Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 20, 25 January 1937, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE TO-DAY. “CAIN AND MABEL.” “Cain and Mabel,” a spectacular Cosmopolitan musical production released by Warner Bros., stars two of the screen’s most brilliant celebrities, Marion Davies and Clark Gable. The picturo is said to be filled with catchy musical airs and gigantic specialty numbers in which one hundred and sixty beautiful chorus girls take part, in addition to its hilarious comedy, its glowing romance and many thrills. The most pretentious of the production numbers, called “Thousand Love Songs,’’ is heralded as one unsurpassed in magnitude and grandeur. There are thx-ee catchy new songs in these new numbers written by the famous song team of Harry Warren and A 1 Dubin,.and variously sung by David Carlyle. Miss Davies, Sammy White and chorus. Other popular songs will, also be heard in "Thousand Love {Songs” number. Miss Davies leads the chorus in intricate dance routines, having as her partners in the various numbers, the noted stage and screen dancers, Charles Teske, Sammy White and Don Ackerman. The picture depicts the romance between a musical comedy star almost overnight, and a heroic young battler of the prize ring. Miss Davies and Gable are co-starred in these roles. They are supported by a talented cast, which includes Allen Jenkins, Koscoe Karns, Walter Catlett, David Carlyle, Hobart Cavanaugh, Ruth Donnelly and William Collier, senr. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “BANGLE RIVER” In response to the cry of moviegoers the world over for that something different type of entertainment, uolumma Pictures scoops the world in presenting Zane Grey's “Bangle River,” first Americanproduced world-standard production made in Australia. The eye of every ambitious movie producer, both in England and America, nas been focussed on Australia as virgin territory, whose vast entertainment potentialities have been practically untouched. “Bangle River'* was tho umy Australian story written by zane Grey, great sportsman-author, on his recent visit to that country. His versatile pen creating a screen story embracing countless thrills set against a background of the great Australian cattle country, at the same time blending as an integral part of the production all of tho country's natural beauties. To fulfil tho lead in this liiin, Victor Jory, one of Hollywood's, greatest exponents of virile characterisawas sent to Australia in company with' famous Director Clarence Badger. Doth these personalities entered the making of “Bangle River” with that zest and keenness, knowing it was the country’s first gesture of any importance to the world as a motion picture production centre, with the result that the finished production bids fair to parallel in every way overseas made films. Margaret Dare, selected from hundreds of beautiful Australian girls, occupies the leading feminine role. It is Margaret's initial debut into the realms of the movie business, and judging from the results turned in, is but the commencement of a brilliant screen career. Robert Coole,, scion of the famous English theatrical family of the same name, occupies the leading comedy role, while talented New Zealander, Georgie Sterling, has a prominent part,, together with George Bryant, Cecil Perry, Stewart McColl, Rita Pauneefort and Phil Smith. The Douis-Sharkey fight film is also screened and shows the great ring battle, round by round. KOSY THEATRE “HOT MONEY” More rollicking nonsense than has been seen on the screen in many a day has been packed into the latest Warner Bros, comedy romance, “Hot Money,” which is now at the Rosy Theatre. The screen play by William Jacobs is a riot of laughs from.start to finish. There is fast action, sparkling dialogue and many surprising turns of events. The story deals with high pressure promotion by men who are slick talkers but not over particular as to what they promote. The plot centres about the sale of stock for a substitute for gasoline that, will run an automobile for a cent a gallon. The chemical is a concoction by a crackpot intentor, who disappears after leaving just enough of the product to make a few demonstrations. The Better Business Bureau looks into the matter and demands a demonstration. but the excitable “front money” man drinks up the last drop, thinking it is liquor. Tho officials face arrest and also dire revenge at the hands of outraged stockholders when a surprising turn of events brings the film to a roaring climax. There is an unusually talented cast, found both in the romantic leads and the comedy characters. Ross Alex-

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY “THE ROAD TO GLORY” Tho great love drama of the Great War, "The Road to Glory,” Twentieth Centurybox production, winch snows at the State Theatre to-day, reveals itself as one of tne outstanding cinema acnievemenus ot man s land, and" war-worn Prance, ' the linn depicts love in all' its pnases. Love of Heart-starved ligating men; ’lo\o of soldier Ueiu son; Jove of a our world calls Glory. ViuranLJy enacted U U ‘‘ l 1, " 1MX ‘ s f iv * s o } ast ifivJuding Fredrio more, .June Lang and Gregory Ratoll, tlie film tells a robust, dramatic story, and maintains an intense suspense from beginning to.end. Baxter is seen as the Hardbitten commander of a war-worn sector, whose only relief from the'din of war is found in the arms of Monique, a petite French nurse. Baxter’s chief aide, Fredric March, rescues Monique from an air raid, and debonairly commences to make love to tier, unaware of the fact that Baxter loves the girl. Lionel Barrymore, Baxter’s father, a heroic veteran of war, comes to the front in a group of replacements. Baxter is astonished to find His father at the front, for the old mam is well over the age limit. Despite Barrymore's pleading, Baxter orders nim evacuated for he well knows that if one man falters or errs in his duty, the entire company may be wiped out. Barrymore is not so easily discourugeci. however, and bribes Gregory Raton, a sergeant, to destroy tile order when it comes through. When the company moves towards the front, Barrymore is in the ranks. From this stirring foundation, ilie picture moves swiftly through a succession of episodes, each of which finds the dramatic intensity mounting ever higher. The conclusion, shiny with heroism and tears, is a fitting climax to an outstanding film. You don't “see” "The Road to Glory"—you live it. All the strangeness of this drama, the might of its emotion, the fire of its stars, gets you, deep down inside. Braise must bo bestowed upon the battle scenes No expense was evidently spared in bringing them to the screen for they are the most elaborate, realistic and thrilling ever filmed. March contributes an exceptional performance, bom in tne dramatic moments and the iignt-nearted scenes m which he romances with Monique. Baxter, as the war-weary captain, is a revelation. ander and Beverley Roberts both give exceptional performances as a pair of screen lovers, Alexander being the fast talking promoter and Miss Rooerls nis secretary and chief aide. Joseph Cawthorn, laraous on botn stage and screen as a German dialect comedian, is a riot in himself as tiie backer of the organisation, who absentniindedJy drinks up his own concentrate intended for demoristragreat actor makes his bow on the Ameriof Haul Graeiz as the mad inventor. Graetz was once one of the famous German character actors, but was forced to quit the stage in his home country because of present day conditions. William McGann lias done an unusually line job of direction, keeping the picture on a high pitch of roiliekmg excitement throughout. The screen play was based on an idea by Aben Kandel. Also on the same programme is Buck Jones in “Man Trail," Columbia’s most thrilling latest Western; thrills, romance and action. ‘The Phantom Rider.” Buck Jones went through more than one man’s share of strenuous expexdences during the tinning of the high speed Universal chapter play, “The Phantom Rider” are just a few of the adventures he had: He was knocked unconscious while riding a dynamite laden wagon drawn by runaway horses. Trapped in a burning cell when a gaol was demolished by a frenzied herd of stampeding cattle. Thiown beneath the thundering hoofs of racinghorses. Plunged from a cliff to u lake 7 o feet below, while engaged in a death grapple with outlaws. Captured by renegade Indians who practice the cunning cruelties of savages. These are some of the highlights to be seen in the sensational film starring Buck Jones. Inviting peril at every turn, Jones, it is said, has never before attempted so many feats of daring in a single picture. According to word from Hollywood, unusual danger confronted Jones, Marla Shelton, his leading lady, and others in making the production. “The Phantom Rider” is a. gripping story of a man's lone fight to defeat a band of outlaws attempting to grab rich ranch lands. The production was directed by Ray Taylor. In addition to Miss Shelton tho supporting cast includes Diana Gibson, Joey Ray, George Cooper and Harry Woods.