ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 6 September 1935, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

FINALLY TCLNIGHT: “GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST” The charm which delighted the many readers of Gene Stratton Porter's books has been admirably recaptured in the screen version of “A Girl of The Limberlost,” which has been thrilling audiences for the past two days and will be shown finally to-night at the Majestic. The manner in which the spirit of the novel has been retained is an achievement for the producers. Louise Dresser has a part well suited to her talents. Mario Marsh is the attractive heroine, while Betty Blythe is the bird woman. Ralph Morgan is Wes Sinton and Helen Eddy is Margaret Sinton. Gigi Parrish lias the part of Edith Carr. More beautiful of voice and of face than ever, the lovely Jeanette MacDonald has what is undoubtedly the finest role of her career in Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer’s “Naughty Marietta” which opens its extended season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. It is a film adaptation of one of Victor Herbert’s famous musical romances, and is one of the most glorious musical shows ever filmed. The story deals with a French princess, who, rather than obey the dictates of her uncle, and of the King of France, and marry a nobleman whom she despises, runs away and joins a batch of girls who are leaving’ from Havre for America, where they will become the wives of colonists. The rest of the action takes place in New Orleans, where, after many adventures, the princess finally marries the man of her' own choice. Miss MacDonald is superb as the princess, her voice being heard at its very best in several very tuneful numbers, including the well-known “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life.” She has the able assistance of Nelson Eddy, who has a magnificent baritone voice, an excellent stage presence and is also an accomplished actor. The duets are the hits of the film. Elsa Lancaster and Frank Morgan are also prominently cast. The settings are most elaborate, and the outdoor scenes truly magnificent. “Naughty Marietta” is a show that should liot he missed.

REGENT: “PASSPORT TO FAME” SATURDAY Concluding its season of mirth and thrills at the Regent tc-night is “Private Scandal” with the screen’s two poker-faced comedians, Zasu Pitts aiid Ned'Sparks. The story tells of «, group of interesting people who appear honest and upright on the surface but each with a little private scandal to conceal. Suddenly they have to contend with a. murder in their midst. The private sins are not so great, but to confess to them would mean considerable embarrassment. So they all lie convincingly and entertainingly and with full comic effect. , Full of suspense, action and comedy “Passport to Fame,” which comes to the Regent on Saturday, presents Edward G. Robinson, one of America’s greatest character actors. Long accustomed to seeing Robinson in sinister and somewhat nefarious roles, his astute, resourceful performance in a serio-cbmic characterisation is doubly effective beaause of its novelty. Robinson registers a real triumph and establishes himself even more firmly as one of the screen’s distinguished actors. It is noteworthy that “Passport to Fame was produced at the same studio that brought “Lady For a Day,” “It Happened One Night” and “One Night of :Loye”-;'to the screen. . For. in each of. thesfe mem'orifcble filins, fchq stars were rifts opted .fin ;?n .amazi ti g flew flight:; In I%|y;:Ror.;?t Day’’, it was-May Robson ; ■jniUyit'. Happened One Night,” Clark Gable received a new lease on Ins artistic life; in “One Night of Love, Grace Moore won the thundering plaudits "bf‘the audience. Briefly, the story relates the vicissitudes of it meek and frightened clerk, Arthur Jones, who one day is revealed to be the striking physigal counterpart of a most dangerous criminal. To prevent the police fiom molesting the innocent Jones, the authorities arm him with a document attesting his identity. His double cows Jones into hiding at nights while he, the criminal) gocs about his nefarious aftaiis usin" his passport to provide comparative 'immunity. Subsequent events and complications bring this fast-paced coinedv thriller to a powerful conclusion. Jean Arthur, as Robinson’s little dreamlove, is excellent. Her beauty and talents are welcome. Wallace Ford gives one of his best performances as a newspaper reporter; Arthur Byron acquits himself more than creditably as the District Attorney ; Etienne Girardot is entertaining ns the harassed head clerk. The balance of the cast offers splendid support.

THEATRE ROYAL: tom WALLS AND RALPH LYNN SATURDAY The Walls-Lynn combination and their team of supporting players reach the high pinnacle of comedy and burlesque with their latest Gaumont-British picture, “A Cup of Kindness. A feud between two suburban families the Tutts and the Ramsbothams comes to a crisis when' Fred Tutt, discovers that his son, Charlie, has • fallen in love with Betty, daughter of his hated neighhour Ernest Ramsbotham: Charlie, entirely asinine,' but well-meaning has been sacked from at least, twenty situations. Charlie at-length finds employment as a share-salesman for a shady Mr Finch, and old Tutt, after many an acrimonious dispute with Ernest, consents to the wedding. Immediately alter the wedding ceremony Charlie is invited by a detective to go to Bow Street to answer a charge _ of selling worthless shares. Charlie is liberated on bail, but there is now a fresh bone of contention between the Tutts and the Ramsbothams. Charlie and Betty quarrel and sleep at their respective homes.’ Charlie dreams he is back in the Stone Age. Awaking, and inspired by the dream he goes to Betty s house to bear his bride away, caveman.fashion. Old Tutt, who has been dining out. with Tilly Winn a charming nurse who had been looking after old uncle Nicolas Ramsbotham, arrives home inebriated ahd in a spirit of generosity influenced by the liquor he has taken, determines to effect a reconciliation between the families. His efforts are successful and the families fraternise, but resume their quarrel when Tutt discovers that old Nicolas was responsiblo for the fraud cjiarge There are excellent supports.