CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 3

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERA HOUSE. TWO-STAR PROGRAMME. Again the life of Franz Schubert has been made the subject for a screen presentation of his immortal compositions, and in “Love Time,” the Fox production which begins at the Opera House tonight at 7.45, there is unfolded a delightful story of Schubert’s romance with a beautiful, heiress. The struggling composer is first seen in an idyllic old-world setting, where he is visited by Valerie the country maiden who afterwards turns out to be the daughter of an Austrian duke. An elopement is planned, but messengers arrive from Francis I. at Vienna to take Valerie to her father. She evades them, only to find that Schubert has departed. She falls in with three mendicants who become her travelling companions, and guides. When Vienna is reached Valerie finds Schubert’s garret, but not for long can she evade the search for her by the Emperor’s soldiery. She takes her place as a lady of the court, and eventually has to decide between its social attractions and her love. Nils Asther takes the role of Schubert, and Pat Patterson admirably portrays the charming Valerie. Careful attention has been paid to detail, and the court scenes especially are well done. The orchestral presentations of Schubert’s compositions, when he plays before the Emperor, leave little to be desired, the chief selections being “Marche Militaire” and “Serenade.” The associate feature, “Sherlock Holmes,” presents Clive Brook in the role of Conan Doyle, famous detective. He solves a mystifying crime but not before the audience have been provided' with 70 minutes of action and thrills. . j REGENT THEATRE TO-NIGHT. “PIRLO VANCE” MYSTERY. “Tire Dragon Murder Case,” the latest of the murder mystery dramas from the pen of the peerless author S. S. Van Dyne to be dramatised for the screen opens at the Regent Theatre to-night. The picture is said to be the most bizarre as well as the most baffling of all the novels of the famous author, involving as it does a series of mysterious crimes apparently committed by some prehistoric monster. It is not until Philo Vance, in the person of Warren William, comes to the scene that the strange murders are finally solved, and the slayer brought to justice. William is a new Philo Vance, though tire parts of Sergeant Heath and District Attorney Markham are again carried by Eugene Pallette and Robert McWade respectively. Etienne Girardot also will be seen again in the person of the quaint and querulous Dr. Doremus. Margaret Lindsay has the leading feminine role, the fiancee of the first man murdered, and suspected >ctf the crime because she is in love with another of the guests, a part played by Lyle Talbot, who also comes under the scrutiny of the police. Six other persons are also suspected, including Robert Barrat, owner of the estate, his mother, who advances the dragon theory, a part played by Helen Lowell; Dorothy Tree, George E. Stone, William Davidson, guests, and Arthur Aylesworth, who plays the role of the butler. There is an outstanding array of shorter films, including the latest news reels I and a musical revue.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. SEASON EXTENDED. Owing to its phenomenally successful season and to the fact that many people have been unable to gain admission the management of Everybody’s Theatre made special arrangements by telephone yesterday to screen “Naughty Marietta” for one more day. The season will definitely conclude to-day at 2 and 7.45 p.m., and those who have not already seen “Naughty Marietta” should avail themselves of the oppoi-tunity of seeing the greatest musical film yet produced. An entertaining double-feature programme will commence a season of two days only at Everybody’s Theatre tomorrow at 2 and 7.45 p.m. A wealth of British stage and radio talent has been brought together in “Radio Pirates.” Mary Lawson, Enid Stamp-Taylor, Leslie French and Willie Jenkins are the four crazy people who begin to attract attention to themselves, their business, and their music by starting a pirate broadcasting station and setting Scotland Yard on their track. The idea comes when Willie Jenkins makes the error of ordering too many copies of one of his songs and it becomes imperative that something should be done to save liim from bankruptcy. The pirate station has the advantage of being in possession of really melodious songs, although there is supposed to be no sale for them, and of a team of mimics who can imitate anything from a description of a boxing match in the best ringside accent to an Italian tenor, and with the assistance of a small boy who is-able to impersonate a whole team of film stars it scores a great success. The excitement at the 8.8. C. is intense, and when the pirate station caps its other pranks by broadcasting private proceedings at Scotland Yard and causing Big Ben to run wild the bright film reaches a smashing climax. The associate feature, “By Pass to Happiness,” is a cheery romantic drama featuring Tamara Desni and Maurice Evans. STATE THEATRE. “D’YE KEN JOHN PEEL?” “D’ye Ken John Peel,” the British Dominions release which opens. at the State Theatre, New Plymouth, to-day, is distinguished by a particularly strong all-British cast. This is headed by John Garrick, the leading man of “Lily of Killamey” and “The Broken Melody,” and Winifred Shotter, the heroine of so many Aldwych farces, John Stuart, the popular British actor, who will be remembered in “The House of Trent, “The Four Masked Men,” and “Bella Donna,” plays the important role of Captain Moonlight, an attractive highwayman, who saves the hero’s life but relieves a number of rich people of their jewels and money. The remainder of the cast consists of Morris Harvey, Mary Lawson, Pat Noonan; Charles Carson, Wilfred Caithness, and Stanley Holloway. Henry Edwards, the well-known actordirector who made “The Flag Lieutenant” and “General John Regan,” directed “D’ye Ken John Peel?” The studio authorities responded to urgent l pleas that Stanley Holloway’s inimitable creation of Private Samuel Small, who refused to pick up his musket until persuaded by the Duke of Wellington, should be secured for the screen, and, as John Peel was major in Wellington’s army, there was little or no difficulty in persuading Mr. Holloway to act as Major Peel’s batman in the character of Sam Small, and make his famous recitation. Mr. Holloway has a notable screen voice and presence and will be remembered as the famous Irish priest “Father O’Flynn” in the musical romance “Lily of Killarney.” PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “LORNA DOONE” FINALLY. “Loma Doone,” in which John Loder and Virginia Hopper are co-starred, is the current attraction at the Plaza. Action and thrills are abundant and a clever story from the celebrated pen of R. D.

Blackmore makes it a worthy production. The picture with be finally screened tonight. For those who like an exciting picture, with a strong strain of comedy rippling through its entire length, “Vagabond Lady,” which starts a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day, has much to commend it. The picture has plenty of action, its plot is unusual, and it has a cast of clever players. The story concerns the two sons of a millionaire department store owner and a pretty girl, an. employee of the store, but also the daughter of a college contemporary of the owner. One son, staid and dignified, desires to marry the girl, but gets little encouragement. The other, who hasl shuddered at the thought of marriage in the past, suddenly finds that he is also attracted. The result is a most amusing battle for possession. Curiously enough, (he man who plays the part of the very serious son is Reginald Denny, maker of many laughable pictures in the past. His acting is good, but he is bettered by Robert Young, in the part of the second son, and naturally the hero. The prize of their endeavours, Evelyn Venable, gives a spirited rendering of a part that calls for a great deal of versatility. Added humour is given to an excellent film by the antics of Frank Craven and the stolid heaviness of Berton Churchih. In support of “Vagabond Lady” is a firstclass programme of short features. Notable among these is a Fitzpatrick travelogue,” wh’ch shows much of interest about the little-known Central American State, giving special attention to the coffee industry, on which the country relies for the greater part of its wealth. There are two newsreels. Additional films include a Hal Roach comedy and an interesting reel about American football.