AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18990, 15 April 1936, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

KING’S THEATRE “SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE” "Seven Keys to Bnhlpate,” winch started at the King’s Theatre to-day, with Gene Raymond in the central role, is an exciting and thoroughly entertaining adaption of the Karl Derr Riggos novel and the George M. Cohan play ot the same name. It stands out as a perfeet 1 v balanced thriller by maintaining in essence all the suspense, the ardent, romance and the robust comedy w 111 1 distinguished the novel and the play. Raymond, as a celebrated autboi o< mvsterv stories, selects deserted Ran - pate Inn as an ideally quiet place to work and locks himself in witii w n*i he believes is the only key in existence But when six more keys click m R illc| - pate’s door, the ghostly old mansion becomes a. mad-house, and all writing (inns Raymond is swept into hilariously violent adventure. The six jK-iveomei• are iu hectic search of 2v0,0u0- dollais nestling in the ln.it safe. .Raymond promptly falls in love with Margaret. Callahan, one of the two mysterious young women who show up. and * with her to heat the others—to the money. Raymond gets every ounce. 0 entertainment, out ot his rich role. • aigaret. Callahan delivers an ace pertormance opposite him. Eric More J" ■( comedv role, stands out, as does -Morom Olsen in the role of the sinister Largnn. Erin O’Brien-Aloore is excellent as an alluring and merciless adventuress.

REGENT THEATRE “WHIPSAW” Famous for her excellent acting in “The Thin Man.” Alyrna Loy. who is starred in “Whipsaw.” now at the Recent Theatre, is again the star attiaction of the film. It is a story of humorous and dramatic surprises, the action is quick and well-sustained, and the whole film is full of r.mianiic ami dramatic suspense. Miss Loy is cast as a member ol ;iu iulcvu«'ition«u *' jewel thieves. Spencer Tracy, a secret service, agent, contrives to meet her Milder circumstances that make Imn appear a criminal. They flee New YoiK umether. posing ns man and wife. I i'ncy hopes she will lead him to the ’ brains, „f the gang. Harvey Stephens, who is in hiding. ‘Miss Lov knows from the lirst that Tracy isran officer of the law. file ensuing aeronlane chase and the activities of a rival gang of thieves help to bring the story to an unexpected and thrilling climax. Members ot the :asfc include Harvey Stephens, who has appeared with distinction in many films. William Tlnrrigan. who was taken from tl»e New York stage' and sent to Hollywood especially for this picture, Robeit Warwick, many times a star, and. Irene Franklin, favourite of the legitimate and vaudeville stages. Lillian Leighton. Wade Boteler. Robert Oleckler. Don Rowan, Charles Irwin, John Qualen. Clay Clement, and William Tngersoll are l he' other principal players.

OPERA HOUSE “BREWSTER’S MILLIONS” Final proof if anv he needed—that Rritish films can claim equal status with Hollywood's best, is to be found in the triumph of Jack Buchanan's “Brewsters Millions.” which opened a return season at the Opera House yesterday. Klslree has produced a super-musical which m everv respect readies the very high standard' set by producers like Samuel Goldwyn. No previous musical has had such •atcity tunes, such lovely girls, and such a succession of riotously funny episodes. The picture is based on the famous old stage farce of the same title, and with suitable adaptation for screen purposes it tells how Jack Brewster (Jack Buchanan) has to get rid of a .C6CO.OCO fortune in six months in order to inherit one of £6,0(50,000. Scenes range from Epsom Downs to the market square at Ajaccio, and from a Bloomsbury boarding house to the bridge of a 15C0-ton luxury yacht. All provide excellent backgrounds for Buchanan’s fooling. Dili Damita is his leading lady, and Nanev O Noil is the heroine he marries in the end. The supporting east includes Jean Gillie, lan Maclean, and Sydney Fairhrolher.

MAJESTIC THEATRE “CAPTAIN BLOOD” Peter Blood, that debonair and during pirate of fortune, lias been made to live again on (lie screen in “Captain Blood, which is showing for an extended season at the. Majestic Theatre. Captain Blood is poitrayed by Errol Flynn, win although a comparatively newcomer P Pie screen, gives an outstanding! performance. 11 is leading lady, the beautiful noblewoman who falls in love with tlie pirate bold, is Olivia do Ila villa nil and iri addition there is an all-star east including Lionel A twill. Basil Rathbone. Ross Alexander, and Guy Kibbee. The story opens during tile period when the Duke of Monmouth was leading a rebellion against King .Junus v While attend ing to a rebel who lias been badly wounded. Dr. Peter Blood is captured by the soldiery, and along with many others is spared the mercy of a quick death on the gallows by being sent to the West Indies as a slave, llis calm effrontery claims the attention of the niece of a slave owner, who buys him for £lO. The slaves have been condemned to f> living hell, and the tortures and abuse they suffer make the blood run cold. The film moves on turbulently and excitingly to a satisfactory' and surprising climax'. The supporting programme is well in keeping with the main attraction.