REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 202, 27 August 1936, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

“SHOW BOAT.” “Show Boat,” showing finally today and to-morrow al thq Regent Theatre, is evergreen, judging by the popularity it is enjoying and this is not surprising. The producers have (aught the essence of negro life on the big river, and even if this were not so the singing of Paul Robeson in “OF Man River” and “Ah Still Suits Me,” would bring its pathos and sentiment home to the audience. While the river setting is superb, the vocal side of the film is not restricted to Paul Robeson. Allen Jones, as Gaylord Ravenal, the easy-going actor who plays ducks and drakes with the heart of Irene Dunne, as Magnolia Hawks, also has a fine voice, and the duets of these two arc delightful. Captain Hawks, the owner of the show beat, and his wife are well, drawn characters, and the wild life of the America ol the day is picturesquely delineated. “Desire.” “Desire,” which is to mark the 1936 Paramount Silver Jubilee Week commencing on Saturday at the Regent Theatre, presents a “different.” Mattlone Dietrich from that whom the picture-going public has seen hitherto. A change has been made in dictatorship, and under the direction of Frank Borzage a new Dietrich certainly is presented—a Dietrich more human than previously, and one possessing an unsuspected sense of real humour. Gary Cooper has the male lead, and makes a thoroughly good job of it as a young American on vocation in Spain. Paris is lhe locale for the opening of “Desire.” There a jewel raid is cleverly executed, and Dietrich, an adventuress, flees to the Spanish border, but cn route circumstances arise which cause her and the booty to part company. Gary Cooper here lends a hand. He helps the beautiful jewel thief to escape, but is unable to do so himself. Some exciting and amusing events follow and lead up to the climax.