PLAZA THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20413, 7 December 1931, Page 5

PLAZA THEATRE.

RONALD COLMAN IN BRIGHT LONSDALE PLAY. There has been no more pleasant or entertaining picture in Christcliurch for soma months than "The Devil to Pay," which was presented at the Plata Theatre on Saturday night. It was probably the success of such English comedies as "On Approval" which led the American United Artists company to secure an original play from that noted English playwright, Frederick Lonsdale. The result, in "The Devil to Pay," must be well up to expectations, for in it Lonßdale has most capably adapted himself to the broader technique of the screen ■and written a thoroughly clever and amusing story of a family ne'er-do-well who returns to his people with a dog and a five-pound note. The dialogue is always bright and refreshing, and the acting of the play, chiefly by Ronald Colman (himself an Englishman), is all that could be desired. The story has a most amusing opening in an African colony, where Willie Leeland is conducting a sale of his furniture in order to pay his passage home to .England. His' father, while}, thinking hira a rogue and a villain, finds in him something so likeable that their first interview ehds £IOO to the son's profit. _ At the Derby, of which there are some delightful scenes, he increases part of this money fifty-fold,- v>d incidentally falls in love with a friend of his sister's who had accompanied them. A grand duke is involved in the tangle which follows their attachment, and which is only just unravelled as the picture end*. As the wandering, likeable son, "Ronald Colman proves himself an actor of great distinction. His manner is always easy and pleasant, and the light comedy • seines of the story are superbly well done. He is well supported by Loretta Young, in her best part to date, and by such good character actors as David Torrence and Paul Cavanagh. The supporting programme includes a Pathe Aijdio Review, an animal cartoon, a ipew adventure with the Vagabond Director, and Paramount Sound News, and a new film prepared by the New Zealand Government Publicity Department showing the climbing of Sebastopol in the Cook range.