ENTERTAINMENTS

Waipa Post, Volume 52, Issue 3705, 10 January 1936, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

AT THE REGENT. AGAIN TO-NIGHT. “ TIMES SQUARE LADY.” How to be both romantic and funny is ably demonstrated on the screen of the Regent Theatre to-night, where Pinky Tomlin, a gangling Oklahoma farm boy, is making his debut -with Virginia Bruce, Robert Taylor, Helen Twelvetrees, and other notables in the fast-moving Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer comedy drama, “ Times Square Lady.” A few months ago Pinky was driving a dump truck in rural Oklahoma; then he wrote “The Object of ” and “ What’s the Reason* I’m not Pleasin’ You 1 ” They became great national song hits, and Pinky was lifted off the truck and into Hollywood. He sings both songs in “Times Square Lady,” and is hailed as the most romantic funny man in screen history. Besides the players mentioned, the cast includes such established favourites as Isabel Jewell, Nat Pendleton, Henry Kolker, Raymond Hatton, Jack La Rue, Robert Elliott, Russell Hopton, .and Fred Kohler.

SATURDAY AND MONDAY.

“ ABDUL THE DAMNED.” “ Abdul the Damned,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Saturday, is one of the greatest, most lavish, and amazing films ever produced, and tells the story of Abdul Hamid IL, Sultan of Turkey, the last of the eastern tyrants, who was eventually deposed for extreme cruelty to his subjects. One of the most cunning and cruel men that ever lived, he had men executed or exiled on the slightest pretext, and women, unfortunate enough to attract his notice, tricked into entering his harem, until the Young Turks rebelled, rose in arms, and finally Abdul himself was banished.

It is this part of the life of this sinister monarch which the 8.1. P. film depicts. It reveals the cloak of mystery surrounding much of the intrigue which was rife round the court of Abdul Hamid, and shows the various happenings which led to the rebellion of the Young Turks. In all his dastardly doings Abdul is aided and abetted by the Commissioner of Police, Kadar Pasha, but so treacherous and heartless is the Sultan that when he suspects Pasha of treason, without any proof whatsoever, he orders his execution—as a “ reward ” for long and faithful service. A typical gesture of Abdul the Damned.

Frizt Kortner plays, or rather lives, the role of Abdul Hamid, a part that gives this great actor limitless op-

portunities to display his forceful acting, an opportunity of which he takes full advantage, giving one of the most brilliant screen performances seen in years.

AT THE EMPIRE.

COMMENCING TO-NIGHT. “ THE LITTLE MINISTER.” Starring Katharine Hepburn, with John Beal, Alan Hale, Lumsden Hare, Andy Clyde, Donald Crisp, Mary Gordon, Beryl Mercer, Reginald Denny, and Frank Conroy, the attraction at the Empire Theatre this week-end is “ The Little Minister,” one of Sir J. M. Barrie’s most outstanding stories. The stage play has met with repeated success in English-speaking countries all over the world. The sale of the book has run into several millions of copies. This signifies that there are a large number of the publie already eager to see this production. “ The Little Minister ” has eclipsed the wonderful records established in America by “ Little Women ” and “Anne of Green Gables,” and we feel confident that it will repeat this wonderful performance in this country. The critics have accorded it praise that far eclipses anything they have said about the previous productions we are comparing it with. It is a genuine big special.