ENTERTAINMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 111, 13 May 1932, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

DUCHESS THEATRE ‘‘AERIAL FOUR’’ TO-DAY At to-night’s screening, the matinee to-morrow, and to-morrow night’s session only the Duchess Theatre will present the “Aerial Four,” who have scored such popularity in New Zealand. They are Continental adagio dancers, and their turn is full of thrills and expertness. To try to describe their work would not convey 'ho impression given by actually seeing it. Let it be enough that they are really clever, and even on their own make a very interesting entertainmnt. The picture itself is “Unfaithful,” and stars Ruth Chatterton. AH know Ruth Chatterton as one of the greatest on the talking screen, ano in this she has a wonderful oportunity of displaying her exceptional talents. The story is that before marriage she joined in' the adulation the world gave to the man she loves—after marriage she knows that hero-husband she married is unworthy of her love. Such is the tense situation which turns Ruth Chatterton from a lovely and loving bride into a reckless, thrill-seeking globe-trotter in her latest Paramount dramatic sensation, “Unfaithful.” Hushed, expect ant silence has preceded its mounting climaxes, enthusiastic applause has followed its punchful final scene. For Ruth Chatterton has held her audiences spellbound, lifted it to heights of dramatic emotion, fulfilled its every expectation, in the greatest portrayal she has given in all her remarkable screen career. The story of “Unfaithful” is one of love and conflict and pride; of a husband who reveals himself faithless on his honeymoon; of a good woman whose wounded pride whips her to reckless actions which make her the most slandered woman in Europe. She matches her husband’s spurious good reputation with a bad reputation of her own, equally spurious. And to save her from her mad abandon, Paul Lukas, who performed so superbly with Chatterton in other roles, comes to love her. (Dir ted by John Cromwell, the east of “Unfaithful” proves itself equal to all the exacting situations which the play im-

poses. Paul Cavanagh, as the husband, is a believable and sincere actor handling a difficult role skilfully. Juliette Compton is tnc “other woman,” a beautiful and accomplished actress.

MAJESTIC THEATRE ‘ ‘ M Y WIFE ’8 FA MIL Y ’’ “My Wife’s Family” is showing fin ally at the Majestic Theatre thij after noon and to-night. It is not very often that one can bo sure that a production will appeal to all tastes, but this comedy is a gem or humour aud can be recommended with out hesitation. It is the type of film farco laughed about for days afterwards and later still referred to as a standard of comparison for others. “My Wife’s Family’’ tells the story of the newly-wed couple and the mother-in-law in a delightfully refreshing manner. Gene Gerrard, a clever star, is Mr. Newlywed, but instead of being cowed by mother-in-law Noah (Amy Meness) he makes no secret of his antipathy towards her and of the fact that, of all his wife’s relatives he likes himself the best. The battle of words between Gene and the “battle-cruiser” reduces the audience—men, women and children—to the point, of hysteria, -while interwoven is the story of a grand baby and a baby grand. A piano is hidden in the summerhouse as a surprise for Mrs. Newlywed (Muriel Angelus), but when she goes there to claim it, she finds a baby! Then the fun starts. “The Yellow Ticket.’’ Boasting a briliant c’i’t of favour:tes. headed by Elissa Landi. Lionel Barrymore and Laurence Olivier, a tensely gripping and romantic ‘lory :>rd seme of the most lavish sets that have been flashed upon tne scree i i » many a day, Raoul Waish’® romantic draam, “The Yellow Ticket.” comes to the Majestic Theatre to-mor-row. The dramatic plot, which was aadpted for the screen from Michael Morton’s stage 1 play, evolves about n young and sensitive Russian girl, who through circumstances beyond her control finds it necessary to match her wits against those of the insidious head of the Czar’s secret police, with her own romance and the safety of her lover as the stakes of the struggle. In the end she is forced to kill the relentless menace, only to be then faced with graver problems that lead to a most,

startling denouement. The role of the girl is enacted by Miss Lamlj and is one that gives full play to her histrionic talents and during her emotional scenes she rises to heights of dramatic power seldom seen and heard on the screen. Lionel Barrymore appears as the cruel and scheming police head and as usual Mr. Barrymore gives a performance that is nothing short of superb. Laurence Olivier, who only recently came to the screen from the London and Broadway stage is excellent in the romantic male lead. Other favourites in the east who are deserving of much credit ore Walter Byron, Rita Laßoy, Sarah Paddcn, Arnold Korff. Mischa Auer, Edwin Maxwell and Boris Karloff. GRAND THEATRE THRILLS OF “FRANKENSTEIN.’’ “Frankenstein” is showing finally to-day and to-night at the Grand Theatre. Those movie-fans who have scon it found that all that had been said about it had been true, and then sonic more after that. To see it is to have one experience, to hear about it quite another. Some there may be who will assert »that “Frankenstein” is too grim, too gruesome, to appeal to the average picturegoer, but the unusual subject on which the film is based is handled too well to deserve such a reproach. Everybody has a hazy idea of the “Franken .stein” theme, even though it might ibe rather on tho nebulous side with some. Still, although the producer of “Frankenstein” has not stuck to the idea of Mrs Siielley (tho poet’s second wife), he has produced a. striking pic ture, exciting and provocative of thought. Mrs Shelley made Frankenstein a scientific adopt who built up a man out of parts of other men, and then by some nny’ic gave life to the composite corpse, which forthwith functioned as an animni unballasted by the moral factor, the moral being beyond Frankenstein’s ability to im 1 part—hence the woes thnt followed. In i the picture one sees first Frankenstein tho body-snatcher (the story opening weirdly in a cemetery at a graveside), and then Frankenstein the scientist in his fantastic laboratory imparting life to his built-up man by borrowing n supercharge of electricity from the <ntni'> phoie one stormy night.

REGENT THEATRE “24 HOUKS” SHOWING ; The amazing sum of drama, suspense.: ' romance and adventure that is tallied ■ in tho big cities of to-day, and most ■ frequently is enacted all about us I without our eyes and senses fathoming i the ever-present clues and symbols, is I projected for our benefit, energetically j and eloquently in the new photoplay ■ showing finally to-day and to I night at the Regent Theatre, i “24 Hours,” a Paramount picture. As j a novel and Cosmopolitan Magazine story called “Shattered Glass,” this Louis Bromiicld narrative of tangled lives and lo\es treated within two turns of the clock as modern Neu York City sees it, proved highly nutritive to entertainment appetites. With a cast featuring Clive Brook, Kay Francis, Miriam Hopkins, Regis Toomey and a number of other stage and screen performers equally talented, “24 Hours” was destined to succeed Tho story, for those who have missed the novel or serial, transpires from eleven o’clock night, to the same hour, a span of the sun and moon later. A man who has sought the solace of an affair with a nightclub girl to cover up tso void of a straying wife, finds himself accused of his paramour’s murder. The pressure of the social contacts of himself am] wife istrangely turned to favour him, as he confesses his relationship with the slain girl. The scorned mate of the dead woman is brought to court for another crime, and unwittingly clears tho accused. Freed of many incriminating shadows of the past, he is restored to his wife, whose own affair has gone on the rocks, and who is not without the sense to nurse the re budding affection and trust of her mate. George Barbier, Adrienne Ames, Charlotte Granville, Minor Watson, Lucille La Verne and Wade Boteler arc castmates. “Splinters in the Navy.’’ The patrons of the Regent Theatre will well remember one of the lirst British motion picture triumphs, “Splinters,” which enjoyed a phenomenally long run wherever it was shown, as being, one of the greatest comedy hits of all times and it is lilting that the successor and sequel to the war comedy, “Splinters in the Navy,” should be the picture to set a

new high standard of laughter. Brit ish Dominions Films deserves much credit for presenting to the Regent patrons “Splinters in the Navy.’’ It commences to-morrow. Those joyhoys who rocked us out of our joy-boys who rocked us out of ouseats with laughter and who caused more than one attack of violent hysterics have returned —nauti-eally in elined. “Splinters” marked the first appearance of Sydney Howard, the “frozen-faced” comedian, who, to-day. is recognised as one of the most brilliant comedians in the world. You thought him funny in this production, but. in the new comedy he’s twice agood. All the celebrated •Splinters' characters appear in this nautical bur lesque, which is going to make the need for re-in forced ribs more urgent than ever. Reg Stone, female impersonator, Hal Jones and, most important of all. the world-f line i “Beauty Chorus.” will bring oaek toad memories of their first appearance in “Splinters.’ ’ A most hilarious story runs through tho piece, a highlight bo ing Howard’s fight for the heavy weight championship of tho navy, the challenge for which has neen issued a’ the instigation of a maiden ashore. 'Phis production will certainly supply the solution of the problem why the sea gets rough, and tho ratoons of W Regent Theatre are denyi ig themselves a treat if they miss this knockabout film. SACRED CONCERT A grand sacred concert will be held in the Majestic Theatre on Sunday evening at 8.15 p.m. The arrange ments arc in the hands of Madam l ' Spillane, assisted by the Garrison Band. The proceeds aro for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in aid ot the Wanganui relief. Patrons aro assured of enjoying a fine programme of music and at the same time will be assisting in a. worthy cause. ATTRACTION AT ELRICK ‘ • A ER IA L FOUR” TO MO R R<»W Coming direct from the J. C. Wil liamson Corporation circuit, the 11 Aerial Four” will be seen in their thrilling turn at the Elrick Tea Lounge to-night at a quarter-past nine. Sup I per will be at the usual prices, so that s with such an attraction as the “Aerial I