AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 393, 27 March 1937, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “Dimples.” Singing, dancing and dimpling her way once more into millions of hearts, Shirley Temple's new Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox triumph, “Dimples,” shows Kt the Plaza Theatre to-night and Monday. Hailed as Shirley’s wonder show, and featuring swingy new song hits and brand new dance steps, “Dimples” is heralded as the outstanding hit in the little star's parade of brilliant triumphs. An exceptional cast, headejj by the irrepressible and inimitable Frank Morgan, supports Shirley in the film, with Helen Westley, Robert Kent., Astrid Allwyn, Delma Byron, the Hall Johnson Choir and Stepin Fetchit prominently featured. Replete with laughter, romance and drama, “Dimples” tells the story of a lovable little street minstrel Shirley, and her incorrigible hut irresistibly funny guardian, Frank Morgan. The film opens with Shirley leading a group of young sidewalk minstrels through songs and dances. As they conclude their performance Morgan pushes through the crowd and starts off the "contributions.” This is how he and Shirley eke out a precarious livelihood. Morgan has a penchant for other people’s belongings, and his nimble fingers fasten on anything of value with which they come in contact. His peccadillos eventually lead him into trouble, but he goes scot free through Shirley’s winsome smiles and pleas. With Shirley mothering and caring for the irresponsible scamp, the film moves through its highly entertaining story, climaxed with Shirley being cast in the starring role in a presentation of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” With Morgan and Stepin Fetchit contributing hilarious laughter, Robert Kent. Astrid Allwyn and Delma Byron youthful romance, Helen Westley and Berton Churchill providing stirring drama, and Shirley belter than ever her previous "bests,” "Dimples”- is the greatest in the succession of Shirley Temple pictures. Darryl F. Zanuck selected William A. Seiter director and Nunnally Johnson associate producer for the film. Arthur Sheekman and Nat Perrin authored the screen play and Jimmy McHugh and Ted Koehler wrote the music and lyrics.

King’s Theatre. “The Legion of Terror.” Daring in its expose of the racket behind hooded organisations that are infesting sections of America and thrilling in its dramatic revelations, Columbia’s “Legion of Terror,” featuring Bruce Cabot, Marguerite Churchill and Crawford Weaver, shows at the King's Theatre to-night and Monday. The picture, literally torn from the front pages, is packed with suspense, revealing as it does the operations of this social octupus as it spreads out to ensnare an entire industrial town. Reaching an exciting climax with a murderous night ride of the legion, the powerful drama aroused audiendes to a high pitch of emotion. The story concerns two United States postal inspectors, played by Bruce Cabot and Crawford Weaver, assigned to trace the source of a time bomb sent through the mails to a United States Senator. The trail leads to an industrial city and the revelation of a hooded legion that is allpowerful in its social and industrial life. The inspector meets a girl, played by Marguerite Churchill, whose brother is waging a single-handed fight against the hooded mob. Rather than reveal their identity, the Government agents appear to take opposite sides to the brother and thus win the confidence of the brotherhood members and gain admittance as members. “Legion of Terror” concludes on a gripping note that lets you know you’ve seen a real motion picture.

“Love Letters of a Star.” Suspense, mystery and excitement mark the theme of the thrilling Universal picture, "Love Letters of a Star,” which shows at the King’s Theatre to-night and Monday, together with “The Legion of Terror.” The offering is based on a Crime Club novel that first ran in the Cosmopolitan Magazine under the title, “Case of the Constant God.” It was written by the master of detective fiction, Rufus King. The narrative reveals what happens in the lives of a wealthy family when the schemes of a blackmailer almost destroy their happiness. The conniving leech is killed under circumstances which throw suspicion on the victims of his plot, since one of the daughters has been driven to suiside by his threats. The marriage of another daughter Is almost ruined

by further blackmail. Brilliant detective work, some of the keenest ever presented on the screen, is developed in the offering, leading to a surprise climax of dramatic force. The solution of the mystery is kept hidden until the end of the film. Polly Rowles has the feminine lead and Walter Coy plays opposite her. Henry Hunter has an important role. Another excellent actor, C. Henry Gordon, is seen as the detective. If you like thrills, mystery, tense drama, brightened by just enough romance and comedy, then see “Love Letters of a Star.”