CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1935, Page 3

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

STIRRING PICTURE AT STATE WARNER BAXTER IN OLD ROLE. Since a chance thrust the then little known Warner Baxter into the part in “In Old Arizona” that made him famous, this actor has never had as good an opportunity of showing the variety of his talents as in “Undei’ the Pampas Moon,” which delighted Saturday's audiences at the State Theatre and which will be shown for two more nights. The picture shows Baxter back in the part of a Spanish American, this time as a gaucho, and he does it better than Douglas Fairbanks did a similar role. It is not only that the virile character suits Baxter; the picture has a strong story. A chance visitor to the ranch where he is employed, becoming envious of the gaucho’s magnificent horse, bribes a rival to steal it while Baxter is making love to a French singer whose conquest he wishes to add to a long list over dusky beauties of the plains. When he finds his horse gonp Baxter follows a trail that leads him to Buenos Aires and into strange and hilarious adventures. His horse is making money for its new owner on the race track and his attempts to recover possession are foiled. How the gaucho, while enjoying the gay life of the city, sets about regaining his horse and how his romance with the singer develops form a delightful story. Baxter is superb as the boastful, debonair, strong and lovable character of the gaucho and receives good support from all the cast. There is never a dull moment. One of the highlights is a remarkable “cobra” tango performed in a Buenos Aires cabaret scene. The supporting programme, which includes scenes from the New Zealand women’s hockey tour of Australia, is excellent. REGENT THEATRE. “ONE EXCITING ADVENTURE.” Glamour, thrills, romance and humour mark “One Exciting Adventure,” which commenced at The Regent on Saturday with Binnie Barnes in the leading role. The story is that of one of the most colourful and beautiful women of Europe, who intrigues all men but who is not interested in love, only in the glitter of diamonds. The picture opens with Paul Cavanagh, a sinister and charming admirer, who has followed her over half the world, writing a cheque for a magnificent diamond Binnie has skilfully appropriated from one of Paris’ most exclusive gem shops. Before Paul can pay for the stone the police have been notified and while tire jeweller, Ferdinand Gottschalk, has no complaint, the officers are not satisfied with his explanation that nothing is wrong. Eugene Pallette and Grant Mitchel], two of the most ruthless bloodhounds who ever bungled a clue, are assigned to the case and they start trailing Binnie through a rare scent they observe on a glove she has left behind. There is a splendid array of shorter films. THRILLING AVIATION PICTURE. “WEST POINT OF THE AIR” FILM. Apart altogether from the story—and there is a strong love interest—“ West Point of the Air,” which commenced a season at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, on Saturday is an enthralling picture with its aerial spectacles. It is such pictures that help to create an “air sense.” Even picture-goers used to thrills were roused to excitement on Saturday night when Wallace Beery dropped from one plane to another in mid-air. It seemed that nothing could prevent him from sliding off the curving wing-top and crashing to destruction thousands of feet below, ■ but—a momentary frantic clutching, and he had saved himself. Whether it was in his “power dive” in the infirm machine that fell to pieces undei- the tremendous strain, or in his dual capacity as sergeant-instructor and father, Beery was splendid. There were many humorous touches between him and James Gleeson, whose weakness was astrology. Maureen O’Sullivan provided the love interest for Robert Young who, as a lieutenant for aerial training, was sent to Randolph Field for instruction by his sergeant-father. It would be unfair to disclose’ the plot of the picture, but there were many tense, dramatic moments between father and son. The memory of perhaps 100 aeroplanes flying in perfect formation and as many parachutists leaping from them simultaneously will long endure with those who see “West Point of the Air.” The supporting pictures, which include the final of the Ely Culbertson contract bridge series, are all of an entertaining type. “GOLD DIGGERS OF 1935.” SPECTACULAR PIANO BALLET. Unlike its predecessors “Gold Diggers of 1935,’’ the hilarious comedy at present showing at the Opera House, New Plymouth, is not dependent entirely upon its song and dance numbers and spectacular ensembles for its success; a story of intense interest about three love affairs holds the interest of the audience throughout. The Wentworth Plaza Hotel, a typical abode for the wealthy American, is about to open its season and the curtain rises to enable the audience to hear the final instructions of the manager to his staff. Wages are not paid, employees gaining their reward by “tips,” and of course “the guest is always right—because he pays.” To this hotel comes a wealthy American woman, her daughter and son. Dick Powell, a medical student working

as a clerk in the hotel, is engaged by the woman (Alice Brady) to partner her daughter (Gloria Stuart) who, engaged to an eccentric snuff manufacturer, is desirous of having “a bit of fun” before settling down to married life. The partner contract is broken and a love affair between the pair eventuates. The daughter’s fiance is disposed of in an ingenious manner. To aid charity the millionairess secures the assistance of a fellow boarder, a famous Russian producer (Adolphe Menjou), to produce a parish charity revue at the hotel. The charity concert is the means of enabling the producer to present some of the most spectacular scenes shown in recent years. While the picture is packed full of humour, interesting situations and happy musical numbers such as “The Lullaby of Broadway,” there is one grand ensemble that will long be remembered by Saturday night’s audience. The piano ballet in which many pianos move as they are played in perfect time and with ballet variation, for sheer originality rivals anything yet staged in the “Gold Digger” pictures. Lavish in every detail the “Gold Diggers of 1935” is a magnificent production and offers excellent entertainment. The associate programme incldues “The Niblick and Bunkers” (Bobby Jones golf featurette), “A. and P. Gypsies” (musical novelty) and “Vaudeville” (a complete vaudeville show). PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “CLIVE OF INDIA” TO-DAY. 9 Greeted with capacity audiences at both sessions on Saturday, one of the most romantic stories of history, the life of Robert Clive, created a great impression on all who saw it. Clive of India” will be presented at a matinee and evening performance tb-day and finally to-morrow. The film is excellent hostory, there being no attempt to gain added ‘ effect by interfering with the drama inherent to the theme. The magnificent performance of Ronald Colman in th 4 title role places this artist among tire 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' qualities of statesmanship he displayed on his return to India to repair the damage done in his absence, and finally his bearing during his impeachment 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, will b. finally screened at the King’s Theatre to-night after a successful season on Saturday. 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 pac’s 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 to-night. Fully accoutred with Stetson hat, bigh-heeled boots and sixshooters, Jackie Coogan proves as hardriding and straight-shooting a Western star as Randolph Scott, Addison Richards, Fuzzy Knight or any of the other famous cowboy punchers who appear in the films. With Ev.-lyn 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.