"NAUGHTY BUT NICE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19155, 11 November 1927, Page 6

"NAUGHTY BUT NICE."

COLLEEN MOORE IN TYPICAL ROLE. EVERYBODY'S MONDAY. "Naughly but Nice." as a picture. has nothing to do with the Demon Rum, the totalisator, or politicians, or anyone of those cancers that are rnawing at the vitals of the nation. Hut it has to do with the modern girl, subject of sermons, harangues, editorials, and soapbox phillipics, as well as motion pictures, stage plays, and epic poems. The modern eirl, therefore, pursueb her way unruffled through kindergarten, finishing school, subdob stuff, and eventually the respectable state of matrimonv. whore she is still the the modern girl." The screen has, in "Naughty but Nice." the starring attraction at Everybody's Theatre next week, given this disturbing" young person in her finishing school, following "her from her gawky stages on a Texan oilfield until she. in paid school, becomes thp leader of all those amazing things that feature so prominently in her curriculum, menu, or in whatever it is that numbers the articles of her faith. Not since she made her snappy "Flaming Youth" has the insouciant Miss Mooro been seen to such amusing advantage us she is in this photoplav; the story, which has a generous semblance of originality, affords her manifold opportunities to display the modern trend of her talents and charms, also affords her opportunities to indulge in sharp contrasts, first "in Texas, down by tho Kio Grande," later in a boarding school that might have stepped out of Greenwich village. A light and vivacious tale, elegantly humorous, seriously romantic, occasionally dramatic, "Naughty but Nice" sums up in nice fashion the abused modern girl, the American representative at all events, and perhaps the American representative is the most entertaining of them all. Certainly, if one accepts the gogetting, independent heroine of "Naughty but Nice" as the Martha Washington of the early twentieth century, the world has little to fear politically, economically, or any othet way. From which it should be gathered by even the dullest that this First National attraction is a good thing. More than anything, the average theatre-goer loves bright comedy, well-dressed players, everyday romance; those who seek the ultra throw in "piquancy" ,iust for the i'un of it. All these admirable qualities does "Naughty but Nice" rejoice in, as well as' rejoicing in Miss Colleen Moore, the regal Miss Clarissa Selwyn, and Donald Reed, disporting himself in tho role of leading man, a somewhat misguided leading man, it is true, who seeks to save the heroine from herself. "Under the Southern Cross" will be the supporting picture on tho bill, a local production made in the North Island, and the likeable roles portrayed by a cast of prominent New Zealand society leaders. The story is, as production in these parts necessarily dcmandß, simple, pleasant, and of abounding interest to Dominion residents, and therein the producers have shown their good sense and discretion. So pleasant are the plot and its embellishments that even the magnificent shots of New Zealand scenery take second place. Playing parts in the story of station life are Messrs Charles Ashford, Barton Ginger, and Moataa Doughty, the latter well known in Wellington and the Wairarapa, while Miss Jean Leckie and Miss Tui Fryer take the leading feminine roles. Wellknown land-owners of Hawke's Bay appear in the film, as well as panoramic shots of the great stations in that province. "Under the Southern Cross" should prove most popular with Christchurch theatregoers. The Select Orchestra, under Mr Albert Bidgood, will play a programme of incidental music. The box, plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.