ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “SECRET OF MADAME BLANCHE." “The Secret of Madame Blanche,” a new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film with Irene Dunne heading a stellar cast, will be the feature attraction at the New Plymouth Opera House for the next three days commencing this evening. The story, which covers a period of 30 years, first presents Miss Dunne as a member of a prominent musical show. The production is taken in England and the show girl marries a titled young blade who subsequently becomes involved in a series of complications and commits suicide. The young widow is left with a baby son, but she soon loses him, too, for the unsympathetic father-in-law takes the child away from her by process of law. ./Then comes a period of wandering about the capitals of Europe until the time of the World War, when she unexpectedly finds her son during a cafe brawl. A man is killed in the fracas, and to shield her son Miss Dunne shoulders the bfeme without revealing her identity. An unexpected turn brings the story to a powerful conclusion. Lionel Atwill plays the role of the bitter father-in-law and Phillips Holmes is cast as the young Englishman who commits suicide. Other players include Una Merkel, Douglas Walton, C. Henry Gordon, Jean Parker and Mitchell Lewis. The supporting programme is composed of a very laughable Charley Chase comedy entitled “Girl Grief,” and two intensely interesting News reels. REGENT THEATRE TO-NIGHT. ’ CHANGE OF PROGRAMME. Edward G. Rbbinson, the great character actor, appears in what is said to be his greatest role in “Silver Dollar,” which heads the new programme at The Regent, New Plymouth, to-night. The picture is based on the novel by David Karsner, which delves into the life stories of the pioneers and adventurers who swarmed the mining -camps of Colorado during the richest silver strike in the history of the world. The central figure is that of Yates Martin, who struggled, through days of starvation as a. prospector to rise to fame as the richest of the millionaires after he struck “pay dirt.” Edward G. Robinson plays the part of this silver king, who slapped a dry president on the back and asked him to have a drink, ruled a State Legislature in a bar-room to the popping of champagne corks,, embarrassed General Grant by making such a disturbance in his own bpera house the prima donna quit in a huff, and scandalised a nation with his diyorce and re-marriage. Other picturesque personages include the horde of adventurers of . the. mining camps, the gambling’ rooms, dance halls and political forums. Bebe Daniels has the leading feminine role opposite Robinson, that of the second wife of the silver king, while Aline MacMahon plays the part of the first wife whom he deserted for the younger and more beautiful woman. The subordinate programme will include ■ “Mediterranean Byways” (travel), “Trouble Indemity” (featurette), “Hollywood on Parade” (revue), “Betty Boop’s President” (cartoon), and “Rambling Around Radio Row” (novelty). EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. “LOVE ON WHEELS.” “Love on Wheels,” the British production starring the irrepressible Jack Hulbert, of “Sunshine Susie” fame, will be finally screened at Everybody’s (all-Bri-tish) New Plymouth Theatre to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Gordon Harker, the popular Cockney comedian,and Leonora Corbett, a fascinating newcomer, play the principal supporting roles. COMMENCING TO-MORROW. “Insult,” the sensational Apollo Theatre, London, success, will commence a two-day season at Everybody’s tomorrow at 2 and 7.45 p.m. The stage play, which made an instantaneous hit in New York and London, was written by the Dutch playwright, Jan Fabricius. It is a dramatic story of life among a handful of whites in a lonely empire outpost. The author was for several years in an out of the way colonial garrison, and . has introduced into the play a number of authentic ’ touches based on knowledge acquired during his long exile. In the stage play there was only one woman in the entire cast, but the plot has been revised for film purposes so that a bigger element of feminine interest has ben introduced. The cast includes Elizabeth Allan, Hugh Williams, John Gielgud, Sam Livesey, Sidney Fairbrother and Abraham Sofaer, NEW THEATRE, OPUNAKE. ‘‘STEPPING SISTERS.” “Stepping Sisters,” the Fox comedy, will open its two-night engagement at the New Theatre, Opunake, to-night. It is a farce for vigorously real comedians and Louise Dresser, Minna Gombell and Jobyna Howland more than fill the bill. The plot reveals them as old-time amazons of the burlesque show chorus, re-assembled by chance, at the home of one of their number who now reigns as queen of a sumptuous Long Island mansion. They hold a rowdy re-union, one of them gets tipsy and the charity entertainment for the benefit of homeless cats and dogs is broken up by the ensuing ribaldry. These roles are portrayed with gusto and undaunted emphasis by Miss Dresser, Miss Gombell and Miss Howland, all experts. Other members of the cast who contribute to the fun are William Collier senr., Howard Phillips, Ferdinand Munier, Stanley Smith, Barbara Weeks, Mary Forbes and Robert Greig. Among the highlights of the production is the rehearsal for the allegory, the big feature of the charity fete. It is doubtful whether anything more laugh-producing has been seen and heard on the screen in many a month.