"BONNIE SCOTLAND."

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 141, 11 December 1935, Page 5

"BONNIE SCOTLAND."

Laurel and Hardy Feature.

Laurel and Hardy have produced^ for theatregoers another laugh hit-r-j-per-haps their best since - their,advent; as a team. They run the gamut irom" high expectations to disillusionment through the feature length Hal Roach-M.^-Gl-M. comedy, '.'Bonnie Scotland," wliich opens at the St. James Theatre' onJ.Friday. Laurel, as Stanley McLaurfeL is notified that he is mentioned in 'the will of a wealthy uncle in Scotland: So accompanied by his grandiose friend, Oliver Hardy,he arrives in the;h^atherland to take over the magnificent' estate of the late relative. • But"; thei estate so far ..as' Stan is concerned -consists of some valueless heirlooms/.After this disillusionment, the pair, become involved in a hilarious situation wHich ends with them being recruited in. /the Scottish Highlanders, and assigned'Sfor foreign duty in India in his, Majesty's Service. From this point on* the-two, attired in kilts, romp through a series of exciting adventures. 'Undoubtedly ■the brief separation of Laurel ' and Hardy last spring reacted favourably to the temperaments of the duo;. 'At any rate the "vacation"-: must,/have given an added zest and vigour 'to their respective performances, for they -,are the Laurel and Hardy of old—-gay,: rollicking' buffoons. Romance'.'!finds" a goodly place in "Bonnie Scotland," with June Lang and William Janney interpreting the roles of Lorna McLaurel, a-sweet Scottish lass who falls heir to the bulk of her wealthy grandfather's fortune, and Alan Douglas, a poor but. ambitious law clerk. David Torrence as Lawyer Miggs is superb. This veteran character actor has never had a part better suited-to his peculiar talents. Anne' Grey, a newcomer to American-movies but a |starin her own rightin England, lends to the role of Lady Violet Ormsby an importance that it richly; deserves. Others in the cast who are.worthy of special, mention are' Verhon Steele, James Finlayson. tried and true' comic; Maurice, Black, Daphne PoUard^Mary .Gordon, and Lionel Belmore. ' - ' '■■