“NOW AND FOREVER.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 3

“NOW AND FOREVER.”

Shirley Temple, Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard. “Now and Forever,” the principal film at the Regent Theatre this week, is something out of the ordinal and should have a popular season in ChristchuTch. Shirley Temple, Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard are the stars, and to each of them must be awarded honours. “Now and Forever” is a novel tale of two hardened adventurers who spend most of their lives chasing boats and trains to avoid the consequences of their get-rich-quick schemes. Gary Cooper, as the male member of the combine, gives a wonderful representation of the up-to-date confidence man, who jumps from Shanghai to Connecticut and from there to Paris and then on to the Riviera, all his travelling being done on some one else’s money. Of course, little Shirley Temple is marvellous. She is just a true-to-life child, with a child’s whims and a child’s dread of castor oil. Heading the list of supporting “shorts” is “Springboard Champions,” a Grantland Rice Spotlight, which features Desjardins, twice Olympic champion, and Stubbs, a famous aquatic comedian.

“ Evensong.” Rarely has the screen presented a drama so effectively simple, so clearcut and so stirring as “ Evensong,” the British film version of Beverley Xicholls’ famous book, which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday The theme of this intriguing story shows how a gifted singer must sacrifice, for the sake of her art, most of the things contributing to the fulness and enjoyment of life. The principal role is enacted by Evelyn Laye, who contributes her best work to date in a brilliant characterisation which affords the fullest opportunities for her vocal and histrionic talent. She gives a convincing cameo of Irela, the worldfamous singer who does, in fact, sacrifice everything, even human love, for the career which in her declining years has become an obsession. In support of the star are Fritz Kortner in a finely sympathetic study of her faithful, but sardonic manager; Carl Esmond as the luckless Archduke, and Emlyn Williams as George Murray, the youthful composer who induced the little Irish girl to go with him to Paris to begin her career. Box plans at the D.I.C.

“NELL GWYN.” Excellent British Picture at Civic. Now in the second week of a most successful season at the Civic AllBritish Theatre, “ Nell Gwyn ” continues to attract and delight large audiences. British studios have every reason to be proud of “ Nell Gwyn.” It is refreshingl} l - different from the usual film of this type. Beginning with broad humour and rising to excellent dramatic heights, it is a fine blend of the most appealing elements of screen entertainment. The plot is based on the historic love affair of the Merry Monarch, King Charles 11., with the pretty little orange girl known as “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury.” The charming Anna Neagle bursts into her full glory as sweet Nell with as fine a performance as the screen has ever seen, playing the role as history depicts, unrestrained and daring, a woman of unabashed personality, ready wit and bodily charm. Sir Cedric Hardwicke eclipses all previous performances as Charles 11. Box plans are at the theatre, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost.