ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 182, 3 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “JUNGLE JIM.” Adventure in dark, mysterious Africa beckons to you. Jungle Jim, whose ox-, ploits you follow with such interest in the newspaper feature strips, is in the movies now. At the head of his safari, lie is penetrating deep into the jungle on a dan- ; gcrous mission and lie invites you to follow him in this, his latest advenure. ; Tho screen version of Jungle Jim has' been produced by Universal in a story of 12 chapters. The first instalment screens at Ihe Kosy Theatre to-night. In every ] respect Universal lias gone to great length to make a fine film play out of Raymond’s popular cartoon strip. The picture lias a splendid cast, with such important players as Grant Withers, Raymond Hatton, Evelyn Brent and Bryant Washburn in the leading roles. Grant Withers, cast as Jungle Jiin, makes a convincing iicro. The feminine lead is played by beautiful and talented Betty Jane Rhodes, radio star who in duplicating her success on the air in pictures. She plays the part of Joan, the Lion Goddess, who, raised in the jungle., ban an uncanny power to control lions. The natives worship her and recognise her as their rider. She falls heir to a huge fortune in America land two safaris start into the jungle to find her. One is led by Jungle Jim, who wants to help her claim her inheritance. The other L headed by three villains who want to slay tho girl so that they can have the money for themselves. Naturally these men are Jungle Jim’s enemies. And he has rOill another deadly foe. He is the sinister Cobra, an escaped convict whose safety in his jungle retreat depends; on Joan’s power over the natives. His life depends on the girl’s remaining in the jungle and ho will do anything to keep her there. So, Jungle Jim. is pitted not merely against the usual perils of the African wilds —lions, tigers, elephants., and fierce native tribesmen. He has to fight these murderous men as well. “CALIFORNIA STRAIGHT AHEAD.”

Until recently nobody saw any romance in the rolling fleet of transcontinental trucks that roared over highways during ti lc night. They were prosaic things, just machines, until Universal to'd the story behind the fleets. The story of the human being* who kept the trucks rolling. I lie struggle between a trucking company and a railroad. The pulsing dramatic battle of man against man; of man against machine The underlying heart throb story of a girl who wanted a man to win and lielnod him do it. All that is told m “California Straight Ahead,” the film now at the Kosy Theatre.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “LOVE FROM A STRANGER” If it is thrills and excitement yon are seeking then see Ann Harding and Basil Rathbono in.“ Love From a Stranger, the mist lliirlling drama of the year, screening at the Mayfair to-night Make no mistake This is not just a “horrific; him but. on intensely interesting, brilliantly acted study of the macabre. Tho film is a grim psyeho-analvtical drama of a mmdercr. and was adapted by Frances Marion, Hollywood's highest paid scenarist, from the successful play by Frank Vesper, which in turn, was based upon an Agatha Christie short story. Much is expected of a brainchild of such distinguished parentage, and “Love From f. Stranger,” superbly directed by Rowland V. Lee, also from Hollywood,' fulfills every expectation ’J he film opens cautiously hut soon builds up to a tremendous, almost ncrvc-wrackmg climax, in which Ann Harding and Basil Rathbono rbc to magnificent heights of dramatic acting. Miss Harding, appearing in her first British picture, has never given a greater performance, and she and Rathbono made a perfectly balanced team. Every ounce of drama is extracted from the story which shows a beautiful secret ary bored with her lmm-drum existence suddenly transported to the height of unbelievable luxury as the result of winning a sweepstake. A handsome stranger enters her life and sweeps her off her feet. Madly in love she marries him, and her new found heaven is complete. But her happiness is short-lived. It would ho 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 tho most hard-boiled filmgoer to the edge of his scat. If von miss this film you arc missing the finest thriller ever produced in a British sludio. Go along and see for yourselves and yon will agree that this is. no exaggeration. A brilliant cast support* Ann Harding and Basil Rathbono, and special mention must he given to Binnie Ilalo in one of her inimitable, comedy roles, Bruce Seton, Jean Cadell, and Donald Calthrop.