AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 348, 1 February 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “San Francisco.” For the first time, the rugged, twofisted Gable of old and the lovely Miss MacDonald, with her glorious voice, are brought together, with Spencer Tracy also sharing the Mmelight, in the M.G.M. super-production, “San Francisco," which will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from to-day until Wednesday. The story, which was directed by W. S. Van Dyke, the man who made “Naughty Marietta,” concerns the Barbary Coast of 30 years ago, opening on New Year's Eve, 1906, and continuing through one of the most disastrous dramas of the century—the San Francisco earthquake and fire. Gable has never been seen to greater advantage. He gives a performance that stands out for its power and sharply etched character delineation. Miss MacDonald, singing songs -which range from simple ballads to glorious operatic arias, surpasses even her superb work in “Naughty Marietta.” Perhaps the greatest surprise pf the picture, however, is t}ie strikingly different portrayal by Spencer Tracy, who abandons his usual tough roles to contribute a sincere and unforgettable portrait of the priest.

“Audioscopiks” Is Progressive. There threatens to be something more than ordinary laughter at the Plaza Theatre to-day when M-G-M’s “Audioscopiks” are screened tor the first time. Giving the illusion of a third dimension, the amazing novelty strikes an entirely new note in talking screen entertainment. 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. (See story on page 2).

King’s Theatre. “Two-Fisted Gentleman.” . Jimmy Dunn is teamed with a talented newedfner, June Clayworth, in the leading roles of Columbia’s “TwoFisted Gentleman” which shows to-day and on 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 irogramme is the thrilling Western, “Law Beyond the Range.”

“Sinister House.” A fast-moving murcler mystery, an exceptionally fine cast, and a brandnew type of treatment, comprise the principal features of “Sinister House,” Preston Foster’s and Margaret Callahan’s head-lining vehicle for R.K.O. Radio, which is to be shown at the King’s on Tuesday and Wednesday next. Erwin Gelsey’s screen play, based on the exciting novel by James Edward Grant, “The Green Shadow, 1 ” not only offers plenty of novelty in the way of an intelligent and maffling mystery story, but also affords Foster an unusually fine characterisationone even more notable than his work in “The Last Days of Pompeii” and “Annie Oakley." “Hi Gaucho.” One of the most vivid periods ip the history of the Americans has been caught in its essence in the romantic Argentine musical, “Hi Gaucho,” showing at the King’s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with John Carroll and Steffi Duna in the leading roles, the story unfolds in 1800, when the southern pampas were nominally under the rule ot Spain, but actually knew little law but that of courage and sharp-bladed weapons which reckless gauchos and roving bandits wore in their belts. Five melodies by Albert Hay Malottee provide rhythm to the story.