ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S. ( “THE FIRST YEAR.” Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, famed as the screen’s most celebrated sweethearts, will be seen at Everybody’s Theatre this afternoon and to-night living the glad days and sad ones of newlyweds. The picture, Fox version of Frank Craven’s famous comedy drama, is “The First Year,” directed by William K. Howard. As a suitor, Charlie appeals to Janet as a thoroughly reliable, ambitious young business map, but as a husband, she thinks he lacks the imagination and enthusiasm necessary for success. Disillusionment turns to discontent, then the trials of “The First Year” become greater than the joys. “The First Year” promises a new Janet. Petite and piquant as ever, she has forsworn the pathetic for the postive in her characterisation. With a new hair dress, with smart modern frocks, she is said to bring an entirely fresh and inspiring portrayal to the screen in this joyful screen entertainment. Farrell, too, is different. He will be seen as an ambitious young business man, harassed, it is true, by the difficulties of becoming established in a strange town, but on the whole a capable, energetic young fellow out to prove that he can make his way in tl)e world.. Among the supporting players of “The First Year” are Minna. Gombell, seen in a hilarious comedy role, Leila Bennett, Dudley, Digges, Robert McWade, George Meeker, Maude Ebume and Henry Kolker, all of whom portray important parts suited, to their capabilities. “The First Year” will be supported by a special variety of featurettes . including “Mickey the Mouse” in “Mickey Cuts Up,” a clever new cartoon. Intending patrons are advised to reserve for this evening. •

REGENT THEATRE.

MATINEE 2 P.M. TO-DAY. Universal’s thrill-vending, police picture, “Radio Patrol,” will head at brilliant week-end programme screening at The Regent to-day at 2 and 8 p.jn. This swift moving story is one of tense suspense and rapid action, although love element is strong throughout its colourful sequences. It deals with two radio patrol officers who love the same girl. The one who wins her is the weakling whose entanglements with the underworld result in a series of dangerous crises which lead up'to the gripping climax of the story, providing ■ Radio Patrol” with last minute thrills which give this picture a unique place on the screen. Robert Armstrong, popular actor of unusual talent, is welcome back to the local screen in one of the featured masculine roles of the picture, with the sensational' Russell Hopton seen in the other. Lila Lee, whose reputation, as a dramatic, r.etress grows with each of her successful screen portrayals, is seen in the featured feminine lead, providing the love interest in a very satisfactory mariner to say the least. It is the first picture for Lila Lee in two years . and ■ forms a; triumphant return for his splendid artiste. ■ “Radio Patrol” includes in its supporting cast June Clyde,. Andy Devine, Onslow Stevens, Harry .Woods, Sidney Toler and John Lester Johnson, ■ who give real-life performances. which enhance the realis--tic effect of this exciting sceen story. The supporting programme will include Universal News, “Catnipped” (Oswald cartoon), Universal ' News, “Doctor’s Orders” (tw.o reel comedy), and the seventh episode of “Detective Llody.”

"AIR MAIL” DRAMA.

PICTURE PLAY AT OPERA HOUSE. “The mail goes through!” Like a prophecy of the time when New Plymouth will be the New Zealand terminal of some great Australian-New. Zealand air service, these words were repeatedly used in the dialogue of the thrilling Universal Films production “Air Mail,” which opened a season at the New Plymouth Opera House yesterday. Colour to such an illustration is lent by the fact that “Air Mail” was brought over from Sydriey by Mr. Jack Percival, a passenger on the Southern Cross on Wednesday. ' •■' The courage, skill and intrepid flying it takes to make this motto of the air mail. fleet good provides the thrilling theme of the great aviation classic, “Air Mail.” here have been aviation pictures before, but none that have presented the story of the unsung heroes of the government.mail as “Air Mail” does. One of the most esseritially dramatic phases of -flying, the air mail provides a. substantial, gripping- and romantic theme around which has been woven a very human story of devotion to duty and sacrifice with characters that live on the screen. Action, thrills, sustained suspense, believable romance and story interest combine to make “Air Mail” a departure from.the ordinary.run of movie fare.. ■ . • .

Photographically, the production is excellent, and the story is a really good one. It concerns, a group of mail pilots stationed in an isolated desert airport, whose job is to relay the mail through treacherous mountain passes tp the coast beyond. With a storm raging, those who attempt the passage go to a certain death, leaving only the airport chief and his ace flyer, a “cocky,” unruly soldier of fortune, to put through the mail. Here personal conflict enters, and the rebellion of the act pilot provides one of the most dramatically intense moments of any recent screen play. Ralph Bellamy as the virile airport chief is perfectly cast and carries off his role with the most finished performance of his career. Pat O’Brien was never more arrogantly self-confident as the dare-devil “Duke.” Slim Summei-ville lends his able comedy touch and Gloria Stuart and Lilian Bond provide two interesting and entirely opposite types of feminine charm.