THIS WEEK'S TALKIES

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LX, Issue 18, 7 March 1939, Page 5

THIS WEEK'S TALKIES

At Leeston

"TOPPER" IS \ RARE

COMEDY

Constance Bennett and Cary .Grant, co-starred for the first time, and Roland Young as "Topper," achieve a joint triumph in the feature comedy "Topper," which will be presented at Leeston Theatre next Saturday.

The trio turn in brilliant performances. Miss Bennett, light and gay in the high comedy of "Topper," is more delightful and alluring than in any role she has portrayed in her illustrious career.

Cary Grant exhibits the same gay, rollicking manner that characterised his leading man role opposite Grace Moore in "When You're in Love."

The screen play is sensational and refreshingly novel in its motivating theme. Adapted from Thorne Smith's book by Jack Jevne, Eric Hatch and Eddie Moran, the Kerbys are nlmatised as a rich, madcap couple who, after death in an automobile accident, are low plane spirits with the ability to mortally materialise and dematerialise. ■'■■'--■

The Kerbys resolve to obtain heavenly eternity through the exercise of a "good deed." Cosmo Topper, a staid Wall Street bank president— perfectly portrayed by the expert farceur, Roland Young—who lives a routine, suburban existence under the dignified but domineering ambitions of his wife (Billie Burke), is considered by the Kerbys as a perfect specimen of repression.

How the captivating Connie and the rollicking Gary proceed to upset the normal life of the droll Roland and Miss Burke to mould it to their own hectic ways of living set the |

THE GUARDIAN'S SERIAL,

At Southbridge

SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN "REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM"

You;& never know the old farm now—it's a streamlined radio centre, with Shirley Temple on a happiness hook-up in the title role of "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," her best-of-all musical. The first star of the screen is supported by her starriest cast, sunniest songs, swingiest dances, and a hey-dey load of laughter in this new musicomedy, hit coming to Southbridge Town Hall next Saturday evening. When radio appears down by the old mill stream it raises a bumper crop of song and fun, with Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart "united in glorious romance, Jack Haley, and Slim Summerville making merry, and tap-king Bill Robinson and Shirley at tap-speed. To the roster of romancing stars, dancing stars, comedy stars and singing stars are added six sunny new song hits, in addition to a medley of Shirley's famous hits of the past which she sings again. The new songs are "An Old S"traw Hat," by Gordon and Revel; "Alone With I You," "Happy Ending," and "Crackly Grain Flakes," by Pollack and Mitchell; "Cdme and Get Your Happiness," by Pokrass and Yellen; and 'Toy Trumpet," with music by Raymond Scott and lyrics by Pollack and Mitchell. Darryl F. Zanuck, in charge of production, selected Allan Dwan to direct Karl Tunberg's and Don Ettlinger's screen-play which was suggested by the Kate Douglas Wiggin story.

audience into the spontaneous hilarity of hysterics.