ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 47, 24 January 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “MAKE A WISH.” The screen has not . presented during the current season a more complete entertaining motion picture than “Make a Wish,” the now Bobby Breen starring vehicle filmed by Principal Productions for ItKO Radio, which screens to-night at the State Theatre. In no department of production has anything been neglected to make the picture a thoroughly enjoyable one, and it easily qualifies as the best in which the young singing star lias ever appeared—a pleasing mixture of comedy, romance, tuneful songs and beautiful backgrounds. Bobby combines real ability as an actor with a magnificent singing voice which seems even to have increased in volume and sweetness. He is heard in several haunting melodics written by the noted Viennese composer, Oscar Straus, the outstanding one of the group being the theme song bearing tlie title of the picture itself. Basil Rathbonc, no longer the suave villain, plays a truly romantic role for the first time in his screen career, ami contributes a performance) which stamps him as a versatile actor of unusual attainments. The leading feminine role is portrayed by Marion Claire, famous radio singer, who gives every promise of future screen stardom. The explosive Italian, Henry Armetta, is vastly humorous in a characterisation that is literally a comedy gem. Others in the big east who do especially commendable work are Ralph Forbes, Leon Errol, Donald Meek, Leonid Kinskcy anti Herbert Rawlinson. Much of tiie action of “Make a Wish,” adapted from an original story by Gertrude Berg, takes place at a hoys’ summer camp in Maine, where Bobby forms a close friendship with Basd Rathbonc, a composer. Rathbonc becomes interested in the boy’s lovely young mother, Marion Claire, and a romance develops, between the two, despite her fiance, Ralph Eor!»es. This tangled situation reaches a tensely, dramatic climax in her New York home, and at the rehearsal of an operetta. Director Kurt Neumann lias maintained the action at a lively pace, and both lie and Associate Producer Edward Gross may well be proud of a picture which stands high in the list of tiie season’s best. Musical direction was in'the hands of Hugo Riesenl'eid, and I’aul Webster and Louis' Alter wrote tiie lyrics for tiie Straus songs. “Make a Wish” is a picture which, is' heartily recommended. On , tlio same programme there will he screened tiie first of 1938 Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse coloured silly symphonies entitled “Pluto’s Quinpupieis.’’ all in technicolour: At the 8 o'clock session tlio two competitors in the Bobby Breen . personality contest will sing on the stage.’ Ihe audience will judge tlio winners each evening.

REGENT THEATRE. “THE EMPEROR’S CANDLESTICKS.” In a film that aflords amazing contrast with their former vehicles, William Powell and Luise Rainer achieve new credit in “The Emperor’s Candlesticks,” from the Melro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. The star, who has become famous ns “The Thin Man,” now is a dashing secret agent in Europe, and Miss Rainer, recently hailed for iter superb artistry as the Chinese slave-bride in “The Good Earth,” is an exotic woman of international intrigue. Tito story, from the novel by Baroness Orczy, moves from Vienna to Warsaw, into Russia and back into Pari, and London, with suspenseful action at every' step. The spies suspect each other, and rightfully. Death is close on their heels many times, but they outwit it and eventually romance brings them together. A powerful supporting cast includes Robert Young. Maureen O’Sullivan, Frank Morgan, Henry Stephenson, Bernadone Hayes, Donald Kirk, Douglas Dumbrillc, Barnett Parker, Bert Roach. Charles Waldron, Emma Dunn, leri ; Wulf, Frank Reieher. Paul Porcasi, and E. E. Clive. George Fitziiianrice was director and Iho picture was produced by John Considine, jnr. “The Emperor’s Candlesticks” will serve as convincing proof, if any should bo needed, that William Powell and Luise Rainer are versatile masters of their craft, capable of portraying human omotions in every phase.