ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 20 January 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “NIGHT MUST FALL.” Adopting a technique of story construction that is entirely new on the screen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer introduces a novel picturo in “Night Must Fall,” which screens at the Regent Theatre to-night. The film is a daring venture in the production field, but even more experimental for Robert Montgomery who deliberately chose to drop his accustomed heroic roles for the characterisation of a pathological killer. His performance is remarkable from every standpoint. There is no element of mystery in the narrative. It is the peculiarly effective account of a youth whose mind is bent on crime. The situation is complicated by the romanco between him and Rosalind Russell as a girl who finds herself in the unenviable position of loving a man whom she knows to be bad. The background of the story is a country carnival and a small hotel, where most of tho action occurs. Hunt Stromberg produced the film with Richard Thorpe directing. An idea of the importance which M-G-M attached to the picture is indicated by the fact that fßromberg was the man who produced “Rose Marie,” “The Great Ziegfeld.” “After the Thin Man” and other notable screen triumphs. Montgomery played in “The Last of Mrs Chcynoy,” “Piccadilly Jim’ and similar successful films. Miss Russell is remembered for her outstanding work in “Craig’s Wife” and “Rendezvous.” In the cast arc players from the original stage company who appeared in the play for 55 consecutive weeks Among them are Dame May Whitty, Merle Tottenham, Matthew Boulton and Kathleen Harrison. Alan Marshall and E. E. Clive also have prominent roles.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “WHIPSAW.” As the first oE the important new pictures which bring Myrna Loy to the screen after her European holiday, “Whipsaw,” in which she shares starring honours with Spencer Tracy, screens at the Mayfair to-night. It takes its place among the more important new season screen offerings. Miss Loy and Tracy present a starring team of unusual power. In this new picture she portrays a fascinating member of an international ring ol jewel thieves and Tracy is a secret service agent who tries to trap her through romance. The roles are ideally suited to tho players and tho story makes a perfect combination for intriguing entertainment. The delightful whimsy which Miss Loy first evidenced in “The Thin Man” is apparent again in large measure in this new picture. Sho brings to the role a _ lightness and a spontaneity that is delightful to witness, and with the banter of (asttalking Mr Tracy, the story moves swiftly and surely to a totally unexpected and thrilling denouement. With the stars is a notable cast including Harvey Stephens, William Harrigan, John Qualcn, Robert Warwick, Irene Franklin, Lillian Leighton, Wade Botoler and many others, each of whom contributes an outstanding performance. Qualcn, in particular, is unusually effective as a Missouri farmer who_ is bewildered by tho simultaneous arrival in his household of twin babies, Miss Loy and Tracy. William Ingersoll as a country doctor is extremely effective. Produced by Harry Rapt and directed by Sam from a screen play by Howard Emmett Rogers from an original story by James Edward Grant, “Whipsaw” is an important new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contribution to the season’s entertainment, and merits attention •KELLY THE SECOND” For comedy entertainment at hs best, von need go no further than the Mayfair Theatre -lie-e ‘Kelly the Second” scieens to-night It is u refreshing arid delightful comedy feature with a hit of an Irish flavour administered by such popular sons and daughters of old Erin as Patsy Kelly, Charley Chase, Quinn “Big Boy ' NY illiams, Edward Bropliy Pert ICclton and others.