ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 260, 1 October 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “THE OLD MAID.” “The Old Maid,” co-starring Belte Davis and Miriam Hopkins, shows at the Regent Theatre to-night. Filmed by Warner Bros., it lias been hailed by pre-view audiences as the outstanding dramatic event of the year—a rare combination of brilliant talents in the fields of acting, writing and directing. One feminine star —especially if she be that double Academy winner, Bette Davis —might be considered sufficient for a photoplay, no matter how great. But in “The Old Maid” there are two. Besides Bette Davis there is the lovely and highly capable Miriam 'Hopkins, who bas starred in many a top-notch production on her own. The girls have equally important parts. This is the first time, since they reached stardom, that either has ever shared acting honours with another player of her own sex. “The Old Maid” was written first as a novel by Edith Wharton, often called the “aristocrat of American writers.” She will be remembered as the author of “Ethan Frome” and “The Age of Innocence,” among many other books. Then four years ago, Zoe Akins, the brilliant dramatist, transformed the book into a stage play which not only had a long run in New York but w-on the Pulitzer Prize for that year, the highest award that can be bestowed upon a dramatic production. With Miss Davis and Miss Hopkins in the picturisalion of “The Old Maid” are sucli players as George Brent Jane Bryan. Donald Crisp, Louise Fazenda, James Stephenson, Jerome Cowan, William Lundigan, Cecilia Loflus, Janet Snow, Do Wolf Hopper and Rand Brook.

METEOR THEATRE

I’HE GREAT WALTZ.”

Magic melodies of.-Vienna amid a dramatic, roman fie story of the musician who was the voice of the gayest city in the world, brings Luise Rainer, Fernand Gruvet and Miliza Ivor jus, Viennese opera star, to tile screen in “The Great Waltz,” drama of the life of Johann Strauss, now playing at the Meteor Theatre. Not only the physical Vienna of the period but its spirit are caught in the romantic story of tiie Waltz King’s lile and loves. Strauss’ waltzes and operetta airs are -presented in spectacular sequences in the • Imperial Opera, the Dommayer Casino, grand ball sequences and the court of Emperor Franz Josef. Thrills are provided by the Revolution in the days of Metternich. Romance abounds. The story deals with ihe composer from the time he lost liis position as a bank clerk and turned to music to bis final honours in the Emperor’s court, liis marriage to the sweetheart of his youth and his subsequent infatuation for a brilliant opera star who sends him back to his faithful wife, form the plot against which dazzling spectacle, ballets and other glamorous incidents bedeck tho best-loved music in the world. Gravet, French star, plays Strauss, appearing throughout the story as a young man until the final scenes where he appears during old age, the Strauss best known to the world. Luise Rainer is appealing and powerfully dramatic as Poldi, the wife. Mine. Korjus, credited with one of tho greatest voices in the world, has a lino flair for comedy, is beautiful, and makes Carla Dormer, the singer, a glamorous figure.