Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REKENT THEATRE—TO-DAY "THE GARDEN OF ALLAH” A glorious feast of colour and romance is David O. Selznlck’s technicolour production of the immortal Robert Hichens’ i love story of the desert, "The Garden of Allah," with Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer In the stellar roles. Words cannot describe the beauty for effectiveness of this second independent production of the young producer who last season so auspiciously inaugurated Selznick International Pictures with the charming j "Little Lord Fauntleroy." Inspired is a .much-abused word, but is aptly applied to Mr. Selznick’s choice first of a story that would lend itself perfectly to the magic of technicolour and second to a brace of stars who could bring that story to a living, throbbing life on the screen. You cannot possibly have the remotest idea of how' truly beautiful Marlene Dietrich really Is until you see the glory of her golden ban* and blue eyes and perfect complexion revealed in colour and it also enhances the swarthy good looks of Boyer. Marlene is perfectly cast as the lovely Domini Enfllden who goes to BeniMora, the parish of the kindly Father Roubler in the Algerian desert to find a now life and falls madly in love with the strange, brooding, mysterious Boris Androvsky, who, unknown to her, is actually a Trappist monk who has fled from the monastery after taking the eternal vows; and Boyer gives a brilliant and deeply understanding portrayal of the terrible conflict in the soul of a man who is torn between his love for a woman and his duty to God. The glorious but illstarred romance that flowers: under the magic spell of the desert between this man and woman from widely separated worlds provides one of the most thrilling love stories that has ever come to the screen. The soft colours of the genuine j desert background adapt themselves perfectly to colour and offer a striking contrast to the vivid scenes in the Algerian 1 bazaar and the cafe of the Ouled Mail ■lancing girls. Basil Rathbone plays the Italian nooleman, Count Anteonl; C. Aubrey Smith is seen as Father Roubler; Tilly Losch, internationally famous ■ lancer, makes her film debut as Irena, the fiery Arabian dancing girl; Joseph Schildkraut plays Batouch; and all are superb. KOSY THEATRE—TO-DAY "ESCAPE FROM DEVIL’S ISLAND" Tiio harrowing drama of Devil’s Island springs to vivid liie again on the silver screen in Columbia's "Escape From Devil's inland," a lusty and stirring pic- | turisation of the infamous French penal colony, now showing at the Kosy Theatre. 1 Notably important about the new film's | remarkable success is the adroit combination of a powerful and gripping story ; from the pen of Fred De Gresac, intelligent direction by Albert Rogell and an authentic and colourful atmospheric production. All of which serves to enhance | and emphasise the skillul performances registered by Victor Jory, Florence Rice, , Norman Foster and Stanley Andrews in j ihe leading featured roles. Opening with gay Paris scenes, continuing with inside glimpses of international spies and their |clever machinations, tho action shifts to i the dreaded prisoners' island off the coast of : >uth America. There Victor Jory r ..a Florence Rice, established close to the prison jungle, conspire to effect I the escape of her father, Stanley Andrews, and of ft convict who has betriended him, played by Norman Foster. With many breatn-taking moments, tho Him moves swiftly to a heart-gripping climax, cleverly contrived and convinc- | ingly executed. Underlying the main • theme of the horrors of this tropical hell--1 hole is a sincere and tender romance between young Foster and the lovely Miss I Illce. Victor Jory is excellent as the. I hard and ruthless adventurer. Norman I Foster's sincerity as the sensitive lad j falsely imprisoned highlights his flawless I performance. Florence Rice rises admirably to the occasion of ner first important dramatic opportunity as the girl torn between her love for tho two men. Andrews’ portrayal of t.ho kindly old man who willingly dies that the others might live is one of heart-warming poignancy. "Escape From Devil’s Island" Is stirring entertainment, worthy of the fine efforts of its fine cast. Earle Snell and Fred Niblo, Junr., wrote the screen adaptation. "Lawless Riders." Once again Ken Alaynard, stalwart western star, leaps into tho saddle of his favourite mount and rides into blazing adventure, tracking down masked plunderers of the range in "Lawless Riders,” Columbia’s fast moving drama of tho West, which is now at the Kosy Theatre.

STATE THEATRE—TO-DAY "UNDER YOUR SPELL" All classical music is not good and all swing music not bad, according to Lawrence Tlbbett, who sings both types in his latest Twentieth Century-Fox special "Under Your Spell," showing at the State to-day. "The only way to judge singers and songs is to judge If they do well the job they set out to perform,” says Tibbett. "There are singers of classical songs who have no prestige who leave their audiences absolutely cold. A 1 Jolson singing ‘Sonny Boy’ is more truly a real artist than these near-greats ever have been. ’ In listing tii s musical favourites, the famous baritone says that dusky Bill Robinson, the tap dancer, and Toscanini, the Italian conductor, have the best senses of rhythm. A strange combination, but Tlbbett, who should know, insists that this is true. In "Under Your Spell" Lawrence Tlbbett has the chance to do something himself with rhythm music when he sings the songs composed for him by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz, hit composers of many a Broadway musical comedy. Wendy Barrie, Gregory Ratoff and Arthur Treacher ar featured in the famous baritone’s supporting cast. Darryl F. Zanuck selected Otto Ludwig Preminger to direct with John Stone as associate producer. Frances Hyland and Saul Elkins wrote the screen play based on stories by Bernice Alason and Sy Bartlett. MAYFAIR THEATRE—TO-DAY "THE MAGNIFICENT BRUTE" Victor McLaglen, winner of the last Academy award for his outstanding performance, is the star of Universal’s "The, Magnificent Brute,” which opens at the Alayfair Theatre to-day. The screen story relates the adventures ui a great b:g fellow, attractive to women, wuo is a fool for blondes. He is a giant of a man who turns out steel lor a living and lets the girl he loves steal away his Judgment. Then he reaches the point where ho is torn between two blondes, lie must cnooso between a comely widow and a guy young eutlo with plenty of meaning in her glances. Ho is a hard guy, but soft on uamos. The solution ol his dilemma provides an intense climax I for the ottering. Binnie Barnes is ravishing as the girl who leads him a merry chase. The glamorous widow is portrayed by Jean Dixon. Between them both Victor McLaglen js kept very busy. William Hail, tail and handsome, is seen as tho menace. Henry Armetta contributes his humorous Interpretation to the picture. Others In the cast are Billy Burrud and Edwaid Norris. "The Aiagnifieerit Brute ' presents situations never before filmed. Tho tremendous sweep and power of men making steel in settings that glow and flame is Impressed with unusual photography. Bursting showers of gleaming sparks illuminate many ot the scenes with brilliant splendour. "The Alagniftcent Brute" is a “must see" picture—a fascinating revelation of manhandling you cannot afford to miss. "Lawless Riders" presents tho king of the cowboys as a roving adventurer who makes the western town of Fantana his headquarters when he meets the banker’s daughter, played by Geneva Alitehell. Terrifying the region with raids, holdups and attacks Is a gang of bandits, Jed by Harry Woods, who poses as a cattleman. Aliss Mitchell Is the first to suspect the villain’s duplicity, but. it Js Maynard who single-handedly interferes with a bank hold-up. Accused of this and other crimes, the web of circumstantial evidence keeps Maynard In gaol while tho girl ho loves becomes t.hc prey or the bandit leader. But Maynard’s horse and Wally Wales, seen as Maynard s pal, do their part and Maynard breaks ottt of prison in time to save Miss Mitcrell. Ho engages in a gripping fight-to-the-finish with tho treacherous Woods as a sheriff’s posse is ambushed by the villainous crew. Once again the horse outwits his pursuers and leads a rescue party Into the hidden valley where his master is waging a valiant struggle ate odds. Nate Gatzert, who has collaborated with Maynard on many of his most successful pictures, wrote the original story and screen play of "Lawless Riders.” Spencer Gordon Bennett directed. Seen in support of Maynard, Aliss Alitchell and Woods are Frank Yaconelli, Wally Wales, Slim Whitaker, Frank Ellis and Jack Rockwell,