ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 207, 2 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE. “HEAD OVER lIEELS.” “She's slender and graceful as a willow —and dances like a loaf in llio wind. She's Britain’s greatest dancing star and she earned the title after years of hard work and sacrifice —after a childhood ot rigorous discipline and study.” She says one of England’s greatest authorities, and l every word is true. Jessie Matthews is a star of the first rank and her rise to fame has been thoroughly earned. Sho was born in London on March 11, 1907, and made her stage dehut in 1923. Ilex' elder sister was a strong influence in her life—it was she who first discovered little Jessie’s talents and helped her to develop them, finally getting her an audition with Andre Chariot, ller first professional appearance was in “The Music Box Revue” at the Palace Theatre, and then Chariot engaged her to undorstudy Gertrude Lawrence in his revue. Then Miss Lawrence became ill and Jessie’s big moment had ari-ived. From then onward, her success was assured and she became a name, a name with pei-sonality, in electric lights. Then she went to America. .Back in London again, sho scored a great success in 1926, and then C. B. Cochran, London’s greatest showman, starred her in “One Dam Thing After Another,” “Wake Up and Dream” and “This Year of Grace.” Then came “Evergreen,” which became one of her greatest film successes at a later period. First film appearance was in “There Goes the Bride” and from then onwards, the screen has not let her go for one moment. Other films include “The Man from Toronto.’” "Waltzes from Vienna,” “First a Girl” and “It’s Love Again.” Now comes' her latest and greatest filmusical, “Head Over Heels,” in which she will delight film fans oven more with her radiant and refreshing personality. “Head Over Heels,” which screens finally to-night at the State Theatre, introduces four now faces to the screen, and between Jessie and these people occur some of the most amusing scenes in the film. There are her two leading men, Robert Flemyng from Dublin,and Louis Borrell, who is Dutch, both of whom are good-looking and sure of instant success. Then there is Romney Brent, a little better known; bis last appearance was with George Arliss in “East Meets West,” and Edward Cooper who is very woll-known cn the English music halls. Jessie sings no less than six song hits in (he film and wears many gorgeous gown. The production was directed by Sonnio Hale, and our advice to lovers of good pictures is, do not miss it. It is a picture of which GaurnontBritish may well bo proud and one that will take its place among the greatest musicals of the screen.

REGENT THEATRE. I “ELEPHANT BOY.” I A new and remarkable boy star is introduced in “Elephant Boy,” which Alexander Korda is screening to-night at the Regent Theatre. He is Sabu, a 13-y car-old Indian lad who was discovered in India by Robert Flaherty, co-director of the film, working in the Maharajah’s elephant stables. This naive, unaffected child is one of the most delightful personalities ever brought to tho screen. Women will love him—his smile alone will take care of that. “Elephant Boy” is rave and restful entertainment, right off the beaten track. The story, based on “Toomai of the Elephants,” one of Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” yarns tells of a little Indian boy, son of a mahout, who dreams of the day when lie, too, will become a great elephant driver like his famous grandfather, the renowned “Toomai of the Elephants.” Little Toomai’s father is killed, and the boy mourns with Kala Nag, his favourite elephant, a giant tusker. Kala Nag attacks his new driver and runs riot. Fearing disaster Petersen Sahib, tho white hunter, decides to shoot the hugo beast; but little Toomai boldly approaches his elephant friend and soothes him. Owing to a misunderstanding Toomai runs away with Kala Nag into the jungle that night. Petersen leads a party in search of them. loomai is found utterly exhausted but bo bears news of an enormous herd of elephants in the vicinity. A stockade is built, beaters are hastily assembled and there follows an exciting round-up in which more elephants are caught than have ever been known before. And the happy boy returns t°c?mP proudly riding Kaia Nag, not as Little Toomai, but as Toomai of the Elephants.

The elephant drive . provides a thrilling climax to a magnificent picturo. Seldom lias such realism been captured by a camera. It is the rare sort of film which provides excellent entertainment for the entire family. The film was nearly three yeare in the making, two of which were spent on locale in India. Hie transfer of the Kipling story could not have been in more sympathetic hands than those of Robert Flaherty and Zolian Korda, the directors, who deserve the warmest congratulations for one of the truly memorable pictures of the year.