ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 221, 18 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “GIIOST GOES WEST." Leave all your old notions about ghosts at home when you go to the Mayfair Thcatro to-night. For the I ‘spook*' who walks the screen in “T he Ghost Goes West,” Alexander Korda’s gay new romantic comedy is unlike any screen ghost you ever saw. 110 is >lmndsomo, lie is charming, and he has a decided way with tho ladies. The brilliant liobcrt Donat, who rose to world fame overnight as “The Count of Monte Cristo” and • recently scored in “l lie 39 Steps,” plays a dual role. lie is seen both’as Donald Glonric, an impoverished young Scotch Highlander who. is forced to sell his haunted iincostral castlo to an American millionaire and also as the personable shade who strolls the castlo Halls. r lho story, which Robert E. Sherwood adapted from a story by Eric Kcown in London Punch, takes an hilarious turn when tho millionaire, played by Eugene Palloito/ -dismantles and transports the castle to America and the ghost goes along. When the shade of His ancestor begins walking the trans-Atlan-tic luxury liner, his marked resemblance to Donald gets the latter into some sidesplitting entanglements. But when his sweetheart Peggy, played by. Joan Parker, begins mistaking the ghost for him, Don aid realises the time for action has come. A typical scene is the one in which the ghost; whom the millionaire has decided to uso as a ballyhoo for his line of food products, arrives in America and is jpvon an official reception (complete wi 4 ticker tape showers), and a ride up Fifth Avenue. Complications develop when the spook, frightened by his strange environment, vanishes and Donald is called upon to double for km at I lie grand reception the millionaire has planned in the ludicrously restored and modernised castle to introduce his famous shade to the gentlemen of the press. The story has a knock-out surprise comedy ending that sends tho Inughter-limp audience out chuckling. “Tho Ghost Goes West” marks the first English-speaking production to be directed by the famous French director, Rene Clair. lie has turned in a brilliant job. Donat not only does a grand piece of acting in this London Films comedy, but he will make the ladies* hearts flutter. Jean Parker is charming, Eugene Palletto is grand, and Elsa Lanchcstcr is superbly cast. KOSY THEATRE. “THE RETURN OF BULLDOG DRUMMOND.”

There is no more fascinating or better known hero in modern literature than that universally popular, romantic dare-devil character from “Sapper’s” novels, Bulldog Drummond. Throughout the Englishspeaking world this virile gentleman, with his huge frame,* his cheery inimitable manner, his quick-thinking and lightning-like methods of action, is a favourite with young and old alike. Few, then, will miss “The Return of Bulldog Drummond,’ 8.1.P.’s action-packed picturisation of “The Black* Gang,” which is screening at the Kosy Theatre to-night, and acclaimed by many as the greatest of all “Sapper s stories, and the picture is ten times as exciting as the book. The theme of this particular Drummond encounter with his arch enemy, Carl Petersen, and his infamous confederates, is crammed with thrills hitherto unknown, red-blooded action and heart-warming romance. Petersen’s crowd are involved in a huge international intrigue for their own financial ends. Drummond and his friends, all of them wealthy young men with plenty of time, twice as much courage, and a love of adventure, learn of the intrigues and organise a secret body, “The Black Gang,” determined to defeat the plotters by their own initiative. Accordingly they break into one of Petersen’s secret metinegs and warn all present of the serious consequences that threaten them if. they continue with their misdeeds, and at the same time make an example of one or two of the conspirators. The warning, however, is not heeded and Drummond later is amazed to discover that tho leader is none other than his old enemy, Carl .Peterson, cleverly disguised. Petersen strikes the first blow, and a cowardly one at that by kidnapping Drummond’s beloved wife. Ihen Carl bargains with Drummond, with Ins wire as the bait, and when the desperate man* cornered, agrees to the terms, he is tricked drugged, and later placed in a running car that drives over an open bridge into the river below. But it takes more than this to stop Bulldog Drummond when lie hits the danger trail, and the fight is soon on again with even greater intensity. Associate feature —“Broadway thru a KeyHole,” a fast-moving musical comedy lilt featuring Abe Lyman and his orchestra.

FRANK NEIL’S REVUE. Frank Neil’s Australian Tivoli circuit of vaudeville artists will present a musical revue at the Opera House on briday and Saturday nights,. with a change ot programme each evening. 'J his presentation lias been exceedingly popular in all Hie principal cities of Australia. Jhe protiuction is under tho direction of J. L. \t Hliamson, Lid. It introduces artists of considerable talent from the leading vaudeville theatres of America and Europe. At the head of this imposing list of accomplished players is Con Colleano, one ot the foremost wire-walking acrobats on the stage to-day. Ilia performance has been a ieature of productions in all parts of tho world. Another prominent artist is Irene. Vermillion, an American acrobatic dancer, who with her four ghl Dait Trumpeters, presents one of the -niovt colourful and spectacular acts seen on the Btagc in New Zealand for some considerable time. The principal comedian of the company is diaries Norman, who has scored many remarkable successes in musical comedy productions in England. His work as an entertainer is ably supported by the performances of Jack Kellaw'ay arid Chic Arnold. The musical side of such a production is always as important as the comedy aspect, and bright tunes are contributed by the American. musicians Sisson and Neale. The Harris Sisters tiresent. a particularly amazing balancing act, and adagio dancing of a standard rarely seen on the New Zealand stage is performed by the Aristos. American tap dancing is seen at its best in the exhibition given by the Broadway A negro vaudeville artist discovered by Eddie Cantor, Bob Parrish, wiil bo heard in several delightful sptigs. Further musicul numbers are contributed by Margaret Grimshaw (soprano). Other talented players who appear are Natalie Raine, Sylvia Kellaway, and Bernard McCaffrey. An outstanding feature of the revue is the apparcance of Frank Neil’s Auslralian ballet, which is proving extremely popular with audiences everywhere. The box plans are now open at Messrs Collinson and Cunningliamo’s.