ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRIGHT COMEDY AT OPERA HOUSE.

OPENING OF “TILLIE AND GUS.”

Uproarious comedy and the unmasking of villainy were the two chief characteristics of “Tillie and Gus,” a Paramount picture which opened its New Plymouth season at the Opera House on Saturday night. Alison Skipworth, as the “missionary from China,” who certainly had a thorough working knowledge of the ways of sinners of any nationality, and her divorced husband, “Augustus Winterbottom,” who as a novice at a poker game on the train jotirney, with the aid of his spouse, cleaned up a school of sharps, were responsible for most of the fun. Miss Jacqueline Wells and Clifford Jones were the young couple whom Phinias Pratt (Clarence Wilson), had deprived of their inheritance. Last but not least, Baby Leßoy as the “king” of the young people’s home, was a host in himself. An exciting boat race keeps interest keen until the picture ends. The earlier part of the programme was also thoroughly enjoyable. It included excellent Cinesound Australian pictures, a comedy of an old veteran’s escapade and the “heroism” that brings him fame and reward". A very amusing musical sketch, “Where is that Tiger?” was another bright item, while “Hey Hey Westerner” was a study in beautiful colouring and dancing. Taken as a whole the entertainment should prove very attractive' for a holiday season. “TO THE LAST MAN.” EXCITING WESTERN FILM.. A good Western picture with plenty of shooting, fighting, hard riding and a dash of magnificent outdoor scenery to balance up ‘on the aesthetic side is a change from the usual theatre fare. Zane Grey’s tale “To the Last Man needs no introduction, to followers of the West and it met a popular reception when presented as a talking picture to a good house at The Regent on Saturday. The comparatively new Western star, Randolph Scott, played the principal part as the hero in a feuding family, while Noah Beery, whose heavy villain roles take some beating, headed the opposing faction of men who preferred to “shoot it out.” The acting of some of the lesser principals did not reach the heights, but this was overloked in the exciting interest of the film. Jack La Rue was villain-in-chief of the lesser bad' men of the picture, while Esther Ralston played the heroine. The supporting programme had some features of exceptional interest. The mountain crag , from which Albert, late King of the Belgians, fell’to his death and the spot where ,he died were shown as well as a series of the big public appeiarances of the late monarch s life. Another feature of interest was the Austrian Socialist rebellion, of which some graphic shots were thrown on the screen. There was a boisterous" Mack Sennett comedy which had as its story the adventures which befel two drunken men in a house papered with circus lion scenes. Duke Ellington and his band, famous in the United States, were heard in “Stormy Weather,” a popular piece which was cleverly illustrated. The programme will be repeated to-day and to-morrow. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. . “FLYING PLATFORM ONE.” The conception of a vast floating aerodrome in the middle of the Atlantic frequently discussed as a likely eventuality in an advanced age, has a singularly novel attraction when it materialises in “F.P. One,” the new picture now showing twice daily at Everybody s. The cryptic title arises from the abbreviated preference applied to Flying Platform One,” a mid-ocean air station visualised and created by a young engineer with advanced ideas. Around this undertaking is woven a,plot heavy with dramatic import. The romance of a great technical enterprise is" allowed, perhaps, to overshadow temporarily the attachment existing between two of the principals, but there is an-.undercurren of villainy, somewhat vague in . origin, but .terribly sinister in intent, to- provide a true element of suspense and to precipitate a climax of startling power. The acting throughout is splendid. Conrad Veidt makes the most of a principal role in which changing emotions have a dominant place; Jill Desmond makes a most engaging heroine. Leslie Fenton is a thoroughly likeable hero The enjoyment- of the programme is enhanced by the wide interest of the supporting films, which include interesting issues of Gaumont News, a diversified item in the Ideal cinemagazine “Sweet Arts,” and two-reel comedy.