CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 5

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. “GOLD DIGGERS OF 1935.” “Gold Diggers of 1935” which commences at the New Plymouth Opera House to-day at 2 and 8 p,m, has the advantage over the usual musical comedy production—the story is one of the chief attractions in it. That is, the entertainment is not left to depend for its success on the brightness of the songs, the splendour of the frocking, or the lavishness of the settings. The story is amusing and entertaining, as Dick Powell, Gloria Stuart, Adolphe Menjou, and Alice Bfady well make it. The stars are as bright as ever as musical comedy makers and they are very well supported by Hugh Herbert. Frafik McHugh and Glenda Farrell. The story is of the daughter of an extremely wealthy American woman and a young medical student who spends his vacation working as chief clerk in America’s best and most popular hotel. To this hotel come the American woman, her son, and her daughter (Alice Brady, Frank McHugh, and Gloria Stuart), hundreds of holidaymakers, and - the famous Russian producer, Nicholeff (Adolphe Menjou). The millionairess gives an annual charity revue; arrangemerfts are made for the Russian producer to direct the'latest one. Dick Powell as the medical studentclerk- has many opportunities to entertain the charming Gloria Stuart and his. audience when he takes the leading part in the lavishly-produced charity revue. The excellent dancing and the staging of this production are in the best and grandest film-land tradition. The piano ballet in which dozens of pianos move as they are played in perfect time and with ballet variation—is one of the most spectacular stage-productions the pic-ture-goer could wish to see on the screen. The associate programme includes “The Niblick and Bunkers” (Bobby Jones golf featurette), “A. and P. Gypsies” (musical novelty) and “Vaudeville” (a complete vaudeville show). EVERYBODY’S TO-DAY. “WEST POINT OF THE AIR.” The “Hell Divers” are in the Army now. Wallace' Beery as the gruff, softhearted “non-com.” of Uncle Sam’s flying forces in “West Point of the Air, the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer hit, brings to the screen the same brand of thrills that shattered box office records throughout the country in 1 “Hell Divers.” This thriller of the skies which commences at Everybody’s to-day at 2 and 7.45 p,m, was made to order for Beery, giving him one of the best and most lovable roles he has ever portrayed. Not only is the picture packed with thrills, but it boasts one of the most delightful romances on record as well as one of the most touching father-and-son dramas the screen has ever seen. Such scenes as 100 daring flyers leaping from planes in parachutes simultaneously, Beery changing from one plane to another to save his son from a certain crash, hundreds of planes in unique formation and other such thrills among the clouds have had all who have seen the picture sitting on the edge of their seats. The supporting cast, too, wins its share of praise. Maureen O’Sullivan, gives a sterling performance that lifts her to the edge of stardom. Robert Young, after a year of exceptionally successful attractions, tops all his previous performances in the romantic v lead opposite the charming Irish actrdss. James Gleason, as the hard-, boiled pal 'of Henry, gives the kind of performance that first made him a star of the New York stage in “Is Zat So?” ' Lewis Stone, Rosiland" Russell, Russell Hardie, Henry Wadsworth,-Robert Taylor, Robert Livingstone, Frank ■ Conroy and others in the supporting cast are equally effective in their respective roles. A first class supporting, programme includes Metrotone News, '“Boskb’s Parlour Tricks” (musical coloured cartoon), “Opened by Mistake” 'Patsy KellyThelma Todd comedy) and “Thrice Knaves and a Queen” the final of the Ely Clubertson contract bridge. Wing Commander T. Wilkes (Director of Aviation), air pilots and members of the Wellington Aero Club attended a private screening of “West Point of the Air” at the De Luxe Theatre, Wellington, and the opinion was expressed that this was the finest aviation picture yet seen. Among those present was Harold Gatty, the well known aviator who flew round the world with Wiley Post in 1931. Asked for a few words, Mr. Gatty said that he -happened to be acting as an instructor at Randolph Field when “West • Point of the Air” was taken, but this was the first opportunity he had had of seeing it. He considered that pictures such as this were valuable from an educational point of view. . 1. REGENT TO-DAY. “ONE EXCITING ADVENTURE.” < Barnes, Paul Cavanagh, Neil Hamilton and many other favourites are featured in “One Exciting Adventure” which comes to the Regent Theatre today at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Rated by the critics as “outstanding entertainment” it ‘is one of those intriguing yams centring about a half dozen interesting people whose tragedies and joys provide one of the most engrossing plots that has been brought to the screen. Miss Barnes, who attained fame in “Henry VIII” and Douglas Fairbanks’ “Private Life of Don Juan” before being brought to Hollywood for. an American career, enacts the role of one of the most beautiful and sought' after women in the colourful capitals of the Continent. Men mean nothing to her; diamonds every- . thing. She has no trouble resisting one ’ but can’t keep her hands off glittering •’gems. Her life is serene and successful ■until she meets Neil after Paul has followed her over half the world without "making an impression. With Neil showing almost an insulting disinterest, she forsakes her pursuit of diamonds and begins on him. A well-balanced support- ’ ing programme includes Universal News, “Spring in the Park” (cartoon) “Going 'Places” (travelogue), Cinesound Revue ; and a two reel Mentone musical comedy. The eighth episode of “The Red Rider” ■will be screened at the matinee only. STATE THEATRE. "UNDER THE PAMPAS MOON.” * Warner Baxter will add much to his great popularity, through his performance in “Under The Pampas Moon, X me „cln g at the State Tteatre. Nw PlXuth. to-day. “Under Pampas Moon recalls to memory his former sensational successes m th e . recordbreaking films “The Cisco Kid and "In Old Arizona.” The story of “Under The Pampas Moon” is absorbing, and its action is always fast. Baxter appears as an Argentine gaucho, the picturesque cowboy of South America in whose veins flows a mixture of Spanish and Indian blood, and whose habits are crossed between those of a raiding bandit and a plainsman. A charming romance is woven into some very beautiful backgrounds of scenic photography embracing the life on the pampas. Warner Baxter, the uncrowned king of the village, has one great .love, his horse, and uncountable “affaires.” The

forced landing of an aeroplane on the pampas and the rescue of the passengers by the horsemen results in a series of exciting events in which a beautiful blonde, played by the French, actress Ketti Gallian, plays an important part. The theft of his steed by one of the aeroplane party, who sees money-making possibilities in its fleetness of foot, takes him to Buenos Aires. Here he again meets his friends of the aeroplane, and there ensues a struggle for the heart his of the blonde and the possession of his steed. Lew Pollock and Paul Webster, whose “Two Cigarettes in the Dark” swept the country last year, prepared the song numbers for the production, some of which are sung by Warner Baxter and Ketti Gallian. Veloz and Yolanda dance their new sensational “Cobra Tango.” The supporting programme is interesting and varied. PLAZA THEATRE STRATFORD. “CLIVE OF INDIA” TO-DAY. One of the most romantic stories of history, the life of Robert Clive, has been brought to the screen in the memorable film to commence a Stratford season at the Plaza Theatre to-day in “Clive of India.” The film is excellent history, there being no attempt to gain added effect by interfering - with the drama inherent to the theme. The magnificent performance of Ronald Colman in the title-role places this artist among the exclusive band of great character actors. With real artistry he brings all the changing aspects of Clive’s peculiar temperament vividly to life—his impetuosity as a clerk in the East India Company, his brazen assumption of command of the army when the outlook for Britain was blackest, his retirement to a quiet life in England, the qualifies of statesmanship he displayed on his return to India to repair the damage done in his absence, and finally his bearing during his impreachment for corruption. The film has great advantages over the successful stage play of the same name in that added power is gained by the wonderful scenes

of the Black Hole of Calcutta and the momentous Battle of Plassey. Interwoven with the story of Clive’s public life is the almost tragic narrative of his private affairs. Loretta Young, as the wife who sees her husband stolen from her by an ideal of service, is particularly impressive. It is a powerful picture and produced on a scale worthy of the subject. Other important artists in an enormous cast are C. Aubrey Smith and Colin Clive. The main attraction on the fine supporting programme is the latest Walt Disney creation, “The Band Concert,” which is a coloured Mickey Mouse cartoon. KING’S THEATRE. “IT’S A GIFT* TO-DAY. “It’s a Gift,” the newest Paramount film to star W. C. Fields, bulbous-nosed comedian, comes to the King’s Theatre to-day. The story opens up in a small grocery store in New Jersey. If it were not for the customers, the boss, played by Fields, could loaf all day. One of his chief worries is Baby Leßoy who can’t resist the tendency to destroy everything he sees. However, Fields’ problems are practically solved when he inherits an orange grove in California. Anyway, he thinks he will have more room in which to loaf. So he packs the family in his broken-down automobile for a 3000 mile jaunt across country, only to learn that his orange grove is just a huge lemon. The manner in which Fields, innocently brings wealth to his family and himself, furnishes the comedy climax of the film. Grown into a tall, bronzed and handsome young man, Jackie Coogan of “The Kid” fame, returns to the screen for his first adult role in Paramount’s “Home on the Range,” which is on the programme today. Fully accoutred with Stetson hat, high-heeled boots and six-shooters, Jackie Coogan proves as hard-riding and straight-shooting a Western star as Randolph Scott, Addison Richards, Fuzzy Knight, or any of the other famous cowpunchers who appear in the films. With

Evelyn Brent and Ann Sheridan providing the feminine interest, “Home on the Range” is the. story of the deadly feud between a gang of crooks and the rancher-brothers, played by Coogan and Randolph Scott.