her talents in these fields, and Macx Murray plays the trumpet, also for .the - first time in picture?. The cast also'int eludes glamorous Dorothy Lamour, the e beauty who captivated everybody inner f first screen appearance. "The Jungle ■> Princess.” She plays the role of "the s other woman,” with whom .uacMurray s falls In love. Miss Lamour, who was > famous as a radio singer before her entry i into pictures, also sings and dances in s "Swing Hugh; Swing Low." Charles But- - terworth, Jean Dixon, Harvey Stephens! - and other wen-known feature players I 5 complete the cast. "Swim. High; Swing - Low" was directed by Alitchel Lelsen, who directed other outstanding musica. ; films, its music was written by Ralph J Ka;nger and Leo Robin, and Sam Coslow i ? and A 1 Seigel. The picture is one that 1 maintains the high standard of enter- 1 r tainment set by ihe State and is support- | • ed by an outstanding selection of featuri ettes. s _ 1 MAYFAIR THEATRE—SATURDAY 5 "DREAMING UPS" X r The Incomparable Elizabeth Bergner ree turns to the screen in the finest film o. a her career, "Dreaming Lips,” a Max b Sehach-Trafalgar production directed by 1 her husband, Paul Czinner. Bergner firs; rose to international fame in a German j version of this film made several years ago. Merely to say that here she repeats j her triumph would be an understatement j The passing of years, while leaving »ier untouched physically, have given her the confidence and serene maturity that only time can bring. In a role which calls for a sustained emotional display Bergner • dominates the whole film from start to . finish. She discovers a whole symphony , of moods when a lesser artist would be 2 welt content to find an excer- t. Brilliant acting, amazing virtuosity, genius—call it . what you will, but the simple fact re- . mams that Bergner is the most delightful . personality and outstanding artist on the . screen to-day. The story is an absorbing i study of a wife torn between devotion to , her husband and a wild, uncontrollable , passion for his best friend. The husband, j played brilliantly by Romney Brent, , simple, unaffected, doting, blissfully un- , aware of any Intrigue, worships his wife i and idolises his friend. Raymond Massey, as the friend, has a difficult role, but by studied restraint and a delicate subtlety s he makes a moving, human and always j sympathetic figure of the “other man.” ; The emotional drama of these three . moves inexorably to a gripping climax which cannot fail to moisten the eye and bring a lump to the throat of even the L most hardened filmgoers. “Dreaming* Lips” represents one or the most excitin o . dramas yet screened. Dr. Paul Czinner, • Bergner's husband, deserves the highest l j pra.se for his sensitive direction. The. i rest of the cast is inevitably overshadow- j i ed, but mention must be made of Joyce i Bland. Sydney Fairbrother. Felix Aylmer j , and Donald Calthrop who shine in sraan L parts. — -j— ,7jr. m