AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19555, 10 February 1938, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE "MARRIED BEFORE BREAKFAST" This brilliant and riotously funny Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy finishes, its Gisborne season to-night. —"Souls at Sea": Paramount Saga, — Paramount's "Souls at Sea," which opens at the Regent Theatre to-mor-row, is a- picture taken from an actual occurrence in history, so skilfully directed and acted and so masterly produced and photographed that its place among the great motion pictures of all time is assured. The cast is headed by Gary Cooper, George Raft, Frances Dee and Olympe Bradna, which should be enough to lift it. into the top ranks at once, but its dramatic well-told story, rugged in its appeal and massive in its scope, transcends even what the skilful cast would do to make it a perfect entertainment. The realism is of such a quality, and the subject of it so grim, that the climactic sequences are unflinching masterpieces of the brutality that is impelled by the grimmest of all taskmasters, necessity. There are times when "Souls at Sea" becomes so real that one flinches from the thought that disaster itself is real. "Nuggin" Taylor, mate of a captured slave ship, is charged with mass murder on the high seas. He had been a passenger on the fast New York packet, William Brown. Fire broke out in mid-ocean and the powder magazine exploded. One boat alone survived the explosion. This was crammed to the gunwales with hysterical survivors. Obviously all could not be saved. With resolution born, perhaps, of his experience in the slave trade, "Nuggin" Taylor smashed into the ocean 18 of those desperate souls who had foimd a place in the overcrowded boat. Was he, or was he not, guilty of murder? That is the skeleton of the picture and to that skeleton has been strung the sinews of convincing characterisation, the flesh of a human romance—above all, the skin of verisimilitude. Motives, psychology, morality are not examined. The pictures' owes nothing to its intellectual effects. It thinks no more than the doomed souls who were shot and smashed down by a man whose habit of clear thinking made him their murderer. The picture sees, hears and feels—in the cinematic sense—the whole, hellish circumstance of such disaster as has faced voyagers by sea for a thousand years.

KING'S THEATRE

"MAKE A WISH": LAST NIGHT

The popular child actor Bobby Breen has the leading role in "Make a Wish," the film which will end a very popular season at the King's Theatre to-night. After his two former films the boy is assured now of an interested reception and his singing of several numbers has groused favourable comment at each screening. The usual cleverly blended programme of shorter features makes up an interesting first half of the programme.

—To-morrow: "Heidi of the Alps" and "March of Time"— Excellent scenic views depicting the simple yet picturesque lives of the humble people of an alpine village enhance "Heidi of the Alps," a picture from the 20th Century-Fox studios which will be given its first screenings to-morrow at the King's Theatre. The film has an interesting story and is treated in a truly refreshing manner. 'Shirley Temple has one of the most attractive roles of her career in the film, which is based on the popular novel by Johanna Spyri, and she gives a lively and appealing characterisation. As Heidi, she reclaims by her cheerful friendliness and courage her grandfather, an embittered exile, from his hate of the world, and she also gives a crippled girl the strength and will to walk again. The noted character actor, Jean Hersholt, gives an outstanding performance in the difficult and unsympathetic role of the grandfather, a taciturn recluse living in an alpine retreat. Arthur Treacher appears in his customary role as a manservant, this time in a rich Frankfort home, and he is Pleidi's sole supporter in many dramatic scenes. A prominent part is also given to Helen Westley and others in the cast are Sig. Rumann, Pauline Moore, Thomas Beck and Mary Nash. The dramatic interest is largely centred in the attempt to keep Heidi from inheriting the fortune to which she is entitled, and the grandfather, whose bitterness is gradualy removed by the influence of Heidi, takes a hand in frustrating 'the plot. Shirley Temple sings several pleasing little songs which have been specially written for the picture, and on a novel set depicting the Zuydcr Zee, Shirley and a large chorus enact an elaborate dance sequence. The supporting programme is 'a strong one and includes the first of the 1938 series of the "March of Time," "Hi Ya Doc," comedy, "Homeless Pups," cartoon; and newsreels. There will be four sessions to-morrow and Saturday. Intending patrons are urged to book their seats early.

MAJESTIC THEATRE TO-MOKKOW: "FORGOTTEN FACES" & "MIDNIGHT MADONNA" An excellent double programme will open at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. "Forgotten Faces," a Paramount picture, is a story of a marriage that crashes on the rocks. Herbert Marshall is co-starred with Gertrude Michael, and James Burke, Jane Rhodes and Robert Cummings head a fine cast. Described as one of the most sensational stories of the year, "Midnight Madonna" should grip "one from start to finish. The poignant story of mother love told by Mady Correll, who is co-starred with Warren William, is something that will be remembered for a long time. Kitty Clancy, a four-year-old performer, makes her debut in this picture, and her work is described as nothing short of marvellous. • She is the daughter of a Bridgeport couple, and has never received any stage training. Mady Correll, a former stage beauty and the possessor of a ■beautiful singing voice, also makes her screen debut in this picture. "Midnight Court" and "After the Dance" finish to-night.

A dance will be held on Saturday evening at Wainui Beach in aid of the funds of the Wainui Surf Life-Saving Club.

The social committee of the R.S.A. has organised a moonlight carnival to be held at the Waihircre Domain on Saturday evening. In addition to many amusements, there will be a bathing belle contest, and several competitions in the bathing pool. The general public is invited to this carnival and free transport, leaving Hannah's corner, the Grey street corner the Roebuck road corner, and the Oddfellows Hall, Ormond load, will be available from 7.30 to 3 p.m.