AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 444, 27 May 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. Lily Pons In “That Girl From Paris” From the opening scene when Lily Pons say “No!” to a marrying minister instead of the customary "I do,” to her hectic marriage In a racing taxi cab at the climax of the picture, the tiny singer’s new ottering, “That Girl From Paris,” shatters all precedents for screen vehicles for opera stars. It screens at the Plaza Theatre, tonight The distinguished little French soprano Is supported by one or the most versatile groups of comedians ever assembled for a photoplay, including Herman Bing, Mischa Auer, Frank Jenks and Lucille Ball. Miss Pons plays the role of a French opera star, who jilts her manager at the altar and pursues a handsome American saxophonist to America by stowing away in his cabin. Her troubles as a fugitive from the immigration authorities are manifold, and they increase when two of the members of the orchestra, Gene Raymond and Jack Oakie, fall in love with her. Interspersed in the kaleidoscopic picture, with a French grape festival, an ocean liner, an American roadhouse and the Metropolitan Opera House as backdrops, is a pot pourri of melody climaxing in the rendition by Miss Pons of the beautiful aria from “The Barber of Seville.” The prima donna also sings “Tarantella” and the “Blue Danube Waltz,” in addition to “Call to Arms,” “Seal It With a Kiss” and “My Nephew from Nice.”

“THREE SMART GIRLS”

Deanna Durbin Is Radio’s Sensational Songbird They smiled encouragingly when she stepped up to sing. “They” were the technical crew on the Universal picture "Three Smart Girls,” screening at the Plaza on Friday, Saturday and Monday—a picture every cinema fan in Stratford has been waiting for. The crew had seen more than one experienced prima donna falter in her first film recording. The girl was 13 year old Deanna Durbin, noted radio soprano, making her screen debut. Instead of suffering from camera fright, which the technicians expected, Deanna sang easily, as if she were just practising. Deanna, an American girl, was born in Winnipeg, Canada, December 4, 1922. When she was a year old, her parents took her to California. Vocal experts marvel that so young a girl should have such a finely developed voice. Deanna portrays the youngest sister of the “Three Smart Girls.” Possessing a lyric soprano voice that electrifies all who hear it, little Migs Durbin makes her movie debut in one of the gayest comedy dramas ever to come out of Hollywood. “Three Smart Girls” deals with the madcap adventures of three lovely daughters of a New York millionaire who join in a conspiracy to break up their father’s romance with a fortune hunting beauty. Just to make the film even more Interesting, there is a triple romance woven Into the narrative. The dialogue' is brightly amusing, the situations get funnier by the minute and the songs will steal your heart away. The ravishing Binnle Barnes por-

trays the huntress of fortunes; Alice Brady is seen as her scheming mother Ray Milland helps the “Three Smart Girls” prevent the marriage and wins the heart of one of the sisters, played by Barbara Read. Charles Winninger is the millionaire. Deanna Durbin is the youngest daughter. The other one is portrayed by Nan Grey, who is whirled into a romance with John King. You will be enchanted by the music, thrilled by the romance and convulsed by the humour of “Three Smart Girls.” It is advisable to book early for this film.

King’s Theatre. I “The Crime Of Dr. Forbes” Cold-blooded murder for the sake ot a guilty love —or an act of compassion beyond human law? Local theatre-goers will have an opportunity to sit in judgment on “The Crime of Dr. Forbes” when the new Fox pictures screens at the King’s on Thursday and Friday. Gloria Stuart, Robert Kent, Henry Armetta, J. Edward Bromberg, Sara Haden and Alan Dinehart are featured in this widely heralded production, the story ot which is based on a theme new to the screen. Kent, a young physician, go«B to trial for the alleged murder of Bromberg, a noted scientist engaged in research which he hopes will lead to -a cure for a fatal spinal disease. The events leading to Kent’s trial begin when Bromberg, hearing of the excavation of some prehistoric skeletons in Arizona bearing unmistakable symptoms of the disease, decides to visit the scene and leaves his laboratory and beautiful young wife, Gloria Stuart, in Kent’s care. The young doctor and Gloria, without knowing it, fall in love. Suddenly word comes that Bromberg has been badly injured in an accident and Kent and Gloria rush to the scene. There they find Bromberg hopelessly enduring angony, for he knows that his injury eannot be cured. Kent and Bromberg’s other associate realise their helplessness. They know that they can do nothing to lessen the injured man’s terrible pain—and they know he cannot recover. Suddenly Bromberg dies —and unmistakable evidence points to an overdose of narcotics. Circumstantial evidence points to Kent as the administrator of the drug—and amidst condemning publicity he is brought to trail, where the prosecution points out that the young doctor is in love with Bromberg’s wife.

Did this Dr. Forbes violate his sacred oath? The answer. Startling and surprising, supplies one of the most unusual climaxes ever filmed.

“Music Is Magic” Bebe Daniels, who is featured in a leading role in the Fox musical romance, “Music IS Magic” (also on the same programme), returns to the screen, after a two-years’ absence. Alice Faye tops the cast in the picture in which Miss Daniels enacts the role of a motion picture star whose popularity is on the wane. In “Music Is Magic” she reveals the charm which made her one of the favourites of the silent screen. During the course of her great career, she has played almost every conceivable type of role.