ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

OPERA HOUSE.

SUCCESS OF “RAFFLES.”

Ronald Colman as that most famous of all gentleman crooks, “Raffles,” cavorts at his adventurous best in the stirring, photoplay, which commenced at the New, Plymouth Opera House' last night. Samuel Goldwyn presents this United Artists picture as a successor to “Bulldog Drummond,” in which the famous English star perpetuates his allegiance to detective thrillers. The story of Raffles’ adventures, told and retold for the last 25 years on the stage, in fiction and on the screen, has become so well known that it has made the name of. the hero a word in our everyday language. Samuel Goldwyn assigned Sidney Howard to the task of modernising these legends, to thrill this v generation as it did the last. The story, briefly, is that, of the society burglar, gentleman born and bred, who robs for adventure, not for profit. Having found the girl of his heart, he commits one last robbery, that of a diamond ' bracelet, and then swears to follow an „ upright and honest life. Grave complications develop when his best friend becomes involved in a bad cheque charge. To Raffles is presented the task of making , good the bad cheque. One last robbery is the only solution. If he fails,- Raffles knows that he will forever lose his freedom, his happiness, the girl he loves—everything. But his best friend is helpless. Raffles plunges in —- his last crime. On the thrilling story of that farewell burglary Raffles takes us through the midnight excitement of the robbery, the chase and the capture, the mystery of the fabulous Melrose necklace, a desperate thief intent upon revenge—this an even greater adventure. Then there is the gay social. swirl-—the silver and crystal finery of a dinner in the great hall of the Melrose castle, the jewelled, gorgeously-gowned throng .nt the Embassy Club, London,-and, in its reflection of England, a big league cricket match, seen on the screen for ihe first time. Kay Francis and Dayid Torrence headed the fine supporting i-ast. The shorts included British Pathe Magazine, “Barnyard Battle” (Micky Mouse Cartoon), Australian Movietone News, Audio Review,'“Sport Almanac” (Sportlight) and “Close Call” (Aesop Fable). Screenings wlll.be repeated to-night and to-morrow night.

THE REGENT.

“MAN TROUBLE” FINALLY.

“Man Trouble?’ Fox Movietone thrillin'* drama Milton Sills and will be finally screened New Plymouth, tonight.; (There is a good supporting bill.

MAURICE: CHEVALIER TO-MORROW,

Maurice Chevalier, the famous singing star, of the Parisian stage, recently seen on the screen in “Innocents of Paris” and "The Love Parade,” is starred in-a new, romantic comedy, “The Big Pond,’ which, as a Paramount picture, comes ip the Regent Theatre to-morrow night. Playing- opposite Chevalier is Claudette Colbert, who scored a decided Jut as the courageous heroine of “The Lady Lies.” The story deals with a penniless French nobleman, who, in America, attempts to mix money-making with love-making. "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me,” and “Lovin’ in the Sunlight— Lovin’ in the Moonlight,” are two songs that everyone will be humming and whistling.

EVERYBODY’S.

•AMILY NIGHT TO-NIGHT.

■The Squeaker,” the all-talking British production adapted from Edgar Wallace’s great stage success, will be finally presented at Everybody’s, New Plymouth, to-night.' Percy Marinont, Trilby Clark and Gordon Harker are the principal members of the cast. The supporting bill is good.

COMMENCING TO-MORROW NIGHT.

Marion Davies reaches new triumphs in “The Gay Nineties,” her new Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr all-talking mirthquake which commences at Everybody’s tomorrow (Wednesday) night. In the new picture, Miss Davies brings to us quaint recollections of the ’9o’s—the “good old days.” The story is endowed with a sweetness distinctly refreshing and replete with comedy . and famous old songs. .' The director, Harry Beaumont, of “Thi* Broadway Melody” fame, lives up to his high reputation and, combined with Miss Davies’ flair for originality in humour, makes one of the funniest comedies that has Been seen for many a moon. Lawrence Gray has the leading male role.