“LADIES LOVE BRUTES”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 371, 15 September 1930, Page 11

“LADIES LOVE BRUTES”

GEORGE BANCROFT’S GREATEST MAJESTIC’S SPLENDID PROGRAMME In “Ladies Love Brutes,” George Bancroft rages and thunders with his vigorous voice, ho pummels and pounds • with his fearsome fists, and ho laughs and roars with his whole powerful propensity for burly virility. “Ladies Love Brutes” is the story of a building contractor who has risen from the ranks, and who has amassed a fortune. He decides to become a force in the social life of New York, so that he may make even greater successes in his role of the “Sky-scraper King.” Accordingly, he has himself introduced to a beautiful young society matron. He falls in love with her, when he learns that she is soon to divorce her erring husband. But his chances for romance in society are blasted when gangster enemies devise a plot to wreck him. In the ensuing action, there is a terrific fistic encounter, in which Bancroft emerges the victor. The conclusion of this stirring tale is a happy one, with Bancroft upheld as more of a hero than ever before. Mary Astor, one of the younger beauties of the talking films, plays the role of a wealthy society woman. Fredric March performs admirably in the role of the inconsiderate husband, who finally is brought to his senses by the heroism of Bancroft. In the part of Mike Mendino, a gangster, Stanley Fields gives a portrayal that comes close to the work of Bancroft for first honours. Others who acquit themselves with distinction, are David Durand and Freddie Burke Frederick, child players who are cast as respective sons of the hero and society matron. Claud Allister, as an English-bred tailor, furnishes an abundance of rare comedy. Rowland V. Lee, flic director, here betters his fine mark made in “Dr Fu Manchu” and “Wolf of Wall Street. ” GRAND THEATRE. “HAPPY DAYS.” GLITTERING WITH STARS. A REVELATION IN SCREEN EXTRAVAGANZAS. What is truly the greatest aggregation of singing, dancing, comedy and dramatic stars of stage and screen ever assembled in one company may be seen and heard at the Grand Theatre where the Fox Movietone production “Happy Days” delighted the huge audiences on Saturday afternoon and evening. Only the marvel of the sound screen could allow a production of this magnitude in gathering together, for a stage

Claud Allister, as an English-bred tailor, furnishes an abundance of rare comedy. Rowland V. Lee, flic director, here betters his fine mark made in “Dr Fu Manchu” and “Wolf of Wall Street.” GRAND THEATRE. “HAPPY DAYS.” GLITTERING WITH STARS. A REVELATION IN SCREEN EXTRAVAGANZAS. What is truly the greatest aggregation of singing, dancing, comedy and dramatic stars of stage and screen ever assembled in one company may bo seen and heard at the Grand Theatre where the Fox Movietone production “Happy Days” delighted the huge audiences on Saturday afternoon and evening. Only the marvel of the sound screen could allow a production of this magnitude in gathering together, for a stage performance, this glittering galaxy of stars. There is a delightful romance running through the production, a boy and girl romance played by Marjorie White and Richard Keene and there is a fine tribute paid to stage players in the incident which shows a billion dol lars worth of personality journeying to a southern town and giving, without pay, a stupendous entertainment solely to help old Colonel Billy Batcher, played by the veteran actor, Charles E. Evans, out of financial difficulties, a humanness and a character side of stage and screen stars which has ever been in evidence in real life. High spots of the entertainment is the tremendous minstrel first part with George MacFarlane and James J. Corbett alternating as 'interlocutors and with specialties by George Olsen and his music; Victor McLaglcn and Edmund Lowe, Tom Patricola, Walter Catlett, William Collier, Sr., Frank Richardson, El Brendel, Lew Brice, the Slate Broth-

era and a score of others with the screen populated by a marvelous singing chorus of more than 100 in black and white minstrel costumes with a truly gorgeous setting enhancing the ensemble. The second part is devoted to some spectacular numbers staged by Earl Lindsay with the stage flooded with beautiful girls in bewilderingly beautiful costumes. The supporting films include Fox Movietone News, and Patho comedy “Fancy That.” Seats may be secured at the theatre office or by ’phone 3152.