ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 54, 1 February 1938, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “THE LOST HORIZON.” Opening in a whirlwind of excitement in which a handful of beleagtired whites flee mateacrc 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 Shaft gri-La, the world we dream about. Hidden heaven-high in iho Himalayas, guided bv an intelligence centuries old, this community has solved life’s problem in harmony and brotherhood. Hero 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 heljjfulncss. , That is, all save a dullard weakling brother who is the hysterical Adam of this i Eden to the eerpcnt-like Eve of actress Margo. These two attempt to shatter the faith of their leader in the magic and the mysteries of Shangri-La, and almost they suceccl. But they destroy themselves _ instead, and Colman, plunged again into the weltering hell beyond the portals of paradise, fights hio way back through a tortuous trail to a land of eternal peace and love. The piece is filled with an inspirational philosophy. But thcro js personified drama, too. For the love idyll of Colman and Jane Wyatt, the comedy of Edward Everett Horton and Tommy MitchelL, the menace of Margo and John Howard, the tragic figure of Camille-like Isahel Jewell—all are 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 picture lies. The casting is pretty well perfect, with Colman, central figure, excelling a 3 the star. Inspired portrayals are given by Sam Jaflfe and H. B. Warner, as holy men. Thomas Mitchell and Edward Everett Horton leaven tho drama with laughter. Margo and Isabel Jewell distinguished their roles. John Howard is a properly nerve-frayed foil, and the young actress, Jane Wyait, is as lovely. a love as one might meet in any Shangri-La. In “Lost Horizon,” screening to-night at the Mayfair Theatre, is found a movie masterpiece.

fJiETEOiT THEATRE. “LATE EXTRA.” If you want to see a film that will make vou grip your seat with its terrific suspense, shed a tear or so with its pathos and tragedy and spilt your sides laughing at its snappy, scintillating comedy, you must • visit tho Meteor Theatre to-night and see “Late Extra.” This film is guaranteed to satisfy you, whatever your tastes may be. It tells an _ excellent fastmoving' story under tho direction of Albort Parker." The story is unique in that it depicts a man hunt from the view point of a man in Elect Street —not a man who hammers viciously at a typewriter, spitting out wise-cracks, with a cigarette drooping from the cornor of his mouth, but a human Icing, with human weaknesses and human ideals, who happens to work on a newspaper, and who also happens to have the job of gotting a story on a man-hunt allotted to him. He cooperates with a woman reporter and together they try to solve the mystery. They find that information is leaking out of their offices to the criminal, for whom the whole of England is searching. This is obviously a drawback, but at the same time they realise that, whoever tho accomplice is, lie or she knows just where tho criminal is hiding out. There is a grand climax where the criminal at bay ndarly succeeds in making a get-away by a clever ruse. Yirgina Cherrill and James Mason form a new team a 3 the juvenile leads, and their personalities register effectively together. Miss Cherrill, you will remember, made her debut as Charlie Chaplin’s leading lady in “City Lights,” as a result of which she landed a Hollywood contract with Fox Elms. When this conrtact expired she

came to England to make this picture for Fox. James' Mason was discovered by Albert Parker at a cocktail party, and was given the lead in “Late Extra.” Albert Parker is renowned ns a “talent spotter,” William Powell and Rudolph Valentino being among his discoveries. Alastair Sim contributes another of his grand character studies ns a dour Scottish reporter, and excellent support comes from a strong cast, including Antoinette Collier, Cyril Chosack, Clifford McLaglcn, lan Colin, David Ilornc, Billy Shine, Andrea Mulnndriuos and Donald Wolfit. SUPPORTING “LATE EXTRA.” “Hoad Over llecls,” Jessie Matthews' biggest and brightest musical for Gau-mont-British, introduces four new faces to the screen, and between Jessie and those people occur some of the most amusing scenes in the film. There are her two leading men, Robert Flomyng front Dublin, and Louis Borrell, who is Dutch, both of whom are good-looking and suro of instant success. Then there is Romney Brent, a little better known, his last appearance was with Georgo Arliss in “East Meets West,” and Edward Cooper who is very well-known on the English music halls. Jessie sings no less than six ong hits in “Head Over Heels.”