AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 380, 11 March 1937, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “New Moon.” Metro-GoMwyn-Mayer’s reissue of the famous musical comedy “New Moon,” will commence at the Plaza Theatre, Startford, to-day with Lawrence Tibbett and Grace Moore in the principal roles. It is unquestionably a picture ivdell above the average. Both Tilbbett and Miss Moore give flawless performances exclusive' of their brilliant singing.. The story deals with a Russian princess' who plays with fire in the person of an impassioned lieutenant, only to find that she has burned herself in the intrigue and dangerous circumstances which follow upon her fiance’s discovery of the “affair.” The charming music of the stage success, including the never-toibe.forgotten “Lover Come Black to Me,” “Wanting You,” “One Kiss,” and "Stout-hearted Men” is augmented with tiv.'o outstanding songs, “What Isi Your Price, Madame?” and “The Farmer’s Daughter.” Roland Young and Emily Fitzroy head the supporting cast.

“The Great Ziegfeld.” Mcitro-Goldw-yn-Mayer’f.- magnificent production "The Great Ziegfeld” will commence a season at the Plaza Theaitre, Stratford, on Saturday next. The producers claim that no greater show has ever been attempted on either stage or screen. Bevies of beautiful girls, lavish sets, tuneful musical numbers, gorgeous gowns, and a fine story are the features of the picture. One fact about a really outstanding film is that ite' merits are always heard of much in advance, and is the case of “The Great Ziegfeld” this is very much so. As Florenz Ziegfeld, jnr., William Powell, male lead for many brilliant films in the last few years, gives a portrayal ■Which will still further enhance his reputation as a born actor. No more fitting lead could have been selected for Powell than Myrna Loy, who, as Billie Burke, makes a beautiful and understanding heroine. Luise Rainer, in the part of Anna Held, Frank Morgan and Reginald Owen are the most (important of the other members of I the cast. On account, of its lavislh- ! ness and spectacle, its- music anil i dancing and because of the remark[able entertainment which it offers, | “The Great Ziegfeld” cannot fail to appeal to all local picture-goers. “The Great Ziegfeld” season will continue for four nights.

King’s Theatre.

“Rhythm On the Range.” Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, a blooded bull, a box car and a crazy crosscountry pilgrimage; hot “swing” tunes and songs of the old West. Those are a few of the ingredients of Paramount’s “Rhythm bn the Range,” romantic and hilarious musical scheduled to screen to-night and Friday at the King’s Theatre, Stratford. Others include the villainy of Warren Hymer, James Burke and George E. Stone; the Russian cowiboy antics of Leonid Kinskey and the skilled acting of Samuel S. Hinds and Lucille? Webster Gleason. Music in "Rhythm on the Range” varies from the sepulchral melodies of the famous l Bob Burns “bazooka” to tunes by Louis Prima’s worldfanned swing band. It. launches several song hits. "Rhythm on the Range,” the theme song, was' inspired by the picture.

Briefly, the story casts Crosby as a cow hand who takes part in a New York rodeo, buys a prize bull, and starts' for his home range in a box car with the animal. His buddy is Burns.

Frances Farmer, a society girl scheduled to marry a man she has no interest in, stows away in the box car. Halfway across the continent, girl, bull and cowpuncher are left behind by the train; they have to make their way as best they can. Hymer, Burke and Stone enter the story When they begin trailing Crosby and Miss Farmer across' several States, with the idea oif kidnapping the girl and holding her for rarisom.

“A Son Conies Home.”

For her first appearance in a dramatic role since she has appeared on the screen, Mary Boland will be seen to-night and to-morrow at the King’s Theatre in a powerful drama laid on the waterfront, of a California town. It is Paramount’s “A Son Comes Home,” directed by E. A. Dupoat, the

story of a prodigal son. Miss Boland plays the part of the proiprietress of a Chowder House, and is known as “'the angel of the wharves.” There are big dramatic moments in this picture which introduces an entirely new Mary Boland. With Miss Boland in “A Son Conies Home” is? Julie Haydon, Who has not been seen on the screen since her appearance with Noel CowarcT in “The Scoundrel”; Dona'ld Woods, who carries the leading male) role; Wallace Ford as the fast-ste piping reporter who untangled the situation: Roger Imhof, veteran Russian actor as the detective and Anthony Nace as the wayward son.