MAJESTIC THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 255, 24 July 1937, Page 16

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“The Good Old Soak” Cast in much tlie same entertainment mould as “The Champ.” “Old Hutch” and "All, Wilderness,” M-G-M’s picture "The Good Old Soak,” which heads the new programme at the Majestic Theatre, should be thoroughly enjoyed by admirers of Wallace Beery’s particular brand of homespun humour. The story was filmed by Universal in 1926 under the title of "The Old Soak.” the present introduction of the word “good” being probably a concession to the so-called Hollywood Purity Code. However, this does not affect the actual entertainment in the least. Beery is typically himself as’ a shiftless, bibulous but lovable old fellow who turns up trumps in the end. He is funniest when under the influence, but any strayings from the straight and narrow path, so far as the bottle that, cheer's is concerned, merely the story’s humour and human interest. Tlie situation in which Clem Hawley (Beery), his bootlegger (Ted Healy) and the housemaid (Una Merkel) test a new brand of liquor brewed by .Healy is truly hilarious. Despite his failings, Clem wins the audience’s sympathy when his wife (Janet Beecher) accuses him of stealing bonds belonging to her. Actually they have been taken by their son (Eric Linden) in order to buy a fur eoat for a chorus girl with whom he is infatuated. Clem takes the blame to shield his son. but when he learns that a skinflint banker lips given the boy only a fraction of what the bonds are worth, the old soak reveals unsuspected fighting powers and forces the banker to disgorge his ill-gotten gains, thus restoring the family honour and himself in the eyes of his wife. There is a slight romantic interest provided by Betty Furness and James Bush, but it has little real bearing on the main plot. While the picture is mainly notable as a clever, though rather stereotyped, char-

acter study by Walace Beery, it depends a good deal for its appeal on its penetrating and amusing portrayal of family life. The setting is America, but many of the touches of domestic- comedy could be true of almost any country. The east supporting the star bus been well chosen, and the direction is notable for the way in which it blends melodrama, pathos and excitement witii the essential humour o* the story.