AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 427, 7 May 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “The Lonely Road” A fascinating love story, dashing adventure, thrilling gun-running, music, song and catchy humour, combined with clever acting, makes "Lonely Road,” which screens at the Plaza to might; Co-starring Clive Brook and Victoria Hopper, the action of “Lonely Road” shifts from London to a Leeds Palaise-de-Danse, Scotland Yard Headquarters, and seat coast locales, thus providing ample variety of settings. Clive Brook, popular hero of a hundred films, in the role of an ex-com-mander of a submarine, now turned Secret Service, is refreshingly different from his customary Hollywood characterisations. He has starred Opposite many famous sirens Of the screen; Tallulah Bankhead, Marlene Dietrich, Diana Wynyard, Ruth Chatterton and Madeleine Carroll, but it has remained for this, his latest English production to present the real Brook in the type of role he was born to play. Opposite him, Victoria Hopper gives a delightful performance as Molly Gordon, the dance-hall partner, a role giving full play to her dramatic powers, which have never before been seen to better advantage. Another outstanding piece of work is that of Frede-ick Peisley as Molly’s brother. Bill, who unwittingly gets mixed up with the gun-runners, only to be ultimately acquitted through the efforts of Clive Brook. Eventually love receives its reward in the happy union of Molly and the the commander, but not before a spate of thrilling melodrama runs Its course, keeping the audience in exciting suspense, a terrific car crash, a thrilling chase down a cliff, and at the bottom- —a fierce fight. All these combine to make “Lonely Road” one of the most action-packed offerings of the year.

King’s Theatre. ‘Straight From The Shoulder’ Tender romance between a boy and a girl, the depe, heart-warming love of a small boy for his dad, and the straight-shootin’ philosophy of a wise, kindly old-timer who has seen a lot of water go under the bridge have all been skilfully combined in “Straight From the Shoulder,” new Paramount drama featuring Ralph Bellamy, Katherine Locke, Andy Clyde and David •Holt, which screens at the King’s Theatre to.uight. “Straight From the Shoulder," based on the famous “J. M. Pyne” stories •which Lucien Cary writes for the Saturday Evening Post,” is the tale of a young widower who has become his son’s best pal. The boy is jealous and resentful of his Dad’s love for the woman who has come into his life, fearing that their companionship will be broken up. In order to win the boy’s love, his father's sweetheart must “sell” herself, and this opportunity comes when a gang of desperadoes capture the youngster and lay in Wait, planning to kill the rest of the party. How she succeeds in turning the tables on the killers in a thrilling climax makes action entertainment of the first order, and leads to her eagerly-await-ed reconciliation with the boy sig: wants to love. “Expert’s Opinion” A powerful melodramatic story of espionage and international intrigue, with action and romantic interest, the Paramount British picture, “Expert’s Opinion,” which is also on the same programme. The interest is maintained throughout the entire length of the picture. Some wonderful “stunt” flying at Heston, an Old Bailey murder trial, a police raid on a shady night-club, a coroner’s inquest, a gun demonstration, and scenes in an armament factory, coupled with excellent acting by the whole of the cast, make a picture that is above the average in entertainment value.