PLAZA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 86, 5 January 1935, Page 4

PLAZA THEATRE

“My Song For You”

The attractiveness of the programme at the Plaza Theatre is meeting the taste of the public, and the theatre was packed to full capacity yesterday at all sessions. The big Gaumont-British film. “My Song for You,” in which the golden-voiced Jan Kiepura takes the leading part, entered upon its third week, and aroused as much enthusiasm as upon the opening night. The film is a medley song, comedy, and romance, and Jan Kiepura sings not only the leading theme song, but excerpts from the opera “Aida,” and “Ave Maria,” which is a feature of the concluding scenes. He is excellently supported by Sonnie Hale and Emlyn Williams, who do clever comedy work. Pretty Aileen Marson makes an enchanting heroine, and Gino Malo does good work as a party girl of the present day. Muriel George, Reginald Smith, and George Merritt are ali happily cast in this delightful musical comedy, in which the outdoor locations are picturesque, and the settings on a sumptuous scale. The supporting subjects are of a most attractive , nature. The crowded house last night was delighted with the film, “Princess Marina’s Wedding," which gave close up views of the assembly of the grace and chivalry of Europe in London for the Royal wedding. . This film, which came out by the new air-mail service, gives stirring views of the pageantry of the happy event, in which the whole British nation rejoiced. The scenes at the service at Westminster Abbey were of surpassing impressiveness, and the parade of European royalty made a spectacle of grace and circumstance. It was good to see the way in which the people of London took the Duke and Duchess of Kent to their hearts. Scenes from the Duke of Gloucester’s tour of New Zealand and a striking view of the recent eruption of Mt. Ngauruhoe were also subjects which held the attention of the big house closely last night. “The Fountain.” A story of great love, “The Fountain,” is coming soon to the Plaza Theatre in the form of a film which has attained considerable success abroad. The film is from Charles Morgan’s famous novel of the same name, and has been made a significant screen drama. Ann Harding is featured with Brian Aherne and Paul Lukas. Another considerable attraction in the programme will be the featurette in new technicolour, “La Cucaraeha,” an atmosphere production of South American musie. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “The Trumpet Blows” The glamour of bull-fighting in Mexico is brought to the screen at the Paramount Theatre in the entertaining film, “The Trumpet Blows,” the leading parts in which are excellently handled by George Raft, the young actor who has made himself so -popular. Adolpc Menjou, suave and polished, Francis Drake, a beautiful brunette, Sidney Toler, and Nydia Westman, artists of ability. In the picture Raft plays the part of a Mexican boy, who returns to his country after completing his education in New York. lie falls in love with his brother’s fiancee, not knowing there is anything between them. When he discovers what he has done, he leaves for Mexico City, for his brother’s sake. But the brother (Menjou) mistakes the gesture, and when he finds the girl also in Mexico City fie condemns them for their treachery. Menjou, who is proud of the courage of his people, tells the younger man he is afraid to take his place in the arena that day, and believes he has discovered the yellow streak.. Raft, however, to prove he is made 6f the same stuff as his forbears, not only engages six bulls one after the other, but does so after the severest physical handicap. There is a happy reconciliation, made to appear the, more sincere by astute picture direction. 'Supports are worthy of the main attraction. DE LUXE THEATRE “Outcast Lady” Constance Bennett and Herbert Marshall are stars together for the first time in “Outcast Lady,” which was screened at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday for the first time. “Outcast Lady” is a story of the complicated emotions evoked by the romantic adventures of the character played by Miss Bennett. Loving Herbert Marshall with all her soul, she has to sacrifice her affection 'because a marriage would interfere with his career and because of his influential father’s objections. She gives herself to another courtier, the idol of her brother, but on the wedding night she discovers his past, and he kills himself. She feels that if her brother discovers the truth about his hero he will give way to his craving,for drink, and she keeps the secret. Society blames her, and she is outcast until Just before a poignant close, when in a dramatic scene the sterling value of her noble character is revealed to those who had tormented her. Mrt. Patrick Campbell and Elizabeth Allen have important parts in support. The programme includes a film of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, a Charlie Chase comedy, and a newsreel. GRAND OPERA HOUSE “The Crime of Helen Stanley” The unravelling of murder stories is an ever-absorbing pastime, and in "The Crime of Helen Stanley,” which drew a large audience to the Opera House last night, there is a limitless field for speculation, while for those just content to follow the theme there is entertainment of the best type. Paradoxically one never tires of “crime” films and this feature presents a mystery drama in a new locale—a Hollywood film studio. Never has suspicion fallen upon so many people in a film and, despite the fact that so many of the suspects are “dropped,” dramatic intensity is sustained to the end. Helen Stanley, a noted actress, is shot to death while acting in a scene. A mysterious diary kept by the actress is the pivot upon which the plot eventually revolves. Ralph Bellamy, as Inspector Trent, is as good as we have seen, while a representative cast finishes off a perfect production. A lengthy list of shorts is as varied as entertaining. KING’S THEATRE “Straight is the Way” and “Paris Interlude” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are responsible for both the two excellent films entertaining filmgoers at. the King’s Theatre this week. In “Straight is the Way” Franchot Tone, Karen Morley, May Robson, Nat Pendleton, C. Henry Gordon, William Bakewell and Raymond Hatton star in a melange of laughter and tears. The story tells of how Benny Horowitz, released from jail, struggles to live a new life and abandon his old gang. In particular he finds it hard to break with his old-time sweetheart, and this attempt involves him in dramatic consequences which lead up to an original and thrilling denouement. This gripping film is supported by a sedond feature, “Paris Interlude,” dealing with life in the artist colonies of Paris. Madge Evans, Robert Young, Otto Kruger, Una Merkel and Ted Tealy are the stars in a hilarious comedy that will delight the most critical audience.