ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 51, Issue 3645, 19 July 1935, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE THEATRE. TO-NIGHT, SATURDAY AND MONDAY. “THE SILK EXPRESS." C. A closely guarded silk train racing against time, a murder in the baggage car, two special and trusted guards secretly working to stop the train at all costs, still another murder, a dying man and his daughter counting the minutes from Seattle to New York, a hick detective trying to solve the mystery—that's the list ot characters and the sort of drama you’re going to see when Warner Brothers’ “Silk Express” opens at the Empire Theatre to-night. It's a very unusual sort of mystery this, photographed almost entirely on board the only train that takes precedence over a President’s private special —the silk express. Spectacular shots include rolling shots down inside the entire length of the speeding train—and many interesting and exciting shots of the loaded silk train. ; But it is the mystery aboard the train, the death of two of the passengers and the attempted killing of a third by a member of the group ridirig on the train which gives it the proper fillip of suspense. Everyone is suspected. Everyone, in fact, is justified in suspecting everyone else. For everyone else, at some time or another, does something worthy of being suspected for. It is an excellent example of sustained suspense in a mystery film.

The explanation of their presence on the train is bound up with the state of the silk market of the world with the coming of spring. It is to be a silk year—Paris has sounded the keynote. But in New York the market is cornered and the prices are run sky high. The silk manufacturers determined to run a silk train through from Seattle in record time, despite all efforts of those who have cornered the market to prevent the arival of the train in New York. Developments during this run end in the mystery already described. A large cast includes such outstanding players as Neil Hamilton, Sheila Terry, Guy Kibbee, Dudley Digges, Arthur Byron, Allen Jenkins, Harold Huber, Robert Barrat, Ivan Simpson, Arthur Hohl, George Pat (Jollins, Tom Wilson and others.

REGENT THEATRE. FINAL SCREENING TO-NIGHT. “THE BEST MAN WINS.” , An amazingly vivid and graphic picture of the thrills, adventures and

perils encountered by a pair of deep sea divers appeared for the first time yesterday on the screen of the Regent Theatre. It is called “The Best Man Wins,” and stars those two rollicking screen he-men, Edmund Lowe and Jack Holt.

This thrilling new screen fare is entertainment of a vastly different and refreshing type, combining the diverse elements of sharp wit, boisterous action and undersea thrills that are unsurpassed for gripping excitement and striking beauty, and a tense and dramatic theme.

Lowe and Holt are seen as a pair of scrappy, inseparable buddies, both in love with the same girl. Lowe loses an arm while helping, to rescue Holt, and as a result, disappears. Holt leaves too, joining the waterfront police. They meet again when Holt discovers his former friend working for Bela Lugosi, a diamond smuggler. The action from this point takes on a dramatic turn, climaxed by one of the most exciting sequences ever filmed below water.

Lowe and Holt are perfect as the romantic Don Juans. Florence Rice, as the girl of their affections, confirms early critical approval with her splendid and sincere performance. Lugosi’s “Dr Boehm” is a wily, shrew and effective characterisation.

SATURDAY AND MONDAY. “GIRLS WILL BE BOYS.’’ The Regent Theatre, management has secured a very attractive offering for Saturday and Monday next, when the sparkling and altogether vivacious comedy, “Girls Will be Boys,” will be presented. The stars in this very fragrant British comedy are Cyril Maude, Irene Vanburgh and Dolly Haas. Cyril Maude has made a name for himself, both on the stage and in pictures, that ranks him a peer of the best British actors of decades, especially in comedy plays and picturas. Irene Vanburgh is also an exceptionally talented actress, with a very fine list of successes, while Miss Dolly Haas is heralded as a vivacious Continental star of great magnitude. Cyril Maude’s performance in the title role of “Grumpy" will long be remembered, and it is said that he has a role almost as satisfying in “Girls Will be Boys.” The supoprting programme is a well varied one and sure to be interesting to all.