ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22106, 29 August 1933, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF “CENTRAL PARK.” As the Civic Theatre is engaged tomorrow, the last screening is announced to-night of “Central Park” a Warner Bros, production starring Joan Biondell and Wallace Ford. The picture has a depth of heart appeal and a bigness in its panoramic sweep, that is comparable only to such pictures as “Union Depot” or “Grand Hotel. It is a big picture—one that only a man with the ability of Ward Morehouse, famous columnist, could have .written and given it the wide scope it has. Events full of thrills, comedy, suspense, novelty and pathos, and with an edge of tragedy, too, run like a skein through the warp and woof of it. You’ll see Central Park as it is to-day—perhaps even New York as it is to-day—per-haps something even of the nation, if you look deep enough—in this bit. of flotsam thrown off from the sweeping tide of a great city’s life to rest for a moment in the action of a few persons in a park. Vice is there, the fierce surging of the underworld against the world that lives and moves above it; but, as always, the very innocence of the two waifs protects them. One of the most interesting and amazing sequences in the picture is that showing a lion loose in the crowded park. That sequence alone makes the picture worthy of special mention. Joan Biondell, who always gives a fine performance, and who has been getting better and better roles, again performs in fine style. As a stranded chorus girl who innocently gets mixed up with some stick-up artists, she gives a convincing portrayal. Wallace Ford, who handles the male lead opposite Joan Blondell, plays his part as the other homeless, friendless waif adrift in the city’s big park, with great capability. Excellent support is Honed the leads by the work of Guy Kibbee as a nearly blind policeman whose tragedy and final vindication is movingly pathetic; by Patricia Ellis and Henry B. Walthall, Charles Sellon, Spencer Charters, Harold Huber, John Wray and others. The direction is John Adolfi from a screen play by Ward Morehouse and Earl Baldwin. The supporting pictures are up to the usual Civic Standard and include: “He Pulled Up” comedy, “Rambling Round Radio Row” novelty, “Trip To Thibet” travelogue, “Angel Cake” comedy. THE MAJESTIC. •SMILIN’ THROUGH.” DRAMATIC AND ROMANTIC TRIUMPH. A picture that stirs to the very depths, that remains fragrant in the memory, that thrills by its very power of romance: that is “Smilin’ Through,” which will be shown again at the Majestic Theatre at two performances to-day. This is a genuine dramatic triumph, enacted by a splendid cast and containing one of those powerful stories which are too seldom met with in motion pictures. The acting honours must go to Norma Shearer, for her portrayal of Kathleen Sheridan, a beautiful girl who has to choose between her love for Kenneth Wayne (Fredrlc March) and loyalty to her Uncle John (Leslie Howard). The picture is longer than usual, and yet those who see it have only one regret: that it does not take twice as many reels to unfold a story so touchingly romantic, so beautiful in theme. Every moment is one of suspense; of sheer joy in artistic portrayal. The story opens with a charming scene showing how Sir John is persuaded to take care of his little orphan niece, Kathleen, and thereby adopt an interest which lessens slightly the memory of his own tragic love life. Kathleen blossoms into beautiful womanhood and accidentally meets Kenneth Wayne, son of a life-long enemy of her uncle, Jeremy Wayne. Kenneth is paying a flying visit to Ireland from America before enlisting, and Kathleen immediately falls in love with him. She discloses her love, but when her uncle discovers the young man’s parentage, he forbids her ever to see him again. At the same time he reveals the reason for the consuming hatred which has marked his life and saddened his years. The picture then takes the audience into Sir John’s earlier years, showing his love for the beautiful girl who died at the hands of Jeremy Wayne. These scenes are both dramatic and appealing, and form an integral part of the cohesive plot. The progress of Kathleen’s love for Wayne’s son is then taken up once more, with touching scenes when Kenneth leaves for the front. Through a series of climactic situations gripping in intensity the picture mounts steadily until the watcher is one with the characters of the play. Leslie Howard’s portrayal of Sir John is indeed an outstanding one; he might easily have allowed his part to be trite and unconvincing. As it was it proved one of the best parts in the film, with acting of a calibre seldom met with. Among the supports are the Flying Cadonas, appearing in breath-taking aerial trapeze stunts, amazing for their rhythm of movement. In addition there are two newsreels, completing a long-to-be-remembered programme. “Smilin’ Through” will be screened again to-morrow afternoon and evening.