PICTURE THEATRES.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20909, 17 July 1933, Page 7

PICTURE THEATRES.

THE CIVIC. «THE LOVE CONTRACT/' For sheer, unadulterated humour "The Love Contract," the British and Dominions Films production which headed the new programme at the Civic Theatre on Saturday night, would be difficult to surpass. Best of all in excellent production is the appearance of Winifred Shotter in a star character. Those who have found delight in her representation of characters in Tom Wails-Ralph Lynn comedies will be pleased by her presentation of the saucy, whimsical, tantalising chauffeur, a character eminently suited to show to advantage her lively sense of humour, her charm of manner, and the beauty of her speaking and singing voice. In comedies of the description of "The Love Contract," Winifred Shotter should become a universal favourite. Owen Nares, who plays opposite her, already has secured an assured reputation, and the conjunction of these two talented artists and the support of an admirably selected cast, contributes greatly to the pleasure and success of "The Love Contract."

Adapted from the popular French musical comedy, "Chauffeur Antoinette," the atmosphere and characters in "The Love Contract" are nevertheless thoroughly English. The action opens with Antoinette (Winifred Shotter), a young, beautiful, and rich woman learning from her banker that her investments on the share market have failed, and that her indebtedness to the bank is more than £II,OOO. To meet her liabilities she has only a richly appointed mansion, a luxurious motor, and her beauty and charm. For the disappearance of her fortune Neville Carrington (Owen Nares) is held responsible. His own description of himself is that of a philanthropist who directs his activities to preventing women from speculating on the Stock Exchange; also he is so rich that he can get anything he wants. Antoinette's description is in strong contrast; she considers him "heartless and unscrupulous, a cad, and a crook." With Mrs Savage (Sunday Wilshin), with whom he is carrying on an affair, Carrington calls to look over Antoinette's mansion with a view to purchasing it, and is much impressed with it, but much more impressed by its owner. Antoinette agrees to become Carrington's chauffeur, the "love contract" being that if she "sticks the job" for three months Carrington will give her back all she has lost through him; if she breaks her contract in any way Carrington is to ask her to marry him and she has to say "yes." So Antoinette puts aside her gorgeous gowns and fascinating frocks and emerges in the natty uniform of a chauffeur, and Carrington becomes more and more infatuated. Much ingenuity is shown by Antoinette in dodging jobs like cleaning and oiling the cars, and there are many humorous passages between the new chauffeur and the old one, Hodge, finely piayed by Gibb McLaughlin, and Carrington's man Peters (Miles Mallison). A lively interlude is the gardep party given by Antoinette on her afternoon off. Later, while waiting to drive her lord and master home from the opera, Antoinette sings to the other waiting chauffeurs the song "An Automobile" and attracts a large crowd of delighted listeners. The climax of the story occurs when Carrington and Mrs Savage start off by car foi a holiday in Cornwall. Antoinette "frames up" a se-ious breakdown of the car, necessitating all the members of the party spending the night on the road. In the morning girl guides come to the rescue and stop a car in which is Mrs Savage's husband, and an uncomfortable and compromising situation for the woman develops. The three months elapse and Antoinette has "stuck the job." but there is a flaw discovered and the manner in which the terms of the love contract are fulfilled result in all ending happily. A sprightly and tuneful waltz-

song, "Antoinette," marks the closing scene. The first part of the programme was of exceptional interest. The "Melbourne Herald" newsreel was noteworthy for a spirited presentation of the steeplechase won by Precocious at Flemington. "Moorland Birds," a nature study, dealt with the habits of the lapwing, the snipe, and the cuckoo, and so appealed to the audience that its conclusion was marked by some applause. "A Few Coppers," a novelty news feature, opened with some particulars of the organisation of the police force in Britain, and amongst other interesting subjects was the astonishing feat of eating and swallowing glass by a man who chewed and swallowed portions of glass as if they were ordinary food. The film picturing the beautiful scenery of Wales was most interesting, and the songs which accompanied the screening, including "Land of Our Fathers," sung by the Aucklander, Birrell O'Malley, were greatly enjoyed.

Theatre Royal—"Two Against the World," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Regent Theatre—"The King's Vacation," 2.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Plaza Theatre—"Puppets of Fate," 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Crystal Palace Theatre—"That Night in London," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Everybody's Theatre—"This Is the Night," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Liberty. Theatre "Nagana" and "Ghost Valley," 2.15 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. Majestic Theatre—"A Night in Cairo," 12, 2.30 p.m., and 8 p.m. Grand Theatre—"They Just Had to Get Married," continuously from 11 a.m.