ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT THEATRE. “PETER PAN” MATINEE TO-DAY. In order to give the children a special treat before they return to school the management of The Regent Theatre, New Plymouth, have arranged to run special matinees to-day (Tuesday), to-morrow and Thursditz, commencing at 2 p.m. daily. A carefully chosen programme will be headed by “Peter Pan,” a picturisation of Sir James Barrie’s enchanting pantomime. “Flaming Guns,” the Peter B. Kyne adventure romance starring Tom Mix, will be finally screened at The Regent to-night. There is an attractive array of short subjects. “Frisco Jenny,” which will commence a season at The Regent to-morrow (Wednesday) night, sees Ruth Chatterton triumphing again in a role similar to that in which she excelled in ’’Madame X.” The picture concerns a city and a period both rich in interesting incident, and this has been effectively drawn upon in creating a typical atmosphere round the principal character. The old Barbary Coast of San Francisco, with its underworld notoriety, is reconstructed in a picturesque manner; old Chinatown, with its secretive alleyways and sinister dwellings is seen in appropriate perspective; scenes which re-enact the chaos of the great earthquake and fire of 1906 form graphic and impressive sequences; and life in a new city raised over the ruins of an old one provides a seasoning of modem reality. These, however, are subsidiary aspects compared with Ruth Chatterton’s wonderful characterisation as Frisco Jenny. The demands of the role are arduous, but by no means beyorid her powers.

EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. “YES, MR. BROWN.” “Yes, Mr. Brown?’ the captivating musical comedy starring Jack Buchanan, will be finally screened at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Sydney Howard’s most outstanding success to date, “Night of the Garter,” will head the new programme at Everybody’s to-morrow at 2 and 8 p.m, British Dominions Films was one of the first producing companies to recognise that many a sound star player has been handicapped by weak supporting players, with the result that the artists secured to support Sydney Howard in “Night of the Garter,” are all gifted players. Included in the exceptional cast are Winifred Shotter and Elsie Randolph, who are credited with doing some of the best and most comical team work yet seen in a British picture. Then there are Connie Ediss, Marjorie Brooks, Harold French, Austin Melford, Jack Melford and Arthur Chesney, all of whom, save Miss Shotter, were associated - with Sydney Howard in the original stage presentation of the comedy, which ran for seven months at the Strand Theatre, London, and was the fun hit of the season. Features of the corned:’ are the wedding ■scene and the elaborate frocking of the ladies of the cast. Another picture on this programme is “Wings Over Africa,” a subject after the style of “With Cobham to Kivu,” which is described as being better even than that very popular film. , NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “THE SOLITAIRE MAN.” “The Solitaire Man,” which will commence at the New Plymouth Opera House to-morrow, contains all the entertainment merit that an exciting theme can give it and it. has the novelty that the greater part of the plot is revealed on a London-Paris mail aeroplane. But it takes perhaps its most absorbing interest from the splendid characterisations of the players. Herbert Marshall is cast in the role of a “gentleman” criminal. He outwits a fellow-in-crime, wins his own freedom, and, incidentally, that of certain fair conspirators. He plays with his usual accomplishment and is as suave and imperturbable as ever. The characteristic quietness of his acting retains the full quality of effectiveness. There is one interesting departure, however. He affects a more romantic demeanour, which is undeniably attractive, and waxes a little more sentimental than is usual with him. INGLEWOOD THEATRE. “IT’S A KING.” “It’s a King,” which will be shown at Inglewood to-morrow night, is a story concerning Sydney Howard as an insurance agent who during a holiday is mistaken and accepted as the king of a small republic. This picture is chockful of farcical situation of the type most suitable to Sydney Howard’s own particular type of comedy. Howard was the star of “Up for the Cup,” which production was surprisingly popular with all classes, of movie-goers, and created for him a title of being one of Britain’s greatest comedians. “It’s a King” is excellent entertainment for juvenile as well as adult audiences.