PLAZA THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 9

PLAZA THEATRE

"WINGS OF THE MORNING” ' The romance of a lovely fugitive fleeing from strife-torn Spain, "Wings of the Morning,” enjoying a return season at the Plaza Theatre, introduces a new and exciting screen personality in Annabella, starred with Henry Fonda and Leslie Banks in the film, which presents the world-famous tenor John McCormack. “Wings of the Morning” provides a thrilling mixture of drama, spectacle and surprise, including the spectacular changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the most sensational Derby ever run, with jockey Steven Donoghue riding his most thrilling race. “King Solomon’s Mines.”

Rider Haggard's thrilling story “King Solomon’s Mines" is brought to the screen in highly convincing manner in the Gaumont British production of the same name which will commence a Wanganui season at the 10.25 p.m. session to-night. The outstanding player is Paul Robeson, and his performance is notable both for his singing and his acting. His numbers include “The Waggon Song” and ‘‘Climbing Up.” He sings the latter twice, once with a remarkable echo effect that Is particularly suited to the impressive mountain setting of the sequence. As the intrepid hunter Allan Quartermain, Sir Cedric Hardwicke gives a masterly portrayal. The popular English screen comedian Roland Young is particularly effective as Commander Good, and his quaint remarks provide welcome comedy relief in the highly dramatic sequences of the film. A romantic interest is provided by Anna Lee and John Loder. The party set out across the desert in search of the girl's father. The latter has gone in search of King Solomon's mines, and the expedition, after facing the tortures of thirst and sandstorms in the desert, ultimately reaches the mines. Here they are taken prisoner by a trib of hostile natives. It is only the timely arrival of an eclipse of the sun that saves the white people from a horrible death. There follows a battle

between two factions of the tribe, one led by Robeson and the other by the brutal chief. Robeson's army is victorious and the party are at last at liberty to enter the historic mines. Here they find the girl’s father and after escaping the attentions of the local witch doctor and a volcanic eruption they escape with a small fortune in diamonds.