ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1934, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE TO-DAY. “THE LAST ROUND-UP.” “The Last Round-Up,” which is based on Zane Grey’s novel “The Border Legion,” has pride of place on the big change of programme which begins a season at the Regent to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Randolph Scott, Monte Blue, Barbara Adams and Fred Kohler have the leading roles in this attraction which immortalises in song and story the deeds of the hard-fighting, quick-shooting men whose home was the saddle and whose life was the open range. “The Last Round-up,” one of the most popular songs of the present time, is incorporated in the story. The featurettes include British News, Screen Song, Screen Souvenirs, “Station T.0.T.” (radio novelty), and “Just an Echo” (Bing Crosby musical). The fourth chapter of Gordon of Ghost City,” starring Buck Jones, wjll be screened at the matinee only. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. BRILLIANT MUSICAL COMEDY. One of the most outstanding casts ever assembled in a British film appears in “That’s a Good Girl,” which commences at Everybody’s Theatre to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. With bright music, spectacular scenes and a well-connected story, it is a film which definitely enhances the reputation of British productions. Jack Buchanan, who gave fine performances in “Good Night, Vienna,” “Monte Carlo” and “Yes, Mr. Brown,” is seen at his best in the principal role. The story concerns Jack Barrow, who is seriously in debt. He receives a message from his aunt in the south of France that, subject to her approval, he will be the heir to a sum of half a million pounds. As Jack has nevei- seen his aunt, it is decided that, accompanied by some of his friends, he will pay her a visit. He takes Timothy and Francis Moray, an opera singer. Francis Moray’s fiancee engages a detective to follow the party. It is found that Jack has to share his inheritance with Moya, one of his cousins. She is an attractive girl, and Francis Moray falls in love with her. The wealthy aunt fosters the romance, while Jack, fearing the consequences when Francis’ fiancee, a prima donna, hears the story, does his best to keep the two apart. Complications arise when the prima donna arrives at the same hotel and hears that the couple are to be married. The party depart in fast motor-cars, and a thrilling chase ensues. There is an unexpected climax, the film concluding on a happy note.. The supporting programme contains many items of interest, including highlights of the Melbourne Centenary. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “THE RIGHT TO ROMANCE.” The character of the woman who wins success in a profession has long been popular with film producers; and any of the pictures in which such a character has appeared might have been entitled “The Right to Romance.” But what distinguishes this film, which commences at the Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p.m., is that Ann Harding presents a credible portrait of such a woman, whereas her predecessors have generally given the impression of being orchids growing in a vegetable garden. From the moment when she first slouches wearily on to the scene, her picture of a woman doctor whose professional experience has made her a little mannish and wise beyond her years is maintained unerringly. She even manages in the opening scenes to convince the spectator that she is not merely a hard-work-ing doctor in need of a holiday, but also a woman undergoing a genuine emotional crisis; and she does this without languishing or ranting. She manages, too, at a later stage to make it appear that she enjoys the process of having “a good time” at an expensive holiday resort, ana falls really in love with the hare-brained gilded youth whom she meets there. As well, the background characters are far removed from the pasteboard figures who usually move about in the world of wealth and elegance as depicted on the screen. The producers have emphasised the contrast between the doctors world and the world of fashion and frivolity without representing the latter as inhabited entirely by sinister libertine. There is a Splendid array of shorter features.