MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 67, 20 March 1940, Page 7

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“LADY OF THE TROPICS.” Hedy Lamarr, most exotic of film stars, makes a welcome reappearance on the screen in one of the year’s finest films, “Lady of the Tropics,” which is screening to-day at the Majestic Theatre. Drama, a touch of humour and pathos are admirablyblended in this passionate love story Manon (Hedy Lamarr), a beauty of French-Chinese parentage, is pledged to wed a sultan. Because of her helfcaste status she is not allowed to leave Saigon, as she desires. Two days before her marriage to the sultan she meets a young American playboy (Robert Taylor), who is touring with friends. They fall in love and are married pending their immediate departure for Paris. Manon, however, is refused a passport. From this point on the film moves interestingly to a highly-dramatic, if poignant, conclusion. The supporting programme sho'ws the Australian and New Zealand forces in the Middle East. “The Under-Pup.” “The Underpup,” starring Gloria Jean, Universal’s new singing star and successor to Deanna surbin, is to commence on Saturday at the Majestic Theatre. The Peguins, an extremely exclusive society of young girls, has the idea of asking a little slum child to share their annual camp in the mountains. For this purpose they run an essay competition, the subject being “Trees,” the winner of which is Pip-Emma (Gloria Jean) whose rather cryptic and pathetic epistle, “I cannot write on trees for I have never seen any,” gains the attention of the girls. Pip-Emma starts out on her holiday full of excitement, only to find that it is not all a bed of roses. However, after a lot of trouble, she manages to break down the prejudices of the Penguins and finally, through the efforts of her friend, Janet Cooper (Virginia Weidler), she actually becomes a “Penguin” herself. The little star’s beautiful singing voice is heard to full advantage.