ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 218, 14 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “LET’S GET MARRIED.” There’s a laugh a minute in Columbia’s rollicking new screen comedy, “Let’s Got Married,” screening to-night at tho Ixosy Theatre. It is one of the funniest and most original comedies screened in many months, gaily flavoured with a riotous roughneck l'omanco and sharply ■ spiced with undertones of drama. Ida Lupino, Ralph Bellamy and Walter Connolly have the three top roles in this sparkling picture which has been so capably directed by Alfred E. Green. The story originally appeared in the Saturday Evening Post as a contribution by A. H. Z. Carr, and has boon given a scintillating screen treatment by Ethel Hill. Tile story hinges on the romance of Miss Lupino, daughter of politico Walter Connolly, and Ralph Bellamy, tiic official Government weather forecaster. The very handsome menace in the case is Reginald Denny, scion to groat Wealth and family tradition, who is being groomed for Congress under the sponsorship of Connolly. Miss Lupino first moots Bellamy when his invention, a ballroom-typo “meteorograph,” falls from tho skies and strikes her on her pretty red head. Ida, already irritated by the obvious attempts of her father to got her engaged to Denny, is angered by the fact that Bellamy’s weather instrument has struck tier. When Ralph calls for liie balloon she expects to soo a professor-like pedagoguo, and is agreeably surprised to find Bellamy to be a personable young chap. Their numerous verbal tiffs finally result in a “break,” and in pique Miss Lupino promises Denny, if it does not rain, to go to the mountains with him for ski-ing. She further promises to marry him while they are on t.licir weekend trip. Connolly, too, is interested in the weaklier. Tic realises that if it rains, up-Statc voters will stay away from tho polls, thus assuring Denny’s election. Bellamy, however, upsets the apple cart after learning of Ida Lupino’s promise to Denny by falsely predicting rain for the election day week-end. The resulting turmoil winds up in an extremely surprising climax, filled with romanco and high comedy. Miss Lupino is perfectly grand as the hot-tempered. hard-headed young firebrand. Bellamy, as usual, turns in a fine performance, while Walter Connolly is flawless as tho political ward heeler. Much of tho comedy is supplied by Raymond Walburn as Connolly's private secretary, with capable portrayals supplied in lesser roles by Nana Brya.nt, Robert Allen and Granville Bates. You will enjoy “Let’s Get Married.” It. is fresh, vivacious, rapid-lire entertainment. “THE MAN IN BLUE.” “The Man in Blue,” the Universal picture screening to-night at tho Kfitiy Theatre, is the dramatic story of a policeman who adopts the son of a burglar whom lie kills in self defence during a gun battle. It is a powerful, inspiring story ot hate and love; of distrust and suspicion; ot faith and redemption. MAYFAIR THEATRE. “GOOD OLD SOAK.” On the screen at the Mayfair Theatre to-night comes to life that unforgettable character, the Old Soak, immortalised by Don Marquis in bis original novel. Wallace Beery now finds his greatest role in this characterisation. Tho picture, /‘Good Old Soak,” trom Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, draws a cross-sec-tion of the America that was —the almost United States in the era ot prohibition.. Beery portrays the character of a smalltown philosopher who retires from active business in order to locate the local speakeasies. Tho complications of the plot revolve around a family ncslegg that is stolen. Of course Old Soak is blamed. The manner in which ho restores the money and reunites the clan makes a story, that provided many laughs for tho audience. Beery, in the loading role, utilities all ot his innate knowledge of human nature and virtually lives Inc character conceived by Marquis during those confusing yearn of the dry era in America. In the supporting cast Una Merkel contributes another of lior delightfully funny portrayals as Nellie; Eric Linden "gives a sensitive warmth. to the role of Beery’s son. Clcmmie; Judith Barrett enlivens the drama with her singing of “You’ve Got a Certain Something,” and Betty Furness scores in the part of. Beery’s daughter. Also not to he overlooked is the work of Ted Hcalv, Janet Beecher, George Sidney, Robert McWadc, and James Bush. J. Walter Ruben has directed the nielli re with a keen understanding of small-town characters. When tho picture was finished it was Beery who saw- to it that a print of the film ‘was sent as his personal gilt to Don Marquis, an invalid now recovering from a lingering illness. FRANK NEIL’S MUSICAL REVUE. The Palmerston North season of Frank Neil’s musical variety revue will open at the Opera House on Friday next with a complete change of programme on Saturday. ’Hie revue will be presented by J. O. Williamson, Ltd., in conjunction with Frank Noil, and included in tho company arc artists of international vaudeville fame. ’The company comes direct to the Dominion from successful seasons in Sydney and Melbourne. Con Collcano, who is described as “tho wizard of tho wire,” heads Iho list of performers, together with Irene Vermillion, who with her famous girl dart trumpeters, will present a novel act. The negro singer, Bob Parrish, who ban achieved fame on the radio in tho United States, will be heard. The popular London musical comedy star, Charles Norman, will be assisted in his act by other members of the company, including Bernard McCaffrey, baritone; Chic Arnold, comedian; Sisson and Neillo, whistler and harpist; and the Broadway Tappers, novelty dancers. The Harris (sinters will be seen in a remarkable balancing act, and humour will bo provided by Jack and Sylvia ICeltaway. Tho revue will bo of the continuous type, which has proved so popular overseas. The company’s Auckland season proved a great success. The Herald said: “There was warm applause for the singers. M. very high standard of singing is reached by those who have charge of this part of the revue. The coloured singer I3oh Parrish was brought back three times by an enthusiastic audience, ami the response to Margaret Griinshaw, a soprano with a fino voice, and Bernard McCaffrey was just as heartening. Natalie Rainc showed herself to bo a very clover and attractive dancer and led the ballot of 12 attractively costumed girls in several of the most popular numbers.” The box plans open on Wednesday at Messrs Collinson and Gunningliamo’s. DON COSSACK CHOIR. GENERAL PLATOFF’S GREAT ORGANISATION. By far the most important and most expensive engagement entered into by Messm J. and N. Tait in recent years is General ITatoff's world-famous Don Cossack Choir, embracing over 30 brilliant singers and Russian dancers, which lias just terminated a triumphant tour of tho United States and South Africa, and which will appear here on Monday, August 30. at tho Opera House. The visit to Now Zealand of tho Don Cossack Choir is in furtherance of a world tour begun in 1933. With headquarters at Prague, Czechoslovakia, tho choir is a body of men whose singing is of spiritual beauty and round, masculine richness. There are over Ihirty choristers, whose production and technique arc qualities unequalled by any other organisation of singers. Their work has been a revelation in all countries which have boon privileged to hear this famous organisation. Tho programmes include such rare and beautiful numbers as “Saria Marais,” a glorified version, Bortnianski’s “To Deuin.” Arhangelsky’s “Hear My Prayer, Oh God,” Charkovsky’s “Blessed Art Thou, Oh Lord,” Donizetti’s setting of tho “Avo Maria,’" IColotine’s “Signals,” Arhangelsky’s “Volga. Boatman,” a Cossack number, Platoff Song, the singing dance of the Caucasians. “Lcsguika,” tho popular Russian song, “Stenka Rosin,” the lovely "Evening Bells,” a comic song “Melania,” and the singing dance of the Don Cossack#, “ICosatschek.” Novel stage effects give glamour to many of tho numbers. Only one night can bo allocated to Palmerston North, as after a hurried tour the Don Cossacks will proceed to Australia, where a comprehensive tour has been arranged. The box plans will be opened at Collinson and Gunninghamc’s on Friday, August 27.