CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 2

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. JAN KIEPURA FINALLY. “My Song for You,” starring Jan Kiepura, the golden-voiced tenor of “Tell Me To-night,” will be finally screened at Everybody’s to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. As Easter is a time when the whole family delights in going to tire theatres, the management of Everybody’s has been particularly fortunate in securing a programme that has outstanding appeal for young and old alike. The inimitable English comedienne Gracie Fields makes another appearance in “Sing-As-We-Go. Until recently, Miss Fields has been han.dicapped by having rather weak plots for her stories, but on this occasion the producers engaged no less a literary personality than J. B. Priestley, to write a suitable screen play. The result is a delightful and hilarious musical comedy pervaded with the boisterous gaiety of Gracie Fields. The plot is as fast-moving as could be desired and gives ample scope for the talents of Miss Fields, who appears as a factory worker, a waitress in'a cheap boardinghouse, a bogus for-tune-teller, a disappearing lady and a human spider in a circus, a music-hall singer and a match-maker. As is usual in her films, a number of bright song numbers are introduced, new words being heard to two popular old tunes. Heading a very fine supporting cast is the charming blonde actress Dorothy Hyson, appearing as the winner of a bathing beauty contest. Playing opposite to her is John Loder, who is cast as the manager of the mill where Gracie used to work. / There Will be no pictures on Good Friday and the box plans, for Easter Saturday and Monday will be at Lester’s. STATE THEATRE. BAXTER-MYRNA LOY SATURDAY. An excellent double-feature programme will be shown at the State Theatre, New Plymouth, finally to-day. Both pictures, “The County Chairman” and “The Best Man Wins” appealed greatly to the large audience last evening. Will Rogers has one of the finest and most flavoursome roles of his career - in “The County Chairman,” a sparkling comedy. Two of the Screen’s most virile, “he-men” —Edmund Lowe and Jack Holt—are teamed for the first time in “The Best Man Wins.” It makes a rare combination. Supreme in their own elements as screen individuals known for their decivenesS, sharply etched characterisations and flashing repartee, Lowe and Holt together make the sparks fly from every scene, action and bit of powerful drama in this amazing photographic story of the hazardous, adventurous lives of deepsea divers. Commencing on Saturday is Columbia’s fine picture “Broadway Bill,” a gay, exultant and thrilling story of the sport of kings. Box plans are now open at Collier’s and at the theatre. THE REGENT THEATRE. “TUGBOAT ANNIE” FINALLY. “Tugboat Annie,” the wonderful Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer attraction co-Starring Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery, Will be finally screened at The Regent Theatre, New Plymouth, to-night. The supporting programme will be augmented to-night by a further episode of “The Vanishing Shadow.” Notable for the second appearance on the screen of the talented Russian actress Anna Sten, who will always be remembered for her performance in “Nana” and “We Live Again,” will be the Easter attraction at The Regent on Saturday (evening session only). One of the most powerful dramatic efforts presented on the screen, it is the adaptation of Tolstoi’s novel “Resurrection.” The thefne admirably suits the special talents of Rouben Mamoulian, the noted director, and he has succeeded in presenting What critics consider to'-be an emphatic and straightforward interpretation of Tolstoi’s message. Fredric March gives a convincing performance in the leading role, while all the supporting parts are taken by distinguished players. The associate programme is of a high standard and includes a Mickey Mouse cartoon, x two organlbgues, a camerathrill and travelogue. As “We Live Again” is not particularly suitable for children the management of The Regent has decided to present a special programme at the matinee sessions on Easter Saturday and Monday. The principal feature will be “Shotgun Pass,” an action-Westem starring Tim McCoy, and the supporting features will include “The Dognapper, ’ the latest Mickey Mouse cartoon, and a fur* ther gripping chapter of “The Vanishing Shadow." ' “DR. MONICA” AT OPERA HOUSE. REMARKABLE PRODUCTION. The love of two friends for one man and' the determination of each to preserve at all costs his happiness form the theme of “Dr. Monica,” the remarkable picture at present showing at the New Plymouth Opera House. The delicate manner with which the producer has handled the story makes the production, as far as pictures flavouring of the love element are concerned, a masterpiece. The difficult role of Dr. Monica Brade provides Kay Francis with an opportunity of giving one of her best performances. Warren William plays, the part of the husband, who becomes infatuated with one of his wife’s best friends. The story is as unusual as it is interesting. The climax is reached with unexpected suddenness that provides a worthy finale to a finely directed and well portrayed story. The programme will be reproduced to-night and should appeal to all women theatre-goers. Jack Hulbert, the popular comedian of “Sunshine Susie,” “Jack Ahoy” and many other successes, Is starred in “The Camels are Coming,” the special Easter attraction, which will commence at the New Plymouth Opera House on Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. The film is distinctly superior to the usual type of comedy and the story moves swiftly and abounds in incidents which are novel, amusing and totally unexpected. An excellent supporting cast includes Anna Lee, Harold Huth and Hartley Power. A special feature on the programme will be the appearance of the Roland family sextette (Viennese orchestra), who will present one of the most delightful and entertaining act that audiences could wish for. These young artists, whose ages range from 13 to 19. comprise five pretty girls and their brother Max who skilfully conducts the whole performance. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. ' “HOLLYWOOD PARTY.” At the initial screening of “Hollywood Party,” the Metro-Goldwyn all-star musical comedy sensation, which was presented at the King’s Theatre, Stratford, last night, it has again been proved that Metro-Goldwyn stands alone in providing entertainment that meets with the approval of all classes of theatregoers. Every minute of the screening outbursts of hilarious laughter were heard from everyone in the large, audience, and even after the conclusion i of the programme laughter still ruled the way. It is definitely a scream in entertainment and should be seen by evorj'one. A picture as fresh and invigorating as

an ocean breeze, arid with the tang of the salt sea spray, will be unfolded before spectators at the King’s Theatre on Saturday, where the Warner Bros, production, “Here Comes the Navy,” will be shown for the first time with James Cagney and Pat O’Brien co-starring. Warner Bros., in this refreshing production, have developed a most uiiusual plot in the picturesque background of the U.S. Navy, a plot involving the thrilling life and romantic love affairs of Uncle Sam’s virile jack-tars, afloat, ashore and in the air. The picture is characterised by clean, rollicking fun, rapid fire action, breath-taking thrills, plus glamourous romance. It was filmed for the most part aboard the giant battleship, the U.S.S. Arizona, with the entire Pacific fleet in the back-ground, a magnificent sight in itself for the company was fortunate enough to be aboard the warship just as the fleet weighed anchor and manoeuvred out of the harbour on its trip to Atlantic waters. In addition to O’Brien and Cagney, there are other prominent stars, including

Gloria Stuart, Frank McHugh and Dorothy Tree.'

PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “20 MILLION SWEETHEARTS.” After a most successful season at the Plaza Theatre, Stratford, Warner Bros, latest musical extravaganza “20 Million Sweethearts” will be finally screened tonight. It is a most entertaining picture for story, music and song and has since its New Zealand release been so heavily patronised that extended seasons have been the constant demand. Dick Powell, Pat O’Brien and Ginger Rogers are the three principals, besides the addition of a particularly powerful supporting cast. Two distinct themes are contained in the intensely dramatic film, “Imitation of Life,” which will have its initial screening at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday. Acclaimed as one of the most powerful and moving dramas to be seen for some time, the picture is one which should

stir the emotions and- strike a responsive chord in the minds of any audience. The main theme is that of a negrfiss whose child is almost white. The latter rebels against inclusion in the native race, and finally scorns to recognise her mother. Another human problem is that of a young widow whose daughter falls in love with the man to Whom she is married. The story, which is adapted from a novel of the same name by Fanny Hurst, is one demanding fine appreciation of its variations of light and shade and to do justice to its intensely human pathos it calls for outstanding acting from the cast. In her first modern .role for some time, Claudette Colbert is given full scope for her ability and is said to give a performance which is notable for its sincerity and depth of feeling. Other prominent parts are taken by Warren William, Ned Sparks, Rochelle Hudson and Alan Hale. ■j \ INGLEWOOD TALKIES. DOUBLE STAR PROGRAMME. An over-confident actor or actress never gets anywhere. That is *the belief of Stuart Walker, motion picture director for Paramount, whose latest picture, “White Woman,” will show at the Inglewood town hall to-day. Walker has produced and directed American stage plays for years. Walker’s new picture, “White Woman,” features Charles Laughtoq, Carole Lombard, Charles Bickford and Kent Taylor. It is a story of the Malay jungles and of s a beautiful girl. Tom Mix is again galloping in for a whirlwind Writ, with his saddle bags packed fulW'of action and thrills and laughs. The'picture is “Flaming Guns.” First of all, Tom brings with him Tony Junior, successor to Tony, who has been retired permanently from the screen. Next, he will show how to capture two gangs of outlaws single-handed, how to elope' to Mexico with every law officer in California after him, how to vanquish an irate father-in-law, and how to use a cattle stampede to his own advantage. At the start of the picture he will introduce Ruth Hall, 19-year-old Tampa, Florida brunette, his 71st leading lady. He brings back to the screen in “Flaming Guns” two internationally known veterans of the screen making gallant comebacks—William Famum and George Hackathorne. Farnum was once Hollywood’s greatest leading man, and Hackathorns its finest juvenile character actor.