CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1935, Page 12

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

ARLISS IN “THE IRON DUKE.” STATE THEATRE ATTRACTION. i — 1 George Arliss gives a particularly fine performance in the title role of his first ■ British picture, “The Iron Duke,” at the 1 State Theatre, New Plymouth. Arliss ■ lends dignity and sympathy and at times ’ a pleasing humour to his portrayal of the character of the greatest of British 1 generals. Lady Frances Webster admires ! the martial- Duke and the two form a strong friendship. Madame, the daugh- ‘ ter of Marie Antoinette, with a great 1 influence 6ver the feeble Louis XVIII., uses this friendship as the basis of an intrigue which results in the publica1 tiOn of a scandal- in the St. Jude's Chronicle. However, Madame overplays her hand by causing the shooting of the popular Marshal Ney. The populace congregate rojrnd the palace and shout their ■ derision at the Bourbons. The Duke of Wellington persuades Louis to rid himself of his proud but incompetent advisers and then returns to England to defend the partition in the House of Lords. The greatest figures of the day are portrayed by a talented cast. Included in a bright supporting programme is a review of . the important happenings during the past 25 years of the reign of King George. Box plans are at Collier’s and at the theatre, telephone 843. EVERYBODY’S TO-NIGHT. CONRAD VEIDT IN “JEW SUSS.” “Jew Suss,” the brilliant picturisation of Leon Feuchtwanger’s famous novel, Will conclude at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Conrad Veicjt, Benita Hume and Sir Gerald Du Manner are featured. Two of the most popular screen artists of the day, Helen Hayes and Robert Montgomery, appear in the film “Vanessa,” which will begin at Everybody’s to-morrow at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Based on the last volume of Hugh Walpole’s saga of the Merries family, the action is set at London, and in the mountainous Cumberland region of England in the time of the romantic ’eighties, and deals with the deathless romance between Vanessa, played by Helen Hayes, and Benjie, played by Robert Montgomery. The part of Judith Paris i£ taken by May Robson, while Otto Kruger, as Vanessa’s demented husband, reaches unusual heights of artistry. The touching story is unfolded- through the apting of a uniformly high standard by a cast of 80 wellknown' players to a great climax, worthy of the high dramatic level maintained throughout. Hugh Walpole collaborated with the writing of the screen adaptation and the picture provides excellent entertainment. A fine associate programme includes 1 “Zeeland," a Fitzpatrick travel talk in colour. ' , THE REGENT THEATRE. • ’ “SOCIETY DOCTOR’’ FINALLY. “Society Doctor,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special attraction, which concludes at The Regent Theatre,'New Plymouth, to-night, is outstanding • entertainment and has attracted large audiences' to every session. Chester Morris and Billie Burke head the cast. The supports include a delightfully funny Laurel and Hardy comedy and an all-coloured cartoon. - ■ , ; . '■ ' 'r ■; ■ ■ The stirring drama “Our. Daily Bread,” which won the League of Nations’ gold medal, will have its initial presentation at The Regent Theatre to-morrow night. This distinguished picture was produced by King Vidor and has created a great impression abroad. Centring around the struggle for existence by the masses, the film touches a new level in the drama of common' life and the, touching story, with its most dramatic climax, will make an appeal to all patrons. Karen Morley and Tom Keene portray the principal roles. The supporting feature “Here’s George” is a very bright comedy-drama featuring ‘an all-star cast. NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP." . “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch,” Paramount’s picturisation of Alice Began Rice’s world-famous story, will be finally screened at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. Pauline Lord, the original stage Mrs. Wiggs, Zasu Pitts and W. C. Fields head the cast. The screen version of Charles Dickens’ immortal story “The Old Curiosity Shop” commences at the New Plymouth Opera House to-morrow at 2 and 8 p.m. The film is remarkable if only for the great pains that have been taken to ensure the preservation of the Dickens atmo-

sphere throughout, which entailed months of preliminary work before the picture actually went into production. The triumph of the film is scored -by Hay Petrie, who makes Quilp the snarling, loathsome ogr4 that tradition demands. Little Nell and her pathetic old grandfather wander through ( the film, two perfect character types. Ben Webster is ideal as the grandfather, wd little Elaine Benson acts with delightful placidity. Gibb McLaughlin gives ah excellent study as Brass, the scheming lawyer.' Other figured known to countless readers—Kit, Dick Swiveller, the Marchioness, Mrs. Jarley and Codlin and Shortflit across the screen in momentary glimpses of character, and the whole' film shows that the director, Thomas. Bentley, has all the love of Dickens necessary fo t r the making of such a film. He' has captured . the background perfectly—the days when coaches swept into town—and he has also provided some glorious • glimpses of English countryside. . ■ “LADIES SHOULD LISTEN.” ‘ COMEDY AT INGLEWOOD. The hectic and tremendously amusing love affair .between a wealthy playboy and the telephone operator in hiS hotel, who tapped his wire and trapped his heart; That, in brief, is the basic story of the farce-comedy, “Ladies. Should Listen,” coming to-morrow to the Inglewood town hall, with Cary Grant, Frances Drake, Edward EvOrett Horton, George Barbier, Nydia Westman and Charles Ray in the principal roles. The picture, directed by Frank Tuttle, who is known for his ability to turn out amusing. whimsical farces, also features Rosita Moreno, noted Spanish actress. The story presehts Cary as a wealthy bachelor, just returned to Paris with a valuable nitrate mine Concession. The object of the woman’s affections, he is doubly sought now because of his wealth;, and among the feminine suitors are Rosita Moreno, who tries to blackmail him; Nydia Westpian, millionaire nit-wit and Frances Drake, telephone operator, who loves him sincerely. Tapping his wires, site knows all about his affairs, business and otherwise, and when she tries to pave him from the grasping females, she further complicates matters. However, with the help of j Cupid and a little ingenuity, she succeeds in her plans—and eventually traps 1 his heart. A good supporting programme includes British news, Paramount variety (“The Superstition of the Black Cat”), screen novelty and cartoon (“There’s Something About a Soldier.”)