ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE EMPEROR’fTcANDLESTICKS.” In a film that, affords amazing contrast with their former vehicles, William Powell and Luise Rainer achieve now credit in “The Emperor’s Candlesticks,” from the Motro-Goldwyn-Mayor studios. The star, who has become famous as “The Thin Man," now is a dashing secret agent in Europe, and Miss Rainer, recently hailed for her superb artistry as the Chinese slave-bride in “The Good Earth,” is an exotic woman of international intrigue. The story, from the novel by Baroness Orczy, moves from Vienna to Warsaw, into Russia and back into Paris and London, with susponsoful 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 Dumbrille, Barnett Parker, Bert Roach, Charles Waldron, Emma Dunn, lon Wulf, Frank Reieher, Paul Porcasi, and E. E. Clive. George Fitzmaurice was director and the picture was produced by John Considine, jnr. “The Emperor’s Candlesticks' 1 will serve as convincing proof, if any should be needed, that William Poweli .and Luise Rainer are versatile masters of their craft, capable of portraying human emotions in every phase.

MAYFAIR THEATRE, “BIG BROWN EYES.” Some like romance—come like thrills—some like comedy—and Paramount's “Big Brown Eyes” screening at the Mayfair Theatre to-night, with Joan Bennett and Cary Grant sharing the leading roles, will please thorn all, because it has everything! Joan breaks up with Grant when she thinks, wrongly, that ho lms fallen for another woman, and quits her manicuring job to go to work for a newspaper columnist. She gets a hunch that a mysterious jewel robbery, which is turning the town upside-down, and the killing of a little baby in the park, are tied-up. and goes to work to run the story down. Joan puts her finger on the criminate, and forces them to stand trial, but through political pull, they get off. “RUGGLES OF RED GAP.”

On her first trip to Paris, Effie Floud of Red Gap, U.S.A., wins a stud-poker game, as a result of which she acquires the services of Ruggles, the meet perfect gentleman’s gentleman in Europe and valet to the Earl of Burnstcad. Bewildered, Ruggjcs is transferred from the placid, woll-rogulated Burnstcad atmosphere to the raw and riotous Floud sorvieo. Effic immediately commissions the valet to outfit Egbert from head to toe and then lo escort his unwilling new master to tho art galleries where, sho hopes, Egbert will drink in a little culture. Ruggles’s elegant manners have a convincing effect and he is immediately taken up by the Red Gap Bluobloods. He longs to return to his ser-vant-class station. Escaping from the society functions lie seeks out the companionship of the common people of the town—and moots Mrs Judson. Thoir mutual love of good cooking brings them closer together, and the story proceeds in satisfying fashion to a hilarious conclusion,

STATE THEATRE, “HEIDI. Shirley” Temple as “Heidi!” Millions tho world over have been enthralled by the warmth, tho tenderness and 'the charming beauty of Johanna Spy rite beloved story of Heidi and all the colourful folk who iivod and laughed and loved high up in the Swiss Alps, just beneath the stars. Translated into all languages and read everywhere, it is a story that had to wait for its star before it could be brought to the screen. The Twentieth Gcntury-Fox production of “Heidi,” starling Shirley Temple, coming to tho State Theatre to-morrow, is the picture for which shoTl bo remembered always. “Heidi” brings Shirley Temple more glorious than has ever been known, in tho picture sho wan asked to make by thousands of fane who wrote to the Twentieth GcnturyFox studios. Bringing love lo hearts filled with hato. and twinkle (o eyes filled with tears, “Heidi” tells of an embittered mountain-top exile, brilliantly portrayed by Jean Horsholl, reclaimed from his fierce hatred of tlie world, of a young girl who finds the strength and courage to walk again, and of flic little heroine who brings everyone now zest for life. Arthur Treaahor and Helen Wcstloy play prominent roles in the story, and Pauline Moore, Thomas Beck. Mary Nr-.lt, Sidney Blaakmcr, Minly Christiana, and Sig Ruinann aro also featured in the east, Written into the faithfully transcribed screen play by Walter Ferris and Julian Josephson are two dance sequences that present tho first star of the screen at her greatest. “In Our Little Wooden Shoes.” tho specially composed song by Lew Pollack and Sidnov 1). Mitchell, gives Shirley a gay and charming interlude in the warmly dramatic story. It was in “Wee Willie Winkio” that she made her first attempt at a straight dramatic role, an attempt so successful that Darryl F. Zanuck, Twentieth Century-Fox production chief, decided to make “Heidi” in the hig-ptc-bo rlained in the picture. “Heidi” has Remaining unspoiled in the midst of it all, Shirley was wide-cvcd with elation when sho was assigned the vole and wanted fo he assured that all the things that mado “Heidi” so colourful to her would ho retained in the picture. ‘Heidi” has sold million* of copies and in on the prescribed reading list of schools all over (ho world. Ideally cast and gloriously played, it makes a picture that its many readers long have hoped to sco. Raymond Griffith served as associate producer, and tho special dance scquouces were staged by Sammy Lee. / , A Monster Ice Cream Mafinoo is being hold at 10.30 on Saturday morning. A Free 3d Byers Ice Cream will bo given lo everyone attending (lie morning session. BOBBY BREEN CONTEST. The Bobby Breen contost being conducted at liio State Theatre in conjunction with Messrs Collinson and Cunnmglianie, Ltd., entered the etugc of semifinals last evening, and tho finalist of (he competition will ho determined at tho session on Saturday night.