ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 52, 1 February 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE.

“DANGER LIGHTS.”

Faced with a terrific landslide which demolishes a vast section of the Chicago Milwaukee. St. Paul and Pacific right-of-way, Dan Tnorn (Louis Wolhcim). tho division superintendent, goes into action to clear away tho damage with tho aid of a hurriodly commandeered emergency crow. Thorn prosscs into service a gang of tramps fouhd in a box car near tho slide, one of whom, Larrv Doyle (Robert Armstrong) shows fight Before the Thorn fists knocks somo sense into his sullen head. Aftor traffic is sot in motion, Thorn carries Doylo back to the roundhouse, and, learning that Larry was an enginoer discharged for insubordination; porsuados him to sign on as a fireman. Asido from his great love for tho road, Dan is also dooply in love with Mary Ryan (Jean Arthur) with whoso father, Ed (Frank Sheridan) ho boards. Larry early moets Mary, and despite tho fact that ho knows sho is engaged to Dan, cannot help encouraging an attraction between himself and tho girl. The girl,- torn between deep affection for Dan and a sweeping love for Larry, the handsomo moro dashing and younger man, finds love with Larry. A few days' later Dan Thorn receives his vacation, an opportunity ho has long awaited as tho chanco to marry Mary. Howover, ho is notified to leave immediately for a washout on tho lino. This is Larry’s chance to elope with Mary. Tho two depart to catch tno Olympian, a speeding flyer. Dan sets out in pursuit and discovers Larry and Mary at tho tracks. Swept by a fierce rain, in tho terrifying blackness of tho storm, Larry is found with his foot firmly caught in a switch. Mary frantically implores Dan to release Larry who is in tho path of tho oncoming Olympian, thundering toward them at 80 miles an hour. As tho crack flyer bears down on tho desperato trio, Dan, with his mighty bulk and stool strength bent to the job, tears Larry’s foot loose as the roaring juggernaut thunders by. He stumbles a split second and is hurled asido by the rail monster. Desperately hurt, Dan requires tho services of a brain surgeon to savo his life. Ho is placed aboard tho general manager’s special and Larry takes tho throttlo. Thorn’s lifo is saved, and tho two young lovers are free again while Dan goes back to his love, tho railroad. This is the story of “Danger Lights,” now screening at tho Kosy Theatre.

PALACE THEATRE. MARIE DRESSLER IN “POLITICS.” “I never wanted to be a star. Stardom mav bring you a lot of added glory, but it also brings you a lot of added responsibilities with the result that more often than not you work under a nervous strain. "But”—and here Mario Dressier squared a determined jaw—“they said it was my job so I’m doing it tho best I know how.” This is Mario Dreesler’s philosophy of life. The newest of Metro-Goldwyn-.Mayer’s stars, whoso first vehicle, “Politics,” is now at the Palace Theatre, belidves that more than half tho ills of this world would vanish il everyone reconciled himself to doing the beet ho could with tho job at hand. I learned this rule when I was a newcomer in ehow business,” said Miss Dressier. “I’d been in tho chorus and had risen to be a principal in musical shows. Then times got tough and there wero no principals’ jobs around. A lot of players sat around and waited —but I couldn't see it that way. Tho only job available was in tho chorus 60 I took it and tried to bo tho oest chorus girl in tho show. Pretty 6oon I was promoted. I haven’t much patience with tno person who waits for the right kind of job. The trick is to take whatever job is available and try to fill it so well that it becomes a better one. There’s a great chanco of success following that rule —in any business.” In “Politics” Miss Drcsslor again shares her comedy moment with Polly Moran, with whom sho has so successfully co-starred in “Reducing;” and “Caught Short.” Charles Ricsner, who directed tho former hits, also filmed “Politics.” The supporting cast includes Kosco Ates, Karen Morley, William Bakewoll, John Miljan and Joan Marsh. .*

REGENT THEATRE. ANOTHER CHEVALIER TRIUMPH. A tremendous combination of acting talent, directorial genius, writing wisdom and music-loving magic has been woven into a thrilling joyous motion picture entertainment, “Tho Smiling Lieutenant,” now screening at tho Regent Theatre. Bringing Maurice Chevalier back to tho scroon after his European tour in another rollicking romaneo which combines all tho attractivo features of his former screen successes, “The Smiling Lieutenant” is causing a furore. Two gorgeous women, tho brunetto Claudette Colbert, tho blonde, Miriam Hopkins, mako things lively for tho smiling Frenchman, whoso voice will havo full oportunity to express his personality in song in “The Smiling Lieutenant.” Charles Rugglcs, the joyous inebriate of a scoro of film hits, gives of his laugh-mak-ing talents to this new picture. Tho story deals with a sprightly lieutenant of the Guards, in lovo with a charming cabaret entertainer, for whom lie is willing to sacrifice tho joys of bachelorhood. Beforo ho can accomplish his purpose, however, ho is snatched up by a princess who mistakes his smilo for a proposal, and forces him into unwilling matrimony. After marriage he forsakes his dowdy wife for happiness > with tho girl of his choice. But bis wife, determined to win his regard, loams tho secrets of charm from his sweetheart, and tears his heart between lovo with duty or without. Also screening are a British nows scrcon, song cartoon, a onco over light comedy and a Fox news. ENGLAND’S LATEST TALKIE SUCCESS SCHEDULED SOON. There are threo features which live in memory when ono thinks of the “City of Song,” coining on Wednesday next to the Regent—tho realistic settings, tho splendid voice of Jan Kicpura, tho renowned Viennese tonor, and the acting of Betty Stockficld, tho Australian actress. It is a picture which seeks to blend mystic Italy with tho matter-of-factncss of Old England. Tho story on which the picture is based is tho ago-old ono of romaneo woven round an English girl and an Italian lover. Tho city of song (Naples and its surroundings) imparts to their meeting an undeniable noto of appeal. She feels herself drawn along irresistibly by tho voico ho has. Under the spell of that romantic setting .she decides to build castles round a now-found hero. JanJ Kicpura plays tho part of tho romantic guide from Italy whom Betty Stockfield, as laire Wintor, seeks to make a great singer. A clever note of comedy is introduced by Hugh Wakefield as tho Hon. Roddy Fielding, Claire’s good old standby. He is typically English and never at a loss for a. laugh. The acting of Chi, the littlo Italian boy, is outstanding also. “The City of Song” is a picture that is unusual, but is appealing for tho threo features already mentioned—tho realistic sottings, fine tenor singing, and a remarkable feminino lead.