ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1934, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

NEIV PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. FAMILY NIGHT TO-NIGHT. Will Rogers is starred in “Doctor Bull,” a delightfully whimsical comedy-drama that screens finally at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Marian Nixon, Louise Dresser- and Ralph Morgan head the supporting cast. With . his mastery over technique and his finished acting, Clive Brook always ensures the success of any picture, but when he is assisted with such talented artists as Alison Skipworth, Helen. Vinson and George Raft, then the picture is one that should not be missed. Such is “Midnight Club,” which commences a season at the New Plymouth Opera House to-morrow -at 2 and . 8 p.m. The story alone would hold the interest of any audience, for it is based on a watertight plot. It abounds in thrilling and tense moments. “Midnight Club” disguises the ingenuity of a quartet of genteel rascals, jewel thieves. For the first time in his film career, Clive Brook, the suave, the ironic, the immaculate, the humorist, is the chief villain. The plot is ingenious throughout. Whenever the four—three men and one woman (played by Helen Vinson)—in search of excitement and life, leave their club, the detectives set to watch them are foiled by the magical appearance of four others, their doubles, precisely similar in dress, mannerisms and speech. The clever way in which ‘the original quartet change places with their doubles is well worth seeing. There are hidden doors, secret signals, wily accomplices. Then when Clive Brook goes to dine with Alison Skipworth in the role of Lady Barrett-Smythe, in order to rob hep, the cross-conversation is subtly clever in the extreme—but only the audience perceive the double edge. A splendid array of shorts completes a very fine programme. EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. “EARLY TO BED.” The amusing British comedy, “Early to Bed,” which features Edmund ' Gwenn and Heather Angel will be finally screened at Everybody’s to-day at 2 and 8 p.mThe great British film “The Private Life of Henry VIII” will be the headline attraction on the new programme which commences at Everybody’s tomorrow at 2 and 8 pan. Charles Laughton, an actor whose characterisations for the screen are among the best yet witnessed, is the star. As the king, he roisters through all his scenes with schoolboy gusto, and he refuses to allow each small piece of history to become serious or insignificant. The whole tone of the picture is set by the opening scene, where a woman spectator at the execution of Anne Boleyn requests the woman in front of her to remove her hat as it obstructs her view!. From that, point on the jokes come fast and furious. The production has so many good points that one could go on describing, them indefinitely. The photography is perfect, and some of the settings are truly magnificent. Historically, everything, so far as scenery, customs and dresses are concerned, has been carried out with great attention to detail. Even the sport of falconry is introduced. To endeavour to describe the acting and general characterisation of Charles Laughton in the role of the spoiled, petulant, scheming and frequently vid-' lent-tempered monarch, would be to “gild the lily.” Suffice to say that he actually seems to live the part. To the audience he is not Charles Laughton; he is King Henry VIII. One can say no more. Of the various wives,. outstanding characterisations are given by Binnie Barnes, as the ambitious and unfaithful Katheryn Howard, and Elsa Lanchester as the undeniably plain but shrewd Anne of Cleves. The supporting programme includes “The Night Before Christmas,” Walt Disney’s newest all colour silly symphony. Patrons/ are advised to reserve at Collier’s. REGENT TO-NIGHT. “PICTURE SNATCHER.” A laughable comedy drama of the adventures of a newspaper photographer, “Picture Snatcher,” will be finally screened at The Regent to-night. James Cagney heads the all-star cast. The second chapter of “Phantom of the Air”' will be an additional feature to-night. One of the most interesting background displays of Continental life . during the World War is depicted in Universal’s dramatic screen production “Madame Spy,” which co-features Fay Wray and Nils Asther. The picture comes to the Regent Theatre to-morrow at 2. and 8 p.m. Especially built sets, cap-, turing the gay thoroughfares of Vienna and grand ballroom fanfares in Russian court life, were created for this production at a great cost to Universal, whose principal desire was to reproduce as faithfully as possible the scenes from which the picture was taken. With Karl' Freund, the director, an eminent author-' ity on European manners, custom and scenic background, it was natural that he should personally supervise the construction of all the sets. One of the outstanding highlights in the picture is the Cafe Marabu, with its intimate yet elaborately designed atmosphere. “Madame Spy” is expected to thrill and amaze audiences with its exposure of what went on behind the scenes of the last war and how a beautiful woman used her charms' to love and betray.