PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 283, 3 December 1935, Page 12

PLAZA THEATRE

‘‘CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” Glamour, drama, mystery, danger—these are some of the characteristics of the latest and in some respects the best of Charlie Chan’s exploits as recorded in “Charlie Chan in Shanghai.” The picture concludes its season at the Plaza Theatre to-night. Urbane, calm, impassive, slow in speech, scarcely the model of a great film detective, Chan leads the audience through the enthralling story of how an opium gang are broken up in this city of the teeming East. The supports are particularly good. One is a picture survey of the air route from Brisbane to Singapore, showing the native life in the various ports of call. This is the picture instructive at its best. Gladys Moncrieff’s Return The stage reappearance of Miss Gladys Moncrieff at the Plaza Theatre on Friday is being eagerly awaited by the many admirers of this popular Australian soprano. Excerpts from the favourite musical comedies, “Maid of the Mountains,” “Naughty Marietta/’ “Southern Maid’’ and “Rio Rita,” -will be sung by Miss Moncrieff and are sure to meet with an enthusiastic reception. Another opportunity will also be afforded the musicloving public of Wanganui to hear the brilliant pianist Gil Dech, who was with Miss Moncrieff on her last visit to the city. John Robertson, a New Zealand cornetist, who is said to be, one of the four most accomplished exponents of the instrument in the world, will complete the trio of artists.

- • Gambling’ ’ To-morrow Billed as America’s first actor, George M. Cohan appears to-morrow in the Fox Film attraction “Gambling,” in which he is supported by Wynne Gibson, Dorottihy Burgess, Theodore Newtdn and Walter Gilbert. Cohan plays the part of Al (Draper, a New York gambler whose gaming house is patronised by society folk and wealthy plungers. As the story opens it is raided once more by the police under Inspector Freelock (Walter Gilbert). As in the past, they find no tangible evidence of gambling. Cohan and the inspector have a certain liking and respect for each other, despite the raids. Because Of this, Cohan has recourse to the inspector when his adopted daughter elopes at quarantine from the ship bringing her back from a European school. When he meets the boat, Cohan is handed a message from his daughter stating that she has fallen madly in love with Theodore Newton on the voyage and that they are to be married at once. The inspector promises to set the police on the trail of the elopers. When the daughter is found murdered the mystery deepens, and in the unravelling of 'the tangled threads an emotion-stirring climax is reached.