PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 186, 10 August 1935, Page 16

PLAZA THEATRE

‘•THE LITTLE COLONEL.” Delightful ontertainrnent is offered in ‘‘ The Little Colonel,’’ a Fox film, which began a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. It has as its principal player that extraordinary child Shirley Temple, who gives another winning performance. The young actress is no mere child prodigy made to show off by a designing director, b’ilie effectively establishes her ability to act, and in this film even Lionel Barrymore, one of the most gifted and experienced of film players, cannot overshadow her. The story tells how (Shirley, as the “little colonel’’brings about a reconciliation between her grandfather (Lionel Barrymore), an elderly colonel of the Confederate army, and her mother, who has had the courage to marry a northern Yankee. (Shirley is as autocratic as the old colonel himself. (She stamps her foot at him, he shakes his walkingstick at her. Finally there is forgiveness all round, and Shirley has a party, which is photographed in colour. As in “Treasure Island,” Lionel Barrymore again shows his great power of vital characterisation. In the part of the ohl Southerner, he is superb and carries the role with flawless ease. Tersb, excitable and irascible, he is always effective. Outstanding performances are also given by two coloured players. As Walker, the colonel's negro servant, Bill Robinson, who has won renown on the variety stage for his exceptional tap-dancing, displays almost perfect poise and amazing stage ease. Shirley 4s at her best with Robinson, who moves so gracefully that one is ever awaiting the moment when he will begin to dance. One of the most enjoyable scenes in this charming film is that in which Robinson dances his way up and down staiis with Shirley making a surprisingly successful effort to copy him. This staircase dance, performed by one of the best tap-dancers in the world, would alone make the film worth seeing. The second coloured player whose work impresses is Nyanza I’otts, a quaint little negro, whose Henry Clay is a joyous piece of pantomime. But these performances do not in the least detract from the witchery of Shirley Temple, who is as beguiling in her serious moments as when her famous smile flashes out. There is a first-class supporting programme. A Fox ALovietone newsreel with pictures of the Football Association cup final at Wembley, is followed by an amusing Paul Terrytoon cartoon, “Jack’s Shack.” Another item is a comedy, “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The outstanding shorter picture is, however, a film of the jubilee procession in London. This Gau-mont-British production gives vivid i glimpses of the pageantry of a memorable day and of the tumultuous reception which British Royalty received on every side. Three sessions Yvill be held to-day, there being a 10.30 a.m. screening in addition to the usual matinee and evening sessions. Children are urged to sign Shirley’s autograph book, which already contains thousands of signatures, while the lucky ones will receive a signed photograph of Shirley Temple. On the stage Aliss Shirley Cramond’s pupils present, in taking little costumes, the dainty “Shirley Temple Ballet.”