THEATRE GUIDE

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 208, 2 September 1941, Page 7

THEATRE GUIDE

STATE: Daily at 2 and 7.43 p.m.: A Motion. Picture Masterpiece, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier “LADY HAMILTON.” With Alan Mowbray, Gladys Cooper. METEOR: A pretentious Russian film, I “The Circus” shows at the Meteor Theatre to-day. Combining photographic • technique and skill, with spectacle and a j credible theme, here is a film well up to the high standard set by the Soviet studios. The story is a profoundly human one; it Is a document of valuable social significance. The theme is refreshing in its candour and entirely new in treatment. A woman is pursued by an angry mob; it is in America. The mother has a child in her arms; she is befriended, but does not escape her past. I-lor secret is shared by her partner, a German circus artist. They tour the world and eventually arrive in Moscow. The woman falls , in love with a Red Army officer, the son of the circus proprietor. This enrages the German, who threatens exposure. I The woman is terrified, for she does not I understand that in Russia it is not a ‘ social crime for a European to intermarry l in other races. From here on the story is followed without difficulty. All members of the cast, the names mean little to New Zealand audiences, give splendid performances. There is an excellent programme screening in association with this outstanding Russian film. REGENT: Daily at 2 and 7.45 p.m.: Myrna Loy, Melvyu Douglas —In—"THIRD FINGER. LEFT HAND.” MAYFAIR: With Frank Morgan in the starring role as an old-time travelling showman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s comedy of theatrical life in the 191)5 era, “The I Wild Man of Borneo” starts to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. Based on a stage laugh hit, the picture is laid in New York and presents Morgan as a “Con” man 1 who attempts to swindle a family estate v -to which his long-lost daughter is the only heir. He pretends to be a financier, but upon discovering the estate is bankrupt, he is obliged to take his poverty-stricken daughter to New York anil there keep up his pretence of wealth. His penchant for lying gets him into one comical escape after another. Mary Howard plays the daughter, and Billie Burke is cast as the manager of the boarding house In whiah father and daughter live. Donald Meek forms with Morgan and Miss Burke a comic romantic “triangle.” Dan Dailey, junr., plays the young romantic lead opposite Miss Howard. Others in the cast include Marjorie Main, Connie Gilchrist and Bonita Granville. The second feature is a return season of the popular Eddie J5 oraedy ’ “*‘ ort y Little Mothers,” which film was so popular in its first screening in the latter part of last year.