Entertainments

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 173, 25 July 1939, Page 9

Entertainments

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE GREAT WALTZ” “The Great Waltz,” with Luise Rainer. Fernand Gravet and Miliza Korjus, new opera star discovery, heading an elaborate cast, is a musical drama based on the life of Johann Strauss and recreates the romanca of old "Vienna. Dealing with one of the most romantic characters in history and with the Vienna of the days of Franz Josef when that capital was a synonym for saiety and music, “The Great Waltz” makes use of impressionistic devices in many forms to tell its story. “Dance Drama,” the creation of Albertina Rasch, former premiere dnnseuse of the Vienna Opera, is a new mode of dramatic expression in connection with music used in “The Great Waltz.” Strauss’ insphation of compose “Tales of the Vienna Woods,” for instance, is told in sequences in which he and the woman he loves roam the woods, while the song of birds, tho tinkling of a brook, a shepherd’s horn, and other natural sounds are woven into a tone poem depicting his inspiration. Mme. Rasch’s principal dance spectacle is the “Fledermaus Ballet,” staged in a replica of the Imperial Opera on the occasion of the opening perform ance of the opera and Johann Strauss’ first great triumph. The traditional bal let, which Mme. Rasch danced in the actual opera in Vienna, has been woven into other variations. Miliza Korjus, as the prima donna, appears in the ballet and about her a series of figures showing the development of the waltz are danced by 200 ballerinas to authentic Strauss music. Glimpses into the future of the then new waltz are shown by bits of its dance successors, such as the French “Can-Can” of a few years later. METEOR THEATRE—TO-DAY “A BRIDE FOR HENRY” “A Bride for Henry,” now showing at the Meteor Theatre, is excellent entertainment. Full of amusing situations and crackling dialogue, this Monogram production is a sure guarantee for limitless laughs. Tho picture, which is an adaptation of the Liberty Magazine story by Joseph Bentham, co-stars Wari'en Hull and Anne Nagel, Both players turn in first-rate portrayals. A rival for the acting honours is Henry Mollison, popular English star. This picture provides Mollison with the best material he has had since his arrival in Hollywood. The story tells of a young and spoiled heiress who, finding her fiance has failed to show up for the wedding, marries her family’s staid lawyer just to save her face and an avalanche of newspaper publicity. It is then her intention to obtain a Reno m vorce and marry Eric, whom she sfu loves. Complications arise when Henry decides not to divorce his wife and when Sheila discovers that Henry isn’t The bor ing businesslike lawyer she thought lie was. It’s all a delightful, happy, snappy entertainment you will really enjoy. Associate feature. “The Legion of Valour,” with Richard Arlen and Virginia Bruce. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “HEI TIKI” Enacted entirely by Maoris and staged in natural settings on an island in the Taupo district, with a primitive and passionate story, “Hel Tiki,” which is showing at the Mayfair Theatre today, in an appealing picture and provides a refreshing change from the stereotyped film with an American setting. The story, is woven round an old Maori legend which says that the daughter of a chieftian must be given to a war god, as a bride, after she has come of age. When Mala, the heroine, falls in love with a warrior of a rival tribe she no longer fulfils the conditions for a war god’s bride. How tho love of the two Maoris is ultimately brought to a happy end is the main part of the rest of the film. Skilfully wound into the main story is the tradition, the tribal custom, and the ceremonial of the Maori race. The film, which won acclaim from critics and rival directors as well as from fans and stars in the United States, should be seen by all New Zealanders. Alexander Markey, the director, who played a big part in the finishing of the film, spent four years with the Maoris on a small island to win their friendly cooperation. He has made a success of one of the hardest tasks of motion picture work, the screening of a native play In a native setting. “Tribute should be paid to the director for the entertaining blend of romantic detail and authentic native spectacle, and to the skill with which he has handled his all-native cast,” writes the critic of “Cinema,” London. “Thus the acting is natural and realistically restrained, excepting perhaps the melodramatic hurly-burly of the vivid crowd work. The settings have charm without beauty and the quality of the camera work and film has a descriptive commentary—reflects the greatest credit on Mr. Markey’s own personal unit.’’ - - . :

STATE THEATRE—TO-MORROW “ANNABEL TAKES A TOUR” Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball, who recently met with outstanding success in “The Affairs of Annabel,” repeat their original roles iu a sequel, “Annabel Takes a Tour.” Further depicting the hilarious adventures of an impulsive Aim star and her hare-brained press agent, played by Miss Ball and Oakie respectively, the new picture depicts the adventures of those two while on a personal appearance tour in the East. The star is scheduled tu appear at a Chicago theatre in conjunction with one of her pictures. To publicise ; the affair, Oakie launches a series of wild stunts, all of which backfire, involving the pair in all kinds of trouble. When a rival star obtains more pubiiicty from a romance with a nobleman, Annabel, not to be outdone, orders her publicity man to find her a titled foreigner. By various tricks, the press agent manages to create a synthetic love affair between his client 1 and a titled European writer who is visitjing their hotel. The author’s publisher induces the novelist to carry out the ruse, 'since the resultant publicity will aid the sale of his works,. However, Annabel actually falls in love with the author, ano she decides to forsake her art for matrimony, thus ruining her studio’s plans. Oakie’s efforts to break up the romance, persuade the star to go through with her personal appearance, and resume her professional career, &re among the laughable complications in the picture. “The Great Man Votes” John Barrymore considers his role in “The Great Man Votes,” his most recent screen portrait, one of the most human and exciting he has ever played. “Gregory Vance has millions of counterparts in the world . . . men of ability who have failed to carry on when the inspiration to amount to something has been taken out of their lives,” says Barrymore. “Given a new incentive, they have lifted themselves out of the pit of despondency and inertia and have become successes. And then there are the two children, supposed to be my youngsters in the picture, as played by Virginia VVeidler and .Veter Holden. These two young actors are not only great in themselves, but they add materially to my role because of their charm and skill. Virginia’s and Peter’s reactions to my moods, outbursts and occasional sprees were so natural and spontaneous that my characterisation was strengthened materially. Both Virginia and Peter have the poise and ease of veterans despite their youth, but at the same time they have retained the naive childishness which is their chief charm.” KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE LEAGUE OF FRIGHTENED MEN” Nero Wolfe, that jovial, sedentary detective, has returned to the screen, this time in the guise of Walter Connolly. The occasion is Columbia’s production of Rex Stout’s “The League of Frightened Men,” now showing at the Kosy Theatre. The last time the amazing Mr. Wolfe solved a case for the benefit of movie audiences was in “Meet Nero Wolfe,” which served to introduce the popular fiction character to film addicts. The consensus of opinion seemed to be that Nero was a sufficiently novel sleuth to warrant close attention to his activities. In "Meet Nero Wolfe,” Edward Arnold portrayed the rather large figment of Rex Stout’s imagination. Waiter Connolly, also built on generous lines, as becomes a detective who eats, drinks and rests with considerable enjoyment, i now takas the reins. Ho gives a most interesting interpretation to tho character. Lionel Stander, however, remains intact; the raspy-voiced comic carries on as Nero's aide. Featured in other import'ant roles are Ireno Harvey, Eduardo Cianneli, Allen Brook, Victor Kilan, Nana Bryant and Walter Kingsford. All these, and others, are involved iu a most perplexing triple-murder case. Even Nero Wolfe is for a time stymied regarding the solution. “Let’s Get Married” Mark Twain once remarked: “Everyone complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Well, Columbia nas done something about it—and has done it very effectively. They I have constructed an intriguing light comedy about the weathffr called “Let’s Get Married,” now showing at the Kosy Theatre. Ida Lupino and Ralph Hellamy head the large cast, which includes Walter Connolly, Reginald Denny, Raymond Walburn and Nana Bryant. The picture I is a comedy—a very funny light comedy. Working with an excellent story and with a cast of extremely talented artists, Director Alfred E. Green has turned out a production of high entertainment value, replete with laughter and made glamorous by a rollicking romance. Walter •Connolly, who has a big part as Joe Quinn, bombastic politician, is the father of red-headed Paula (Ida Lupino;, whom lie hopes will marry George Willoughby (Reginald Denny). In order to bring about this union the astute Quinn wants to have Willoughby elected to Congress, ' and he figures this can be accomplished only if it rains on election day, thus keeping the “upstate” voters at home. At this point a farcical situation arises when Paula is struck on the head by a weather instrument. This humorous j sequence serves to introduce Kirk Duncan (Ralph Bellamy), young weather forecaster who is responsible for the flight of the weather indicator. Kirk Duncan is an independent chap and as quick- . tempered as is Paula Quinn. The two, quite naturally, intrigue each other. There is another weather angle in that Paula has promised George Willoughby that ene will marry him if there’s no rain and the ski-ing is good. ' •