ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 2 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “BENGAL TIGER.” Heralded as one of the most thrilling screen dramas with a unique romance and colourful settings, “Bengal Tiger,” a Warner Bros, production, shows finally to-night at the Kosy Theatre, with Barton MaeLanc, 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 B:g- Top, and in their private dressing tents. It is the inside story of this colourful train during the summer tour and in winter quarters. It is a real circus thriller, presenting the acts of aorialists, tumblers, riders and animal trainers, with clowns and freaks of tho side shows, set in all the picturesqueness and glamour of a real tent show. In tact tho circus acts are performed by actual experts of the sawdust trail, who wore engaged specially for this picture. Scenes of the greatest excitement centre about tho cages of the wild animals, Where in tho story, Barton MacLane, a tiger tamer, is so badly clawed that ho loses a leg, and his life is saved only at the sacrilice of the life of his assistant. Back on the job with a wooden leg, the animal tra : ner looks up his assistant's daughter, finds her in dire trouble, gets her out of gaol and marries her. But the girl has married him out of gratitude and not for love. Later she falls deeply in love with her husband’s best friend, the aerialist. The latter decides to leave tlife circus because of his intatuation, but on saying good-bye to bis friend’s wife, lie 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. Others in the cast include l’aul Graeein, Joseph King, Don Barclay, Gordon Hart and Carlyle Moore, junr. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “LOVE FROM A STRANGER” If it is thrills and excitement you are seeking then see Ami Harding and Basil Rathbone in "Love from a enranger,” the most tfiirffmg drama ot the year, screening at tiie lYlayiuir to-moriow. Make no -lips take 'tills is not just a "horrific” linn Put an intensely interesting, r , brilliantly acted study of tho macabre. The film is a grim psyche-analytical diama of a murderer, and was adapted by Frances Marion, Hollywood's highest paid scenarist, from the successful play .by Frank Vesper, which in turn, was basid upon an Agatha Cliristio short story. Much is expected of a brainchild oj such distinguished parentage, and "Love From a btrangcr,” superbly directed by Rowland V. Lee, also from Hollywood, fulfills every expectation. Tlie film opens cautiously but soon builds up to a tremendous, almost nerve-wracking climax, in which Ann Harding and Bash Rathbone rise to magnificent heights of dramatic acting. Miss Harding, appealing l in her first British' picture, has never given a greater performance, and she and Rathbone made a perfectly balanced team. , Every ounce of drama is extracted from the | story which shews a beautiful secretary bored with her hum-drum existence suddenly transported to the height cl unbelievable luxury as the result of winning a sweepstake. A handsome stranger enters her life and sweeps her off her leet. -Madly in love she marries him, and her new found heaven is complete. But her happiness is short-lived. It would be unfair to describe here how her happiness is short-lived, but ti is worked out in a thrilling climax which is guaranteed to bring even the most hard-boiled filingocr to the edge of his scat. If you miss this film you are missing tiie finest thriller ever produced in a British studio. Go along and see for yourselves and you will agree that this is no exaggeration. A brilliant cast supports Ann Harding and Basil Rathbone, and special mention must be given to Bionic Hale in one of her inimitable comedy roles, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell, and Donald Calthrop.