AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 352, 5 February 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre.

“Splendour.”

Whut happens when a spirited Southern beauty marries into one of New York’s “first families” and is ruthlessly sacrificed in the battle to preserve their crumbling grandeur, is depicted in dramatic fashion in “Splendour,”’ the new Samuel Goldwyn film which brings Mriam Hopkins to the Plaza Theatre to-day for the last time in their film. Joel McCrea appears opposite the star in this Rachel Brothers’ story. All that remains of the once-great House of Lorrimore is its Fifth Avenue mansion, dominated by the imperious and embittered old Mrs. Lorrimore, whose scenes to recoup the family -fortune by marrying her son, Brighton, to an heiress are shattered when he brings home his pretty but penniless Southern bride, Phylis Manning. The story reaches a gripping climax when the selfish and ambitious dowager pushes the girl into an affair with a wealthy and influential man and wrecks her marriage. But love comes to the rescue and brings the young husband to his senses. “Pop-Eye’’ Party. Children under 12 may attend theatres from to-day onwards That has now been allowed by the Health Departmet, as the infantile paralysis epidemic in the south is on the wane and there is little risk of any infection. The management of the Plaza Theatre intend to celebrate lifting of these restructions with a special ••■PopjEye’’ party to-jmorrow morning at the Plaza. For this bumper party a special programme of Pop-Eye and Mickey Mouse cartoons has been arranged, and every boy and girl will receive a gift of a Pop-Eye balloon and a stick of chocolate. All the heroes of the screen cartoons will appear and a jolly party is certain. It is a grand programme and will be a real celebration for the youngsters who have not been to the pictures for so long.

“The General Died At Dawn”

A fast-moving story ot adventure, intrigue and romance in modern wartorn China, “The General Died at Dawn,” a Paramount picture which opens at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, brings to the screen a thrilling drama which well might have been taken directly from the newspaper headlines.

“The General Died at Dawn” presents Gary Cooper again in a soldier-oi-fortuno role, one which has added greatly to his stature as one of filmdom’s outstanding stars. Playing opposite him—as a woman who uses her beauty as a lure in the high game of international intrigue—is beautiful blonde Madeleine Carroll, young English actress, who is headed for a major position among the great stars.

The film is based on the struggle between modern China and the predatory war-lords who are laying the country waste. On the one side is General Yang, ambitious war-lord intent upon crushing China under his iron heel. On the other is a growing people’s movement. Cooper is in the ranks of this movement. Miss Carroil is the siren in the story and the fastmoving drama carries on to a thrilling climax.

King’s Theatre. “I Give My Heart.’’ Showing at the King’s finally to-night is “I Give My Heart,” the magnificent adaptation of the famous operetta, "The Dubarry,” starring the screen’s new, beautiful queen of song, Gitta Alpar, lovely Hungarian Nightingale. It has long been the privilege of the screen to present the greatest stars in their respective spheres of entertainment. In the world of music such favourites as Richard Tauber, Lawrence Tfbbett, Grace Moore, and Jeanette MacDonald, to mention but a few, have delighted us with their glorious voices—their unforgettable artistry. Now comes a new voice—a new, radiant personality—a new, davishingly beautiful singing star to further bnricli the unparalleled entertainment wealth ot the living screen. Reigning favourite in the hearts of theatre lovers on the Continent, Miss Alpar has also completely, captivated audiences everywhere “I Give My Heart” has been screened. Acclaimed by the press ot England and Australia —enthusiastically endorsed by leaders ot the musical profession of both countries —"I Give My Heart” is indeed one ot the year’s most outstanding productions.

“Yellow Dust.” Chaperones were born to be frustrated, and Jessie Ralph proves no exception in “Yellow Dust,” Richard JJix’s picture of gold and love, showing at the KingT' Theatre on Saturday and Monday. But chaperonage proves to be an amusing highlight ot the show with Miss Ralph in the duena role, watching every move of Leila Hyams as she sparks dangerous rivalry between Dix and Onslow Stevens, a mine town boss. Mama is vigilant as a hawk and firm as a rock in trying to sidetrack her daughter’s affections, but she can’t' get far when it is stirred by Dix as the daredevil young prospector. Miss Hyams blazes a trail to fame as an entertainer, singing to the men along the Mother Lode. The maternal apron-strings tighten as the men respend to her charms, however, because she is her practical mpther's meal ticket. The determination of the girl to lead her own life, at the expense of conventions of the period, precipitates the story’s exciting episodes. Rivalry between Dix and Stevens sweeps to a climax through gun battle, bandit raids, near lynching, and claim jumping.