ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 47, Issue 3359, 26 August 1933, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE,

TO-NIGHT AND MONDAY.

"PROSPERITY."

"Prosperity/' with Miss Dressier as a mother-in-law battling .with an- \ -other mother-in-law in the person of Polly Moran, is the laugh attraction opening at the Empire Theatre tonight. The story, written especitlly for. the popular comedy team, is laid

in a small town and depicts the amusing' events which follow upon the marriage of Anita Page and Norman Foster, a union which brings about an intense rivalry between the respective mother-in-laws. Things are bad enough when they live apart, but when the depression necessitates their sharing one heme together, fun flies and the fun gets fast and furious,

The two mothers-in-law can never agree on anything, whether it be who is to play Santa Claus, the cut of their grandchildren's hair or the wisdom of putting their money into a savings bank. It is the latter argument which eventually brings about a crisis between the rival mamas and a separation between their offsprings. No Marie Dressier picture is without its share of stirring character work, and in this instance it revolves about Miss Dressler's efforts to save her son's repultation by a tragic attempt to collect on her insurance. The manner, in which she intricates herself from, these damaging circumstances and untimately becomes the town's most respected woman gives the plot a serious twist in contrast to its numerous hilarious interludes. Highspots cf the comic episodes are a scene in which Miss Dressier and Miss Moran break up the formal wedding party of their respective son and daughter; a sequence in which Miss Dressier proves her skill at making a run-down grocery store do good business; and various occurrences in the joint home of the 'in-laws in which broken dishes, carpet beaters, mud and even caster oil have a share in providing hilarious hutaiour. With Miss Page

and Foster in the supporting cast are Jacquie Lyn, Jerry Tucker, Charles Giblyn, Frank Darien and Henry Armetta. <

TUESDAY A]ND WEDNESDAY. '"MAN WANTED." The cast of "Man Wanted," the first Kay Francis starring picture for Warner Bros, which opens at the Empire Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday, was specially assembled to suppert the beautifull star in the first story specially written for her. David Manners and Kenneth Thomson are seen as the leading male supports of Miss Francis. Manners appears in the role of her secretary, Avith whom she falls in love after the infidelities of her husband, played by Thomson, are brought to light. Thomson, as the playboy husband of Miss Francis, who is more interested in business than the social whirl, has been chosen for the role because of his ability to reproduce to perfection the atmosphere of idle wealth. Andy Devine, the youing blonde giant, who scored so heavily in "The Spirit cf Notre Dame," has been given the comedy division ojf "Man Wanted" 'as his special province. Devine represents a well-intentioned, but rather simple collegiate roam-mate of Manners. With Una Merkel, one of the screen's most talented actresses, Devine furnishes many extremely funny moments. The large cast includes, in addition to the leading players, many prominent actors and actresses whose specialities are ideally suited to the special story of "Man Wanted."

AT THE REGENT.

TO-NIGHT AND MONDAY,

"HARMONY ROW." "Harmony Row," in which George ] Wallace has a lively, comedy role as a policeman, is described as one of the funniest ever screened in Australia. One scene, showing a boxing match between Wallace and Slogger Lee, the terror of the underworld (John Dobbie) is a continuous laugh. The supporting cast includes many- wellknown players, among them being Thelma Scott, Phyllis Baker, Gertrude' Boswell,, Bebe Scott, Marshall Crosby, Edwin Brett, Norman French, Leonard Stephens, William Innes, Dan Thomjas, Norman Shepherd, and Billy Kerr, a clever boy actor from Wagga. " Harmony Row " is now being shown in England, where it will doubtless repeat the success of "His Royal Highness " WONDERFUL SUPPORTS. One of the miost enthralling offerings from the Efftee Studios has been the series of Micro-cinema marvels obtained by Mr Ncel Monkman, the famous Australian scientist, on the Great Barrier Reef. These fascinating pictures, dealing with the most prolific life in the world, which is so minute that it is never visible to the human eye except with the aid of the microscope, have been brought to the screen as the result of the enterprise of Mr Monkman, who is regarded as one of the greatest authorities' on mi-cro-cinematography in the world. The films have proved not only of tremendous educational and entertainment value within the Commonwealth,. hut have attracted world-wide attention, and have created a sensation in both the Old Country and America, thu?, proving a wonderful advertisement fo r Australia. In view of the remarkable success achieved by the Barrier Reef series, Mr F'. W. Thring has; arranged with Mr Monkman for the making of a further group of "microcinema pictures, revealing the marvels of insect life in the heart of Central Australia. For the past six: months the famous scientist, with hiswife, and assistant experts, have been, away in the heart of the Never Never securing another series of miciocinema films, and these will soon be available for distribution throughout the world.

TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY; AND THURSDAY.

"THE SlfiN OF THE CROSS." iOrice or twice in the swift cycle of years* coin ies a motion picture of th© P°wer magnitude of "The Sign Pi the fj r o S s," It* is-.a. matter of clis-

tinct gratitude to the Paramount organisation that Mr De Mille's presentation of this great play is now offered to the public. Those of us who have closely watched Mr De'MiJle will recognise in his distinguished direction cf "The Sign of the" Cross" the culmination of years of brilliant creative effort which he has given to the screen. Two particularly outstanding productions of his were "The Ten Commandments " in 1923 and " The King of Kings;," recently seen ir, Te Awamutu. "The Sign of the Cross," by the sheer beauty of its story, and the magnificence of its backgrounds, is a' logical, progressive step in his career.

In this great play, which has been presented in the theatres of England, America, Australia, and other lands thousands of times, Mr Do Mille has taken history, an epoch, flaming with soul-stirring incident, with fire and sword, with heroism and treachery, with death and life eternal. The imimortal romance, a love story as deep in intensity as " Romeo and Juliet" or " Tristan and Isolde," as a motion picture is the great popular instrument of art expression for the masses. " The Sign of the Cross " adds a brilliant chapter to the screen's history. In New Zealand the American voice is noticed a little, but to this objection can scarcely be taken in an achievement that is beyond criticism! in this or any other country.