AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 346, 29 January 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “Beloved Vagabond.” * The world’s favourite —the Real Chevalier—is back again to steal anew the hearts of entertainment-lovers in a sparkling adaptation of W. J. Locke’s world-popular romance,. “The Beloved Vagabond,’’ which will show finally at the Plaza Theatre to-night. Two versions of tlie production —French and English—were

made made at Elstree, with Maurice in the title role in each instance. This is the first time since 8.1.P.’s memorable “Atlantic” that a bi-linqual talkie has been made in England. Two wellknown English playwrights, Arthur Wimperis and Hugh Mills, contributed to the writing of the screen play and dialogue for the film. Arthur Wimperis wrote the brilliant dialogue of “Henry VIII,” and he was also responsible for the dialogue of many successful films of the past few years. Hugh Haslem Mills is the author of the play, “Laughter in Court,” which C. B. Cochran is shortly producing in the West End. Playing opposite Chevalier as “Blanquette,’ the little French entertainer, is Margaret Lockwood, charming 18-year-old "find,” who, after exhaustive tests with hundreds of other applicants for this coveted role, passed with flying colours.

“San Francisco.” Nine musical number’s, ranging from songs familiar to every household in the world to the greatest of operatic arias, are sung by Jeanette MacDonald in the new Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer musical romance, "San Francisco,” showing from to-morrow Wednesday at the Plaza Theatre, with Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy sharing stellar honours. The following numbers will be heard in the new W. S. Van Dyke uroduction: "Jewel Song” from "Faust’; Trio (Prison Scene from “Faust”); “Nearer, My God, to Tee”; “Love Me, and the World Is Mine”; “Ave Maria”; “San Francisco”; “My Heart Is Free”; “Battle Hymn of the Republic”; “Sempre Libera” from "Traviata.” to Wednesday at the Plaza, with Bookings are reporteil to be phenomenal, a record for Stratford, and early reservation is advised. “Audioscopiks” Is Progressive. There threatens to be something more than ordinary laughter at the

Plaza . Theatre to-morrow when M-G-M’s “Audioscopiks” are screened for the first time. Giving the illusion of a third dimension, the amazing novelty strikes an entirely new note in talking screen entertCTnment.

When a man pokes a stick into the audience, it’s definite to assert that every man jack will instinctively duck. When a drunk on the screen appears to squirt a soda siphon right into the auditorium, one can almost feel the splash. It is necessary to watch “Audioscopiks” through coloured glasses. These are supplied free by the management.

King’s Theatre.

“White Death.” Filmed in glorious sun-kissed settings, Australia’s first romantic comedy drama, showing at the King’s finally to-night, is different delightfully different—screen entertainment. “White Death” is a giant, man-eating white shark which has struck terror into the hearts of the natives and has been responsible for many deaths, including those of the wife and son of a missionary stationed at Hayman Island. Zane Grey, who appears at “himself” in the film, is commissioned to catch this scavenger of the deep, and after catching several other sharks and a swordfish, the great author-fisherman finally hooks the “White Death.” Playing the leading comedy role opposite Zane Grey is Alfred Frith, famous Australian stage comedian. Others in the cast include Nola Warren and Jonn Weston.

“Two-Fisted Gentleman.” .

Jimmy Dunn is teamed with a talented newcomer, June Clay worth, in the leading roles of Columbia’s “TwoFisted Gentleman,” which shows on Saturday and Monday at the King's. Though Miss Clayworth has appeared in several recent films, her current role is her first of major importance. The story of “Two-Fisted Gentleman” is the saga of a leather-pusher who skids to fistic oblivion via the night club route. More specifically, it is the tale of Mickey Blake, a trim, courageous fighter managed by the brains of the family, his ring-wise wife, played by Miss Clayworth. Supporting the leading players are George McKay and Thurston Hall. Gordon Wiles directed. On the same programme is the thrilling Western, “Law Beyond the Range.”