AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 227, 30 August 1939, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS

Blending mystery, comedy and romance, RKO Radio's “The Mad Miss Manton,” which screens Thursday and Friday at the Regent Theatre, stars Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda in a sparkling story that offers the two favourites some of their finest opportunities. Miss Stanwyck lias the role of an irresponsible, tlu'ill-seeking society girl whoso escapades arouse the ire of a ‘serious-minded young newspaper editor. He attacks her through the columns of his paper. Because of the reputation she and she debutante puls have gained for their pranks. Miss Stanwyck is disbelieved l>v police when she reports finding a body in a deserted house. Enraged at the attitude of both the police and of Fonda, shot decides to solve the mystery by herself, and with the loyal aid Of her group of feminine companions, she set.s to work.

The discovery of a. second body, attempts to kill Miss Stanwyck for her curiosity, the growth of a hectic romance and the final exciting moments when, the harassed police employ the 'frightened heroine as the “bait” in a trap for the murderer, make for plenty of thrills as the story unfolds. The

result is a really noteworthy piece of screen entertainment. Miss Stanwyck is delightful as the wilful heroine, a lull Fonda gives a brilliant characterisation as the newspaperman. Sam Loveno plays the police lieutenant in grand fashion, and JMifss Stanwyck’s “gang”—-Frances Mcrcer, Vicki Lester, Eleanor Hanson, 'Whitney Bourne, Catherine O’Quinn, Ann Evens and Linda Terry provide splendid .support along with Stanley .Ridges, Leona Mantle, James Burke, Paul Gnilfo.vle and Penny Singleton. • > “LITTLE MISS THOROUGHBRED” “Little Mass Thoroughbred” which so ecus at the Regent Theatre on Thursday and Friday and stars John Lilel, Aim Sheridan, Frank McHugh 1 and Little Janet Chapman, i* a human and thrilling story of the Race-track Laughs and thrills ride neek-and-nock in this gallant story of a hard-hearted gambler, a soft-hearted girl and a broken-hearted kid who slide all their hearts and who 1 ’ 11 add yours to her collection too !.. .Vl'liis picture introduces six-yea r-bld Ja.net Chapman who is expected to hechmo the next great child film star. Playing the. role of a pathetic little orphan who is firmly convinced that sliei has a daddly and (hen is sun 1 she has found him in the, callous person of a race track gambler played by John Li tel, sin- notivatos a series of exciting and often humorous adventures That eomo to a group of adults into whose eus-’A tody she has accidently been thrown^# 1

“THE MAD MISS MANTON”