ENTERTAINMENT

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4547, 23 December 1930, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT

TOWN HALL. SPECIAL HOLIDAY ALLTA LK UNO ATTRA CTIONS. Tlii" murder will out-theory is evidently dominent in the inind of tin* greet English mystery writer, A. E. W. Mason, whose famous yarn, “At the Villa Rose,” will be moving and talking in a smooth English voice at the Town Hall tomorrow (’Xmas Eve). The locale of this picture is' picturesque Monte Carlo, and the story revolves around several people, chief among them being -the super mystery solver of the Mason mind, llanaiul, Madam d’Auvry, Ceeila, Madam’s protege; Ricardo a Top, and Weatbermill, a young- man-aboul-town. “At the Villa Rose” is a. melodrama in every sense of the word, and, while the serious moments are many, the picture has a delightful vein of humour running through it that is just- as spontaneous as the fun that has characterised such -British talkies a« “Splinters" and “Rookery Nook." The diflicult part, of the French criminologist, liana ud, is played with dexterity bv Austin Trevor, a great stage star and a leading member of Cochran’s WestEnd ‘Revue. Miss Nora Baring (a , hie example of English beauty) lends life to her part of Celia, the protege of the hostess of the Villa Rose, Ala dame d’Auvry. Also “Ask Had,” an all-talking comedy special, “People Born in February,” all-talking horoscope and talkie news. 'Prices as usual. The big attraction for Boxing night is the. 10(1 per cent, talkie “Splinters.” “Splinters,"’ rather fortunately, possesses that essential something which enables one to label a Him “Novel." In the first place “Splinters” is a first-class entertainment; .and in the second it is unusual. Thirdly it possesses several catchy tunes, notably, “I’H Jie (letting Along” and “Encore.’ These numbers to use an American reviewer’s words are "sure lire.' “Splinters” is entertaining, because it provides plenty of humour, through the medium of Nel*,,ll Keys and Sydney Howard, and because, as we have already said, it is novel. This is probably the first, picture that has been womaulcss but don’t get the idea that this all talking, all British film Jacks 1 Janie Elinor Giya’s much discussed “it.” Air. Rcgi Stone supplies “ft" and his clever female impersonation, it is said, makes a much more femininely attractive star than many of the real, though colourless, girls seen in recent pictures. Altogether, “Splinters” is a jolly, entertainment and patrons of the Town Hall should enjoy it immensely. With “Constable” alltalking comedy and “Spanish Omelette” talking cartoon. Usual places.