AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 419, 28 April 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. Return of “Show Boat.” The screening of “Show' Boat” which shows finally at the Plaza Theatre to-night, has been eagerly awaited by all who have previously seen it and by those who were compelled to miss it during its first run. The romance of the Southern States of America makes a splendid background for music which has seldom been approached in talking films. One of the most memorable scenes is that in which Paul Robeson, the celebrated negro baritone, gives his rendering- of “Old Man River,” while of almost equal standard are other negro melodies in which he is heard. But the success of the film from a musical point of view is not due to Robeson alone. The principals are heard in the various well-known songs of the original composers. A chorus of 200 voices also plays a notable part. The leading role is a triumph for Irene Dunne in every respect, her singing and acting being beyond reproach. As the romantic young daughter of a showboat captain, who becomes an outstanding success, marries, finds disillusionment and poverty, and later reaches the top of her profession, she gives the greatest performance of her career. The dashing young actor who wins her heart with his handsome appearance and appealing voice, is admirably portrayed by Allan Jones. One of the most entertaining performances is that given by Charles Winninger, who is cast as the whimsical captain of the show-boat. Helen Westley gives a splendid portrayal as his hard-bitten wife. The lesser parts are filled by an exceptionally capable.cast Helen Morgan sings several delightful songs, and among other well-known players are Donald Cook, J. Farrell MacDonald and Queensie Smith. A new twist has been added by the addition of the story of the daughter of the two principals, and this gives an opportunity for introducing modern settings. In spite of its exceptional lengths, for it lasts practically two hours, the film never drags, and great credit is due to the director, James Whale. The supporting programme includes a film showing the thrills of big-game fishing, and novelty.

King’s Theatre. “Alias Mary Dow.” One of the most unusual stories ever filmed, the tale of a waitress who poses as a wealthy kidnapped girl to save a woman’s life, is showing at the King’s Theatre to-night. It is “Alias Mary Dow,” a Universal picture starring Sally Eilers. Around this dramatic situation. Universal has made one of the finest and most compelling love dramas of the year. It brings Miss Ellers to «you in two entirely different roles—as a flippant, hard and disillusioned waitress—and as a refined and educated daughter of wealth. Miss Eilers is the waitress who leaves the life she loves at the frantic plea of a grief-stricken man and who poses as his daughter to save his dying wife. At first, she is unhappy in her new environment and tries desperately to go back to her old life. But a woman’s happiness is at stake and she finally agrees to continue the deception. She falls in love with a young man of wealth and position, played by Ray Milland, and he wants her to marry him. But the spectre of her past comes up to haunt her and prevent the union. Then her former sweetheart, a taxidriver, played by Chick Chandler, discovers her masquerade and seeks to blackmail her and the r man she loves. The climax of the story comes when she traps the man who had kidnapped the child whose place she has taken. “The Crimson Circle” An amazing meeting of a vast gang of blackmailers and murderers recently provided a great deal of excitement in London’s dockland. At the dead of night the streets near the docks echoed to the alarming sound of police whistles and the tusilade of revolver shots. Startled onlookers saw men and women in evening dress fighting like fiends on the “Cormorant”—a cargo boat belonging to the General Steam Navigation Co., which normally carries on a peaceful trade between London and Hull. On decks which usually echo only to the peaceful tramp of the watch, or the rattle of the windlass, thrilling events took place which haye never come the way of the “Cormorant” before, and probably will never

again. For, that night, scenes were being shot on board for Edgar Wallace's greatest mystery thriller—“ The Crimson Circle,” which will show at the King’s on Thursday and Friday. “The Crimson Circle” is an intriguing thriller, in which the wits and resources of Scotland Yard are pitted against the mysterious head of a secret society of blackmailers. A strong cast of international players is headed by Hugh Wakefield, Alfred Drayton, Noah Beery, and sev-enteen-year-old June Duprez, whose performance has created a stir amongst the critic fraternity overseas.