CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1935, Page 14

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

THE REGENT THEATRE. “LONG LOST FATHER.” The screen turns to an interesting comedy-drama picturisation of a prodigal parent in “Long Lost Father,” now showing nightly at the Regent, with Helen Chandler and John Barrymore in the leading roles. G. B. Stem, popular author, wrote “Long Lost Father.” The story concerns the activities of the suave Carl Bellairs, who attempts to resume his parental duties to a grown daughter, after not seeing her for 20 years.- When he does meet Lindsey Lane, his daughter, he only learns that she hates him more than any other man on earth for deserting her and her mother when she was an infant. The “Long Lost Father” now has some unusual experiences when he starts to impress the daughter with his parental love. Thrilling entertainment is provided in “Son of Kong,” which supports “Long Lost Father.” Like its popular predecessor, “King Kong,” the picture is notable for its excellent production and camera technique, and has created a dramatic atmosphere which raises it high above the commonplace. Robert Armstrong and Helen Mack head the cast, NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. "A CUP OF KINDNESS.” Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn with their associate author, Ben Travers, have established a definite reputation with their highly popular brand of farce-comedy, and “A Cup of Kindness,” their latest effort, which was screened to a large and appreciative audience at the New Plymouth, Opera House on Saturday, night, is cast in the same happy, hilarious mould. Of their current vehicle it is to be noted that the theme—the snobbish conceit of suburbia—provides a rather more substantial groundwork on which to work. Full advantage is taken of this, not only in broadening the comedy field and giving the plot more body, but in sounding a more definite and more charming romantic note. The story, concerned with the enmity between two suburban families, is filled with complications which lead to riotous fun, with dialogue witty in the extreme. The snobbery of the suburbs has been a theme for many pens, but none cleverer than that of Ben Travers. The Tutts consider the Ramsbottoms inferior beings and their reaction when one of the younger Tutts woos a girl of the Ramsbottom family leads to many complications which bring in their train happy laughter. The Tutts are represented by Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Claude Hulbert and Eva Moore, the Ramsbottoms by Robertson Hare, Marie Wright, Dorothy Hyson and Gordon James. Screenings will be repeated to-night and finally to-morrow at 2 and 8 p.m. KING’S THEATRE. DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAMME. “Scarlet River” and “Parachute Jumper,” an unusually entertaining double feature programme, was responsible for a particularly large audience at King’s Theatre on Saturday. “Scarlet River” is a thrilling Western ’drama, full of action and tense situations, and has in the principal role the new western hero Tom Keene. “Parachute Jumper” is headed by Douglas Fairbanks, junr., and Glenda Farrell. Both these attractions will be finally screened to-night. “Leap Year,” the long-awaited. Tom Walls comedy, will reach the King’s Theatre, Stratford, to-night, and, judging by its reputation, it fulfils all predictions that the movie critics made for it as being one of the biggest laughter hits of the year. Without his famous partner in comedy, Ralph Lynn, it is demonstrated that Walls loses none of his grip upon the comedy of situation and sequence. Indeed, it is refreshing to see Walls dominating eveiy scene, as his is the type 6f humour that has all the satisfying variety which makes one want to see and hear more of him. The picture abounds in typical Wallsian situations, which, as it can be imagined, lead to many laughable and intriguing developments. i '

PLAZA THEATRE. LAST NIGHT OF “CHAINED.” One of the finest motion pictures to be presented on the screen for some time is “Chained,” the Clark Gable—Joan Crawford comedy-romance which attracted large audiences to the Plaza Theatre at both sessions on Saturday. Otto Kruger and Stuart Erwin are also in the cast. “Chained” will be finally screened tonight at 8 pan. The return engagement of Warner Bros.’ “Disraeli,” starring George Arliss, which starts at the Plaza Theatre to-mor-row, recalls to mind some very astonishing facts about the records made by this picture during its first showing in 1929. In that year it played 1687 days, in theatres around the globe. It was voted by 192 famous critics as the greatest screen drama of its time. It was shown in more than 29,000 separate motion picture houses. More than 170,000,000 people, speaking 24 different languages, have seen and cheered George Arliss’ splendid performance in “Disraeli.” And on the strength of these records and also the current film fame of George Arliss, the * Warner Bros, firm has wisely decided to re-issue “Disraeli” to all the theatres that played it three years ago. In addition to the star, “Disraeli” features such prominent screen personalities as Joan Bennett, Anthony Bushell, Ivan Simpson and David Torrence.