ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 10 September 1937, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT ATTRACTIONS STATE: NOW SHOWING FOR ONE WEEK: "GIRL IN A MILLION” 'file dazzling musical "Girl in a Million" opened litis afternoon, and all Nelson is excited lo think that after previous disappointments they will at last have an opportunity of seeing a picture which for sheer enjoyment has never before been equalled. Sonja Heine, queen of the silvery skates, must be seen in order to realise the superbness of this brilliant Olympic champion. Worthy of mention in the outstanding supoortmg east, are the Ritz Bros., the greatest screen comedians, who will keep you in convulsive laughter, and Borrah Minev’tch and his mouth organ band who besides being world champion players provide comedy unseen before in screen fanfare. Altogether "Girl in a Million is most assuredly the most brilliant of musical productions. With a hundred gorgeous girls in sensational ice-revels amid a dazzling winter wonderland of breathtaking beauty it’s a wonder show with a east that includes, in .addition lo Sonja Ilenie, the Queen of the Silvery Skates, Adolphe Menjou, Jean Hersholt. Ned Sparks, Don Ameche, the Ritz Brothers, Arlinc Judge, Borrah Minevileh and his gang. Dixie Dunbar, Leah Kay and Shirley Deane. The daughter o' a Swiss innkeeper. Sonja 1-lenic is being trained by her father, .lean Hersholt. to capture the Olympic figure skating championship. Sonja attracts the interest of Don Ameche. a young American newspaperman investigating a neighbourhood mystery, who sees in her unusual material for a human inLerest story for his .paper Sonja also interests, professionally the fumbling but glib tongued manager of a vaudeville troupe, Adolphe Menjou, stranded in Hersholt s hostelry. In Menjou’s group are the Ritz Brothers, Arlinc Judge, Borrah Mincviteh, and his gang, Dixie Dunbar, Leah Ray Shirley Deane and twelve beautiful girls Menjou induces Sonja lo join lii.s troupe and arranges a contract in St Moritz for the dazzling ice ballet he has envisioned.. Realising ihat such an appearance will disqualify her for Iho Olympic title so close to her father’s heart, Don Ameche (lies to St. Moritz, arriving In the middle of the ballet, which lie disrupts by abducting its star. Sonja wins the Olympic title, but when Hersholt hears that she lias 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 tor each other. Fatrons are reminded of the already huge demand for seals, and are advised to reserve immediately at Begg's.

"LOST HORIZON," A BRILLIANT COMPELLING PICTURE NOW AT THE MAJESTIC.

Without any fear of contradiction it may be safely vouchsafed that never in the history of motion pictures in Nelson has a film been so publicised, or so eagerly awaited as the current attraction at the Majestic, “Lost Horizon." Those who have read James Hilton's book will revel in following the persons who people its adventurous pages. Those who haven’t will find themselves athrill at the achievement of Columbia, Capra, and Colman. It required courage and conviction to risk £500,000 in giving the public a bigger, better picture. It took the skill of genius to translate it from type to film. Acting j artistry was needed to portray its leading character. The fusion of the three has fulfilled a dream. It is a brilliant compelling work and director Capra has given the screen another cinematic milestone and for this reason alone the j masterpiece should be. seen by everyone. The story traverses the' whole gamut of entertainment, adventure and thrills vie with magnificent settings, tremendous interest casts its spell upon the audience from the aclionful opening of the whites fleeing from Baskul rebellion, excitement fills the breast when we know the pilot of the plane is an Oriental and the plane is flying over the uncharted regions of the Himalayas, and magnitude impresses as we witness the mighty avalanches hurtling down the mountain sides. The film has other ideals beside the required dynamics and as it takes us to forbidden Tibet and the hidden lamasery of Shangri-la and its all pervading beauty we are supremely conscious of beauty and tense with suspense until we know what is going to happen to the five strangers from the outer world. The absorbing interest we experience thereafter comes not only from the strange world we have entered, but from watching its effect upon the outsiders. The ageless peace and serenity, the harmony and beauty of the retreat, bring contentment and happiness to all but one of the Anglo-Saxons. The deep appeal of this is based on every man’s dream of an ideal civilisation where strife is unknown and inharmony impossible, where beautiful surroundings and beautiful relationships sbnil inspire us to live fully and exquisitely. There is more, much more, to the story than this, but you have the kernel here. It is splendidly acted, of course, not one player falling short. An interesting array of short subjects completes an outstanding programme. Included in Saturday’s featurettes is the second Rugby Test at Christcvhurch. With plans rapidly filling intending patrons are advised to book now.

REGENT: NOW SHOWING, DICK FORAN, THE SINGING COWBOY. IN “TRAILIN’ WEST” AND “FLYING HOSTESS”

Commencing to-night, which is the usual change day for the Regent. is another superb week-end pro- ■ gramme There is in addition to the ; two features an excellent evening's array of shorts, and the combined pro- ; gramme makes an excellent evening's i entertainment. At 7.45 the Bth chap- ! ter of the serial, “The Phantom Rider.’ | will be screened, and this week’s episode is titled "The Night Attack.” Adc.itional short subjects include Springboks v. All Blacks which will be screened on Saturday and Monday only, a Universal newsreel and an outstanding crime detective short "You Can’t Get Away with It.” The picture to be screened before the interval is “The Flying Hostess,” and this features William Gargan, Judith Barrett, William Hall and Andy Devine. The story deals with the adventures ot 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 for the pn duction by M K. Jerome and Jack Scholl. One is a ballad. “Moonlight Valley” and the ether a stirring marching song “Drums ot Glory.' Foran has the role of a secret service operative commissioned by Lincoln, to light 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 Fie is eventually saved dv 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 ender his credentials is arrested as one of the leader:; of the guerilla bandits Gordon Elliott has the part of the bandit chief, who uses the credentials of Foran to get information from the government on gold siiipmer.ts, though the actual theft of the papers was accomplished by an aide, played by Henry Otho. Patrons are advised that it is essential to book, plans for the three days being at R. Thomas’s, Trafalgar street.