AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 4 May 1938, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE "DAUGHTER OF SHANGHAI" AND "SHE MARRIED AN ARTIST" "Daughter of Shanghai," now at the Majestic Theatre, marks the return of the Chinese actress, Anna May Wong, who is co-starred with Charles Bickford. In the cast are such well-known players as Philip Aim, Larry Crabbc, Cecil Cunningham, J. Carroll Naish, Evelyn Brent and Anthony Quinn, The 'film deals with the experiences of Miss Wong and an Oriental Government agent when they set out to break uo an alien smuggling ring. A Hollywood critic paid this tribute to "Daughter of Shanghai": "Condense all the excitement of a multi-chapter super thrilling serial into about an hour's running time and you get some idea of the entertainment character of the film." Completing the double-feature programme is "She Married an Artist," a rollicking comedy romance. John Boles and Lull Deste are co-starred in this amazing battle of wife against model, amidst New York's gay, reckless studio life! When the wife's away the models will play! But an unblushing bride beats Manhattan's merry maidens of the studios at their own game—of taming the maddest artist who ever painted the town red! The screen tells all in this delightful, mirthful film with Frances Drake, Helen Westley, Alexander D'Arcy, Marek Windheim, Albert van Dekker, Franklin Pangborn and Jacqueline Wells. REGENT THEATRE "SMILIN' THROUGH" :NORMA SHEARER The return engagement of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's immortal classic, "Smilin' Through," opened up to an enthusiastic audience last night at the Regent, despite the poor weather conditions. With such sterling actors as Fredric March and Leslie Howard supportin&Norma Shearer, "Smilin' Through" still works its spell of tears and smiles, still sways the heart by its moments of pathos which precede and follow the lighter moments of gaiety. Not even in her more recent brilliant "Barretts of Wimpole Street' has Miss Shearer surpassed the stirring work she offers in her dual portrayals of the two girls. In making a departure from the sophistry of her usual modern roles she is a buoyant, radiant and refreshing spirit. Fredric March, both as the .lilted lover and the youth who returns later to win her, is -suave and convincing. Leslie Ploward has a powerful role as the man who lives with his bitter memories from youth to Old age, and invests his role with the charm for which he is distinguished. A most interesting item in the first half of the programme is a film of the invasion of Austria by Germany and the reaction in the capital, cities of Europe, and America. An "Our Gang" comedy and some amusing tricks by Shorty the monkey complete a fine programme.

—"The Emperor's Candlesticks" —

"The Emperor's Candlesticks," a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic drama, which reunite. .William .Powell and Luise ißainer-ih their third co-starring picture, comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday as an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Baroness Orczy, author of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and other distinguished works. The writing of the book was inspired by the rare and unusual candlesticks said to have been been owned by Marie Antoinette, each of which contained a secret compartment in which she is alleged to have hidden secret correspondence from her consort, Louis XVI. George Fitzmaurice directed the production, which boasts a cast including Robert Young, 'Maureen O'Sullivan, Frank Morgan and Henry Steuphenson, together with 12 more featured players. The story gives us a vivid insight into the diplomatic life of Vienna, Warsaw and a cross-section of European intrigue that provides an ideal vehicle fur these stars. As a beautiI ful countess involved in the dangerous business of sabotage, Miss Rainer has her first opportunity to present her exotic beauty to the public as she enacts a novel role with the consummate artistry that won her the 193 G Academy Award for the finest feminine performance on the screen. KING'S THEATEE "SAID O'REILLY TO McNAB" AND "THERE GOES THE GROOM"

What O'Reilly said to McNab and what McNab had to say to O'Reilly provides material for one of the funniest films ever produced in Britain. This film was written especially to suit the talents of two famous humourists, Will Mahoney and Will Fyfl'e. "Said O'Reilly to McNab," which started today at the King's Theatre, was made by Gainsborough. Although the stars are not well-known to cinema audiences, there is not a doubt that once seen, they will be clamoured for in further pictures by film ••fans." The story is amusing, clever in its development and the dialogue is extremely cleverly written. The theme is similar to that of the fid Cohens and Kcllys films. Ann Sothem and Burgess Meredith make their scren debut as a starring team in RKO Radio's "There Goes the Groom." the second feature.

—Friday: "The Return of the Scarlet

Pimpernel

Romance rides the screen again vvith London Films' version of another Baroness Orczy story, "The Return ol the Scarlet Pimpernel," which will begin showing on Friday at the King's Theatre. The film is a further chap- , tor in the thrilling adventures of Sir! Percy Blakeney—"that damned elusive Pimpernel"—a character brilliantly created on the screen two or three years ago by Leslie Howard. In "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" this role is taken by a handsome young newcomer, Barry K. Barnes, who by his masterly performance establishes himself immediately as a starring personality. Although he has had extensive stage experience, this is the first times Barnes has appeared on the screen, but there is certainly no suggestion of inexperience in his portrayal, which is a (lawless exhibition of ease and charm. No greater praise could be rendered him than to say that his performance loses nothing by comparison with Howard's masterly interpretation. In film circles Barnes is looked upon as the most promising British star discovery since Robert Donat. So confident were London Films of his appeal to the public that they placed him under contract several weeks before "The Return of the Scarlet Pi m . pernel" was finished. As a result of