Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 33, 9 February 1937, Page 12

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE—TO-DAY “ANTHONY ADVERSE” Tho long-awaited Warner Bros.’ production of “Anthony Adverse” filmed from Hervey Allen’s cyclopean novel, which boasts of 3,000,000 readers, comes to the Regent Theatre to-day with Frederic March in the stellar role and Olivia de Ha villa nd playing opposite him, the feminine lead. In its panoramic story sweeping through five countries and three continents, the magnitude of its 131 sets, the picturesqueness of its backgrounds, the gigantic scale on which it wa3 produced. and the vast number of talented piayers in the cast, “Anthony Adverse” surpasses any picture filmed by Warner Bros., and is said by those who have seen the preview to be the most pretentious piece of entertainment ever attempted in Hollywood. The novel, wnlch tools Hervey Allen four years to write, was finally whipped into its present screen form after two years of arduous labour on the part of nearly 3000 technicians, In addition to more than 2500 players who portray the many characters seen in the film, in dynamic action, intense drama, glamorous romance and thrilling adventure, probably no story was ever better fitted for screen material. And Warner Bros, are said to have caught all the vividness, tho fire and colour of the original and to have transmitted it to the film. The cast is a tremendous one in size and remarkable for the number of talented players, there being £8 speaking parts, with 2550 bit players and extras appearing. Besides March and Miss de Havilland, some of the most important players include Edmund Gwenn, Claude Rains, Anita .Louis, Louis Hayward, Gale Sondergaard. Steffi Dirtia, Billy Mauch, Donald Woods. Akim Tamaroff, Ralph Morgan, Henry O’Neill and Louis Alberni. , KOSY THEATRE “THE BIG NOISE” “The Big Noise,” Warner Bros.’ latest comedy drama, dealing both with a personal romance and the thrill and glamour of big business, is now showing at the Kosy Theatre. Tne story by Edward Hartman, is as breezy and capricious as a March wind, with riotous dialogue, all of which is said to have been accentuated la the screen version. Guy Kibbee lias the, leatured role, that of a business man w hois ousted from the presidency of a concern which he nas founded by his financial backers when a subordinate shows them he can make more money for the shareholders by manufacturing an inferior product. Having been active all his life, idleness irks him, so with a young chemist he buys an interest in-the Checker Club cleaners, and pretends to be spending all his time playing the game of checkers. But unknown to himself and his partner, the cleaning and dyeing business is controlled by a gang of racketeers. They demand a big rake-off, which stirs up the old man’s anger and ho starts in to beat the gangsters at their own racket. Warren Hull plays the part of the young chemist, who fails in .love with his partner’s daughter, a role played by Alma Lloyd. William Davidson is the deep dyed villain of the plot who undermines his chief, while his son, a part played by Dick Foran, wages a losing battle for tne band of the chief’s daughter. Mario Wilson lias the comedy role . of a pants presser. Henry O’Neill has the role of a director in the “big business” and a friend of the chief. A 1 Hill. Eddie Shubort, William Pawley and George Lloyd are the racketeering gunmen who send each other to the morgue. Others In the cast Include Olin Howland. Andre Beranger, Virginia Brissac, Edward Me Wade, Robert Emmett Keane and Emmett “Love Letters of a Star.’’ There is a. thrilling mystery drama., “Love Letters of a Star,” now at the Kosy Theatre. The film is. based on an exciting de tec Live novel by the mystery master, Rufus King. The suspense of the story is brightened by a thread of romance, and deft embroideries of humour. The role of the detective is portrayed with a new screen technique by C. Henry Gordon. The script writers and the director keep the solution of the crime hidden until the last scene in the picture. “Love Letters of a Star” concerns the

plight of a family hounded by a blackmailer. His threats cause the suicide of one daughter, played by Mary Alice Rice, and a finest ruin the marriage of the second, portrayed by Polly Rowles. The extortioner is killed under strange conditions which ixist suspicion on the husband of the first girl. Henry Hunter is seen as the husband. The blackmailer is enacted by Iloilo Lloyd. Others prominently cast include Ralph Forbes, Hobart Cavanaugh. Samuel Hinds and Alma Kruger.

STATE THEATRE “CHAMPAGNE WALTZ” In honour of Mr. Adolph Zukor, the founder of Paramount 25 years ago, that company planned one of the greatest feats of distribution known In pictures today. One of the finest musical productions yet made, “Champagne Waltz, ’ which stars Gladys Swartliout and Fred Mac Murray, was chosen as the picture to mark the anniversary. They planned to release it in no less than 300 principal cities throughout the woi'ld on January 22, 1937. In Australia and New Zealand this picture made its debut, along with the other world centres. Instead of the customary premiere in one or perhaps two theatres in the Commonwealth, no less than 16 in Australia and four in New Zealand, on the one day. Hashed the musical masterpiece ot “Champagne Waltz” on their screens. The Palmerston North season is now at the {State Theatre and a very successful season is assured. “Champagne Waltz” brings together for the first tune Gladys Swarthoui, glorious voiced star, and Fred Mac Murray, one of the most popular stars of to-day. In the cast aro Jack Oakie, Veloz and Yolanda, a new dance team, and Herman Bing. The whole production has been directed by A. Edward Sutherland. Musical direction by Boris Alorros and soon, literally, the whole country will be humming the gay, lilting melodies of “When Is a Kiss Not a Kiss?”, “Paradise in Waltz Time, ' "Merry-Go-Round,” and ‘Could 1 Be in Love?” The picture definitely establishes Gladys Swarthout in a light romantic role singing popular music; it adds further to the laurels of Mac Murray and Oakie; it brings to the screen Veloz and Yolanda, recognised as the greatest ballroom combination in the world to-day; and plus these it has Herman Bing, Vivienne Vsj borne and Benny Baker in prominent j MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY “SWORN ENEMY” I Teeming with flesh-and-blood characters from all walks of life, swept up from the city streets into a cauldron of dramatic circumstances—this is “Sworn Enemy,” snowing at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, a story of metropolitan crime operations. Headlining the cast is Robert Young as a son of the city slums endeavouring to go straight in a law career until the gang with whom lie was raised kills his brother. Florence Rise, as a surgeon's daughter who proves the best detective on the special force. Joseph Calleia as the sinister Joe Emerald, crippled overlord of the rackets, sports lover and perverse philanthropist, a killer unknown even to his own lieutenants. Lewis Stone as Dr. Gattle, distinguished surgeon who spends twelve years in the penitentiary on a charge “framed” by Emerald. “Sworn Enemy” is based on a story by Richard Wormser, director of such recent hits as “Speed,” “Moonlight Murder” and “The Garden Murder Cass.” The plot depicts the struggle of a poor boy trying to go 'straight until lus brother and employer I' aro killed by the men with whom he was raised; then follows his demonical lust for revenge. The pace is swift from the , opening scene when, having landed his first Job, he struggles with gang representatives who demand part of his salary for “protection,” to the final climax in the luxurious penthouse of the gang overlord.