ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S, NEW PLYMOUTH. ••LOVER'S COURA( IEJUS.” Robert Montgomery is the. captivating star of Frederick Lonsdale s •'Lovers Courageous,” a charming new Mctio-Goklwyn-Mayer offering-' screened at Every body’s, New Plymouth, on Satinday. Admirers of Montgomery are enthusiastic over this dashing romance in which Madge Evans is the girl of hi 6 dreams. Together they made as pleasing a. romantic team as ever appeared on the screen. T«hcy evoke a ring of sincerity in their performances that is delightful. The story is an original’by the noted British playwright, Frederick Lonsdale, who penned it especially fm - Montgomery. Il is strikingly simple and real and thoroughly enjoyable. Robert Z. Leonard directed the new feature and may be credited with a beautiful piece df work. The picture is superbly mounted and the backgrounds and camera treatment are splendidly fitted to the theme. In the story Montgomery is a struggling playwright who falls in love with the daughter of an English Admiral. To break up her affair with the poor youth, the girl is hastened into a marriage with a titled 'barrister. On the eve of the weddyig she elopes with the impoverished author. Tribulations prove too great and the young husband is obliged to return her to her parents. His play becomes a success later. An excellent supporting cast includes Roland Young, Frederick Kerr, Reginald Owen and Beryl Mercer. “Lovers Courageous” will be screened again to-uight and to-morrow night with matinees each afternoon. There is a fine programme of supporting films.

THE REGENT THEATRE.

■FOX COMEDY TRIUMPH.

Sparkling with wit and exhilarating in mirth-provoking situations, “Stepping Sisters,” the hilarious Fox comedy, commenced a three-night season at The Regent, New Plymouth, on Saturday. An all-star cast romps through a series of side-splitting episodes. There is not a dull moment. Twenty years have elapsed since a trio of buxom beauties sang and danced in tights for the en* tertaihment of those who liked the burlesque shows of earlier days. Two have gone in for culture, one being the proud chatelaine of a lavish Long Island home, .while the other has 'become a noted exponent of Shakespeare. The third has persevered in burlesque and has accumulated weqlth and worldly wisdom. Their meeting at a charity fete brings gaiety tinged with embarrassment.-Al-though they recall the good old days when they were billed as the “Three Stepping Sisters,” with sentiment that is, at t-imesj almost -ribald, each continues to act the character she has created and advanced during the intervening years. The zestful and delightful portrayals of Louise Dresser, Minna Gombell and Jobyna Howland Stimulate the ensuing action to a high pitch. Among the highlights of'the production is the rehearsal for the allegory which is to he given at the benefit for homeless cats and dbgs. And let it he admitted here that nothing more laughprovoking has ever been seen and heard on the screen. William Collier sen., Howard 'Phillips and Ferdinand Munier give outstanding performances. Tlu picture was directed ‘by Seymour Felix, who has proved himself a master of comedy situations. The shorts include Fox News, ’ “Manhattan Medlpy” (travelogue), "Zanzibar” (interest) and “Bon Voyage” (comedy).

“ALEXANDER HAMILTON.”

GEORGE ARLISS IN FINE PLAY.

If. anyone doubts that the motion pit? ture will be an enduring force in entertainment, “Alexander Hamilton” will convince him. It is a happy combination of British acting and American production and a triumph for both; it is a striking development in the series of -productions presenting in a highly entertaining form great events in the history of the nations. To British acting primarily it owes its success. In “Disraeli” George Arliss was fine and in “The Englishman” and “The Millionaire” his reputation suffered nothing, but in “Alexander Hamilton” Arliss is superb. Of course the story provides the actor with a great opportunity, but still it is Arliss -who makes “Alexander Hamilton” ■the great -play it is. It is he who compels admiration for his statesmanship, his political ingenuity, his downright honesty of purpose, and he who supples the touch of sadness when his human weakness is disclosed. It is Arliss who causes a. laugh deep down with his subtle wit, his command of words and his knowledge of men. Around him are drawn a cast of notable actors, but Arliss is supreme. The play opened its season .at the New .3?ilymouth Opera House on 'Saturday night-and is bound to attract audiences

The ’War of Independence over, General Washington farewells ‘his army. Soon he.becomes President Washington and his former colonel, -Colonel Hamilton, is. his -Secretary to the Treasury. The war of arms is over, but the political warring of the disunited States has only begun. It is the years of strife over the location of -the capital and the laying of the foundations of the United States that provide the powerful story. Hamilton’s enemies attack' him with all their weapons, fair and f°nlHamilton’s Residency Bill for years is shelved by the House and his statesmanlike efforts to re-estalblish the credit of his country in the eyes of the world are defeated by self-seeking politicians. Efforts to impeach Hamilton’s honesty fail. But his foes in Parliament resort to low cunning. Hamilton’s wife is visiting England and another woman comes into the picture. Hamilton is human and he errs, placing himself in the hands of his enemies.

Hamilton’s honest confession of shame is shouted from the 'housetops. But in his hour of defeat he is greatest. Like a wounded lion he rises and defies the political world. His private life is broken but his Treasury integrity is flawless. The political leaders of the titates crowd his office after the fateful sitting of the House, and Hamilton faces then), knowing they have come to announce the failure of his Bill and to .relieve him of his office. But Hamilton’s political! intuition was wton-g. The great Washington himself arrives and .makes the astounding announcement: t-hat provides a .smashing climax to., the story. . Hamilton’s genius has. circumvented hi's short-sighted, grasping political enemies, the site of the capital is decided and one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of the United States leaves Hamilton still supreme-— in the Treasury and in his home.