THE PLAZA.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20225, 1 May 1931, Page 19

THE PLAZA.

MAURICE CHEVALIER IN "PLAYBOY OF PARIS." Maurice Chevalier has e way of playing the fool that is all his own. It consists not so much in the things he does —most American comedians can juggle with trays of food, sing sentimental songs, stumble and yet not stumble, appear to fall in love with every girl that comes in their way—%s in the way in which he does them. This is what accounts for the sureness of his appeal, for his lightheadedness amounts to. real abandon, and anyone watching him feels that he is really enjoying himself, and not doing things merely because he has been told that, certain things are bound to raise ft laugh. Hir air of joyous abandon —a typically Southern Eutopean quality, 'which make French end Italian, festivals so very much alive, while English'and American attempts at the same thing are never more than funereal pomposities —; s on e of the most pleasant things the films have to offer. Much of what is called his distinctive ability is due merely to the fact that though he speaks English, he continues to act in the tradition of the French people, and more particularly -of the French musical, comedy stage, but this is his own contribution. • In "Playboy of Paris," at the Plaza Theatre this week, he is as entertaining acever. He appears as a waiter who suddenly inherits a million francs, but who is bound by a fraudulent contract not to leave his employer on pain of losing a fortune. How he keeps his million, does not pay np on the contract, and at the same timo wins the hand of his employer's daughter, make a first-class picture. One of the best things in the supports is •some really striking dancing by Rosita Moreno.