MAJESTIC THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 13

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“The Bohemian Girl” A succession of bright new gags interspersed through a delightful story embellished with superb music, make the Laurel and Hardy full-length feature, “The Bohemian Girl,” which commenced its second week at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, one of the most entertaining films Wellington has seen for a long time. Some may wonder at the disparity between the original Balfe opera and the screen version, but they will enjoy the modern film story no less because of its more hilarious treatment. Then, too, their misgivings will be appeased by the fact that most of the entrancing music of the century-old opera has been retained in the Laurel and Hardy translation. Stan and “Ollie” are happy-go-lucky members of a gipsy band. The latter s wife, Mae Busch, is enamoured of Antonio Moreno, a dashing and romantic nomad. But so is the gipsy queen, and here is where tire complications start. To prove her love for “Devilshoof.” Mae, as Mrs. Hardy, kidnaps the princess, baby daughter of Count Arnheira, when he flogs Moreno for skulking about the grounds of his palace. Leaving the baby with her henpecked husband, she induces “Devilshoof” to elope with her. Laurel and Hardy, after “mothering” the child over a period of years, again arrive at the castle of the child. While she is about to be flogged by the minions of her father, who hates all gipsy vagabonds for the great tragedy they brought him. he recognises a token establishing’ the identity of the now grown girl as his child. Thus all ends happily with Laurel and Hardy rewarded for caring for the girl. . A most timely short feature depicting the tragedy left in the wake of the hit-and-run driver heads an exceptionally good supporting programme, which also includes, besides news features, an interesting study of basketball technique and a coloured traveltalk of Japan.