PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 35, 10 February 1934, Page 16

PLAZA THEATRE

THRILLS IN MID-ATLANTIC The Plaza Theatre has another programme of outstanding excellence for pations, who registered approval at yesterday’s screening. “l-.P.1” is a film that young and old will enjoy with, the same relish. It is a film that should not bo missed simply because it contains a direct and eventful story which is simply told from start tu finish, a story that has been adniiiably translated to the screen and whose principal characters have been cast to perfection. A project that engineers have discussed and frequently in recent years —the mooring of a great floating aerodrome in mid-Atlantie as a refuelling station for passenger ’planes between Europe and America —is shown coming to fruition in this, ambitious film. The name is an abbreviation of “Flying Platform No. 1,” which is designed by a young engineer and built by an American shipyard. During the building of the platform its designer learns that powerful financial interests are working against him. Strange mishaps delay tho work, and it is over two years before the completed structure, a huge floating island of steel and glass, is anchored, in position in the Atlantic. During this time, the desgner falls in lovo with the girl who is third partner in the ’shipbuilding yard that constructed the E.P.I. So also does his friend, an airman of world fame, who has been promised the honour of being the first man to land on the platform. The landing takes place in an exciting moment. Soon after the E.P.I has reached her station and before she is ready fur use, the shipyard hears over the radio the sounds of revolver fire aboard. Tho designer and one of his officers are engaged in a duel to decide whether the E.P.I will float or sink, the officer having been bribed by the opposing interests to destroy' the work. His friend “hops off” by ’plane, taking the girl with him. They are fired at as they land on the F.P.I by tire man who wishes to sink the structure, and their ’plane is damaged. The criminal escapes by launch, and they find the staff at the aerodrome all unconscious, having been gassed, a des perate struggle to save the aerodrome, and the airman’s lone dash for help in a hastily-repaired ’plane are as exciting as they are well acted. Conrad Veidt has the leading role and he really dominates the lilm. He is cast as the great airman who has flown round the world and has never been defeated by any project, but who finally is in danger of falling down on the greatest job of his career because he finds that the girl on whom he ha- s set all his hopes is in love with someone else. This player has a remarkable sense of the dramatic and w every way fills the role of Ellissen effectively. His manner of speech, his marvellous stage presence, and his surprising exercise of rcsU**int in the most inelodraniutic ci I'd!instances give to the characterisation and to the picture a distinction which must make it a general attraction during its Wanganui season. Jill Esmond, another player of more than ordinary merit, has the leading feminine part, and she acquits herself with scarcely less distinction than the star. She has a none too easy role, but she is more than equal to the demands it makes upon her. Leslie Fenton, in the role of Ihe young .engineer who builds the great ocean (prodrome in the middle of the Atlantic, has a part full of opportunity, and he makes the most of it. All the supporting roics an excellently handled and one gets an idea of the ambitious character of the lilm from the presence in the ranks of supernumerary players of many performers who have lately been seen in semi-leads. Donald Calthrop provides what humour the film affords and it is all of the usual dry and subtle character which distinguishes this player from the general run of screen comedian. The supporting programme is, as usual, excellent and the general opinion will be that the comedy item, “Dreamers,” is one or the best features of its kind seen locally for some time. It might be callea Britain’s challenge to the Laurel and Hardy type of fooling, and if the reaction o.L‘ last night's audience to its nonsense can bo taken as a criterion it should prove immensely popular during the coining season. “Sweet Aft,” another of the clever and diverting Cinomagazine series, proves another , good draw, and the Fox News is very attractive.