CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1935, Page 11

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. "CONVENTION CITY.” A gay and amusing burlesque is “Convention City,” now showing nightly • at Everybody’s. Adolphe Menjou, Dick Powell, Guy Kibbee, Frank McHugh, Joan Blondell, Patricia Ellis and Mary Astor play the leading roles in this comedy, which reveals what happens at a business convention held at Atlantic City, the home of holiday-makers and beauty contests. The Honeywell Rubber Company is about to choose a new sales manager at a salary of £lO,OOO a year, and when Ted Kent, their Chicago representative, discovers that he and Geo. Ellerbe are the final selection for the post many things begin to happen. Kent, having arranged that Ellerbe’s nagging wife shall rush off home and leave her husband to enjoy himself, suddenly has an attack of conscience for feat that his rival will get into trouble, and the film reveals the amusing complications which come about through the efforts of the two men to straighten out the position which they have so light-heartedly entered upon. There is a splendid array of shorter films. REGENT THEATRE. “LADY BY CHOICE.” May Robson and Carole Lombard have the leading roles in “Lady By Choice,” now showing nightly at the Regent. With the pair in the leading roles, that the picture would be well worth while was a foregone conclusion. Yet the entire excellence of this screen offering was far beyond expectations. The story seemed to be made for the cast, always an indication of capable performances by every. .player and of understanding and intelligent work by the director. The performance of May Robson in her role of Patsy Patterson, an.aged derelict of the streets, is the finest this accomplished player has rendered since her Apple Annie of “Lady for a Day,” while Miss Lombard’s portrayal of the sophisticated, slightly hard-boiled Alabam, the fan dancer, is one of her best. “Lady By Choice”' tells the story of a fan daricer, who, as a publicity stunt, adopts a “mother.” The mother refuses to leave her and battles with tooth and nail to remain in her new station. Once established, she takes an active interest in her “daughter’s” affairs, both business and love, and brings both to happy and profitable conclusions. Miss Robson’s performance is' a gem. A matinee will be held to-morrow at 2 p.m.

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE.

“CHAINED” NOW SHOWING.

A small but well chosen cast went to make a pleasant entertainment in the unusual drama “Chained,” now showing at the New Plymouth Opera House. A shipping magnate (Otto Kruger), whose wife is content with mingling with the society of New York, is soon aware of his love for his secretary (Joan Crawford). While on a sea voyage the secretary meets a young South American rancher (the role being excellently portrayed by ■ Clark Gable).. The complicated position which follows gives opportunity for fine dramatic acting., A splendid associate progranune precedes the main feature, including “The Spectacle Maker” (musical revue in technicolour), Metrotone News, “Goofy Movies” (novelty), “Jungle Jitters” (cartoon) and Paramount, British News.

KING’S THEATRE.

“AFTER THE BALL” TO-NIGHT

“After the Ball,”- which commences at the King’s Theatre to-night, is a sparkling comedy of diplomats’ doings at Geneva. As a satire it is a brilliant piece of work, although it cannot, by any means, be called vindictive. Splendidly produced, “After the Ball” is a lightsome piece of work, full of bright and witty dialogue, comic situations brought about by a well-conceived story and a cast that includes Esther Ralston,

Basil Rathbone, Marie Burke, Jean Adrienne and Clifford Heatherley. It bubbles with fun, scintillates with wit, treats sophisticated comedy with a light and wholly delightful touch that skates over across of thin ice in subtle and elegant fashion. Risque it certainly is, and the theme of the story . . .a good-humoured “poke” at the League of Nations is full of humour. If only as a bright, light and witty entertainment, “After the Ball” is bound to succeed. But there will be for most people much more in it than that. It is a clever farce, and an equally clever satire. - • „ • , PLAZA THEATRE. “THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.” “The Old-Fashioned Way,” an hilarious comedy-drama of the gay nineties, which commences at the Plaza Theatre to-day, is one of .the. most .humorous comedy entertainments to be'offered during the 1935 season. It is one of those glorious entertainments which come to a close all too soon. There is an excellent cast, most of the humour coming from the

inimitable W. C. Fields, who portrays a role that is far above all expectations and his. best to date. Baby Le Roy is also prominently cast in this amusing story and further enhances his popularity with his captivating baby ways. Judith Allen is a member of the cast and by her masterful portrayal in this picture she won for herself a new fiveyear " contract with Paramount. “The Old-Fashioned V.ay” is the essence of perfect entertainment and it is certain that it will be popular while, at Stratford, Of one thing it is certain, that those, who see -it will be more than entertained and that after to-night the town will be talking about or laughing about the many hilarious situations which have been seen.