AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 385, 17 March 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “The Great Ziegfeld.” Mcttro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s. magnificent production “The Great Ziegfeld” will complete a season ait the Plaza Theatre, Stratford, to-night. The producers claim that no greater show has ever been attempted on either stage or screen. Bevies of beautiful girls, lavish Lets, tuneful

musical numbers, gorgeous gowns, and a fine story are the f: atures of the picture. One fact about, a really outstanding film is that its.- merits are always heard of much in advance, and is the case of “The Great Zicgfeld” this is very much so. As Florenz Ziegfeld, jnr., William Powell, male leaid for many brilliant films in the last few years, gives a portrayal vhich 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 the cast. On account of its lavishness and spectacle, its' music and dancing and because of the remarkable entertainment which it offers, “The Great Ziegfeld” cannot fail to appeal to all local picture-goers. “Tlie G resit Ziegfeld” season will continue for four nights.

“The Gay Desperado.” Coming to the Plaza Theatre, on Thursday night is a Him, the scene of which is laid in the picturesque Rio Grande, Which is a distinct change from the well-worn New York and other cates and country houses. The story concerns one Chivo, who is singer and general handyman at a dingy little movie house below the Rio Grande. When Braganza, Mexico’s most notorious bandit chieftain, sees an American gangster film there and is inspired to adopt the gangsters’ tactics, Chivo puts down the ensuing riot with tong. His golden voice so thrills the music-loving Braganza that lie has him kidnapped and brought t'o his headquarters. Chivo tells Braganza of his ambition to become a radio star. Braganza a.t once takes him to a border

town, seizes a broadcasting station and pushes him in front of the microphone. On the way back, Braganza kidnaps Bill Shay, weakling son of a politically powerful American multi-million-aire, and hit' sweetheart Jane. Chivo helps Bill escape. Later he and Jane, who have fallen in love, also manage to escape and pick up Bill on the road. Chivo manages to reach the theatre where he once worked, but his boss, believing him to be a bandit, has him arretted. To prove his innocence he offers to help an American detective who is working on the kidnapping case. Chivo is _ralßiased and Braganza tells him that Jane is waiting for him.

King’s Theatre. “Fury.” A new romaiitic team of unusual appeal it' introduced in the Met'ro-Goldiwyn-Maiyer picture, “Fury," to be screened at the King's Theatre for the last time to-night. The co-starring leads are Sylvia Sidney and Spencer Tracy, and their acting in many of the difficult scenes of this powerful screen play approaches new heights.

“Fuiiy,” with its excellent acting, swift-moving dramatic force and superb photography, is a real credit to the distinguished Viennese director. It seems' altogether safe to predict that he will draw' many more important assignments as a result’ of this offering. The story, prepared for the screen by Lang and Bartlett Cormack from an original by Norman Kvasha, is a hard-hitting depiction of group lawlessness in America. The denouement achieves an emotional tension seldom equalled in motion pictures. It leaves you literally on the edge of your seat up To the fade-out. “Fury" is strong fare, strongly preseated. It is a challenge to every right-thinking adult, not as a preachment, for it is stated with complete objectivity, but as gripping real life drama, that recurs' constantly on the front page of the nation’s papers!