REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 February 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“HOLLYWOOD HOTEL." Tonight is the final screening of Warner Bros.’ musical comedy, “Hollywood Hotel,” starring Dick Powell, Hugh Herbert, Alan Mowbray and the Lane Sisters. “MANNEQUIN.” It was a happy choice that teamed Joan Crawford and Spencer Tracy for the first time in “Mannequin,” which opens tomorrow at the Regent Theatre. Given a smartly-modern story by Katharine Brush. who wrote “Young Man of Manhattan,” and able direction by Frank Morzage, the stars share honours with performances that must be numbered among their finest. As Jessie Cassidy, a shop girl who fights her way up from the Nev/ York tenement district to a multi-million-aire’s penthouse, Miss Crawford has a role that is reminiscent of her portrayals in “Dancing Lady” and “Possessed,” pictures that won her wide popularity. Never more beautifully gowned by Adrian, she sings charmingly a new popular hit, "Always and Always,” and rises spiritedly to every dramatic occasion, particularly in scenes with Tracy. The acting versatility of Tracy ceases to surprise. He seems to fit any part handed him as though made for it. This is particularly true of his characterisation as John L. Hennessey, rugged and twofisted, who rose from the docks to own a line of ships. Full of unexpected twists, the story opens with Jessie’s marriage to Eddie Miller as an escape from her tenement surroundings. The part of Miller is played by Alan Curtis, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s newest leading man discovery, who displays exceptional promise in the difficult role of a weakling. When Miller proves to be a cheap crook, Jessie leaves him, determined to live her own lite. Hennessey, who also loves Jessie, refuses to let her, and they are married. Miller sees' an opportunity to blackmail Jessie, which fails when Hennessey goes broke. This gives Jessie the chance to prove her love for Hennessey in a gripping climax. Capable in supporting roles are Ralph Morgan, Mary Phillips, Oscar O'Shea. Elizabeth Risdon, and Yeo Gorccy.