Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 159, 8 July 1938, Page 7

Entertainments

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “CHARLIE CHAN AT MONTE CARLO ” Arrested for murder—-Charlie Chan himself. That unbelievable situation in a picture packed with thrills, screens at the State Theatre today, when “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo," presents the world’s ace detective at the world’s gayest playground. It is murder for a million When Death deals a hand at the gaming tables. And Chan takes a million-to-on© chance to solve a triple murder. Having portrayed Chan for nearly six yeara and With this Twentieth Century-Fox production as his sixteenth characterisation of the sage sleuth, Warner Oland by now is more mystifylngly Oriental than even his Number One Son, Keye Luke. This time the Prefect of Police, played by Harold Iluber, greets the sleuth at the Casino de Monte Carlo, where Death deafa hand at the gaming tables. It’s a million to one chance but Chan plays it to solve a murder for a million. The picture shows that behind all of the gaiety and gambling, financial Intrigues in the Bourse play for still higher stakes—a million dollars in bonds which will ruin one man and make another powerful. A hank messenger and his chauffeur are slain. A Casino bartender who holds a blackmail grip on One banker's wife, dies with the loot in a vdlise near his body. “Cherchez la femme ’ says tho prefect of police, ana through an intricate web involving a mysterious English girl, Chan achieves his most brilliant case to give the '’hoodunit” fans their best mystery bet. There are laughs in profusion, especially as Charlie sets forth in a taxicab to accompany his son to a Parisian art exhibit. AU in all, a splendid cast helps Messrs Oland and Huber through the mystery maze. It includes Keyo Luke, Virginia Field, Sidney Field, Sidney Blackmer. Kay Linaker and Robert Kent. “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo’’ was directed by Eugeno Fords from a screen adaptation by Charles Belden and Jerry Cady of ah origina Story by Robert Ellis and Helen Logan Sol Wurtzel is producer. KOSY THEATRE “THE CHEROKEE STRIP" “The Cherokee Strip," the First National picture starring Dick Foran, is now at the Kosy Theatre. The actors create especial pleasure in the singing of “My Little Buckaroo.” “The Cherokee Strip" was the popular name of that undeveloped region which was opened by President Benjamin Harrison to anyone Who wanted to make a dash for a piece of it. Thousands camped around tne borders for days, ready to start at a signal from Army men. Among the pioneers is Dick Foran, as Dick Hudson, a young lawyer eager to hang out his shingle in the new territory. Because of an enemy plot, ne is a loser in the race, but he has the satisfaction of seeing the family oi his sweetheart, played by Jane Bryan, obtain a good location. Dick starts his law practice in one of tho boom towns, but his enemy, Link Carter, played by Eo Cobb, controls the town and its courts, and Dick loses his cases. Dick’s resourcefulness and courage, however, enable him to Unmask Carter as a crook, a cattle thief and killer, and the climax sees Dick triumpnant and Carter on his way to the gallow^ flight im.o Nownere." jac«v over-dependable hero of screen adventure tales, crashes through with another two-fisted, fighting narrative in “Flight Into Nowhere,” now at the Kosy Theatre. The film, a tensely dramatic tale set in South American jungles, otters it 3 star a splendid opportunity and one of which he takes full advantage in his role as fighting chief of a transcontinental air line. Columbia has supplied tne star with a charming and talented leading lady, Jacqueline Wells, and an excellent foil m the person of Dick Purcell. James Burke, as Hoit’s flying teammate, is ideally cast as a comic Lothario. The supportihg roles contributed by Howard HicKman, Karen Sorrell, Fritz Leiber, Robert Fiske and Julian Rivero are also well handled. Briefly, the story tells of Dick Purceu, a headstrong, stubborn pilot, who against orders and totally unprepared takes off on a trail-breaking liignc to South America. While over the jungle country of the upper Amazon, his plane runs out of gas. ±ie cx-aShes, and is picked up by a primitive tribe of incans. Holt anu Burke set out to try to find him. On arrival in South America they near rumours of a white man being held captive by head-hunters, so organise an expedition into the jungle country. Exciting adventures follow, when they rescue a white man from head-hunters who have held him captive for nearly three years. Search for Talent. Those interested are reminded of the Manawatu tap dance contest to commence at the Kosy on Saturday at 10 a.m. The contest is designed to give boys and girls opportunity displaying their versatlilty m the intricate and rhythmic steps of this popular form of dancing, leading, perhaps, to possible stage work in the tuture. On the stage will be the popular i opeye ' himself (through courtesy of the Dawson School of Dancing, Paiinerston i\orth), showing you that popular eccentric Popeye dance. In conjunction witu this contest a popular programme dren bGeU speciall y selected for the chil-

REGENT THEATRE. “PORTIA ON TRIAL." A remarkable motion picture—a modern masterpiece to see with someone you love. That's “Portia on Trial," Republic Picture’s delightful adaptation of Faith Baldwin’s wol-ld popular novel, now showing at the Regent Theatre, with Frieda Innescourt, famous London, Broadway and Hollywood star, Walter Abel, of “Fury" fame Heather Angel and Neil Hamilton, heading a magnificent, carefully selected cast. Here is a drama of real love that strikes deep into the heart of humanity. For the story of Portia Merriman is the story of till women . , . and when Portia Merriman is on trial, all women are on trial. Portia Merriman IS an attractive woman—and a brilliant barrister—who many years before had had a love affair with Earle Condon, sou of a newspaper magnate, John Condon. For the sake of her son’s future, she had given him up to the Condons, agreed to the annulment of her marriage and as a guarantee that she would no! claim her boy at a later date she was forced to sign an incriminating document which denounced her ua a woman unfit for motherhood. The years have passed and Portia Merriman has just begun to enjoy the real happiness of life. She has found her boy again, and he. later, learns that she is his mother. Suddenly she Is called Upon to defend a young English gir. who has also had an affair with Earle Condon, and has apparently murdered him. And despite the threats of old Mr Condon and the entreaties of “her son,” she accepts the defence of his father's murderess. The tensely dramatic climax of the film takes place in the crowded courtroom, where Portia Merriman proves that the girl is innocent, but in doing so is forced to disclose her own unhappy life story. Only a woman, with a woman’s understanding, could have written this stirring human story that will find an echo in every heart. We repeat—see it with someone you love! MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-MORROW. “ MELODY FOR TWO." Warner Bros, musical comedy, "Melody For Two,” has its local premiere at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow, and features James Melton. Of course, there’s some-, thing to the fact that Melton, whose voice has long been a favourite on the radio, is a 6-l T ooter and handsome and is a much better-than-average sort of actor. This was Melton’s third venture before the cameras. His first was “Stars Over Broadway.” Then he worked in “Sing Me a LOve Song.” Each was a success. This promises to be more than a repeater. “Melody For Two” is a musical comedy with a new angle—based upon the stiff competition between musical organisations and individuals, especially lor the lucrative spots on the nation-wide broadcasts that everyone hears daily or nightly. That’s quite fitting for Melton, who has been on several of them. Tho star has high class support again in this one, as he had before. He plays the part of a bandleader and master of ceremonies. Patricia Ellis is the blues-singer who is in love with him. Patricia is splendid in this part, and reveals, for the first time, a sweetly agreeable singing voice. She sings a hit promise number called “A Flat in Manhattan." Winifred Shaw is “the other woman," and a dangerous one, too. She has two numbers, “Jose O’Neill, the Cuban lleel," and “An Excuse For Dancing.” Melton himself, soloing or leading choruses, is at his very best, particularly in the title song, “Melody For Two" ai.-d “September in the Rain." Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Young co-star in the second attraction, “Red Salute,” which gives Barbara her first opportunity to doff the familiar garments of tragedy as a pretty, modem co-ed, blessed with a quick tongue, a venturesome spirit, and a rollicking sense of fun. From the moment when this headstrong maiden, Drue Van Allen, i 3 tricked by her Army General father Into flying across the Mexican border to save her from harmful publicity arising from her association with a young campus agitator of a decidedly “pinkish” cast, the story moves swiftly from one thrilling and laugh-provoking adventure to another. In her efforts to get back she involves not only a wise-cracking young buck private on furlough, in the person of Mr. Young, but a henpecked husband (Cliff Edwards) and his pursuing wife (Rutli Donnelly), the Border Patrol, and even the Federal authorities. Barbara proves herself an admirable comedienne, and Robert Young is swell as the holidaying private who gets himself into the most unexpected jams because he is such ah obliging soul. The uke-strumming Edwards and Ruth Donnelly make a grand new comedy team, and Hardie Albright as the agitator, Gordon Jones, who made an auspicious debut in “Let 'Em Have It,” and Paul Stanton also lend admirable support.