Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY "THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA" Raul Muni, who grave motion pictures a new impetus with his portrayal of Pasteur, appears to-day at the Regent Theatre at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., in a brilliant new biography, the true and dramatic "Life of Emile Zola." This vivid page from history belongs among the finest films, not just of this year, but of Hollywood’s long history. The picture has a great subject, one bandied by writers and director with excellent taste as well as showmanship. No one could go far wrong with a dramatisation of Zola’s courageous tight to save the life of a man he had never met. But few would have, made of it a picture so satis-, tying in every detail of story-telling, casting, and atmosphere. To Mr. Muni, as usual, must go much of the credit for the picture’s effectiveness. Here is an actor, ono of the very few willing to subordinate his own amiable personality before the cameras. There is never a hint that this is Paul Muni. It is Zola, the eager, hotheaded youth, the self-satisfied man ol middle age, the valiant and again hotheaded crusader approaching his last days, who fills the screen. Zola’s crusading brings him fame and financial success. Ho is content with his lot. Then comes the Dreyfus scandal. A young officer is accused of selling military secrets, convicted, drummed out of the army, and sentenced to Devil’s Island. It took long to get Zola interested. Everyone tried, Anatole France, Clemenceau, all his own friehds. Mme Zola’s broken-hearted plea at last awoke his old crusading spirit. His fight begins, and carries on through that bitter dx'amatlc trial to a triumphant and world-famed victory. The supporting cast is quite up to the film's high standard. Erin O’Brlen-Moore appeai-s, and with great effectiveness, as the tragic Nana. Joseph Schildki-aut is Dreyfus, and Gale Sondergaard his loyal wife. Mr. Muni and his director, William Dieterle, again deserve the congratulations and gi'atitude of everyone who enjoys a great picture. An outstanding associate programme of shorts is in support of this thrilling drama. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY " CLOISTERED." The current attraction at the Mayfair Theatre is the much-dis&issed production, "Cloistered." By its unusual nature and its revelations concerning matters that have long been the subject of much conjecture, the film created remarkable interest in other countries. In New York it ran for some months, and it had extended seasons iix all other States. It ran for long engagements in England, was something of a sensation on the Continent, and at px'eaent is attracting capacity audiences at ono of Sydney’s principal theatres. The remarkable interest aroused by "Cloistered” is not difficult to understand, in the first pltice it is the only picture ever to be taken behind the walls of a cloistered convent. Nothing about it has been "staged" or "acted.” It records faithfully and movingly the daily lives of nuns in a strictly "enclosed" Order, showing them woi'king as carpenters, plaxsterei-s, typistes, gardeners, bootmakers, printers, and the like. It shows three groups of women—Penitents, Magdulens, and Sistei'B—living under the one roof but fated never to meet. The Penitents, or repentant sinners, are seeking refuge from the world. Othei-s are intractable minors sent to the convent at the wish of their parents. These may leave on attaining their majority, but the film assures its witnesses that the most rebellious spirits are chastened by the discipline and kindness of the Sisters. Particular interest centres on the many sti-ange ceremonies and rituals screened for the first time. There Is the "living burial" of the novices—a truly awful moment, as one critic puts it. There is the utter contrast of the Sisters, who, on taking their final vows, axe decked in bridal array and wear crowns of orange blossoms, and the Magdalens, who, In the same ceremony, are attired drably and wear crowns of thorns. Scenes of the hair being shorn from the heads of postulants add to the great interest. There are also revealed the curious tunnels within the conveht grounds which enable the nuns to pass under city streets from one building to another without being seen by the outside world. Among specially selected supporting features will be a teehnlcolour gem, "Little Lamby"; a popular scehic, "Going Places," and a delightful traveltalk and "Stranger Than Fiction," plus the latest gazettes. METEOR THEATRE-TO-DAY "‘THIS’LL MAKE YOU WHISTLE" "This’ll Make You Whistle," Jack Buchanan’s latest comedy for Herbert Wilcox Px-oductions, is a deliciously daring musical, crammed full with gaiety, song and dance, overflowing with witty viseci*acks and hectic situations, with Jack in the embarrassing position of being engaged to two girls at the same time. His attempts to extricate himself from this dilemma only land him into further difficulties, which are not in any way improved upon when his two “nit-wit" pals, Reggie and Archie, join in the fun. And so the three settle down to a little hard thinking whereby Jack can be released of his engagement with Loura without letting Joan know. Jack can think of nothing. "Oh, well," he sayfe, "I might as well go the whole hog and commit bigamy while I’m about it.” But Reggie cannot let such sin opportunity pass—“ Well, of all the fools, I think you’re the bigamistl" was his trite reply. Hilarious scenes move rapidly from London to a French airport hotel, and come to a terrific climax, supercharged with comedy, when he is pursued by French police as a counterfeiter. The cast, most of Whom appeared in the stage version, which created such a riot all over England, included Jean Gillie; Elsie Randolph, who makes a welcome reappearance on the screen; David Hutcheson and William Kendall, as Jack’s pals; Anthony Holley and Marjorie Brooks. "This’ll Make You Whistle will give you six brand new song hits when it shows at the Meteoi* Theatre to-day. Two-piano recital. Paul Schramm and Diny Soetcrmeer. 11.10: “Modern and Contemporary Composers.” 2BL SYDNEY (740 Kilocycles—4os.4 Metres.) 9.30 p.m.: “Into the Light,” episode 13. 10.0: “At the Sign of the Maison Rouge,” No. 8. 10.30: Topical song and story. 11.0: “The History of Jazz: The Golden Age,” Part 2. 11.30: “Batchelor Travels.” 12.0 to 12.30: Luncheon scores of cricket, Australia v. Lanea shire. 12.50: News. GSB DAVENTRY (5908 Kilocycles—3l.ss Mefcreß.) 4.30 p.m.: Big Ben. “In Town To-night.” 5.0: “Is There Life on Other Planets?”—s. Talk by Astronomer Royal. 5.15: Popular Orchestra Concert. 8.8. C. Empire Orchestra; Francis Russell (tenor). 6.20: News.

STATE THEATRE—TO-MORROW "WISE GIRL’* A fast-moving l comedy drama with crackling dialogue, unfolding one of the s most unique romances presented on the ’ Bcreen, is "Wise Girl," RKO Radia picture t rostarring Miriam Hopkins and Ray Mil- ' land, which opens to-morrow at the State l Theatre. The novel romance involves two • natural enemies—a tempestuous Park ! Avenue beauty and a defiant Greenwich - village artist. The girl has px-omised to > aid her wealthy father secure custody of ■ his two orphan grandchildren who live 3 with their uncle and legal guardian, a ' youth with a precarious income. Upon ■ this premise are built the story’s dramatic ■ and laugh-provoking situations, chief of > which is the hectic love affair between 5 Miliand and Miss Hopkins when the latter, . posing as a destitute actress, meets the ; artist with the idea of double-crossing ! liim, but suddenly finds herself in love > with him. Tense drama arises when the • grandfather, despite the girl’s protests, ■ carries out his scheme to gain custody of ; the youngsters, whereby Miss Hopkins' - real identity and her apparent treachery are revealed to the artist. In an hilarious ■ climax the heiress manages to convince ! him of her love and at the same time 1 forces him to mend his idle ways. Miriam ; Hopkins evidences unusual versatility in 1 her quick transitions from breezy comedy to heart-plundering drama. Ray Milland - is equally impressive in the role of the 1 struggling artist whose career is re-estab- ■ lished as a result of the turbulent love affair. Other noteworthy characterisations 1 in "Wise Girl" are contributed by Walter Abel as a hard-drinking artist, Alec Craig as a soft-hearted landlord, Guinn Williams as a sculptor by day and pugilist by night, and Henry Stephenson as the ; crusty millionaire. Two juvenile new- ’ comers, Betty Philson and Marianna Strfelby, turn in outstanding performances as the orphans. "Hawaiian Holiday.'' A special support on the programme, Walt Disney’s coloured Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Hawaiian Holiday," comes to the State Theatre to-morrow. In this film Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goof go to the South Seas. Particularly mirth-pro-voking are the of Horace and his surfboard riding. KOSY THEATRE "SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT” 1 For many reasons "Something to Sing ' About,’* the novelty comedy with music and dancing, starring James Cagney, produced by Victor Scnertzinger and Zion Myers for Grand National, now showing at the Kosy Theatre, may be said to be both James Cagney’s mid Grand National's most pretentious film production to date. In the first place, the popular dynamic star makes a radical departure from his former stylo of roles. Instead of being the wise-cracking, smart Aleck, gal-slapping Romeo he is wont to portray, Cagney is seen as a downright sofig-and-dance man and the orchestra leader of a swanky New York night club, who becomes a motion picture star. Of course, all of Jimmy’s admirers know that ho was once a fancy "hoofer" on the New York stage and in vaudeville, but hitherto motion picture producers could only see him in "tough roles." It was left for Victor Schertzinger, famous director-author-composer, and Grand National to see Cagney’s possibilities in the story of a band leader "gone Hollywood" and to sell the idea to Cagney himself. Playing opposite the fast-stepping star in the principal feminine role is the lovely Evelyn Daw, who makes her screen debut in the picture. She is the South Dakota "Jenny Bind,” who crashed into Victor Schertzlnger’s office and sang her way into a contract. She is or orthodox movie size, has auburn-red hair and steel blue eyes and has devoted all her childhood years to singing. Her voice is a marvellous liquid, lyric soprano. For the record Miss Daw is just 20 years old. Behind the production are some 36 elaborate sets. One of them—a modernistic cafe—covers an entire sound stage. In another the deck of an ocean steamer Is reproduced. Four blocks of San Francisco’s busiest 1 section provide exciting exterior sequences. Seven world famous male danc-! ers augment Cagney’s dancing appearances. They are Harland Dixon, formerly of the famous team of Doyle and Dixon; Johnny Boyle, of Boyle and BraziJ; Johnny (Skirls) Miller and Buck Mack, of Miller j and Mack; Pat Moran, of Clifford and

entire musical score and five original songs were written and directed by Victor Schertzinger, who is Internationally known for his "Alarcheta.” It is said that "Marcheta" has topped the six million mark in sales. The royalties from this musical masterpiece, alone, have made Schertzinger Independently rich. As an especial and added novelty attraction in "Something to Sing About" are the famous Nelson fighting cats, brought especially to Hollywood from New York for only four days of work. "The Moxltanos.” Seldom these days do picture patrons have the opportunity of seeing and hearing real flesh and blood acts of outstanding ability, but to patrons of the Kosy Theatre to-day such an opportunity is offered. The management have secured for your entertainment "The Mexicanos," direct from a record-breaking season at the De Lux© Theatre, Wellington. The act features "Toni," the piano-accordeon girl, an outstanding performer on a difficult Instrument. The "Santos’ Bros.", musical and vocal harmonists, are wellknown stage, screen and radio personalities, with lavish national costumes and bright, snappy music.