Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 160, 10 July 1939, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “HEART OF THE NORTH” High advcnturo along one of the world’s last frontiers is thrillingly depicted in •'Heart of the North,” the Warner Bros, production in lechnicolour of a j tale of the Royal Canadian Mounted i’oiice. Authentic in every detail, the 'picture “debunks” many a wide-spread ! misconception of the operations and daily existence of the Canadian “Mounties,” but the actuality, as vividly portrayed in "Heart of the North,” turns out to be even more thrilling and certainly more interesting than the popular delusions. The country in which the story is laid is that wild stretch which borders the Mackenzie River in the far north-west of Canaua just below the Arctic Circle. Ant. the impressive outdoor scenes of the production show this scarcely populated outpost of civilisation in technicolour for the I first time. Based on a rtovel by William (Byron Mowery, the plot revolves about the hold-up of the Arctic Queen, a little j steamship loaded with trappers’ priceless \ turs and with miners’ gold. Heading the cast are Patrie Knowles, Gloria Dickson, I Gale Page, Allen Jenkins, Dick Foran ana | Janet Chapman. There is a three-corner- ! ed romance with Foran torn between the j charms of Gale Page, city girl visiting in the Great North-west, and Gloria Dick- 1 son, o true daughter of the North. The picture builds to an absorbing climax, packed with thrills. ‘‘A Star is Hatched,” technicolour cartoon; “Hold That Bull,” musical revue; a pictorial revue and news items form part of the same programme. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE PERFECT SPECIMEN” The film shows Errol Flynn as being reared by an eccentric and immensely rich grandmother, who wants him to be pertect in every way—as perfect as scores of tutors can make him. Joan Blondell, curious to get a closeup took at this paragon of whom she has only heard, drives her car through a light fence on liis estate, takes her look at him, then drives, away. His curiosity aroused by this stunt, Flynn next day nets an old car, drives to where Joan lives in an adjoin ing village, and runs his machine througu her fence. Then he persuades her to take a ride with him. A irucit driver starts an altercation and Errol—who has been perfected in boxing as in other tnings—gives him a thorough lacing. Then, told by th<_ pug that' he will lose 150 dollars by no*, appearing in the ring at a teamster's picnic, Flynn offers to substitute him—and does so, knocking out a burly heavy weight much bigger than himself. The grandmother, missing Errol by this time, senas out an alarm that he has been kidnapped. He abets this by keeping out of signt, since ne has come to iovo th.. kinu 01 file ho finds outside the estate where he has been reared, especially since Joan sticks by him. Extraordinarily fin*performances from Flynn and Blondei. make the picture outstanding among comedy of all time, ana the film has a supporting cast that reads like a roste* of Hollywood great. May Robson, grant. . old lady of comedy, is perfect as the pep- ! pery old grandmother who thinks sno can rule with money. Edward Everett Horton makes every gesture convey a world o. laughs, and Beverly Roberts and Dies. Foran carry on a subsidiary romance to that of Flynn and Miss Blondell. Of Hugh Herbert it need only bo said that he’s in the picture and that he plays a poet! METEOR—NOW SHOWING “THE SHOPWORN ANGEL” “The Shopworn Angel," now showing at the Meteor Theatre, nas a backgrounu 1 which shows the first draft of World Wa. soldiers as they marched away in 19X7. While the new film has a war thenve k ; does not go into the oattle scenes but attacks the problem from the inside, showing the loves of three people In various walks of life. Margaret Sulla van does her finest emotional acting as the gir. ; with a hard-boiled past who married a naive soldier boy on the eve of his de parture lor France, names Stewart is seen as the bewildered young westernei who falls in love with the gold-diggm 0 showgirl, unaware that sne has an admirer in the person of Walter Pidgeon, rich man-about-town. Both actors pla., their roies expeitiy, adding ingratiating comedy to a drama or realism. Nut Pendleton, Alan Curtis and Sam Levem. present a revealing picture of three sol diere, nameless so as to depict the ave rage American who fought in the las. war. Others in uniformly good perform ances are Hattie McDaniel, Eleanor Lynn and Charlie D. Brown. Musicat uumoers are pleasing and authentic of the 191. period. Director H. C. Potter kept the picture moving at a fine tempo.

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “KING OF THE TURF” Edward Small's new romantic film drama, “King of the Turf,” which shews to-day at the State Theatre, not only stars Adolphe Menjou in one of his important roles to date buc also introduces a young newcomer, Roger Daniel, whd.se j great performance indicates that a new star has been born. “King of the Turf” is a story teeming with action and movement and colour. Its background is the exciting world of racing rans and gambling tables. Its characters come irom all strata of society, its story is rich in drama and comedy, humour and pathos. Forceful direction, brilliant photography, gorgeous background scenes, and horse races fill the spectator with breathtaking suspense. Menjou and the young Daniel are capably assisted by such outstanding supporting players as Alan Dinehart, Dolores Costello, Walter Abel, William Dernarest, George McKay and Tom Hanlon. The story of "King of the Turf” relates the adventures and misadventures of a small-timer whose luck makes him one of the most prodigious figures of the smart Turf set. The story marches on to a smashing climax with suspense and poignant drama. Menjou, in the role oi Jim Mason, brings to his characterisation a fine appreciation of dramatic values and subtle undertones. Miss Costello, absent from the screen since she appeared in “Beloved Brat,” is a welcome addition to the cast, adding loveliness and glamour as well as a richly human performance. “King of the Turf is highlighted throughout by brilliant racing sequences which were filmed with the technical advice of racing wofld habitues who invested the production -with accuracy and authenticity. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE TERROR” No more can be askea of a mystery thriller than that it should Keep one on the edge of a seat In suspense and "The Terror,” which is probably one or Edgar Wallace’s best known and most thrilling crook plays, can claim to nave kept more people in that state during its long run at the Lyceum Theatre, m the West End, than any other of the famous melodramas which have played in that theatre before or since. Should the suspense become too acute, however, Edgar Wallace’s mast®, touch introduces comedy at precisely the ngnt moment to relieve the strain. The young man who proviueu tins relief so successfully during the run at the Lyceum Theatre is now playing the same role in the film version of "The Terror," the Associatd British picture, now showing at the Kosy Theatre. His name is Bernard Eee, and, although .ho plays an inebriated reporter wno is continually making a nuisance of himself, and evoking much laughter at his own expense, Linden Travers, the pretty and bewildered neroine, is not the only one wjio breathes a sigh of relief at his entrance into the “haunted” house, where so many weird and terrifying incidents are taking place, respite his irresponsibility and nis apparent familiarity with obvious crimnals, ’one feels, with the heroine, that he is definitely comforting to have around. "The Terror” is entertainment in the best Wallace manner and audiences will pass a thrilling hour with this picture. “Road DiJimon.” Automobile racing, as it is done on the Indianapolis Speedway, is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. It provides a roaring, thrilling theme for the second of 20th Century-Fox’s new Sports Adventure series, “Road Demon,” nowshowing at the Kosy Theatre. Supercharged with many highly spectacular racing scenes, including several “over the wall” disasters and breathtaking accidents on the track, the film is a rich mixture ignited by some sparkling comedy on the part of the volatile, incomparable Gambini Family. And then there's an engaging romance to give motivation to the desperate rivalry on the speedway. Without quite realising how it has come about, the Gamblnis become part owners of a fast racing car, named In their honour, which they enter in a forthcoming classic. The Gambinis, in case you don't know, are the inimitable family headed by Henry Armetta, who ran the delicatessen in the widely acclaimed "Speed To Burn,” first of this series. It is the reckless, daredevil Henry Arthur, in love with Joan Valerie, who involves the Gamblnis in their strange venture. Joan is the daughter of a famous driver, and her brother, Tom Beck, is following in his tiretracks. Incidentally, Henry is a newcomer to the films. This is his first appearance and he is very likeable. He will bear watching. “The Lone Ranger.”