"STORM IN A TEA-CUP"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 7

"STORM IN A TEA-CUP"

POLITICAL COMEDY WITH DOG ACCOMPANIMENT

The ereat heart of the democracy must be beating, faster than ever before now that it has seen the political comedy "Storm in a'Tea-cup' the new picture at'the Regent Theatre, and realises that the course of a House ot Commons election in. Scotland can be determined, by an Irish terrier. This riotous film-comedy is strictly Scottish in atmosphere and distinctly. Irish in behaviour;: and, it is no reproach to two great races to say that the blend is a notable improvement—at any rate so far as comedy is concerned. .There would never have been a storm in tnis Scottish tea-cup if Mrs. Hegarty had not, with Celtic obstinacy, refused to register her Irish terrier Patsy, and thereby run counter to Provost Gow, about to stand for Parliament. .Even then, if Gow had been an American (politician, ihe would have seized the opportunity to pay the registration fee himself, and would have been photographed with Patsy and Mrs. Hegarty and the dp^ licence, and would have made a great vote-winning hit m the newspaper?. But a certain dour element in Pfovost Gow made him apply the law to Mrs. Hegarty and take steps to .seize Patsy; whereupon the local reporter, who was employed to writeup Gow's; candidature, deluged his paper with the story of Mrs. Hegarty and the persecuted Patsy,, and set the popular tide running against Gow instead of, for him. The reporter, as played by Rex Harrison, is a somewhat elusive personality—an idealist disguised in a whimsical, demeanour. He has an idealistic devotion to the under-dog (even if it is only .a dog), and cannot resist the temptation to tell the- public what the great patriot seeking to serve the people of Scotland did to an old Irish woman and her faithful hound. The snowball effect of publicity is such that this "human story" spreads from Scotland to England, and photographs of Patsy fill the London Press; indicating not only that a cat may look at a King, but a dog may -upset a Government. One of the chief impressions left by the picture is that Rex Harrison plays the difficult part of.the reporter with uncommon suavity and finesse. He makes love with a saucy insolence that captures the heart of Victoria, the daughter of Provost Gow. played by Vivien Leigh; and she (an actress possessing: powers beyond the possibilities of the part) contributes also in a subtle manner to the light and shade of their fluctuating passion. To successfully woo the daughter while submarining the father's candidature is a rather difficult assignment for even a reporter to fulfil; but Miss Leigh and Harrison make the romance part look as convincing *as circumstances will allow, and they belong to that select group of artists who can season passion with comedy" and yet not turn it into burlesque. In addition to com-edy-seasoned love, exquisite political humbug, and one of those trial scenes that Hollywood can never copy, this London Films-United Artists picture contains the finest performance by massed dogs ever seen on the screen. The martyrdom of Patsy has shaken not only the British public out the canine' underworld, and dogs in mass, flocking Hke the rats that followed the Pied Piper, invade private quarters, also political headquarters, and demonstrate vocally. The impression is created, whether intentionally or not, that a demonstration by sturdy democrats and a demonstration by noisy ~dogs are on about the same level of intelligence. The necessary background of political humbug and personal vanity is produced mainly by the capable actins of Cecil Parker as Provost Gow. while Gus McNaughton serves ut> the editorial office humbug, and Ursula Jeans does a bit of "vamping.' Last, but by no means least,' Sara Allgood and her dog (he Is "Scruffy" in 'real life") present Mrs. Hegarty's side of the case with conspicuous success. This is a United Artists comedy made in England, with real Anglo-Scottish policemen, barristers, and Judge, and with real Scottish scenery and a real Irish terrier. What more can anyone want? The picture, which is approved for Universal Exhibition, bounces along witto plenty of action and has something to amuse all ages and stages oi" hurnani(.y, including new_spaper men

who have not hitherto realised' .their missed professional opportunities. The excellent supporting programme includes a travelogue, a coloured cartoon, and newsreels. ■ Among those present at the Regent Theatre last night were his Excellency the Governor-General and suite.