ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT TO-DAY. FAY WRAY AS “MADAME SPY.” “Madame Spy,” which heads the new programme at the Regent to-day at 2 and 8 p.m., will hold you spellbound with its daring intrigue. It discloses the machinations and inner workings of an international ’ espionage system. Two powerful countries, pitted against-each other, grasping at every* l advantage, and both. fates in the seductive palm of a beautiful woman. Love! Honour! Duty! These thre®'- underlying motives rule and sway the 1 emotions of Madame Spy, a girl who / thought she. could forget that she was but a woman. It packs a punch as great as. any howitzer. Can a woman place love of country over that of a man and get away with it? Is duty greater than, love? These and other searing questions, coursing through the hot veins of the young and beautiful Russian girl, whom destiny double-crossed, are answered with blood' and fire. Headed by an exceptionally- strong cast, with Fay Wray and Nils Asther toppjng the list, the supporting players include such established -and sterling screen names as Edward : Arnold,. John Miljan, Noah Beery, David Torrence, Vince Barnett and Rollo Lloyd. The shorts include Universal News, Oswald cartoon, “Strange as it Seems,” and ‘“Palsie, Walsie,” two reel comedy. The second chapter of “The"'Phantom of the Air” will be an additional feature at the matiriee only. EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. ‘THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VUL’ The amorous adventures of a king who won the title of the Bluebeard of kings because of his six wives, two of whom he had beheaded, is depicted, humorously, in “The Private Life of Henry VIH,” which commences at Everybody’s to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Charles Laughton, who in less than two years and with only six roles op the screen has risen to a peak which; places him where he is discussed as “greater than Jannings,” plays Henry VIII., King of England. As written by Lajos Biro and Arthur Wimperis, the story of Henry the man rather than Henry the monarch and England’s greatest king. In comparison one chronicler has said of Henry VIII. all who have since sat on the English throne are pygmies. This notable film—notable for its excellence of entertainment, acting and production—is a clever satire on the Tudor Court of the 16th century and should be seen by every entertainment lover. Supporting Mr. Laughton, excellent as Henry VIII. in his merriest moods, are such capable players as Merle Oberon as Anne Boleyn and Binnie Barnes as Katheryn Howard, two wives who lost their heads; Elsa Lanchester as Ann of Cleves,’ the bride who played cards all night with the King; Wendy Barrie as the girlish Jane Seymour; Lady Tree as the old nurse; Robert Donat as Katheryn’s lover, and Franklin Dyall as the grim Cromwell. Many of the exterior scenes for “The Private Life of Henry VIII.” were made at Hatfield House, for it was there that the Princess Mary and Elizabeth and the little Prince Edward, afterward Edward IV., spent their childhood; Their apartments in the old palace are still in a wonderful state of preservation. The effectiveness of the picture is greatly enhanced by the superb settings designed by Vincent Korda, and the clever photographic effects achieved by Georges Perinal. A fine associate programme includes “The Night Before Xmas,” Walt Disney’s latest Silly Symphony, in gorgeous technicolour.

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “MIDNIGHT CLUB.” Paramount’s picturisation of E. Phillips Oppenheim’s “Midnight Club,” melodramatic story of an American detective's attempt to break up a London jewel theft ring, commences at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p.m., with Clive Brook, George Raft, Alison Skipworth and Helen Vinson in featured roles. Clive Brook, suave and courteous; George Raft, sinister but romantic; Alison Skipworth, sharp-tongued and short-tem-pered; and Helen Vinson, beauteous and alluring, give a screen combination seldom. offered and supply a truly grand entertainment. Brook plays the role of the leader of a band of society jewel thieves. Raft is an American detective summoned to London by Scotland Yard. Action of the picture centres around the

supper club which the gang uses as a “blind” for its operations. Raft meets them here, posing as a thief himself. They are unimpressed—until, on two successive occasions he arrives at the scene of the crime first and leaves them nothing for their trouble but empty safes. Then they decide to take him into their organisation. Raft thinks his plans are going along perfectly and expects to amass his evidence quickly. But soon he finds himself deeply in love with Miss Vinson. The events that follow lead the picture to a startling climax. The exceptional supporting programme includes Sir Harry Lauder singing popular songs, I British Sound News, Paramount Pictorial, “When Tuba Plays the Rumba on the Tuba” (screen song).