REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 188, 11 August 1939, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

“KING OF CHINATOWN” A c.-7t of export character players and a fast-moving crime story with an unusual twist make “King of Chinatown,” which concludes to-night at the Regent Theatre, as exciting a racket picture as has ever been shown. Such performers as Anna May Wong, Akim ramiroff, J. Carrol Naish, Roscoe Karns and Sidney Toler are responsible for the sharp portrayals. Full of amusing situations and crackling dialogue, the associate feature, “A Bride for Henry,” Is a sure guarantee for limitless laughs. The picture, which is adapted from the story by Joseph Bentham, co-stars Warren Hull and Anne Nagel. “Housemaster” “Housemaster,” the Associated British picture which is to screen with “Youth Marches On” to-morrow at the Regent Theatre, is one of the best and brightest films to have left I the British studios. The cast contains Otto Kruger, Diana Churchill, Phil- | lips Holmes and Rene Ray. Its story, i although comedy predominates, is I human, sympathetic and cleverly contrived. Adapted from the lan Hay long-running play of the same name. “Housemaster” tells the story of a middle-aged housemaster, devoted to his boys, who finds that the newlyappointed headmaster is gradually trying to get him to resign. Matters are made worse when his three charming but irresponsible wards descend upon the school, upsetting all routine and almost causing a mutiny. Otto Kruger plays Charles Donkin, the lovable housemaster. Diana Churchill, who received high praise in 1937 with her sympathetic portrayal of the young wife in “The Dominant Sex,” has the part of the eldest of the three wards, and shows herself as a brilliant light comedy actress. Rene Ray and Rosamond Barnes are her madcap sisters. A charming romance enters the story with the young science master (Phillips Holmes) falling in love with Diana.