ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 9 September 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS

MAJESTIC: FINALLY TO-NIGHT “AREN’T MEN BEASTS.” AT 2.30 TO-MORROW (FRIDAY), THE VIVII), IMPRESSIVE “LOST HORIZON.”

It is a long time since an audience laughed so heartily as did that which witnessed the roaring English farce, “Aren’t Men Beasts” at the Majestic last night. At times it was impossible to hear the dialogue so great was the audible enjoyment. Certain it is that British studios turn out nov« and then something to cheer and extricate one from the workaday world. Plenty of straight-out comedy here, with Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton teaming to splendid laugh results. While the dialogue may have worried the censor it will certainly convulse audiences

The eagerly awaited “Lost Horizon” i commences its extended four day !season to-morrow (Friday) at 2.30. The | latest picture to be truthfully styled j “Great.” It is an unforgettable cine;matic triumph in the days when talkling picture production : s moving on to ever higher, more stupendous and astonishing results. In seeing such a [marvellous creation, wonder is born as •to what next will “They” attempt—can anything more arresting be conceived and carried out with such meti:culous care of every tiny detail, such splendid devotion to the artistic values [as well as the material possibilities, (with such a profusion of front rank [talent in acting, such a sincere convicjtion of reality? James Hilton wrote a [best-seller and this is the screen result | transferee! to the silver sheet by the • genius of Frank Capra as producer and [director. Fine as so many of his have been, this counts as absolutely “Tops." [Within late years, the Himalayas and [the strange Land of Tibet have come ever a little closer to the curious Western world. “Lost Horizon” is an im[mense impetus to the acquisition of | more such knowledge by its very (breath-taking qualities, its strong appeal to the imagination, the love of [strange facts, best of all to that hope 'which springs' eternal within the human berast—a belief that the events paraded herein may be true. Col-

man, of course, is flawless in the leading role. And he has polished support from Sam Jaffe, as the High Lama; from Jane Wyatt, as the woman who loves him; from such able players as John Howard, Margo, H. B. Warner and Edward Everett Horton. In photography and camera effects, “Lost Horizon” dramatically preserves the mystic mood of its story. Certain sequences for sheer camera mastery. provoke spontaneous applause. As for director Capra, his finish and artistry never has been so vehemently demonstrated as in “Lost Horizon.” He invokes a witching mod and sustains its through two hours of frantic action and tense suspense. His production is one that must not be missed.

REGENT: FINALLY TO-NIGHT “RIJMBA” AND “THE OLD FASH lOXED WAY.” COMMENCING FRIDAY “TRAILIN’ WEST” AND “THE FLYING HOSTESS”

To-night the final showing of this week's guest-night programme takes place at the Regent. “Rumba” is the first attraction and features Georgp Raft and Carole Lombard. W. C Fields lias the leading role in “The Old Fashioned Way,’ and this is one of the best comedies this artist has made, Fields, before his entry into motion pic turcs, was an outstanding juggler, and in “Old Fashioned Way” he gives a full act of this outstanding art. Patrons who have not yet had the pleasure ol attending this programme are advised not to miss to-night's final screening. Commencing tc-morrow (Friday) which is the usual change day for the Regent, is another superb week-end programme There is in addition to the two features on excellent evening’s array of shorts, and the combined programme makes an excellent evening's entertainment. At 7.45 the Bth chapter of the serial, “The Phantom Rider,” will be screened, and this week's episode is titled “The Night Attack.” Additional short subjects include Springboks v. All Blacks which will be screened on Saturday and Monday only, a Universal newsreel and a musical short “You Can’t Get Away with It.” The picture to be screened before the interval is “The Flying Hostess,” and this features William Gargai*, Judith Barrett, William Hall and Andy Devine. The story deals with the adventures of the air hostesses on the trans-continen-tal airlines, and it is packed full of action and thrills from the first to the final scene. “Trailin’ West” is the main feature, and this stars Dick Foran, “the Singing Cowboy. ’ Foran sings two songs written lor the production by M. K. Jerome and Jack Scholl. One is a ballad. “Moonlight Valley” and the ether a stirring marching song, “Drums of Glory. ’ Foran has the role of a secret service operative commissioned by Lincoln, to fight single handed against the robbers of the plains. Rob bed of his credentials he prevents the hold-up of a gold shipment by the government and is ordered to be shot after a court martial by army officers, who think he is an accomplice of the guerillas. He is eventually saved oy Paula Stone, who is also in the secret service and working in disguise as one of the women in a dance hall. The two had met before, although neither knows the other is an operative until the smashing climax when Foran is freed and the crook who is working inder his credentials is arrested as one of the leaders of the guerilla bandits. Gordon Elliott has the part of the bandit chief, who uses the credentials of Foran lo get information froffi the government on gold shipments, though trie actual theft of the papers was accomplished by an aide, played by Henry Otho. Patrons are advised that it is essential to bool;, plans for the three days being at R. Thomas's, Trafalgar street.

STATE: LAST NIGHT OF PETER B. KYNE’S “WITHOUT ORDERS.” TO-MORROW AT 2.30 p.m. “GIRL IN A MILLION.”

j To-night is the final screening of Peter B. Kyne’s super thriller romance 'of the airways, ‘‘Without Orders,” in j which Robert Armstrong and Sally Eilers take the leading roles. | On Friday the eagerly awaited "Girl ;in a Million” will be shown to the public of Nelson. This great production j has been acclaimed throughout New ! Zealand, and its exceptional series of j extended seasons in all places indicates hew magnificent this attraction is. From [beginning to end interest is maintained, [and with the dazzling personality of Senja Heme, all hearts are captured. Star-radiant, laugh-lavish and melodyladen with romance and drama in snow-silvered settings is “Girl in a Million.’ With a hundred gorgeous girls in sensational ice-revels amid a dazzling winter wonderland of breathtaking beauty it's a wonder show with a cast that includes, in addition to Sonja Henie, the Queen of the Silvery

| Skates, Adolphe Menjou, Jean Hersholt, ! Ned Sparks, Don Ameche, the Ritz Brothers. Arline Judge, Borrah Mine- ! vitch and his gang. Dixie Dunbar, Leah • Ray and Shirley Deane. The daughter [o- a Swiss innkeeper, Sonja Henie is | being trained by her father, Jean HerIsholt, to capture the Olympic figure ! skating championship. Sonja attracts | the interest of Don Ameche, a young j American newspaperman investigating j a neighbourhood mystery, who sees in her unusual material for a human interest story for his paper. Sonja also I interests, professionally the fumbling | but glib tongued manager of a vaudei ville troupe, Adolphe Menjou, stranded lin Hersholt’s hostelry. In Menjou’s i group are the Ritz Biothers, Arline | Judge. Borrah Minevitch. and his gang, I Dixie Dunbar, Leah Ray Shirley Deane ; and twelve beautiful girls Menjou inj duces Sonja to join his troupe and ar- | ranges a contract in St Moritz for the [dazzling ice ballet he has envisioned.. j Realising that such an appearance will | disqualify her for Ihe Olympic title so | close to her father’ 1 : heart, Don Ameche flies to St. Moritz, airiving In the middle of the ballet, which he disrupts by abducting its star. Sonja wins the Olympic title, but when Hersholt hears that she has skated professionally. he returns the medals to the committee Don Ameche, with the assistance of his assistant. Ned Sparks, is able to prove that Sonja is guiltless. The resourceful young reporter proves to Sonja’s satisfaction that they were meant for each other. Fatrons are reminded of the already huge demand for seats, and are advised to reserve immediately at Begg’s.