AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19757, 11 October 1938, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “ROSALIE” CONTINUES UNTIL THURSDAY Gay will) charming tunes beautifully sung by Nelson Eddy and quickened to top speed by the magic tap-dancing feet of Eleanor Powell, "Rosalie" is a musical ol extraordinary 1 entertainment power. Nothing is missed to make this a picture to remember. The stars are .supported by a cast each member of which gives a (lawless performance. Frank Morgan as a king with an eye for a pretty girl and Edna May Oliver as a queen quite able to curb such tendencies. Ray Bolger, he of the rubber legs, is really great as comedy relief. and, of course, splendid in his comedy dancing specialities. Ilona Massey is a beautiful European who makes her American debut as the second lead of the picture in the part ol Countess Brenda, confidante to the Princess Rosalie, not only proves herself a delightful comedienne, but a singer of extraordinary range. Nelson Eddy, in splendid voice, sings "Rosalie,” “Who Knows" and ‘‘ln the Still of the Night.” Frank Morgan, as the King, has an amusing comedy song in "Why Should I Care” and Miss Powell sings and taps beautifully. I'hc featurettes include “Surf Heroes,” a Pete Smith special, and "Joaquin iVlurietta,” an historical mystery. "Rosalie” will continue to provide sparkling entertainment until Thursday and will be replaced on Friday with M.G.'M.’s "Three Comrades,” with Robert Taylor, Margaret Suilavan, Robert Young and Franchot Tone. MAJESTIC THEATRE MADGE EVANS IN “SINNERS IN PARADISE” After a reel or so of interesting action to introduce the characters, tin; main drama of “Sinners in Paradise,” now at the Majestic Theatre, gets under 'way with the crash in mid-ocean of a giant trans-Pacifie airliner. That spectacular plunge in flames is only the beginning. The passengers, a regular cross section of society, including a beautiful millionairess, a dissatisfied wife, a hearthungry mother, a gangster, a blonde gambling girl, a couple of munitions magnates and a pulled up politician, drag themselves ashore on an apparently deserted island. Here they find a doctor, who has lied the law ahead of a murder charge in Shanghai. Then begins a drama of increasing conflict that carries a lulling suspense as it mounts to its climax, with life after life being stripped bare of the protective coaling ol civilisation. There is plenty of physical conflict, with a shooting or two and a sea light, but the battling that packs the big punch is the character clash of man and woman. Madge Evans, who has never before looked so lovely, is an appealing figure as the dissatisfied wife who falls in love with the hermit doctor, played by John Boles. Boles gives a powerful characterisation as this tortured soul who rises to a great sacrifice. Bruce Cabot’s gangster is a properly, sinister figure, gradually built up to nobility by the love of the gambling girl. Marion Martin, a dazzling blonde from the Broadway stage, docs an astonishing job in this character. It is hard to believe that it marks her debut role in liltns. Gene Lockhart gets in some line satiric strokes as the pompous senator and Charlotte Wyntcrs Das been perfectly cast as the rich snob who turns out to be a fine human being when the gold dust is rubbed off. The featurettes include “Stranger than Fiction,” ‘‘Going Places,” “Winged Empress,” a cartoon, Cinesound and Universal news reels. KING’S THEATRE ‘•THE DRUM”: SEASON EXTENDED “The Drum," Alexander Korda's latest production, now screening at the King’s Theatre, is proving one of the most popular screen presentations of the? year. Record crowds have been the order of the day ever since the opening, and to give everyone an opportunity of seeing this magnificent film, the Gisborne season has been extended a further three days. "The Drum." starring Sabu, the little star of “Elephant Boy," has been adapted from an original story by A. E. W. Mason, find was produced in technicolour with the Indian North-West Frontier as a background. It deals with insurgent Indian tribes on the Indian frontier, ol the dethroning of a boy prince, and the attempted massacre of the inmates of the British Residency. Through this thrilling story of intrique and battle runs the thread of the little prince's friendship for a Scottish drummer boy.