REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 122, 16 February 1935, Page 14

REGENT THEATRE

“Grandad Rudd” Many of the picturesque aspects of Australian life and characters have always seemed to hold an attraction in the imagination of New Zealanders, and none more so than the farms that have produced the “Dad” and “Steve” types of men made so famous in caricature. This is as much as to say that New Zealanders will revel in the film “Grandad Rudd.” Actually, it is not difficult to believe that, as they hav.e been revelling already; yesterday at the Regent Theatre, where the film was shown for the first time in Wellington, the audience once again took the Rudd family to its heart and showed it by the spontaneous laughter. The Rudd family is the same family as of. old, with two notable exceptions. They are wealthy now. and “Grandad” has come to live with them. “Grandad Rudd” shows the family with troubles and hardships now things of the past; and they are seen as prosperous citizens with one of the biggest farms >n the country, a palatial homestead, and cottages for .each individual family. Mum, Dave and Lil, Joe and his wife, Dan and all the others are still there, and the family now includes the beautiful granddaughter Betty, and it is from her love affairs that the romance and drama of “Grandad Rudd” emanates. Betty's hand in marriage is eagerly sought by two young men, Tom Dailey, a hard-working selector, and Henry Cook, an agent. The latter is her choice, although lie is thoroughly disliked by old Grandad Rudd, who makes no secret of the fact, and everyone else on the farm, where young Dailey is extremely popular. It is when the stage is all set for her marriage to Cook that the big dramatic moment arrives, and Old Man Rudd plays his trump card to preserve his granddaughter’s future happiness. But by far the most important ingredient of the entertainment of "Grandad Rudd” is comedy. Even the gloomiest member of the family—and the entertainment delights of “Grandad Rudd” are for young and old alike —will be unable to restrain the laughs in sueli scenes as the bolting tractor sequences, the Rudds versus the Regans cricket match, played under “Rudd rules,” Che midnight party, the courting of Dan and Amelia, and all the rest of the humourladen situations. Bert Bailey is Grandad Rudd (who else'could possibly play this part?), while the others include Fred MacDonald, George Lloyd. Elaine Hamill,John D’Arcy, Les Wartoil. Molly Raynor, John Cameron, and Billy McGowan. “TEN MINUTE ALIBI” Opening To-night in Wellington To-night at S o’clock at the Grand Opera House. Wellington, J. C. Williamson, Ltd.’s, new-London dramatic company of especially selected dramatic and. comedy artists will present for the first time here the world’s most thrilling dramatic sensation, “Ten Minute Alibi,” which ran for upward of two years in London, and which is at present being performed successfully in 23 different countries. It attracted recordaudiences in Australia for 12 months, and so successful was it in Auckland that its run there had to be extended, and it was withdrawn while it was still attracting capacity audiences. For the interpretation of “Ten Minute Alibi,” J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has organised a powerful company of London and Australian artists, which is. headed by the brilliant young London leading man, George Thirlwell, who has been acclaimed one of the finest actors on the English-speaking stage to-day. Miss Jocelyn Howarth, the heroine, charming and accomplished screen actress, has achieved her best success in “Ten Minute Alibi.” Mr. Arundel Nixon will appear in the role he created in England. Mr, Frank Bradley, unquestionably the finest character comedian on the Australian and New Zealand stage to-day, is said to be at times intensely dramatic and at other times highly humorous in the role of InspectorDetective Pember. Mr. Harold B. Meade is.a prominent London artist who will make his first appearance here in the part of Sir Miles Standing. R. L. AtholWood, son of the famous actor, has scored a great success in the- role of the sombre, bunted Hunter, Servilla’s. manservant. The talented young actor, Mr. Tommy Jay. will reappear here in the character of Detective-Sergeant Brace, and Mr. Russell Chapman will make his debut as the restaurant keeper. The company also includes Richard Fair, Nan Taylor, Ronald Roberts, Gwen Johnson. Frederick Hughes, , and other notable artists. The stage setting and the unique lighting effects are outstanding features of the production of “Ten Minute Alibi.” Only a limited number of performances will be staged of “Ten Minute Alibi,” including a matinee on Wednesday afternoon. KILBIRNIE~SPEEDWAY An attractive programme will be presented at the Kilbirnie Speedway tonight. when the Australian Test rulers, Lionel Yau Praag and Dick Case, 'who were admired by speedway fans last week for their daring broadsiding, will again be seen in a “series of thrilling contests. Their match races will be conducted under test conditions, each rider leaving the post from a standing start, with engine running, the clutch being used as a method of quick getaway. A teams’ race will again be held tonight. the opposing teams being Petone and City, captained respectively by Albert Hunger and Peter Phillips. The City team carried off the honours in last Saturday's matches, and they should be strong contenders for the championship. A captains’ race has been arranged between Phillips and Hunger, and there is the international handicap, in which the Australians will be conceding big starts to the local riders. The midget cars will again bo seen in action,’and are expected to provide a full measure of the evening's thrills. Tn order to eope with big crowds it has been arranged to; open the gates at (he Stadium at 6.30 p.m.