LONG DRY SPELL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1934, Page 8

LONG DRY SPELL

STRATFORD’S SPRING WEATHER. LAST NOVEMBER EVEN DRIER., t The unusual number of fine, warm s days that has been experienced at Strat- ! ford during the past month has been rer marked on as phenomenal, but reference s to the records kept by Mr. A. W. Bur- , rell shows that November last year was j even drier. t Apart from that comparison the long (. spell of fine weather right through the , month, with the exception of several . wet days about a fortnight ago, certain- (. ly constitutes a record for this year. A week without rain at Stratford is not common, while two weeks of fine days r amount almost to a drought. Though the figures for the month are ’ not complete till 9 a.m. this morning, ’ the figures for the 29 days of the 30 are interesting. The total fall for the , month up till yesterday was just over 3iri, falls being recorded on eight days. Last November recorded 1.98 in on 11 days, so while there has been an increase of over an inch in quantity this November there have been three fewer wet days. The records for October show an entirely different story. October this year with its total of 11.72 in of rain over 18 days compared very unfavourably with October, 1933, during which the fall was only 3.37 in. ' Heavy clouds and the northerly wind on Thursday night indicated that the dry spell was about to break, but only .12in of rain fell through the night and dull weather yesterday morning gave place later to fleecy clouds, sunshine and more heat. EXPRESSES FOR HOLIDAYS. ~ Extra train facilities whereby Taranaki people will be able to travel to and from points along the Stratford-Main Trunk I line and from Taumarunui to Auckland | will be provided by two extra night expresses at the end of December. The express will run as usual on three nights a week but on Friday, December 21, an extra train will leave Auckland, arriving at New Plymouth on the Saturday morning. It will leave for Auckland again on Sunday, December 23. Christmas Day falls on the following Tuesday. A similar provision will be made for January 4 and 5. The express will leave Auckland on Friday, January 4, and will return from Taranaki on Saturday, January 5. KING’S THEATRE. : I 1 “I AM A FUGITIVE.” ; One of the largest casts ever assem- 1 bled for a picture will be seen at the ] King’s Theatre to-day when “I Am a ’ Fugitive From a Chain Gang” will be I shown. Paul Muni, famous stage actor, has the title role with Glenda Farrell 1 as the feminine lead, Helen Vinson, the ] ingenue, Preston Foster, David Landau, 1 Edward J. McNamara and Sheila Terry, J and other well-known players. In all 1 there are 37 important roles besides 53 ( small parts, and more than 2000 extras. The latter are used on the impressive ’ prison camp set as convict, guards, in- ( specters and civilian employees, as well 1 as in other imposing settings. The story 1 is based on the novel of Burns, who was sentenced to ten years on a chain gang ; for the theft of less than five dollars, ] who twice escaped and is still a fugi- J tive. The screen play depicts not only 1 the terrors of the fugitive’s flight from 1 bloodhounds and armed guards, his £ skulking in hiding places, but the terrors of the camp itself, with its drudgery, < its whipping post and other tortures. Be- 1 sides its succession of dramatic thrills 1 the picture reveals several daring love 1 episodes. I

. PLAZA, STRATFORD. "MURDER AT THE VANITIES.” For the first time, mystery and musical comedy are combined in the same film, "Murder at the Vanities,” which will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. This brings a refreshing novelty to the film. The “Vanities” is an annual play produced in New York by Earl Carrol, and is noted for its abundance of spectacular scenes. The story deals with two murders which are committed behind the stage. However, the manager insists that the play should continue. The evidence points to the leading man being the murderer. A detective is called, in, and he is able to solve the mystery before the end of the play. There are several beautiful scenes which are elaborately produced. Of these “The Sea of Mermaids” and “The Human Powder Box” are outstanding.- “Cocktails for Two,” “Ebony Rhapsody,” “Live and Love To-night,” and “Lovely One,” are among the tuneful songs in which the film abounds. Carl Brisson, the Continental player, makes his debut in American pictures. ELTHAM TALKIES. “CINDERELLA’S FELLA.” Marion Davies plays one of the most entertaining roles of her career in the novel musical production “Cinderella’s Fella,” showing at the Eltham Theatre to-night and Monday night. The picture, an original story from the pen of Donald Ogden Stewart, actor, humorist and playwright, is a romance of the real Hollywood, yet one spiced with catchy songs and bizarre dance ensembles which make it one of the most entertaining films of the year. Bing Crosby, noted crooner of radio and motion pictures, plays the radio crooner role opposite Miss Davies. Six jingly melodies have been created for the film by the noted composing team of Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, co-authors of the wellknown song hits “Wedding of the Painted Doll” and “The Old Woman in the Shoe.” Their new numbers, “Our Big Love Scene,” "Going Hollywood,” “We’ll Make Hay While the Sun Shines,” "Temptation,” “Cinderella’s Fella” and “After Sundown,” written exclusively for Miss Davies, promise to become very popular.