CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1935, Page 11

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

REGENT THEATREZANE GREY MYSTERY DRAMA. A thrill-filled and exciting Zane 'Grey picture, which combines murder drama with breath-taking outdoor action, ; Paramount's “Rocky Mountain Mystery” brings one of the most competent casts ever seen in this type of picture" to the Regent .Theatre where it opened on Saturday. The plot of this unusual picture centres about the murders'committed in a radium mine owned by an aged recluse. Randolph Scott, a young engineer, makes it his business to trace down the murderer, who is supposed to be a mys-t-“ious black horseman. T u the process, however,; he falls in love with the old recluse’s, niece, Ann Sheridan. As the action proceeds to its -limax. the girt is spirited away by the murderer. In the final, gripping scenes, she is' rescued b; Scott,. whc solves the puzzle of the murders and brings the criminals to justice. Charles ‘-Chic’’ Sale, as a bungling deputy sheriff, gives a performance that equals,, if not surpasses. ?nv of his prevL mis efforts. .W. C. Fields, Kathleen Howard and Baby le Roy head the cast in the associate feature, “It's a Gift.” The film is the story of hen-pecked grocery clerk i;ho inherits money and invests it in a Califorpian orange grove. Much of the ccmedy action is de l ed to the crosscountry drive to their new home. ' POWERFUL child actress. “LADDIE” AT STATE THEATRE. Admirers of Gene Stratton Porter, and their name is legion, must have.had their greatest wish gratified at the State Theatre, New Plymouth, on Saturday night when the popular novel, now more

than 60 years’, old, “Laddie,” was given pulsing life. on the screen. Superbly acted, it is directed by the hand of a genius, for. it enjoys streaming action plus an imaginative use of the camera that is seldom met these days. _ The charm of this moving drama of the Indiana farm boy Laddie Stanton and of the English ' girl “Princess” .whom ' he loved, of how this son of the soil wins her heart, and at the:'same time 1 'establishes the nobility of toil as against the nobility of blood, and of .simple, country people who : overcome the stiff-necked pride of the aristocracy is faithfully retained in the picture. Delightful threads of humour are interwoven with the tense dramatic situations and in .this ■ the powerful' seven-year- old actress, Virginia Weidler, plays the principal role as “Little Sister.” The . spontaneous applause which frequently' broke out' was a tribute to her genius. John Beak made a manly “Laddie” and Gloria Stuart a pretty and winsome “Princess.” There is a strong set of supporting films, ineluding several gazettes, 'a “Dumbell Letters,” a scenic of Ceylon and a coloured cartoon.'”" 7 NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA. HOUSE. “THE WHITE COCKATOO” SHOWING. “The White Cockatoo” kept Saturday night’s audience in the New Plymouth Opera House intensely interested as it unfolded' an-unuSual .and striking mystery drama, the solution of which was entirely beyond them. The story is of an American girl living in a cheap French hotel who learns that she has become the owner of half a great fortune. After an attempt at abdication she realises that someone is trying to steal the proofs of her identity and instinctively turns for help to an American who has just arrived, though . without telling him the whole truth. Three mysterious deaths follow and the whole affair becomes so

entangled -that the police are baffled. However, the young. American stumbles op vital clues which ' lead to - the solution of the problem. The action .-never, flags. and an ingenious? plot is capably, handled by the ’cast. .' Jean Muir as the bewildered, young' girl: is admirable, making the, part entirely: credible. Opposite her, Ricardo Cortez as 'the' traditional mystery - hero,: moderately • intelligent, courageous and ■ upright, gives ' possibly the best performance'of'his long; car-’ eer. The minor parts are true to character and well . portrayed. The good supports complete ?an entertaining programme which will be shown for two more. days. PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “AFTER OFFICE HOURS.” ' Only- in “Rio Rita” have the inimitable Wheeler and' Woolsey previously reached ti n'. entertainment standard they in f. ; . fine : comedy “Cockeyed Cavaliers,” which was.screened to a large audience at the Plaza Theatre, Stratford, on Saturday. .They were greeted with screams of laughter and entertainment-seekers would b missing a real opportunity of a . delightful evening’s -'entertainment by. not seeing the film at the final screening tonight, . Polished acting is the main characterise tic. of “After Office Hm rs,” which .will be presented at tlw .Plaza Theatre to-inor-r w? This film combines all the elements of great entertainment, romance and frequently tense drama surrounding a wonderful stram of humour. Clark Gable in the leading male role takes the part of an energetic news editor who, in attempting to -o’ -e a' murder mystery, risks his position and the serious displeasure of his fiancee. The story is set in. New York and the action is fast and always exciting, never allowing the interest to flag for a moment. Constance Bennett has-the main feminine role and good support is give by Billie Burke

..-nd-.Stuart Erwin. The film is an. achievement for the producer in that while hilarious comedy is introduced even into the most powerful scenes, dramatic ■ value is never spoilt by. anti-climax. There 'is a very interesting' supporting programme. KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. . DOUBLE PROGRAMME TO-NIGHT. , Joan Blohdell and’ Glenda Farrell, the pair who caused "explosidhs of laughter in' “Havana Widows,,”; and other pictures, again are - teamed .as . two gold-digging manicurists in -the Warner Bros.. picture, “The- Kansas City Princess,” which will be finally screened-at .the King’s Theatre, Stratford, to-night.. Four" well-known stage and screen personalities, lahtHunter, Binnie Barnes, Molly Lamont and Ralph Ince, head an impressive cast of noted players in Warner Bros. “No Escape,” which forms the second half of the double feature programme. lan Hunter plays, tfie part of Jim Brandon, a rubber planter .in Malaya, who is wrongfully accused .'of murdering his partner, Kirk Fengler (Philip Strange). He escapes, from prison and stows away on a ship bound 'for England, where he hopes to see his sweetheart. A fellow tramp, Lucky (Ralph Ince) falls victim to the dreaded Bubonic plague and dies. On arriving in England Brandon makes a dash for freedom, but a hue and cry is raised as he is believed to be a carrier of the plague germ.