ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 201, 26 July 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

KOSY THEATRE. “BLACK LEGION.” The filmi? write a page of current history in “Black Legion,” a thrilling melodrama produced by Warner 'Bros., which; will screen at the Rosy Theatre to-night. Recently, in Michigan, a hand of masked , and hooded men took the law in their own' hands and killed their chosen enemies with-, out semblance of justice or mercy. Newspaper accounts of its activities shocked the law-abiding elements of the entire country. Outraged opinion demanded swift justice and got it. Confessional testimony of the chief suspect brought out incredible ruth- j lessness on the part of the night raiders. ' On the mere rumour that a man had beaten his wife, the man was killed. That; the rumour was without the least foundation made this lawless execution the more horrible. In another case, some of the members —-according to the confession of the suspect—deliberately shot a coloured citizen because they wanted “to see how it felt to kill a negro.” Investigation clearly showed that the Black Legion was found-, cd on the rwcjudice, race-hatred, and- big 1 otry of iia'f-bakcd mentalities, herded together by glib organisers, who were making fortunes out of the sale of- hooded gowns and firearms, The story of the organisation ns it is filmed is the more dramatic for being based on fact. The havoc wrought in the families of the victims, as well as in the families of its members is i stark melodrama. The main character in' the screen play is a young working man deluded into the belief that it is a duty to take the law into his own hands. Because the job which he thought he deserved was given to a foreigner, he feels that he has been cheated of his rights as' an American citizen. By so doing, lie spoils a beautiful romance, utterly destroys the happiness of his neighbours, and in the end kil:s Irs own best, friend. ASSOCIATE FEATURE. “Sunset Range,” with I-loot Gibson—blazing action and romance ol the West, where a straight punch and a quicker draw art the first laws of life. Plus “.Jungle Jim,” chapter 4, “The Killer’s Trail.”

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “TIIE DOMINANT SEX.” One of the most compelling of presentday problems is presented in entertaining fashion in “The Dominant Sox,” delighiful screen version of Michael Egan’s re-cord-breaking play, which screens at the Mayfair Theatre to-night. Women all over the world will sympathise with Angela Shale, the young wife who starts her married life intending to keep the independence of her single days and who finds harself in perpetual conflict with her husband as the result. Men will understand the problem of the young husband, Dick, who hankered after an old-fashioned wife, a real home, and a baby. Whether a wife should work after marriage—whether the husband has a right to make decisions which will uffec-t the wife’9 future without consulting her. and whether a wife is entitled to sundry male friends, are some of the questions frankly discussed in this deliciously daring story of the early married life of an ordinary young couple. No more suitable actres sthan Diana Churchill, golden-haired star, who played in the stage version for over 700 performances, could have been chosen for the role of lovely, laughing Angela Shale, who found that her married life, though happy, brought her disillusionment. Phillips Holmes, the Hollywood star, is ideal as the young husband who finds it difficult to understand the quicksilver moods and ideas of his wife. A widely different married couple is represented by Carol Ooodner and Romney Brent, who play the roles of a selfish, pleasure-seeking wife, and kindly, unselfish husband. The wife’s flirtations and habits break up this marriage, sending the husband to another girl, who looks on him as more than a universal provider Other members of the strong cast a/e Billy Milton—as a former (lame of Angela’s, who brings about an amusing series of complications when be becomes involved with Dick in business Kathleen Kelly, who' brings delightful freshness to the 1010 oC (be young girl with whom Romney Brent finds eventual happiness, and Hugh Milter as a philandering man-about-iow n.