ENTERTAINMENTS

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

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. "HOLLYWOOD COWBOY.” Lovers of westerns set against scenic backgrounds, with plenty of fast action, wholesale comedy and outdoor romance, will find unusual enjoyment in George O’Brien’s newest RKO Radio vehicle, “Hollywood Cowboy,” an ultra-modern western which screens to-night at the Stato Theatre in conjunction with the daring crime drama, “We Who Are About to Die.” Presumably set in the picturesque Wyoming plains, the story bus all the elements to make it good family fare. George O’ if lien gives more than his usual share of skilful horsemanship while playing the role of a Hollywood cowbody star who returns to his natural element —the wide, open spaces. While vacationing in the cattle country with a friend, a' pretty girl’s smile tempts him to hide his identity and go to work for her aunt as a hard-riding cowboy. He is further motivated by the fact that a gang of city thugs have in vadod tho range and are carrying on a ruthless reign of terror against the cattlemen in an attempt to shako .them down for alleged protection against cowboy strikes. 'I he girl, played by Cecilia Parker, and her aunt. Maude Ehiirnc, are selected as tho next victims of outrage; and after their herd of cattle is stampeded by a gangstet’s aeroplane, O’Brien launches a counter-campaign with the aid of a Hollywood stunt flier. If is plans are handicapped, however, liy tho girl discovering certain evidence that leads her to believe him a desperado, which is merely tho role he is playing in a now picture, and she dismisses him from the ranch. Undeterred, O’Brien and his buddy launch their attack, and after a thrilling aerial battle and invasion of the gangsters’ hideout, the outlaws are brought to justice and O'Brien’s romance is happily culminated. “LOVE IS NEWS.” The romance of a thrilling threesome whose kisses crash the headlines and whoso escapades sell extras, with handsome Tyroni.o Power ouiromancing iris ’’Lloyds oi London” role, lovely Loretta Young bringing her fresh charm _ to a portrayal that is cnchuntingly different, and Don Aniccho creating a dashing new screen characterisation, provides hilarious excitement in the Twentieth CenturyFox streamline hit, “Love is News,” opening on Friday at the State Theatre. With Loretta in the role of a beautiful heiress heckled and pestered by . sensa-tion-seeking newspapers. tho enjoyable pace is set at once when she vows vengeance against Tyronne Power, ace newshawk who has just tricked her again into the headlines, without, however, reckoning with his dynamic, hard-driving managing editor,-Don Ameclio (radio star of “The Frst Nighter”). REGENT THEATRE. “ROMANCE IN PARIS.” A now film star—handsome, talented, and infinitely likeable—flashes across the screen of the Regent Theatre to-night and will win a multitude of friends and admirer* in hie first American picture. Fe is Fernand Gravct, famous Continental film star, and tho picture is “Romance in Paris,” a delightfully humorous romance, the first film which the brilliant young Warner Bros.’ director, Mcrvyn Lcßoy, has made under his new rank as producer. You nru going to hear and see a lot more of M. Gravct. Born in Belgium, educated in England, now a resident ol l 1 he him starred in more than ,25 foreign fi,*m* and is the leading screen idol on the Con-, tinent to-day. Lcßoy - met him in Paris last summer, induced him to. sign a long-term contract and brought him to Hollywood. “Romance in Paris” is glamorous whimsical comedy at its best. AI. Gravct plays the role of a wealthy, profligate ex-monarch who becomes a Paris playboy. His titled aunt and undo'try to put his royal lect on the straight and. narrow path, hut “King Alfred” loves the bright lights. Then ho (meets Joan Blondcll. in the role of an American chorus girl. She is independent, high-spirited, rather impudent and cares not a whit for royalty. I lie great or her disdain of her regal suitor, the more impetuous does his high-pressure couit-hip become. Humorous complications fouovv fast and furiously, aided bv Edward Everett Horton, Mary Nash. Alan Alor--1,1-ay, Jane Wyman, Luis Alberm and other notables in (ho cast. There is never an idle moment because the humorous dialogue and march of situations keep up the -swift 1 pace. Dancing? Of course. And in a lavishly mounted scene in Paris’s famous Folks “Borgere, tho intricacies of flic “can can” dance arc revealed. Alusic i AloM certainly! A’ou’U go out humming “l<or You” anil “On the Rue do la Paix,” and you’ll fall in love with the baritone voice that is only one of AI. Gravct’s many talents. Kenny Bake, radio favourite, docs some of his famous crooning. Werner R. Hevinan composed Gravel’s melodics abroad and Tod Koehler wrote the songs. The script came from., Norma kra.-na„ author of ‘“Little Miracle’’ and other screen hits, and Groucho Alaix, of the merry, mad Al-arx family. Warners own Bobbv Connelly staged the dance munhein. Tt all blends into a perfect entertainment —romance, glamour, comedy, mus.c, dancing, and a new star who is headed for tho topmost heights.