PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7278, 4 October 1933, Page 3

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

KOSY THEATRE GEORGE O'BRIEN HERE TO-DAY George O'Brien once more heads Die programme at Die Rosy theatre commencing to-day in his latest offering, "Smoke Lightning.” The action and excitement that distinguish the western star's offerings arc amply supplied in this up-to-date tale of an adventurous cowpunelier who attempts to protect an orphan girl’s heritage from a band of crooks. His efforts involve him in plenty of adventures, including a thrilling battle along the top of a racing express train, and Director David Howard lias woven much delightful comedy into the lilm. Some of the locales arc surprisingly beautiful and included with the dramatic quality, the pictorial aspects make this pictuie exceptional. A distinctive note of novelty is added in the person of nine-year-old Betsy King Ross, the daring little rodeo queen xvho.se feats of horsemanship mark her work in the role of the orphan girl memorable as weli as absorbing. Nell O’Day as the charming heroine, Frank Atkinson, as O’Brien’s humorous pal and Morgan 'Wallace as the crooked sheriff, all do notably in their portrayals. Gordon Rigby and Sidney D. Mitchell wrote this adaptation from Xaue Grey’s novel, "Canyon Walls.” “After Dark,” a British short feature, is the main supporting item, others being a .-rii'tooii, "Oecautics,” and two Fox Newsreels.

PALACE THEATRE WINIFRED SHOTTED IN "THE DO Vi' CONTRACT”

"The Love Contract,” which opens today at tho Palace theatre, tells how Antoinette (Winifred Shotter) loses all I,or money in a Stock Excnange crash. The. mun unwittingly responsible for her ruin, Neville Carrington (Owen Nares), comes with his friend, Airs. Savage (Sunday Wilshin), to take possession of Antoinette’s house. Antoinette shows him the house, and he falls in love with her. They make a bargain. Antoinette has no money, so she will accept the position of chauffeur to Carrington. If she can hold the job for three months, she gets her house back. If not, she accepts Carrington’s proposal of marriage. Her appointment was greeted at first with disfavour by Hodge, Carrington’s regular chauffeur (Gibb McLaughlin) and by the butler, Peters (Miles Mallison), but she wins them over. Airs. Savage is also displeased, since she had planned an elopement with Carrington, whose enthusiasm for it wanes quickly after his meeting with Antoinette. Nevertheless, Mrs. Savage holds him to his half-prom-ise, and the elopement begins—but Antoinette, at the wheel of tho eloping car, soon finds a way to spoil Airs. Savage’s plans. Carrington tries his utmost to prevent Antoinette from winning' the bet. But for every time ho orders her to clean the car she makes him late, for lbs appointments. His last grand effort fads, and Antoinette wins the wager. Then she accepts his proposal. The main attraction is to l)e preceded by very interesting short subjects, among which will be "A Few Coppers”; the latest edition of (he popular Ideal Alagar.ine; "TinLand of Our Fathers" a really outstanding item, and two line nature studies, entitled respectively, ".Moorland Birds and "Curiosities of Bird Life.”

REGENT THEATRE Lii.NKL BARRYMORE IN ‘‘SWEEPINGS” A.n expert in the art of characterise - tinn, Lionel Barrymore in "Sweepings,” a very human film story, which has its initial" showing to-night at the Regent theatre, achieves a triumph of acting which ranks with anything that lie has previously done; in fact, he is the whole picture. Aptly termed an epic of industry tliis film is rated as one of the most ambitions of its kind ever undertaken, from both an artistic and production standpoint. The intrigues and adventures Of family who build up a great mercantile business in Chicago form the main theme of Hie story. Lionel Barrymore lives through the seven ages of man and adapts himself admirably to the "varying portrayals necessitated by' each passingdecade'. Apart altogether from the interest of Iho human side of both the business and family life, the action presents •i number of unusual angles on the problems of life and leads up to a tremendously emotional climax. In a notable cast of supporting players, Alan Binehurt, Nine tin Sutherland, Gregory Ratoff William Gangan, Gloria Stuart, George Meeker, Erie Under, Lucian Littlefield, Ivan Lcbedeff, Helen Alack, and Esther Muir all carry out. the important. parts allotted to them with marked distinction. Lester Cohen’s popular novel of a. man who rests the whole foundation of his life squarely upon the faith r nd hope in his children, only to totter to a grand, pitiful ruin as each fails him, Mias been adroitly transferred to the I «,.,.,..,.i| in "Sweepings.” A. comedy entitled "Thrown Out Of Joint”; an Aesop fable ! cartoon, "The Stone-age Error,” and a Newsreel are included in a well diversified supporting programme. George Arliss Starring in "The Kings Vacation.” ' George Arliss gives an outstanding performance in -The King's Vacation, coining to the Regent; theatre on Friday fol a Ac,-moii of four nights and one matinee ou Saturday at 2 p.m. His sympathetic

anti delightfully humorous rendering of the part of a king who, while desiring to be treated as an ordinary human being, Is forever treated as a king, is consummate, and Arliss at his best. "The King’s Vacation” is a very human and exceptiolia'iy entertaining story of (lie private affairs of a throneless monarch. Mr. Arliss, of course, needs but little description. Suffice it to say that he is his usual charming, natural, and polished self. His manner and perfect speaking voice proclaim him as a most distinguished actor. Supporting Mr. Arliss, who is cast as the ruler of a small monarchy, is his wife, Florence Arliss, in the role of the queen. Marjorie Gateson plays the role of Ihe king's morganatic wife, and others in the cast include Dick Powell, Patricia Ellis, Dudley Dlgges and O. PHeggie,