Palmerston Picture Programmes

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 43, 20 February 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

Palmerston Picture Programmes

REGENT THEATRE-TO-DAY “THE GREAT ZIEGFELD” In “The Great Ziegfeld” motion pictures have picked up the toten wnere tne late Florenz Ziegfeld laid it down and have succeeded in out-Ziegfelding the great Ziegfeld himself. “The Great Ziegfeld” has everything that a great musical picture should nave. It has, in the life of Ziegfeld, a most gripping and perfect dramatic story. In its musical numbers, never before produced on such a scale of grandeur, it has many of the most dazzling scenes ever seen m pictures. In entertainment alone it Is unexcelled. First, there are William Powell as Ziegfeld, Myrna Loy a& Billie Burke, and Luise Rainer as Anna Held. Then there are Virginia Bruce as Ziegfeld’s greatest glorified modern girl, Frank Morgan as his rival producer, Nat Pendleton as Sandow, Reginald Owen as Zlggy’s manager, Fannie Brice as herself, Ray Boiger and his amazing dancing feet, Harriet Hoctor, 1 and hordes of the most beautiful girls ever to smile at you from the screen. The story opens in Ziegfeld’s youth in the dazzling Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. It progresses as Ziegfeld himself progressed, massing fortunes, to lose them and build other fortunes. But always in the foreground are the spectacular Ziegfeld productions and his amazingly beautiful showgirls. The dance numbers never before have been equalled. The direction of Robert Z. Leonard places him among the kings of directors and the photography by Ollle Marsh and George Folsey is an historic masterpiece. ''KILLER AT LARGE” AT THE KOSY. “Killer at Large,” which shows at the Kosy Theatre to-day, Is spine-chilling entertainment that manages to be logically constructed and convincing at the same time. Which means that it is way above the average melodrama in excitement, thrills and suspense. Seen in the cast to advantage are Mary Brian, as a store detective; Russell Hardie, as an ambitious jewellex'y salesman, and Betty Compson as a woman of mystery. These three are involved in the murder of the owner of a department store in which Miss Brian and young Hardie are employed. Miss Brian’s suspicions turn to a Mr. Zero, wax expert in charge of the wax museum display in one of the store windows. She and Hardie trail Mr. Zero to his waxworks and discover that he has murdered | Miss Compson, his aide and accomplice, and now plans to wreak his mad vengeance on them. The resulting events are filled with shudders and chills ae the madman pursues his prey. These scenes are packed with suspenseful thrills and is recommended to those who like their entertainment vigorous and exciting. In the cast, besides Miss Brian. Hardie and Miss Campson, are George McKay, Thurston Hall, Henry Brandon, Harry Hayden and Boyd Irwin. It was skilfully directed by David Seiman from an original story by Carl Clausen, adapted by Harolde Shumate. “The Man I Marry.” “The Man I Marry,” a rollicking romantic comedy from Universal studios,will be the second attraction at the Kosy Theatre. The star of the picture is Doris Nolan, a flaming new screen personality who previously scored a hit. on tho Broadway, stage in “Night of January 16th.” Tho story relates the adventures of a girl who runs away from one wedding, to get entangled in romance with a man who resents the idea that women should sh&pe his destiny. The humour of the picture revolves about the resulting conflict between these central figures. Further comedy is contributed by three outstanding comedians, “Chic” Gale, Skeets Gallagher and Clic Edwards. Doris Nolan’s leading man is Michael Whalen. Others prominently cast include Nigel Bruce, Marjorie Gateson and Gerald Oliver Smith. “The Man I Marry” was directed by Ralph Murphy, who counts among his screen successes “70,000 Witnesses."

STATE THEATRE “THE TEXAS RANGERS” Action, drama, romance, comedy and melody have been skilfully worked into a magnificent screen achievement in King Vidor’s Paramount picture, “The Texas Rangers.” Presented by a cast headed by Fred Mac Murray and the wise-cracking Jack Oakie, the film lifts a page from the history of the great organisation which made Texas safe for pioneers, and combines It with a love story unusual in its charm. Jean Parker, j-oung star who captured the movie public with her work in “Little Women” and “Sequoia,” holds the feminine lead role of the Ranger unit which Mac Murray and Oakie join. Though almost incidental to the sweeping theme of the plot, her romance with MacMurray is presented movingly and sincerely. The plot of “The Texas Rangers” revolves about the adventures of MacMurray and Oakie after they have joined tho early Texas organisation of peace officers and are thrown into opposition with their friend of former outlaw days. Nolan. Battles of th© Rangers in carrying out their oath to “drive out hostile Indians, stop feuds, destroy cattle and horse thieves, gangs of stage and train robbers, kill or capture murderers, and make Texas a reasonably safe place in which to live” are shown in the course of the story. One of the most thrilling of the scenes is the final war of Rangers and marauding Indians, which led to complete submission of the wild Southwestern tribes. Hundreds of “extra” actors, Rangers and Indians took part in the filming. Edward Ellis gives an outstanding performance as the leader of the Rangers unit, and Bennie Bartlett convinces as the orphaned son of a pioneer family slain by Indians Elena Martinez. Frank Shannon and a score of skilled players back up tho principals. MAYFAIR THEATRE “UNCIVILISED” Glamorous and beautiful Margot Rhys, the star of Charles Chauvel’s latest production, “Uncivilised,” which shows at the Mayfair Theatre, fought her way into the leading role of this drama of Northern Australia by weight of sheer merit. There is no hard-luck touch about Margot’s entry into pictures. It was inevitable for this girl has everything to recommend her—culture, appearance, dress sense, poise, excellent diction, and features that photograph well. She received her dramatic training at one of Sydney's most exclusive finishing schools and gained her first success by her portrayal in “Heritage.” The role played in this picture was one which carried quite an amount of credit but at the same time was one which had to be made by the artist herself. Such was her success that when the cast for “Uncivilised” was being determined, the director had no hesitation in allocating her to tho Jeading role. Margot provides a strong feminine interest in “Uncivilised.’* She plays the part of Beatrice Lynn, a successful young authoress, whose publisher (played by Victor Fitzherbert) suggests that she go to Central Australia to obtain material for her new novel He suggests that she investigate the story of tho wild Arunta native tribe, whose leader “Mara” (played by Dennis Hoey) is a white man. With adequate protection promised her, and realising the tremendous benefit to bu gained thVougn the publicity of the trip, Beatrice sets out. Her journey is perilous, but of unfailing interest. Wonderful scenic shots are seen, dark secrets unearthed, and unusual flashes of native life shown for the first time on the screen, as her party advances further iuto Central Australia.