AMUSEMENTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19942, 29 October 1934, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

'MANHATTAN MELODRAMA’’ THRILLS AT THE MAJESTIC j A story that holds the interest from its opening reel to its smashing climax, the portrayals of such screen personalities as Clark Cable, William Powell and Myrna Loy. combine to make “Manhattan Melodrama.” which opened at the Majestic on Saturday, one of the most entertaining and forceful photoplays of the year. The plot has for its background action-filled night life, and 1 for Its characters a gambler, a district | attorney and the woman whom both j love. The narrative unfolds the life j of the two men from the time when j as boys they are rescued from a steamer disaster to the period when, as adults. | they find themselves on opposite sides !of the law. A panoramic glimpse cf ! New York’s hectic history is viewed in dramatic flashes of the new film I which re-enacts the sinking of the General Slocum in 1904, the notorious Harry Thaw-Stanford White murder in 1906, and the spectacular DempseyFirpo prize-fight in 1923. The scenes of present-day happenings prove to be equally thrilling.

"WONDER BAR” OPENING AT REGENT The opening of the mammoth musical and dramatic spectacle “Wonder Bar” at the Regent on Saturday was attended by large houses. The picture Is based on the internationally famous play that was the sensation of Europe a few years ago when it played before king and commoner in Continental capitals. Again it was a sensation on the American stage with A 1 Jolson in the stellar role. A 1 Jolson in the film version plays the same role as an entertainer de luxe. Other members of the stellar array include Kay Francis, Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Cortez. Dick Powell and Hal Le Roy. The supporting cast Is quite as imposing. In addition there are 300 beautiful chorus girls picked from 9000 applicants who dance and sing clad In diaphanous gowns for the gigantic spectacles created and staged by Busby Berkeley, the wizard of musical ensembles. Berkeley, who also staged the numbers for “42nd Street,” “Footlight Parade.” and “Gold Diggers of 1933.” is said to have surpassed even the gigantic spectacles in these pictures by the uniqueness, beauty and magnificence of his new conceptions.