ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 3 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “ELEPHANT BOY.” A new and remarkable boy star is introduced in “Elephant Boy,” which Alexander Korda is screening to-night at the Regent Theatre. He is Saint, a 13-ycar : o!d 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 the screen. Women will love him—his sntile alone will take care of that. “Elephant Boy” is rare and restful entertainment, right off the beaten track. The story, based on “Toomai of the Elephants,” one of Rttdyard Kipling's “Jungle Book’.’ yarns tells of- a little Indian boy, sort of a mahout, who dreams of me day when he, 100, will become a great elephant driver like his famous grandfather, the renowned “Toomai of the Elephants.” Little Too mai’s father is killed, and the boy mourns with Kala Nag, his favourite elephant, a giant tusker. Kala Nag attacks his new driver and rune riot. Fearing disaster Petersen Sahib, the white hunter, decides to shoot the huge beast; but little Tocmai 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 paVty in search of them. Toomai is found utterly exhausted but he bears news of an enormous herd of elephants in the vicinity. A stockade is built, heaters are hastily assembled and there follows an exciting round-up in which more elephants are caught than have ever been known bo: fore. And the happy boy returns to camp proudly riding Kata Nag. not as Little Toomai. but as Toomai of the Elephants. The elephant drive provides a thrilling climax to a magnificent picture. Seldom has 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 years in the making, two of which were spent on locale in India. The transfer of the Kipling story could not have been in more sympathetic hands than those of Robert Flaherty and Zoltan Korda, the directors, who deserve the warmest congratulations for one of the truly memorable pictures of the year.

STATE THEATRE. “BULLDOOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES.” Crime rides the moors and “Bulldog Drummond” battles it in his usual breezy maimer in Paramount’s “Bulldog Drummond Escapes,” latest film version of the popular series of McXcile and Fairlie stories, which begins a special :hiee-day season at the Stale Thcatic to-night. With handsome Ray Milland in the title role, and with Sir Guy Standing, Heather Angel, Porter Hall and Reginald Denny in the supporting cast, “Bulldog Drummond Escapes” is a last-moving detective thriller, generously- sprinkled with humour and real laughs. It is genuine entertainment, and should bo on everybody’s “must” list. In this latest adventure of the master sleuth and soldior-of-fortunc, Drummond arrive* in London in the midst of a deep fog and before be has time to regain his land legs, finds himself thoroughly involved in a series of mysterious goings-on, with only eight hours to solve them. Stopping from his ear to investigate a scream on a deserted moor, he finds a dead body and a beautiful girl, Miss Angel, standing over it. As ho stoops to examine the body- the girl flees in bis car. He discovers that she is being held prisoner in a nearby mansion by a criminal master-mind, finds out why, sets things to rights, and wins the girl —all in eight whirlwind hours —to the consternation of his friendly enemy, Inspector Nielson, played by Sir Guy Standing, and with the assistance of his pal

“Algv,” portrayed by Denny. Milland is a convincing and lovable Drummond who handles the role lo perfection. It is to be hoped that lie will he east as the famous detective in forthcoming films made from the popular series. An outstanding selection of State fcaturettos is also being screened, including a Paramount sports thrill, musical short, overseas news and Bet tv Boop cartoon Patrons may reserve at either the theatre, ’phone 6363, or the C. M. Ross Co.. Ltd., ’phone 5464.