CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1935, Page 3

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “BLOSSOM TIME.” Franz Schubert lives again in th 6 person of Richard Tauber in the picture “Blossom Time,” now showing twice daily at Everybody’s Theatre. Said to be remarkably like Schubert in appearance, Tauber impersonates him with an artistic realism which leaves one with a vivid idea of the character of that illustrious composer. Schubert is shown as a genius, confident of his ability to succeed but handicapped by a natural timidity and a lack of public attention. In spite of every obstacle he achieves a musical triumph in singing his own compositions at a public recital, only to find that Vicki, the dancing master’s daughter and the object of all his affection, is more interested in a dashing dragoon, who possesses the advantage of being a count. The course of true love does not run smoothly with them until Schubert, realising his own hopelass ambition, schemes successfully to bring the two together. “Blossom Time” must be one of the greatest pictures Elstree has given to the world; whether it is Tauber’s glorious singing, Schubert’s melodious compositions, or the colourful scenes of old Vienna that make the picture great is a mattef of individual opinion. It is enough to say that the picture satisfies all tastes. The lovely Jane Baxter, with Carl Esmond, Athene Seyler, and a host of others combine in making “Blossom Time” the success it is. On the supporting programme are Pathe Pictorial Varieties, a coloured cartoon entitled “The Brave Tin Soldier," “Voyager Trails' (scenic) and the funeral of the late Archbishop Redwood. Intending patrons are urged to reserve at Collier’s.

THE REGENT THEATRE.

FINAL SCREENING.

“Long Lost Father,” starring John Barrymore, and “Son of Kong,” starring Robert Armstrong, will both be finally presented at The Regent to-night. W. C. Fields, the prince of American eccentric comedians, has the film part of his career in “The Old-Fashioned Way,” which comes to-morrow night to the Regent Theatre. Laughter spices this film throughout its entire length, and when Fields is not in action his place is being taken by Baby Le Roy, the foremost child star of recent years, who makes the big comedian his butt. The story revolves around the adventures of an unsuccessful troupe of actors led by the Great McGonigle, who leave each town Only a moment ahead of their creditors. The humour of the picture is of distinctly unusual type, the. play in which the company appears must be seen to be believed, and the teaming of Fields and Baby Le Roy is a stroke of inspiration which puts the final touch to the film. Joe Morrison, Judith Allen and Jack Mulhall are in the supporting cast, and there is some attractive singing in the production, too.

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE.

“CUP OF KINDNESS” FINALLY.

Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn head an excellent cast in “A Cup of Kindness, Ben Travers’ latest farce which will be finally screened at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Prominent American radio performers and several popular screen players appear in the gay musical film, “Twenty Million Sweethearts,” which commences at the New Plymouth Opera House tomorrow at 8 p.m. Produced by Warner Brothers, who were responsible for the “Gold Diggers of 1933” and “Footlight Parade,” this picture has an interesting and satisfying story, which allows the introduction of plenty of tuneful music and much good acting. The story tells of a radio agent’s search for talent. He discovers a promising young singer whose rather difficult rise to success provides the interest, together with much humour, in the plot. The leading role is taken by Dick Powell, whose att -active voice has already been heard in several successful musical films. In this picture he sings and acts better than ever, and gives a particularly pleasing performance. Ginger Rogers and Pat O’Brien head a good supporting cast of popular artists. O’Brien, in particular, is really good as the radio agent, and supplies most of the excellent humour which abounds in the piece. Among the radio “stars” who appear in the broadcasting scenes and who provide a varied programme of most entertaining numbers are the famous Four Mills Brothers, Ted Fiorito and his band, and the Radio

Rogues. The harmonised singing of the Mills Brothers is said to be outstanding.

STATE THEATRE.

“ONE NIGHT OF LOVE.”

With its feast of glorious singing, its charming story, and the finished acting of all its principals, the Columbia film, “One Night of Love,” which the management proudly announces as the opening programme at New Plymouth on Friday next, will undoubtedly stand out as one of the finest musical films yet shown in Taranaki. Grace Moore, the brilliant Metropolitan Grand Opera prima donna, reveals a personality which would win her an important place even withi out her voice, but the combination of beauty and charm, with thrilling singing, places her in a pre-eminent position. Nothing more unlike the traditional prima donna could be imagined than this unassuming and graceful young woman, whose acting, invested with deft touches of humour, was throughout excellent. Her previous films, “A Lady’s Morals,” and “The New Moon,” were good, but it is only in this new production that she has been given her best opportunities. It is a noteworthy feature of the film that while the music alone makes it outstanding, there is no suggestion that the story exists merely to introduce the many great operatic excerpts sung. Actually the romance of the young opera singer with the imperious maestro who has forbidden any talk of love to interrupt her strenuous training develops along whimsical and thoroughly entertaining lines.

“DISRAELI” AT THE PLAZA.

GEORGE ARLISS IN NAME PART.

The crowning achievement of Disraeli in making Queen Victoria “Empress of India” forms the conclusion of the gripping drama, “Disraeli,” to be shown at the Plaza Theatre, Stratford, to-day. It is a Warner production in which George Arliss stars, and . which because of public demand is being re-issued by the producers. For the first time in English history, a sovereign, Queen Victoria, came to a reception given by one of her Premiers. British rules of court etiquette are particularly strict and it may well be imagined what a furore it caused when Queen Victoria decided that a special compliment should be paid Disraeli at the time he made her “Empress of India” through his diplomacy. The plot oi this brilliant story revolves around Disraeli’s acquisition of the Suez Canal through buying the shares of the improvident Khedive of Egypt at a tune when Russia was attempting to acquire them. The Bank of England refused to lend Disraeli’s Government the money to buy “a ditch,” but a fellow Jew, called Meyer in the play, made the deal possible. There is an excellent supporting programme.

KING’S THEATRE.

“LEAP YEAR” 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 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 every scene, as his is the type of humour that has all the satisfying variety that 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. ,

INGLEWOOD TALKIES.

“ORIENT EXPRESS” TO-MORROW.

Unusual events do not happen only in the movies. For truth goes on being stranger than fiction. Although the characters in “Orient Express," the Fox Film to be screened at Inglewood to-morrow night, undergo strange events that change their lives in the story, incidents in their own personal careers that changed their future.- are just as extraordinary. Each can remember an unusual happening that marked a distinct turning point in his life. Heather Angel recalls the time that a blonde friend refused to dye her hair for a stage role, but recommended Miss Angel to the producer. Her hair was the right natural colour—a medium brown. Heather got the job and from that day to this s she has been an actress.