"NAUGHTY BUT NICE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19156, 12 November 1927, Page 9

"NAUGHTY BUT NICE."

COLLEEN MOORE IN TYPICAL ROLE. EVERYBODY'S MONDAY. "Naughty but Nice," as a picture, has positively nothing to do with the Demon Rum, 'the totalisator, or politicians, or anyone of those cancers that, are gnawing at the vitals of the nation. But it has to do with the modern girl, subject of sermons, harangues, editorials, and soapbox philiipics, as well as motion pictures, stage plays, and epic poems. The modern girl, therefore, being a very charming quantity, is not affected by these nc{ J"'': ous activites and pursues her way unruffled through kindergarten, finishing school stuff, and eventually tho respectable state of matrimony, , where she is still tlio 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 said school, becomes the 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 sho made her snappy "Flaming Youth" has tne insouciant Miss Mooro been seen to .such amusing advantage as she is in this photoplav; the storv, 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 iu sharp contrasts, first "in Texas, down by tho Rio 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 hcroino of "Naughty but Nice" as the Martha Washington of the early twentieth century, the world has little to fear politically, economically, or any other way. From which it should be gatbored 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" just for the fun of it. All these admirable qualities <loes "Naughty but Nice" rejoice in,- as -welt as- rejoicing in Miss Colleen Moore, the regal Miss Clarissa Selwyn, and Donald Reed, disporting himself in the 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 the bill, a production made in tho 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 demands, 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 arc Messrs Charles Ashford, Barton Ginger, and Moataa Doughty, the latter well known in Wellington and the Wairarapa, while Miss Jean Leckie and Miss Till 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 vrith Christo.hurch 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.