AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 457, 15 June 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

PLAZA THEATRE “Rhodes Of Africa.” An arresting story of the tures of Cecil Rhodes in colonising South Africa for the British Empire is vividly portrayed in the unusual historical drama tcreening at the Plaza Theatre to-nighrt. Fine acting by Walter Huston in the title role achieves be h dignity and sincerity in conveying the sin_ gle-purpose urge of an immort.l British hero. The narrative >3 rich in spectacle and is completely con_ vincing. Historic 'detail eEcapes from the orthodox in a refreshing manner. Clashes with Paul Kruger, parleys wj h Lobenguta, King of the Matabele, the historic and dramatic eson Raid, the frenzied rush of diamond prospectors to Kimberley, the battle with the Matabele warriors, RhodeE’ dramatic pleading with the grim Kruger for Jameson’s life—these are highlights in <the film tha»t have never been equalled in their brilliancy. Throughout .the fabric of the story is interwoven with the ot Rhodes’ incessamt scheming for Boer domination and Empire achievement. The casting of “Rhodes of Africa” is masterly. Walter Huston gives the performance of his life-time in Uhe Genius shines from his treatment of a complex character; he is faithful to history yell human. He he's lived the part He is reincarnation, not of a legendary figure, but of a flesh and blood man, a flg_ ure that everyone can understand—and love.

“His Brother’s Wife” To commence on Tuesday ot this 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 ot 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 Jife, incidentally proving his work successful. Notable acting is provided by Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck, with Jean Hershoit, Joseph Calleia and John Eldredge in prominent supporting roles.

KING’S THEATRE “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 9an 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 Theatre to-night, 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 oh 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.