ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 June 1936, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

“HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE”: ] COMEDY WINS TOP HONOURS. BEGINS TO-DAY—MAJESTIC. In its regular monthly poll on the best, screen play of the preceding 30 days, the Screen Writers’ Guild, composed of Hollywood’s ace writers, has awarded top honours to Paramount’s “Hands Across the Table,” which will provide the main entertainment at the Majestic to-day. Of all the numerous efforts to rc-capture the mood of “It Happened One Night,” “Hands Across the Table” must rank among the most successful. In the shrewd perfection of its timing and the whip-like crackle of its wit, the production is an outstanding example of the type of entertainment for which Hollywood is unexcelled. Eased on a story by Vina Delmar, the brilliantly written screen I play presents Carole Lombard as a 1 cynical manicurist, whose ambition is to defy the call of love and snare herself a wealthy husband. Fred MacMurray is the impoverished son of an aristocratic family who plans to wed lan heiress for exactly the same reason. The humour is clean and many [of the little by-play witticisms are especially delightful. The supporting programme is well up to the high standard that is maintained at the Majestic and include Betty Boop Cartoon, “Broadway Highlights,” and the latest edition of overseas news service. Already interest is evoked in the approaching season of “The Last Outpost” on Saturday. Hailed as an Empire epic film, “The Last Outpost contains full-blooded incidents and adventure. The story is centred on a character strikingly reminiscent of Lawrence of Arabia, and with its theme of British military valour and daring in the far-flung outposts of Empire, this new film has a similai appeal to “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.” “THUNDER MOUNTAIN” AND “TEN DOLLARS RAISE” TODAY AT THE STATE. ASTAIRE AND ROGERS COMING IN “FOLLOW THE FLEET.” From the exciting opening scenes in the Idaho gold rush right down to the crashing climax, Fox Film’s “Thunder Mountain,” now at the State Theatre, carries its star. George O’Brien, through as stirring a series of adventures —softened by a tender romance —as the screen has recorded in many a day. “Thunder Mountain” is the picturisation of Zane Grey’s new and popular novel. Its story, plot ramifications, characterisations bear the stamp of Zane Grey’s authenticity, the irresistible lure of his outdoor action pictures. Two women, Barbara Fritchie and Frances Grant, play important roles in the life of George O’Brien, who in this picture is cast as a virile, two-fisted mining prospector. “Ten Dollars Raise,” with that suave comedian Edward Everett Horton co-featured with Karen Morley, gives you more Jift and exhilaration than any raise of this amount would provide. It is tender and poignant when not rollicking and amusing. We follow the timid Romeo of a bookkeeper who can keep ledgers all right, but not the trick of balancing a static paycheck (just enough to live on) with an ecstatic romance. A new stenographer changes his life, and makes him see new worlds to conquei. First he decides to go in like a lion and hit the boss for a raise. He goes out like a light. Then he starts in search of financial miracles away from the office. “Follow the Fleet,” RKO Radio nautical musical which will be screened on Saturday, is the fifth screen feature teaming Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It’s the four* co-starring the dancing duo, and the second of their films featuring a complete musical score by Irving Berlin. “Follow the Fleet’ ’is a real ‘down to earth’ musical, employing a logical and meaty story, every day habiliments for the players, and a battleship, a freighter, and the colourful city of San Francisco for realistic backgrounds. REGENT: LAST NIGHT OF “THE GLASS KEY.” THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, “INVITATION TO THE WALTZ” It was proved again last night that Nelson audiences are keen lovers of mystery films. ‘The Glass . Key, which concludes its season to-night, is Dashiell Hammett’s worthy successor to his phenomenally popular “The Thin Man.” Superbly directed, well acted and combining romance and thrills with its mystery, “The Glass Key” opens the door to really good entertainment. George Raft is starred in essentially the same type of role in which he made his first success, a type that brought picture patrons cheer. Here we hcive the Rsft of old who keeps hi seyes open and his mouth closed until such time as his friend is in danger and from then on one is transported through thrilling adventures with fiction’s most exciting character—a man who knows when to wear a top hat and when to lead with his left. In the well-rounded supporting cast are Edward Arnold, Claire Dodd, Rosalind Keith and Ray Miland. One of the most stirring periods in world history, the beginning of the nineteenth century, forms the background to the story of “Invitation to the Waltz,” which is to be presented on Thursday and Friday. As will be seen “Invitation to the Waltz” has an engaging story and the cast is ideal. 1 Lilian Harvey, the charming young lady, has a role that fits her like a glove, and exactly the same may be said of the handsome young man who plays opposite her, Carl Esmond. Carl is not unknown to filmgoers, for it was he who played the juvenile masculine lead in the Richard Tauber film, “Blossom Time.” The dramatisation of the real life activities of a New York newspaperman, Martin Mooney, who exposed a gang of racketeers and was later sentenced by a grand jury for refusing to divulge the source of his information, is presented in Met-ro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Exclusive Story” with Franchot Tone and Madge Evans. The film is thrilling in the extreme and amazing because it is true. The picture weaves into its plot three major events, the “Policy Racket,” the Morro Castle fire and activities of “G” men. A strong cast is in support of the stars.