AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 428, 8 May 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. “Mary Of Scotland” The story of a woman who with the aid of but one man dared pit herself against a host of ruthless war barons in a battle of force and intrigue that could not end until one or the other faction was wholly defeated is pictured in “Mary of Scotland,” co-starring Katharine Hepburn and Fredric March, which screens at the Plaza Thealtre to-night. The Scottish, queen, whose career is told, fought with a vigor surprising in one so lovely and entirely feminine but as the film recalls, she was destined to defeat, for her lords stopped at nothing to seize her power for themselves.

They convinced the husband of her second loveless marriage, Lord Darnley, that favours denied him were granted Rizzio, her only devoted advisor, and Darnley's aid murdered the Italian in her very chambers. When the hapless Mary finally dared marry for love, they spread the rumour that it was her new husband, Bothwell, who murdered Darnley (mysteriously killed shortly after .Rizzio’s death) to make the wedding possible. And as the people heeded this whispering and deserted the bold firebrand who was her last defender, Mary’s nobles dared come in the open and throw all their forces against her. That fierce feud makes one of history’s most colourful dramas, as testified by the outstanding Broadway success of Maxwell Anderson’s play from which the film was taken. Produced by Pandro S. Berman, the picture was directed by John Ford, Florence Eldridge, Douglas Walton and John Carradine head an enormous supporting cast. Added effectiveness is given to Katharine Hepburn’s portrayal of the title role in that the star bears a striking resemblance to the Scottish Queen. historians describe Mary Stuart as having russet hair, a high classic forehead, long oval-shaped eyes, a firm chin, high cheek bones, a tall, slim figure and beautiful, expressive hands. Miss Hepburn fits this description perfectly. The only feature not I possessed by the screen star Is the famous Stuart mouth, which was a full Cupid’s bow. King’s Theatre. “Crash Donovan” There Is something way down deep inside most of us that makes us respond to intense excitement, to breathless thrills and swift moving drama, as well as kindling romance. That human pulsing to stirring events will take place once more when Jack Holt is starred in the Universal picture, “Crash Donovan,” screening at the King’s Theatre to.night. Holt is seen first as a dare-devil motorcycle rider performing deathdefying feats ip a carnival. Soon afterward he becomes a member of the State Highway Patrol. There, Tiding the roads on a motorcycle, he learns at first hand of the continuous toll of moijern traffic in fearful accidents. The climax of the story is reached when he and his partner fleeing smugglers. Exejting incidents have a running battle with a band of follow one another in swift succession and the screen -play presents a vivid drama of the dangerous work of the highway police. “Crash Donovan” was produced with the active co-operation of the California Highway Patrol and many of its members appear in the film. Holt’s supporting cast includes such popular players as John King, Nan Gray, Eddie Acuff, Hugh Buckler, and Douglas Fowley. The picture was directed by William Nigh.