ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 8 February 1936, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC: “BONNIE SCOTLAND”

Large audiences are being entertained by the helpless meanderings and accidental adventures in which the priceless pair Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy find it impossible not to be involved in their full-length film, “Bonnie Scotland ” at the Majestic Theatre .And what complications they fall into tins time. Straying far from their home in America they join a Highland regiment by mistake. They journey to Scotland to claim a legacy which Mr Laurel expects out of his grandfather’s estate. Their first setback comes when they find it is nothing but a bagpipe and a snuffbox. Hardy’s famous look of despair can be readily imagined. Left destitute, they go to an advertised address to get a free suit of clothes, but accidentally enlist in the army instead. The regiment is detailed for duty on the North-west frontier of India. Here they take part in fierce frontier warfare, much against their will, and the film works up to a high pitch of mirth. There is a pleasing romantic story running side by sido with their antics, enacted by William Janney alid June Lang. Anne Grey and Vernon Steele are also in the film, which was produced by Hal Roach. There i.s a fine programme of smaller films, including an “Our Gang” comedy and a coloured cartoon.

In “The Bride of Frankenstein” which opens its sensational season oil Wednesday at the Blajestic, the Blonster is seen in further adventures of such a hair-raising nature that tlie picture is said to furnish th every ultimate in thrills. At the conclusion of “Frankenstein,” it will he remembered, the Monster was apparently destroyed in a burning mill but tlie opening scenes of “The Bride of Frankenstein” shows how he escaped death and returned to throw the entire countryside into a state of terror. Henry Frankenstein, the half-mad scientist who created the Monster, finds himself forced to continue his experiments with the evil Dr Pretorius.

REGENT: TO-NIGHT AND MONDAY, VICTOR HUGO’S “LES MISERABLES”

It is with pride that the Regent announce the Saturday and Blonday attraction in “Les Bliserables.” Frederic Biarch, Charles Laughton anil Sir Cedric Hardwiekc head a brilliant cast. March is seen as tlie hero, Jean Valjean, who spends five bitter years in the galleys of a French prison ship for the theft of a loaf of bread, and finds his whole life is shadowed by this potty crime. Laughton is cast as Javert, the fanatical detective who hounds him, and Hardwicke plays the beneficent Bishop Bicnvenu whose kindness and trust launch the brutalised convict on the road to a nobler life. Louella Parsons, the motion picture critic, commenting on “Les Bliserables,” states: “Only one picture in a decade can match its spiritual qualities with its box office power. ‘Les Bliserables,’ Victor Hugo’s classic is that picture. It cannot fail to help anyone who sees it to become a better person, and at the same time it grips, it thrills, it entertains. Frederic March as Jean Valjean, gives an inspired performance that has seldom been equalled, and certainly, in this reviewer’s opinion, never been surpassed. Charles Laughton’s Javert is also a classic performance. In this film production, one is so carried away by the acting of the cast as actually to feel that one is living the lives of the unfortunate characters —and unfortunate they are, even the relentless police officer whose devotion to duty filially leads to. his death at his own hands. There is not one weak part in the show and the settings and general direction can he said to set a new standard in motion picture history. “Les Bliserables,” which is being released by United Artists, has certainly gained for itself a prominent place in the motion picture hall of fame.A special matinee will be held on Blonday for “Les Bliserables.” Patrons are reminded that matinees are held on Saturdays, Wcd-

nesdays, and Fridays. only unless specially advertised otherwise. This allows for a matinee for every change of programme.

THEATRE ROYAL: CHESTER MORRIS AND ROYAL CONCERT ORCHESTRA, TO=NIOHT

“I’ve Been Around,” which opens at the Theatre Royal to-night, has Chester Morris in the starring role. He is surrounded by a brilliant cast, headed by Rochelle Hudson. The story is that of a girl who is swept off her feet by the attentions of a smooth-tongued adventurer, who is seeking tilt wealthiest financial match ho can find. But the girl, played by Miss Hudson, discovers the character of the man just as she is about to break her engagement with Chester Morris. She rushes the wedding with Morris and then in a dramatic scene reveals her love for the adventurer. When Morris discovers that he has married a girl who loves another man, he does nothing that the ordinary man would do. But how he punishes her ! llow lie brings her to her knees ! The “stand-in” for Rochelle Hudson, Morris’s leading lady, looks so much like Miss Hudson that you can’t tell them apart unless you know them very well. A “stand-in” is a person who stands under the bright lights in front of the camera while the camera is being focussed and the lights set. This saves the star from becoming tired and worn out, and leaves her fresh for her work when all is ready for the filming to begin. Emily Baldwin is the personable young lady who stands in for Bliss Hudson. She looks enough like her to be her twin sister. When she dons clothing identical with Bliss Hudson’s embarrassment begins. ' The Royal Concert Orchestra will again be heard in selected renderings.