ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 224, 21 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “TROUBLE IN MOROCCO.” After deceiving Linda Lawrence (Mae Clarke), rival newspaper correspondent for American news syndicates, into admitting that she is on the trail of a gunrunning story in Morocco, Paul Cluett (Jack Holt) lifts her passport, leaves a triumphant note, and heads for Casablanca. Paul and Linda have been carrying on a professional feud for years. Arriving in Africa, Paul gets a taste of gunrunning methods when his bus is held up and stolon by natives to transport rifles. In the city of Fez, Paul is given to understand by Colonel De Rouget (Oscar Apel), the French commandant, that the smuggling story is greatly exaggerated. As Paul is about to leave Fez to interview enlisted men of the Foreign Legion rather than officers, he runs into a very angry Linda, who has come on with the passport Paul mailed back to her after getting a head start. Paul tells her she can learn anything she wants from Colonel De Rouget, and leaves. Paul runs across Tiger Malone (Paul Hurst), erstwhile New York gangster now serving in the Legion and very disgusted with it. He gives Paul knockout drops in a drink, and the reporter wakes up in Malone’s uniform. Malone has stolen Paul’s money and clothes. Legion officers refuse to believe Paul’s story. They believe him a Legionnaire suffering from an amnesia attack. When Linda arrives at the post where Paul has been sent, she answers his plea for aid by denying ever having seen him before. A Legionnaire named Palmo (Harold Huber) is in league with the gun-runners. Paul gains Palmo’s confidence and tells him he wants to escape from the service. Palmo arranges for Paul to get away and take the dangerous job of driving' a truckload of rifles into the desert to the rebellious, Arabs. Paul tries to double-cross the smugglers and drive the truck into camp, but Is forced at the point of guns to obey orders and drive into the desert. “Trouble in Alorocco” is soreoning at the Kosy Theatre to-night. “FREEDOAI FOR SALE.” Columbia’s timely production, “Freedom I'or Sale,” a daring condemnation of the present day parole system that turns gangsters out on tho streets to commit newer and bolder crimes, is being well received by thrilled audiences at the Kosy Theatre. Tho cast includes Paul Kelly, Rosalind Keith, Leona Alaric-lc, Thurston Hall and Gene Alorgan.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “AIOONLIGIIT SONATA.” Charm is the keynote of “Aloonlight Sonata,” at the Alayfair to-night, with Paderewski as tiie chief charmer. There have been more exciting films, but none more beautiful or so completely satisfying. Lotbnr Mendes, who made a special journey to Paris to persuade Paderewski to appear in the film and who brilliantly produced and directed it, desorves the warmest congratulations. The film lias been skilfully built around Paderewski and his music. It opens with the pianist giving a recital in a crowded concert hall. Attention is drawn to a happy young couple apd their baby daughter. Later, in his club, Paderewski tells the story of their romanco, how it was nearly broken and how his music brought them together again. Eric is steward on the remote, picturesque Swedish eslalo of the Baroness Lindonburg, who encourages his affections for her beautiful grand-daughter, Ingrid. A ’plane makes a forced landing on the estate, bringing with it Paderewski, his secretary, and an elegant young man, Alario. Mario is a professional conjuror pretending to be a gentleman. He completely fascinates Ingrid, and within the few short days of. Ins stay persuades her to elope with him. Eric she dismisses as unexciting. But at the eleventh hour Alurio is unmasked and Ingrid bitterly realises what a fool she has been. She is . too ashamed to confront Eric, but the magic of Beethoven’s “Aloonlight Sonata,” as played by Paderewski, shows the way to love. Of more than ordinary interest is the appearance of Alarie Tempest, beloved figure of the English stage, as the impetuous but kindly baroness. This is Marie Tempet’s first talking film, but acting with complete composure she gives a brilliant performance. It is to be hoped that this is not by any means this great actress’s last screen adventure. Other fine portrayals are given by Charles Farrell, best remembered as Janet Gaynor’s leading man in “Seventh Heaven,” and other well-known films, and by’ Eric Portman, superb as the charming cad. “Aloonlight Sonata,” technically as flawless as the best Hollywood productions, offers rare entertainment in which the whole family can revel.