ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. MATINEE 2 P.M. TO-DAY. Breathless suspense characterises “Alibi,” the enthralling murder mystery melodrama, to be shown for the first time at the Regent to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Adapted from Agatha Christie’s widely-read novel, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” it is a gripping story in which one engrossing situation follows another. The famous French detective, Hercule Poirot, whose whimsical mannerisms and astute deductions make him an engaging character, is excellently portrayed by Austin Trevor. There is also a gifted cast of supporting artists. It includes Franklyn Dyall, as an unpopular squire murdered in circumstances which at first point to suicide, and Mercia Swinburne, who brings rare grace to the part of the heroine; and Ronald Ward. The mystery of the plot has been developed logically and without any concessions to sensationalism. From the moment the celebrated French detective undertakes to solve the mystery of Sir Roger Ackroyd’s sudden death' the story progresses step- by step to the astonishing yet wholly creditable denouement. The shorts will include the opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge, “Heroes of the Flames,” chapter 4, Volga Singers, Curiosity, “Land of Enchantment (travelogue) and “Svengarlic” (cartoon). EVERYBODY’S. (MATINEE 2 P.M. TO-DAY. “Riders of the Purple Sage,” a Fox Movietone special production starring George O’Brien, will commence a season at Everybody’s to-day at the matinee at 2 p.m. and to-night at 8. The story is one of the best that ever galloped from the prolific pen of Zane Grey. O’Brien, a lone rider of the chapparral, looking for a sister who has strayed away from home many years past, comes to the ranch of Marguerite Churchill, whose grazing lands and herds of cattle are coveted by Noah Beery, venal judge and corrupt head of a Law and Order Society. O’Brien pursues Beery’s underlings when they rustle Miss Churchill’s cattle, to a secret valley whose entrance is through a waterfall, and comes on •traces of his lost sister. When he learns §he is dead he recovers her two children and pifnishes Beery in 8, very exciting sequence. Then he escapes with Miss Churchill and baffles the pursuit of the Beery faction in a manner too thrilling to spoil by revealing. A selected supporting programme will include the opening of Sydney Haibour Bridge, Fox Movietone News, “Honolulu to Havana” (travelogue)/, “Birds of the Sea” (interest), “Duffer Swings” (Johnny Farrell golf short) and “Way of All Fish” (comedy). ■ '.

OPERA HOUSE.

MATINEE 2 P.M. TO-DAY.

One of the season’s best comedies — one moment, raising the viewer’s eyebrows with its dialogue and the next pulling them down with an uproariously funny situation —is “The Virtuous Husband,” playing a return season at the Opera House to-day at 2 p.m. and tonight at 8. The story, based upon the stage bombshell, “Apron Strings,” concerns the amazing and totally unusual antics of an idealistic young husband whose mother’s letters of advice cause a highly amusing situation. Elliott Nugent, brilliant young actor, as the wrongly calculating benedict, walks on and off the screen in his character so convincingly that one very nearly forgets that he is attending a talking picture. Pert little Jean Arthur is equally well cast, and she turns in one of the most excellent portrayals of her career. Betty Compson, always capable and one of the most beautiful women in motion pictures, leaves practically nothing to be desired in her portrayal of the worldly friend of the “wronged” wife. The shorts Include Universal News, Oswald cartoon, “Let’s Play” (Slim Sqmmerville . comedy), “Duffer Swings” (Johnny Farrell golf short) and opening ceremonies of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

OPERA HOUSE, MONDAY.

”"WATERLOO BRUDGE”

Each year Universal turns out at least one great picture. A few were “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Merry Go Round,” “Show Boat,” “All Quiet,” “Seed,” “Dracula.” Into this select class place “Waterloo Bridge,” which commences a four-night season at the New Plymouth Opera House on Monday next. “Waterloo Bridge” is tremendous in dramatic power. It is subtly alluring in. its beauty and its infinite variety. It is heart-breaking in its emotional appeal. It has a great love story, one of the most unusual in modern, drama, between a girl who wanted desperately to love decently, when it was too late for ‘her to deserve it, and a boy who knew all and still would surrender the world to his heart’s cry. These two young lovers caught in love’s cross road on Waterloo Bridge in a tangle of love morals and war’s dire needs are Mae Clarke and Kent Douglass,' fine, boyish stage juvenile and coming screen star. Jam'es Whale directed it, and that alone should be an insurance of a perfect production if you saw his “Journey’s End.” Don’t miss “Waterloo Bridge.”