ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 53, 31 January 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

METEOR THEATRE. “HERE COMES THE NAVY.” AYhat we want to-day is plenty of laughter, something to make us forget our worldly cares and worries, and the Meteor cinema has the recipe in tile programme now screening. “Here Comes the Navy,” with Pat O’Brien, James Cagney, Frank McHugh and Gloria Stuart, is the film. Not for one moment does the quick-fire dialogue let up, and the many amusing situations and complications will fairly “split your sides.” A little diversion is supplied by a fine supporting feature, “Barred AA'indows.” A most unusual murder mystery drama, the scenes of which take place almost entirely within the bleak walls of a great penitentiary, is scheduled as the second attraction now showing at the Meteor Theatre, under the title ol “Barred Windows.” In this strange drama two men are slain, one in his cell and another in the prison library, with warder; and guards and trusties in speaking distance. And while there are attempted murders for revenge, in the first, killing the motive is to steal the vast fortune of a racketeer, who has cached his. money before his conviction. The second is com-' milted to cover up the crime. Craig Reynolds has the leading role, that of a star reporter for a city daily, who eventually solves the murders and reveals the motives. June Travis has the role of secretary to Joseph King, who plays the part of the ex-racketeer, who had ben trying to go straight, but had been threatened with death by another crook because he would not join him in a dope running scheme. Purposely committing a minor offence to escape the vengeance of the crook by a prison sentence, he eventually is shot down' like a rat in his cell. Richard Purcell has the role of' the vindictive and vengeful crook, with George E. Stone as his chief aide. Both are suspected of the crimes, but so also are two of the prison guards, parts played by Addison Richards and Charles Middleton. Barton Mac Lane is the blustering detective, and Joseph Crehan is the prison warder. Eddie Acuff and Mary Treen have the roles of comedy reporters on the case. It is Reynolds who finally solves the crimes and wine June Travis. MAYFAIR THEATRE, “THE LOST HORIZON.” Opening in a whirlwind of excitement in which a handful of belcagured whites flee massacre at the guns of Oriental banditrebels, the drama hurls its protagonists through the bitter chaos symbolic of the world wo know into the peace and beauty of Shangri-La, the world, we dream about. Hidden heaven-high in the Himalayas, guided by an intolligencc_ centuries old, this community has solved life's problem in harmonv and brotherhood. Here the law is kindliness. The doctrine, moderation in all things. To Colman, who has envisioned such a Utopia in the outside maelstrom, the High Lama hands the torch which is to enlighten a new world built upon selfimposed wreckage of the old one. Even the unknowing, earth-bound comrades of the understanding hero become imbued with the spirit of peace and helpfulness. That is all save a dullard weakling brother who is the hysterical Adam of this Eden to the serpent-like Eve of actress Margo. Those two attempt to shatter the faith of their leader in the magic and the mysteries of Shangri-La, and almost they suceed. But they destroy themselves instead, and Colman, plunged again into the weltering hell beyond the portals ot paradise, fights Ids way back through a tortuous trr.il to a land of eternal peace and love. The piece is filled with an inspirational philosophy. But there is personified drama, too. For the love idyll ot Colman and Jane Wyatt, the comedy of Edward Everett Horton and Tommy Mitchell, the menace of Margo and John Howard the tragic figure of Camilie-likc Isabel Jewell—all arc very, very human. And in these simple things, as well as the breath-taking magnitude, the scope of the production itself, the triumph of the picturo lies. The easting is pretty well perfect with Colman, central figure, excelling’ as the star. Inspired portrayals are given by Sam Jaffc and H B AAarncr as holy men. Thomas Mitchell and Law aid Everett Horton leaven the drama with laughter. Margo and Isabel Jewell .distiriffuished their roles. John Howard is .a nronerly nerve-fraved foil, and the young actress, Jane AVyatt, is as lovely a love as one might meet in any Shangri-La. In “lost Horizon,” screening to-night at the lA fay fair Theatre, is found a movie masterpiece.