STRATFORD PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 20 (Supplement)

STRATFORD PROGRAMMES

THE WEEK’S ATTRACTIONS. PLAZA THEATRE. To-day and Monday: “Murder at the Vanities,” Carl Brisson, Kitty Carlisle, Victor McLaglen and Jack Oakie. Tuesday and Wednesday: “Walls of Gold,” Sally Eilers, Norman Foster and Ralph Morgan. Thursday and Friday: “Dancing Lady,” Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, May Robson, Winnie Lightner and Franchot Tone. KING’S THEATRE. To-day and Monday: “I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang,” Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinsen and Sheila Terry.

GLENDA FARRELL LEADS SPECTACULAR SCREEN PLAY. Glenda Farrell who plays the feminine lead opposite Paul Muni in “I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang” which opens at the King’s Theatre to-day, entered pictures after a successful stage career. This spectacular screen play is based on the autobiographical novel of Robert E. Burns, who was sentenced to a chain gang for the theft of less than five dollars. It carries a glamorous touch of strange and unusual loves, besides its many thrills and startling episodes in a prison camp.

The play was adapted by Sheridan Gibney and Brown Holmes and carries one of the largest casts of any picture produced, there being 37 important roles, 53 “bit” parts, with more than 2000 in the various scenes. Paul Muni who left New York’s stage success, “Counsellor at Law,” to play the role in the picture gives an unforgettable characterisation under direction of Mervyn Le Roy. SPLENDID SPECTACLE FINE CAST IN “DANCING LADY.” “Dancing Lady,” which opens at the Plaza Theatre next Thursday is bound to' skyrocket Joan Crawford and Clark Gable to new heights. Here is a picture with spectacle and splendour never nefore attempted. First you have one of the finest casts ever assembled—Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, May Robson, Winnie Lightner, Fred Astaire, Robert Benchley, Ted Healy and his stooges. Next you have a tensely dramatic story that would make a great picture without its extravagant musical background. Then you have the most pretentious production numbers ever staged, with three hundred glorious beauties to enhance these settings. And the dancing—particularly Miss Crawford’s routines with the world-famed Fred Astaire —is something to rave about, and the brilliant ensemble work and presentation of the musical numbers sets a new height for spectacular, eye-filling and luxurious film entertainment. CATCHY SINGING MURDER MYSTERY AND MUSIC. Sam Coslow and Arthur Johnson, co-authors of dozens of hits Bing Crosby made famous, have written six new songs for Paramount’s production of Earl Carroll’s' “Murder at the Vanities,” which comes to the Plaza Theatre to-day. The picture tells the story of a series of mysterious murders which take place back-stage in a New York theatre on the opening night of Earl Carroll’s “Vanities.” Despite the excitement, however, the show goes on. The film audience sees the “Vanities” show on one side of the curtain and is also witness to the solution of the dramatic murders backstage. Carl Brisson, sensational star of the London and European stage and screen, makes his Hollywood debut in this picture. Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra are also featured. Victor McLaglen and Jack Oakie are entrusted with the comedy roles. Ex-Master-of-Cercmony. Bruce Cabot, romantic young actor, was acting as master of ceremonies in a Hollywood night club when he was first offered a motion picture contract.