ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 180, 1 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “SIAN OF THE PEOPLE.” In accordance with its custom by which players are constantly given greater opportunity, Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Joseph L'alleia in a new role, this time as a hero instead of a villain. The picture is “Man of the People,” and it screens to-night at the Mayfair Theatre. The original story, n novel of the same title by Frank Dolan, ox-New York tabloid reporter, pictures a modern city and the political machine which maker, it go. Dolan wrote from first-hand knowledge and the picture follows his story. Calleia draws the character of a poor hoy who has risen through struggle to the post of assistant-prosecutor. The disgusting repetition of crooked politics stirs him <o action, but he is powerless. He loses the job. A sympathetic governor appoints him to head an investigating committee interested in corrupt corporations. The first corporation upon which ho alights happens to he one of the erookedest of them all and also one in which the mother of his sweetheart is a heavy stockholder. The young attorney plunges and wins both the case and the girl. Calleia has the best role of his career, which is saying a great deal. Florence Rice in the romantic role continues her steady ascent to stardom unaided by her famous parent, Grantland Rice, the sports columinist. Ted Healy provides comedy and a capable supporting east includes Thomas Mitchell, Catharine Doucet, Paul Stanton and Jonathan Hale.

KOSY THEATRE. “BENGAL TIGEIL” Heralded as one of the most thrilling screen dramas with a uti'que romance ami colourful settings, “Bengal Tiger,” a Warner Bros, production, shows to-night at tho Kosy Theatre, with Barton MacLane, June Travis and Warren Hull in the principal roles. The story and screen play by Roy Chanslor and Earl Felton centres about the lives of circus folk both at work before the public under tho Big Top, and in their private dressing tents, ft is the inside story of this colourful train during the summer lour and in winter quarters. It is a real circus thriller, presenting the acts of aerialisls, riders and animal trainers, with clowns and freaks of the side shows, set in all the pieturesquenoss and glamour of a real tent show. In tact the circus acts arc performed by actual experts of the sawdust trail, who were engaged specially lor this px'turo. Scenes of the greatest excitement centre about the cages of (he wild animals, where in the story, Barton MacLane, a tiger tamer, is so badly clawed that lie loses a leg, and his life is saved only at the sacrifice of the life of his assistant. Back on tho job with a wooden leg, the animal trabicr looks up his assis-. tant's daughter, finds her in dire trouble, gets her out of gaol and marries her. But tlie girl lias married him out of gratitude and not for love. Later she falls deeply in love with her husband’s best friend, the aeriaiist. The latter decides to leave thfe circus because of his infatuation, but on saying good-byo to his friend’s wife, he breaks down and takes her in his arms. Stepping suddenly into the scene, the tiger tamer thinks his friend has doublecrossed him, and drags him into the cage of Satan, a Bengal man killer, to let the wild beast settle the score. Follows one of the most thrilling climaxes ever filmed. Olliers in the cast include Paul Gracein, Joseph King, Don Barclay, Gordon Mart and Carlyle Moore, junr.