CINEMA PROGRAMMES

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1935, Page 3

CINEMA PROGRAMMES

TWO FILMS AT OPERA HOUSE. “LOVE TIME”; “SHERLOCK HOLMES” “Love Time,” a splendid musical romance, opened at the New Plymouth Opera House last night. It unfolds the story of the romantic Franz Schubert, Austria’s beloved composer, and a beautiful heiress. Nils Asther acts the part of Schubert, while Pat Paterson portrays the beautiful heiress Valerie. The struggling composer is first seen in an old world setting where he meets Valerie, whom he believes to be a country maiden. They plan a secret wedding, but their plans are upset by the arrival of the Emperor’s soldiers, who come to take Valerie back to her rightful place at the side of her father, who is a duke, in the Emperor’s palace. She evades them, however, and leaves on a long journey to Vienna. She finds Schubert at work in his pitiful garret. However, she is at last found by the soldiers and taken to the Emperor. Lovers of Schubert’s immortal melodies cannot help but thrill as the strains of “Marche Militaire” and “Serenade” are played before the ■ Emperor. Love conquers in the end and Valerie chooses Schubert in preference to high court life. In the supporting film, “Sherlock Holmes,” Clive Brook as the great detective has - plenty of opportunity for deductions. This thriller holds the audience till the final curtain. An escaped murderer combines with a gang of crooks in an endeavour to rob one of the largest banks at London. Thrill follows thrill until at last Sherlock Holmes, acting as an accomplice to the crooks, overpowers them and kills Moriaty. The sporting, shorts include the Maori v. New South Wales Rugby match. STATE THEATRE. “D’YE KEN JOHN PEEL.” “Dye Ken John Peel,” the British Dominions production, opened its New Plymouth season at the State Theatre last night. The story, based on the hunting song, opens in a cafe at Brussels after the Battle of Waterloo. The melodious choruses form an ideal introduction to a picture full of action. A cardsharper and crook, Craven, by means of gambling, gets a highly respected country gentleman Francis Merrall into his power. He then succeeds, by a compromise, in gaining the hand of Lucy Merrall. The efforts of Major John Peel, of the 23rd Cavalry Regiment, are successful in frustrating the marriage of Lucy and Craven, -who he knows is already married. John Peel eventually brings the villain to justice, and wins the love of Lucy by his gallantry. With the efforts of Major Peel are combined those of “Captain Moonlight,” one of the “gentlemen of the road.” John Garrick, who co-stars with Winifred Shorter, sings some fine numbers. He is ably, supported by John Stuart as “Captain Moonlight” and Stanley Holloway, whose monologue, “Sam, Pick up Thy Musket,” is highly entertaining. Some fine hunting scenes are witnessed and there is a thrilling duel between Major Peel and Craven. The main picture is supported by a -fine list of supports, including scenes of the wedding of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina. . REGENT THEATRE. “DRAGON MURDER CASE.” An exceptionally talented cast was chosen by First National for the roles in “The Dragon Murder Case,” S. S. Van Dine’s thrilling murder mystery drama, which -is now showing nightly at The Regent. Warren William plays the leading role, that of Philo Vance, the famous sleuth, and is said to be the living image of the character drawn by the author. Eugene Pallette, who has been the Sergeant Heath of all the Van Dine stories, again plays the role in this latest of the novels to be picturised. Robert McWade, who will be remembered for his remarkable characterisation in “The Kennel Murder Case,” again has the part of District Attorney Markham. The eight suspects at’ the house party at the home of a wealthy scientist, any one of whom might have committed the crimes which take place at the “Dragon Pool,” are Margaret Lindsay, Lyle Talbot, Helen Lowell, Dorothy Tree, Robert Barrat, George E. Stone, William Davidson and Arthur Aylesworth. There is an excellent array of shorter films. EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “RADIO PIRATES” TO-DAY. “Radio Pirates” and “By-Pass to Happiness,” comprise the entertaining double feature programme which will be screened at Everybody’s Theatre to-day and to-morrow only at 2 and 7.45 p.m. Something original in musicals makes its appearance in “Radio Pirates,” the Sound City production, starring the new English comedy team, Leslie French and Willie Jenkins. The outstanding feature of the film is undoubtedly the fact thatit posseses a plot, and a good plot at that, and does not devolve into a series of songs and dances without any connecting sequences, '"as is often the case with a musical production. A_ talented cast has been assembled, including Mary Lawson, who can sing and tap-dance with equal ease, Kenneth Kove, Frank Lloyd, Enid Stamp-Taylor, and the amazing 15-year-old youth, Hughie Green. Hughie appears only for a short period of. the film, but his extraordinary impersonations are among the funniest and cleverest pieces of work it contains. The plot concerns the fortunes of three young people, Willie, Leslie and Mary, who are finding it hard to make their way in the world until they conceive the original idea of setting up a “pirate” broadcasting station to advertise their wares. Willie’s songs are sung, Mary’s restaurant is advertised, and Leslie s wireless shop gets plenty of publicity. The idea works all right until the BJB.C. steps in—and then the fun begins. Roy Fox and his band supply the music, and Teddy Brown, xylophonist, helps things to go with a swing in a presentation of “Hill Billy” numbers. The associate feature, “By-Pass to Happiness,” is a cheery romantic drama featuring u amara Desni and Maurice Evans. PLAZA THEATRE, STRATFORD. “VAGABOND LADY.” Excellent entertainment is promised in the film “Vagabond Lady,” : to be shown to-day at the Plaza Theatre, Stratford. It is a rollicking comedy-drama that has earned the highest praise abroad. It is said to be particularly notable for the distinguished acting of its. cast, which is headed by three very popular artists, Robert Young, Reginald Denny and Evelyn Venable. The first, two these are cast as the sons of a millionaire proprietor of a huge department store. They are of contrasting types and both are in love with the same girl, the janitor’s daughter, played by Miss Venable. The action is brisk and always amusing and there is wide opportunity for the use of extremely beautiful backgrounds. This picture was produced by Hal Roach, who was responsible for some of the finest short comedies ever presented at Stratford. An interesting supporting programme will include a Pete film, a travelogue and colour, an “Our Gang" comedy and two news reels,