ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3505, 14 August 1934, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. TOrNIGHT AJND ON WEDNESDAY. “THE MYSTERY OP THE WAX MUSEUM.” One of the strangest and most exciting thpn'ilers, “The Mystery of the Max Museum” will open at the Regent Theatre this evening with Lionel Atwill, Glenda Farrell, Frank McHugh, and Fay Wray heading a large cast of sterling players. The story, taken from the play by Charlies ;S. Belden, deals with a series of mysterious disappearances of both Lving persons and human bodies and the appearance of a terrifying monster. The plot cenltres about a wax museum which has on display exceptionally life-like figures of personages of history and notorious criminals. Important roles are enacted by Allen Vincent, Gavin Gordon, Edwin Maxwell, Holmes Herbert, Arthur Edmund Carewe, Thomas E- Jackson and Monica Bannister. The picture is photographed entirely in Technicolour with unusual lighting effects used to heighten the fascination and mystery that dominates the production. The direction has been handled by Michael Curtiz, who is universally accepted as a pla,st master in directing mystery thriiflers. Curtiz, it will be remembered, handled the megaphone for the recent Warner Bros, picture, “Doctor X,” which was a tremendous sensation last year. In addition to its excitement and suspense there is a romantic lovte angle with no end of humour supplied by smart, witty dialogue between Glenda Farrell, the hard-boiled wise-cracking reporter who “is on the trail of the mystery, and her managing editor, a part played by Fiiank McHugh.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. “HALF A SINNER.” Hollywood is constantly on the look-out for “ romantic teams* ” those combinations of boy and girl that embrace fine artistry in their acting and seem naturally meant for one another. .Universal produced such a pair in Joel MlcCrea and Sallie Blane, who are“comi'ng to the Regent Theatre on Thursday and Friday in “ Half a Sinner,” with Berton Churchill playing the part of the Deacon in this play adapted 1 from “ Alias the Deacon.” The ideal romantic team which is epitomised by McCrea and Miss Blane has all the requirements producers seek. 1 The demands call for a youthful, boytish, American lad, not too sophisticated, but wise enough to logically triumph over the forces with

which story writers beset him. (The girl must be wholesome-ap-pearing, sweet, charming, having a trace of feminine stubbornness in evidence which strong masculinity can submerge at the required moment, and innocence combined with womanly wisdom. After the description of the man, every producer will write the name of (Joel McCrea. After that of the g;rl, they will write the name of Sallie Blane. But for some reason this was never done until Carl Laemmle, Jnr., needed such a romantic couple for “Half a Sinner.” He thought imlmediately of McCrea, whom he borrowed front R.K.O. Radio, and Miss Blane, younger sister of Loretta Young. The two were signed, and a new romantic pair was created.

AT THE EMPIRE. TO-NIGHT AND FOLLOWING NIGHTS. For “Red Wagon,” the brilliant film version of Lady Eleanor Smith’s famous novel, which comes to the Empire theatre to-night, Brit'sh International Pictures signed four Hollywood players of established strength to appear in the principal roles, and, for the direction, Paul Stein, “ ace ” American and Continental director, who, it wilt be recalled, was the producer of some of Constance Bennett’s most dramatic subjects. Charle* Bickford, the red-hoaded “he-man” of Hollywood, plays the rote of Joe Prince, the circus performer, who, born in the sawdust ring, works through many hard experiences to the ultimate realisation of his life’s fimbition —to be a circus owner. With him is Raquel Torres as the gispy girl who becamley his wife, only to prove that the circus is the circus and the gipsy camp something quite different when she ultimately leaves him for her nomad lover, Davey Heron (played by Don Alvarado). After lonely years of uphill strife, Joe Prince marries the tiger woman of the circus, a role which is very aptly played by the beautiful Norwegian, Greta Nissen, and the final fade-out of the film sees them with a son to cai’ry on in the circus tradition. Those who are familiar with the novel will appreciate that extensive revision ha,s been # made in order to effect a happier tone. Filmed against a background of England’s countryside, with the colossal sum of £BO,OOO lavished on production and a dast of thousands supporting the four Hollywood st|a;rs, “ Red Wagon ” has been greeted with unbounded enthusiasm by press and public alike wherever presented. And these well merited acclamations of praise, heartily endorse the h’gh opinion of Lady Eleanor Smith, who considers “ Red Wagon ” “ The bea(t British film ever made.” Truly great recommendations for a great British production.