‘THE SMILING LIEUTENANT’

Evening Star, Issue 20984, 24 December 1931, Page 7

‘THE SMILING LIEUTENANT’

DELICIOUS COMEDY FOR REGENT Maurice Chevalier will be seen at the Regent Theatre on Saturday in ‘ The Smiling _ Lieutenant,’ Paramount’s latest picture, the season lasting for only five days. Maurice’s gay lovemaking, his delicious comedy singing made a riot of laughs and tender emotion in the eyes and hearts of his audience. ‘ The Smiling Lieutenant ’ has the whole of Maurice Chevalier bound up in a single joyous role. His captivating personality, his sly and wicked love-making, his meaningful singing of the meaningful lyrics—all these things, which each of his pictures to now have presented in part, are said to be projected at full force from the screen in ‘ The Smiling Lieutenant.’ The picture is another of those delicious Ernst Lubitsch productions, but, unlike 1 The Love Parade,’ it is a real comedy romance dealing with a smart and carefree soldier whoso smile wins him the hearts of two women. It has delightful comedy moments interspersed with tense emotional scenes. Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins arc the sweethearts who turn Chevalier’s head and heart. Charles lluggles’s characterisation is an asset to the picture which, in less brilliant circumstances, would make a show all its own. A tremendous combination of acting talent, directorial genius, writing wisdom, and music-loving magic have been woven, it is claimed, into this thrilling, joyous picture entertainment, Two ladies, the brunette Claudette Colbert, the blonde Mariam Hopkins, make things lively for the smiling Frenchman, whose voice will have full opportunity to express his personality m song in ‘ The Smiling Lieutenant.’ Charles Buggies, the joyous inebriate of a score of film hits, gives of his laugh-making talents to this new picture. The story deals with a sprightly lieutenant of the guards, madly in love with a charming cabaret entertainer, for whom he is willing to sacrifice the joys of bachelorhood. Before he can accomplish his purpose, however, ho is snatched up by a princess who mistakes his smile for a proposal, and forces him into unwilling matrimony. After marriage he forsakes his dowdy wife for happiness with tho girl of his choice. But his wife, determined to win his regard, learns the secrets of charm from his sweetheart, and tears his heart between love with duty or without. Into this humorous, yet sincere, love story, Chevalier has woven his inimitable personality, emphasising his joy in tho romance in song. The songs, three of tlvem, were written especially for tho French favourite by tho famous Oscar Straus, Vienna’s own waltz king, and by lyricist Clifford Grey, The music is lovely, lilting; the lyrics witty; Chevalier’s singing, as always, delightful. Completing the programme for Christmas week the management will present on stage a delightful miniature pantomime produced by_ Miss Lily Stevens, in conjunction with Mr Alec Regan, entitled ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,’ and a cast of twenty clever juvenile performers. A new “Mickey Mouse” cartoon will also bo screened. CHILDREN’S MORNING SESSION.

At the Regent Theatre on Saturday (Boxing Day), at 10.30 a .in., there will be a special morning session, with a special programme for the children. ‘Fighting Caravans’ will be the main feature, and there will also be “ Alickey Alonso ” cartoons, and the Regent miniature pantomime on the stage. Children will be admitted everywhere for sixpence. The stalls will be filled first. Although the main picture _is ‘ Fighting Caravans.’ the ' morning matinee will be at tho Regent, and not at the Octagon.