CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 12

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

“GREAT EXPECTATIONS.” FINE PICTURE AT OPERA HOUSE. The Dickens’ touch is admirably brought to the screen in the film of "Great Expectations,’’ showing at the New Plymouth Opera House at present. Those who saw it-on Saturday night saw a picture in which there was a really strong plot such as the greatest of novelists always evolved and’, though it was probably unpremeditated, a typically Dickensian character, Magwitch, dominated the story. While tire part of Magwitch, superbly played as it was, was the high light of the film it was never- allowed to obscure the charming love story of Pip, the youth with great expectations, and Stella, who was trained by her eccentric guardian to break the hearts of man. Pip’s development from a country lad; to a gentleman of the Victorian period was splendidly shown. The photography, too, was excellent and some of the scenes, particularly in tire early morning mists of the churchyard and in the murk of a Thameside night, were memorable bits of work. The technical skill and modern thought that went to the making of the picture never obtruded on Dickens’ story, the story was always the thing and the way of telling it merely a valuable adjunct. KIEPURA REPEATS HIS SUCCESS. EVERYBODY’S EXTENDED SEASON. Golden-voiced Jan Kiepura scored another phenomenal success at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, on Saturday night, when a specially extended five days’ season of “My Song For You” was begun to a house in which there was not a vacant seat. Gaumont-British Pictures’ first choice of a vehicle for bringing to the screen Kiepura’s magnificent voice was “Tell Me To-night," which has not beep forgotten by all who saw and heard it. They expected much therefore from “My Song For You,” but they were not disappointed. It is as good in every in some respects. The film is more than mere entertainment. It is a privilege to be afforded an opportunity of hearing a singer of such rare quality, whose glorious notes will linger in the mempry of theatregoers, be they musical or pot. From the screen point of view Maurice Elvey’s success as director lies in the fact that, though it would have been easy to do so and might still easily have spelt success, he has pot subordinated the story to the music. Kiepura’s voice and the power he wields over his listeners are the story, which concern the beautiful Aileen Marson, charmer of the famous singer and in turn won by his famous voice. Comedy is not lacking. It is mainly in the hands of the amazing Sonnie Hale, than whom to play the fool there could be nope better. Reginald l Smith provides humour .of a different type. Many of the settings, which range from the Riviera to the Vienna Opera House and a palatial Viennese swimming baths, are distinctly novel. Those on the Riviera .were obviously filmed op the spot. With the main picture is an interesting and varied array of shorts, Gau-mont-British News and Gaumont Mirror with their news of the day in film, and an Ideal Cinemagazine with its typical medley of interesting items.

STATE THEATRE. “MUSIC IN THE AIR,” Music, drama and frequent touches of humour combine in the picture at present showing twice daily at the State Theatre, New Plymouth, to make it a picture that can be enjoyed by everyone. “Music in the Air” has its first scene staged in the Bavarian .Alps, where' a young and handsome school teacher played by John Boles finds himself very much in love with the beautiful blonde, Gloria Swanson, daughter of a would-be composer. He later has an inspiration, and after his song has been successfully sung at. a village carnival it is decided to take it to Munich, where the composer has a well-known music-printing friend. He is accompanied by his daughter and a band of trampers, including the young school teacher. Here they meet a prima donna and her lover, June Lang and Douglas Montgomery. There is a romantic and dramatic mix-up which will hold the audience’s attention fully. Other players include such other well-known stars as Al Shean, Reginald Owen, Joseph Carthorn, Hobart Bosworth and' Jed Prout. Interwoven among the story are the musical numbers, “I’ve Told Every Little Star,” “The Song is You,” “One More Dance,” “There's a Hill Beyond a Hill” and “We Belong Together.” There is an exceptional supporting programme including “Trail of a Swordfish,” “Thrills in the Life of a Cameraman” and “Just a Clown.” THE REGENT. SPLENDID PROGRAMME. , The capacity audience which greeted the double-star programme at the Regent on Saturday night was delighted with, the entertainment offered, as there was not a single dull moment in the whole show. “Employees’ Entrance” was the first feature screened, and it presented an amazing revelation of the life of the employees of a great department store, under the harsh rule of a ruthless general manager. In tire leading roles, Warren William, Loretta Young and Wallace Ford gave portrayals that will enhance their already famous reputations. The second feature, “The Narrow Corner,” is a story of passionate love and wild adventure with a glamorous cetting in the Dutch East India Islands, inhabited aijd visited only by strange and unusual characters, people usually beyond the pale of society. It was written by Somerset Maugham, noted author of “Rain.” Douglas Fairbanks, junr., and Patricia Ellis, have the leading roles. Other important members of the cast are Ralph Bellamy,'; Reginald Owen, William V. Mong, Henry Kolker, Arthur Hohl and Wjllie Fung. Screenings will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night. PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “TWENTY MILLION SWEETHEARTS.” “Red Wagon,” the delightful drama of circus life, which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre, will be finally screened to-night Greta Nissen and Charles Bickford are in the principal roles. “Twenty Million Sweethearts” will be shown for the first time locally at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The production is a distinct innovation in film entertainment, giving as it does, the behind the scenes picture of radio entertainers and their task of pleasing the public. While the picture combines drama, comedy and romance in a well defined plot, it is interspersed with catchy songs written by Warren and Al Dubin, and other music which give it colour as well as adding to the liveliness of the entertainment. There is a strong cast of players of widely diversified talents, with Pat O'Brien in the leading role, a semi-comic part in which he plays a fast-talking though somewhat blundering talent scout for a radio company, who boosts others to fame while he himself is left out in the cold. The picture introduces a new romantic team in Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers, radio sweethearts who sing for the public and

make love privately. The Four Mills Brothers’ voices will be heard in catchy music, while Ted Fio Rito and his band play the accompaniment to one of Powell’s tuneful plays as well as individual music. KING'S THEATRE, STRATFORD. "CASE OF ’THE HOWLING DOG.” "The Case of the Howling Dog,” a thrilling mystery drama with Warren William in the principal role, will be finally screened at the King’s Theatre to-night. "The Cheyenne Kid,” a Tom Keene Western, will also be shown, and will complete a programme which won loud applause on Saturday. If a man’s fiancee suddenly declared her love for another man, and even went to live at his home, could he possibly hold her blameless? Yet this was the predicament of Gloria Stuart as the victim of a hypnotist-doctor in "The Love Captive,” the strange Universal drama which comes to the King’s Theatre to-morrow for one night only with Nils Asthei- as the evil influence. Asther has purposely captured the affections of another man’s sweetheart by placing her under a hypnotic spell, thru l ; gaining control of her actions and feelings.