PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 164, 14 July 1933, Page 10

PLAZA THEATRE

DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME. “Speed Demon,” the Columbia motor boat racing story which shows finally to-day at the Plaza should more than satisfy the present-day mania for speed and still more speed. William Collier, Jnr., and Joan Marsh are featured in the principal roles of the production. For twenty-five years William Collier, actor, playwright, stage director and producer, has been one of the kings of the theatrical world. And now, his black-haired son, William Collier, jnr., 28 or 29 years old, ig carrying on the Collier dynasty as a prince of Hollywood. A picture that starts with the swiftness of an arrow and continues toward a smashing climax with amazing rapidity is “State Trooper,” a Columbia production featuring Regis Toomey and Evalyn Knapp, which is also showing. The story is lucidly told, and results in outstanding entertainment for all members of the family “Leap Year” To-morrow. Coming to-morrow to the Plaza Theatre is everyone’s old favourite, Tom Walls. With a splendid cast he will be seen in “Leap Year,” one of the best English pictures produced to date. The story tells how Sir Peter Trailion, after a successful affair abroad on behalf of the Foreign Office, learns from his chief, Sir Archibald Mallard, that there is another attractive lady, Mrs. Paula Zahren. who needs close attention. He pleads that he is in need of a change. Knowing his man, and determined that Mrs. Zahren. and Trailion shall meet, Sir Archibald arranges with the General Post Office to interfere with the telephone wires between them both. Sir Peter goes on to his flat, and deciding to celebrate with one of the fair ladies on his private list, he spends a hour or so telephoning, but all are either engaged for the evening, recently married, or out of town. Disgusted, Sir Peter decides to celebrate on his own, and when on the point of entering his bath is interrupted by the ringing of the telephone. His servant- is out, so perforce, be answers, to hear a charming voice inquire, “Is that you, Marjorie?” He impolitely replies in the negative and slams up the receiver. The third request for Marjorie finds a Peter persuading the owner of the fascinating voice to dine with him, and as s*ie is mystified by the extraordinary way the same wrong number has answered each time, and in any case Marjorie had expected the call before 7.30 if she intended dining with her, she agrees to consider the idea. The unknown arrives late just as Peter is leaving the restaurant, and when he turns to find a beautiful woman asking if he is “Marjorie” his heart completes a somersault. They dine, and each moment finds Peter more in love, hut the lovely lady refuses to hear his nameor disclose her own. The thrill of adventure fires Peter, and when she tells him that it has been the happiest evening in her life, Peter pleads with lier not to end it, but go with him to anywhere they can be together until the following Monday morning, when, onlv because it is her stipulation, they shall part. Four years pass without a glimpse of her, and it is only after he has made a sea voyage, imagined ho saw her aboard a passing boat, changed his ship and found himself engged to the daughter of his one-time Foreign Office chief, that while visiting Cannes with his fiancee and parry Tie finds her. The situation is a difficult one, and it requires resourceful handling before the final happy solution. The tangled web is straightened out in a series of amusing situations. The supporting programme includes a fine variety of subjects. __