AMUSEMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19919, 22 April 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE "ROMANCE OF THE LIMBERLOST" AND "SECRETS OF A NURSE" "Romance of the Limberlost," starring Jean Parker, heads the splendid double-feature programme now attracting large audiences to the Majestic Theatre. A simple story in a amiliar setting, it emerges on the screen as a powerful drama of the nobility that lurks in even- the most lowly of human beings. The story suggested by Gene Stratton-Porter's "Girl of the Limberlost" is of Laurie, a swamp waif who brought beauty into the desolate lives of her people, and whose efforts to better herself and defeat her environment also brought then disaster. It is Laurie's aunt, Nora, hating the girl, who again and again blocks her path out of the swamp, who destroys her ambition completely by forcing Laurie into a marriage with wealthy, drunken Corson, the town bully. But the night of the wedding Corson is killed, and Chris, his bound boy whom Laurie has befriended, is accused of the murder. How Laurie's great love for Wayne, a Voung lawyer, induced him to throw his wealthy clientele to defend •the boy forms the climax. Edmund Lowe, Helen Mack, and Dick loran have the leading roles in "Secrets of a Nurse," the associate feature. The theme of the film is based on the ethics of the nursing profession, which, in their way, are as strict as those which govern the medical world. Chapter nine of "Red Barry" will be screened in addition.

KING'S THEATRE "THE MAD MISS MANTON": COMEDY-MYSTERY A hectic romance between an impetuous heiress and a poor news-paper-man blossoms in the shadows of a murder mystery in RKO Radio s •The Mad' Miss Manton," starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda, and now showing at the Kings Theatre. With its background a largemetropolis in the eastern part ol the United States, the story traces the efforts of an impulsive society girl to solve a baffling murder to spite a newspaper editor who ridicules her futile existence, as well as tha' ol her social clique. Two bodies, one of which vanishes mysteriously and reappears: four suspects in the double murder, and a wealth of complication make up the deftly-handled mystery.

REGENT THEATRE •GOLD IS WHERE YOU FIND IT": TECHNICOLOUR FILM The spectacular Technicolour production "Gold Is Where You Find It" commenced a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday before large ana appreciative audiences. In the 1870 s in California the burning question o! the day was whether the State should belong to the wheatfarmers, who brought crops from the soil ever) year,' or -to the hydraulic miners, whose terrific sluices, although wresting from the ground the valuable gold, were eroding the surrounding countr) and rendering it unfit tor cultivation foi many years. "Gold Is Where You Find ft" is woven about this theme. George Brent is cast as a young hydraulic engineer, who falls m lo\c with the daughter of an influential Wheat farmer. As the daughter, Olivia de Havilland, last seen in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," gives a fine performance in a difficult role. As the leader of the wheatfarmers Claude Rains gives another of the penetrating, impressive performances tha' have come to be expected, of him. Aii the bitter hatred that existed between the miners and 1 the ranchers is vividly portrayed in this film, and when George Brent rescues Colonel Ferris' son, played by Tim Holt, from a bar room brawl he is thanked publiclv by the colonel, but secretly ordereo off the ranch. The many thrilling outdoor sequences are a feature of this picture. Apart from natural spectacular scenes, such as floods and magnificent mountain scenerv, there is a vivid explosion when a dam is blasted with dynamite. This is an awe-inspiring scene in Technicolour. The tasteful selection of rfhor.l films which comprise the entertaining supporting programme includes a Vitaphone revue, the latest Metro and Cinesound newsreels ana a musical production featuring Car! Moore and his Barn Collegians.

OPERA HOUSE

VIENNA MOZART HOYS' CHOIR

Gisborne's first and most important theatrical event for 1939 will be the visit of the famous Vienna Mozart Boys' Choir on May 5 and (J. The choir, which is having ,a most enthusiastic season at the Town Hall in Auckland recently toured the United States, and met with a great reception everywhere. One of the boys staunchest supporters is President Roosevelt, who iirst heard them sing at the annual dinner of the Democrat Party in Boston. Mr. Roosevelt was go impressed that he engaged the choir to give a complimentary performance to the citizens of Boston. This took place in the Museum of Fine Arts and was attended by 15,000 people, many of whom signed a petition requesting the choir to return to Boston. A special visit to Washington to sing again for the President was arranged. The choir consists of 20 boys, soprano and altos under the musical direction of Dr. Gcorg Gruber, one of the best-known of European choral conductors, who has been principal conductor of the Vienna Boys' Choirs for many years. The programmes will include operettas ' n costume, songs in English, and Viennese folk songs. The tour is under the management of D. D. O'Connor. Box plans are to open on May 1. The admission charges will be the same as those in Auckland. Seats may be reserved in any section of the Opera House irrespective of price. There will be a special matinee for school children on the afternoon of Friday. Mav 5.