AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 454, 11 June 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre.

“Ramona” The current outstanding events in the film world is the- presentation of Helen Hunt Jackson’s immortal love idyll, “Ramona,” produced by 20th Century-Fox, in the new perfected Technicolour, which is at the Plaza Theatre to-night. The cast ot thousands featuring Loretta Young and Don Ameche, includes such brilliant players as Kent Taylor, Pauline Frederick, Jane Darwen, Katherine De Milne, Victor Kilian and John Carradine. As long as two years ago, preparations were begun for the pieturisatioh of this beautiful love story. Darryl F. Zanuck, Twentieth Century-Fox studio production chief, spent nearly an entire year in search of the perfect Ramona.

“Ramona” was filmed in the beautiful San Jacinto mountain meadow land of Southern California, the actual spots where Ramona and Alessandro lived and loved many years ago, as described in the story. The main location was a 55,000-acre ranch In the Mesa Grande area, about 140 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

“Swing Time”

A sensational solo dance in blackface by Astaire the presentation ot the newest ballroom rage, the Swing Waltz, some of the most gorgeous settings ever shown on the screen, a star-spangled supporting cast and a brand-new type of story for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, plus six of the catchiest melodies of Jerome Kern’s career, are among the attraction elements of the'hilarious musical romance, “Swing Time,” which screens at the Plaza next Saturday and Monday. Love affairs and complications feature the story plot, with Astaire endeavouring to rid himself of a haughty fiancee, Betty Furness, so that he can marry Miss Rogers, at the same time trying to discourage a glamorous orchestra leader, Georges Metaxa, who also has matrimonial designs on Ginger. Victor Moore and Helen Broderick, teamed together as one of the funniest troupers ever to reach the screen, head the supporting cast as a pair of well-meaning but often embarrassing matchmakers, who Innocently provide many of the complications, and much of the comedy, of the film. Eric Blore, the convulsing butler of former Astaire-Rogers fllmusicals, also has a prominent role in the picture. A glittering aerial night-club of mirrors and chromium, moored to the tower of Manhattan’s tallest skyscraper, forms one of the breath-taking settings of the production. In this unique background, designed by John Harkrider, of “The Great Ziegfeld” fame, Astaire and a host of dancing girls put on the spectacular “Bojangles of Harlem” number. King’s Theatre. “Sinners Take All” “Sinner Take)- All ” which screens at the King’s Theatre to-night, is a picture as intriguing as its title. It is a happy combination of mystery, romance, and humour, in unusual settings, produced in the manner of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with lavish attention to detail. The scenes range from the luxury of Park Avenue penthouses to the squalor of lower East Side tenements, nor is the Broadway night club sector omitted. Others reveal the roaring and ordered confusion of a metropolitan newspaper at press time, with a big Story breaking. The picture is based on the novel by Whitman Chambers. Errol Taggart was the director and has accomplished an excellent job. Bruce Cabot and Margaret Lindsay play the romantic leads with artistry, and Joseph Calleia offers another of his individual "menace” portrayals. Excellent supporting roles are played by Stanley Ridges, Vivienne Osborne, Theodore Vons Eitz and George Zucco.

The story deals with a millionaire newspaper publisher who receives a threatening message pledging death to him and his family. Before he can move to protect himself he and two sons are murdered. A former reporter who has become a lawyer, returns to his old craft and solves the mystery as he nabs the killer in a series of exciting adventures. He also saves the life of the publisher’s lovely daughter ,and marries her.