AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 455, 12 June 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre.

“Swing Time”

A sensational solo dance in black- I face by Astaire, the presentation of 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 Furuess, so that he can marry Miss Rogers, at the same time trying to discourage a glamorous orchestra, leader, Georges Metaxa, who also lias 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 filmusicals, 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. “His Brother’s Wife” To commence on Tuesday of next week, and screening also on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, is “His Brother’s Wife," a picture directed by W. S. Van Dyke, director of "Naughty Marietta,” “Rose Marie” and “San Francisco.” “His Brother’s Wife” tells of a young scientist about to embark on his first expedition for tropical regions. Just before leaving New York he encounters a girl in a gambling casino and almost deserts the expedition. Eventually he leaves however, and the girl, partly in pique, marries his brother. Complications follow when the scientist returns to New York and carries his brother’s wife back to the worlds where he has been working.

' There is a tense climax when the girl poisons herself and he has to work feverishly to save her life, incidentally proving his work successful. Notable acting is provided by Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck, with Jean Hersholt, Joseph Calleia and John Eldredge in prominent supporting roles. King’s Theatre. Virginia Bruce In “When Love Is Young” Virginia Bruce, whose ethereal blonde beauty won the heart of John Gilbert, great lover of the screen, will be seen at the King’s to-night and Monday in “When Love Is Young,” the outstanding Universal film. Miss Bruce sings two hit songs, especially for her individual style of singing. She’ll thrill you with such romantic ballads as “Did Anyone Ever Tell You?” and “When Love Is Young.” This picture achieves the perfect blending of music, romance and comedy. It is the story of a country girl who, snubbed by school mates, goes to New York to study singing. She finally gets her big opportunity through a Broadway press agent, played by handsome Kent Taylor. Much of the high comedy is supplied by the inimitable character actor, Walter Brennan. Dazzling beauty is added to the offering by the colourful climax in which Miss Bruce makes her Broadway debut. In this elaborate stage scene, Miss Bruce dances for the first time in her screen career. “Mad Holiday” A movie within a movie—the murder of an international jeweller on a coastwise steamship between Los Angeles and San Francisco—a second murder in a Chinese theatre in San Francisco’s Chinatown—these are the ramifications of one of the most unusual mystery dramas to reach the screen, “Mad Holiday,” which, screens at the King’s on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, with Edmund Lowe

and Elissa Land! in the principal roles.

The "movie within a movie” angle of the picture centres upon Edmund Lowe appearing as a Hollywood star who, sick at being typed in mystery parts, walks off the set and takes the Miss Landi, playing the author of the fateful coastwise steamer voyage, picture out of which he has “walked", also embarks on the steamer, determined to bring the actor back at any cost even to devising a make-believe murder. When the hoaxed murder turns out unexpectedly to be a real one the complications begin. The occurrences both abroad and in the weird Chinese theatre are full of suspense and interest but the picture achieves more of a distinction in not taking itself too seriously but rather in kidding itself and mystery plots in general. To this effect the appearance in the supporting cast of Zasu Pitts and Ted Healy, an uproarious comedy team if there ever was one, was a master stroke of casting. Equally ingenious was the casting of Lowe as the hero of the picture within a picture, and Miss Landi as the author.