ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 May 1936, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

FRED URIC MARCH IN “DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY” Never before in the history of motion pictures lias a production been so excellently east as in Paramount’s superb "Death Takes a Holiday" which opened a season at the Alajestic yesterday. Frederick March in the starring role makes another bid for Hie best, acting honours of the year. Associated with him are such outstanding players as Evelyn Venables, Sir Huy Siaiuting, Kent Taylor, eaeb of whom gives a splendid performance in a play that demands the best. The frankly provocative theme of "Death lakes A Holiday” concerns the problem of Death taking three days holiday that he may ’study life, learn why men love living and fear the eternal parting, tie comes to earth as a gay, dashing, romantic lover, enthusiastically taking part in all of liles’ pastimes and •mines. All the pleasures which men ond so absorbing quickly tire him, and he is convinced that all human life is uorthless illusion, until he meets Gruzin, played by Evelyn Venables and with her he learns the greatness ot his immortal love just as the clock strikes the close of his holiday. "Death Takes A Holiday” is one of the greatest productions of the screen and is rich in beauty and drama.

An exceptional drama has been selected for the week-end screening, embracing three attractions of unusual merit. The featured film, "Whipsaw’ from the famous Aletro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios introduces Alyrna Loy with (spencer Tracey, in her first starring „e after an absence of some months from the screen. -The story concerns a secret service man's effort to trap a fascinating international jewel thief by forcing her to pose as Ins wife. I bis forms the intriguing plot of this exciting drama. The supporting attractions, Laurel and Hardy in another of their classic gems, "Fixer Uppers” and "Camera Thrills,” a vivid record of the adventures encountered by a new si eel cameraman in bis daily search for sensationalism provide Hie highlights in a really entertaining programme.

STATE: CONRAI) VEIDT IN “THE PASSING OF THE THIRD FLOOR BACK.” “LAST DAYS OF POMPEII” ON SATURDAY.

Literally hundred of thousands have seen tlie play ’"lnc Passing oi Hie .third Floor Back’’—it has been revived on several occasions —and now that if has been transferred to the screen, thousands more have been afforded ihe opportunity of seeing what is one ol the dramatic masterpieces of the day. Conrad Veidt handles the title role with masterly skill in tliis story which concerns two principles 01 ’ Jiowers, an emotional and tragic battle developing between the two. Ibe conflict, rapidly growing more severe, is fought out in au ordinary Bloomsbury boarding house, inhabited by an average company of residents. .1 lie picture in its new and modern treatment lias outstanding qualities of entertainment, both drama and comedy receiving lull raluc under Vierlel’s excellent direction, and few themes could have morn intense appeal 1 ban this revelation of human nature. . , . , Saturday’s picture is one ot lavish, exotic spectacle based on Sir Buhver Lytton’s “The Last Days of Pompeii.” Not many films have attempted anything so "pretentious as this blaze ol spectacle which took many months to complete. Included in the. film is the eruption of Vesuvius which, with the accompanying earthquake, completely demolishes the classically beautiful city. Both the eruption and the destruction arc stirringly realistic, and the story ol the last'vivid years of the Roman playground i s based substantially upon authentic fads that were derived from extensive historical and archaeological research. Preston Foster, heading a. strong cast, appears as the powcrlul master of the arena where lil'e-and-deaHi battles are slaged between slaves and barbarians. Alan Hale is bis crony, Pontius Pilate, representative of the Roman Law in Judea. is played by Basil llathbone and Louis Calhern, John Wood, David llolt. Dorothy Wilson and Wyrlcy Birch play other important roles. Patrons are reminded that tele- ( phone reserves cannot be held after 7.30 j P-m !

REGENT TO-NIGHT AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING: VICTOR HUGO’S MASTERPIECE “LES MISERABLES”

The peturisation of “Les Miserables” can unhesitatingly he described as a cinematic achievement and it was inevitable that this powerful story should he brought hack to the Regent by popular request. “Les Miserables'’ stars the screens’ mightiest actors Charles Laughton and Fredrie March and there is also a third of note in Sir Cedric Hardwicke. March is .Jean Valjean, who, after having served a long and brutal punishment for a trilling offence, becomes a successful business man, renowned for his solicitude for tlie welfare of the poorer classes. Then it is that Inspector .Invert bobs up. .Invert is a cold, relentless person to whom the law is his Bible. Once he begins to trail a mail he never lets up. He pursues and persecutes Valjean day and night, until in the end he suiters a revulsion of feeling, and it is his and not Va ljoan’s life that is finally blotted out. Apart from the power of the story and the great interest it creates, a fascinating aspect of the picture lies in a comparison of the acting of March and Laughton. La’eh in liis respective role does excellent work, so much so (hat it is something that will he remembered. There is a first-class supporting programme. The eagerly awaited opening of what lias been acclaimed as the fastest Him fun in months, "She Couldn’t Take It” will take place on Saturday. This is (lie film which lias heaped new honours on George Haft and .Joan Bennett which have not been equalled in iilmdom for some time. Haft, seen as the determined ex-gangster. Spot Ricardi. returns to a comedy-tempered modification of his famous roles iu "Searface.” “Quick Millions,” and ‘•Hush Money.” The blonde and beauteous .Miss Bennett, whose recent performance in "Private Worlds” established her as one of scrccndom’s most ver-

satile actresses, plays opposite Raft as the petulant, madcap heiress who gels her own way too often. Featured in the supporting east arc Walter Connolly. patriarch and patron of his family’s tempestuous escapades; Billie Burke, as his giddy, scatter-brained wife, and Wallace Ford in the fainilar role of one who says too much and thinks too little.