REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

‘•MANHATTAN MELODRAMA.” - This evening the programme at the Regent Theatre will be headed by “Manhattan Melodrama.” When the excursion steamer General Slocum burned in New York harbour in. .1904, more than 1,000 perished. Blackie Gallagher and Jim Wade, youngsters, were saved, but all members of their families were killed. Father Joe, a. young priest, pulled the boys from the river and Old Man Rosen, whose son died in the Slocum horror, reared them. When he was killed a few years later they were thrown on their own. As they grew, up they ran true to the indications of their youth. Blackie, now a man, is a boss gambler, powerful and dramatic figure of the city’s night life; Jim Wade is district attorney with brilliant political prospects. Blackie, in his own way, is happy. He bribes the police, wouldn’t hesitate to do violence when he is crossed, has plenty 'of money and a sweetheart, Eleanor. She isn’t happy about Blackie’s racket and begs him to quit, but he laughs her down. He tells her the straight and narrow path is swell for fellows like Jim, whom he worships, but not for Blackie Gallagher. Eleanor meets Jim and they fall in love. She leaves Blackie. But just before Jim and Eleanor are to be married, Blackie kills a racketeer who is trying to welch on a bet. From there on the story is an exciting one. The leading parts are taken by William Powell, Myrna Loy and Clark Gable who give outstanding displays. “SWEETHEARTS.” The inseparable pair, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, better their previous triumphs in “Sweethearts,” which commences on Saturday at the Regent Theatre. Starred as the two leading players in a musical comedy hit, which has run for six years and gives every indication of running for another six, the pair are lovers on and off the stage. The equanimity of the producer, Frank Morgan, is rudely disturbed with the entrance of a Hollywood agent, and visions of the goldmine suddenly ceasing to yield such good returns cause him, in collaboration with others concerned, to take steps to keep the pair on Broadway. The method of separating them by means of a lovers’ quarrel, so they will hot sign the joint contract Hollywood offers is effective, and the pair, each taking new partners, head two different companies on tour. Love cannot be so easily denied, however, and both gradually learn of the plot to separate them.