AN OUTSTANDING COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 21010, 26 January 1932, Page 9

AN OUTSTANDING COMEDY

‘MY WIFE'S FAMILY' FOR ST. JAMES “It completely dwarfs 4 Rookery Nook ’ ‘ Plunder ’ ‘ The / Middle Watch, ’ or any other of the excellent English farces,” was how the critic of the ‘ New Zealand ? Herald ’ summed up ‘My Wife’s Family)’ the much-heralded British comedy that will commence a special season ht the St. James Theatre on Friday. After the phenomenally successful extended seasons this gem of merriment has enjoyed in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, it is only natural that its fame should have preceded it to Dunedin, and that local theatre-patrons are anxiously awaiting its debut.

A particular point of interest • in ‘My Wife’s Family’ is the fact that the film will bring back to local audiences that old favourite, Jimmy Godden, well remembered for his. appearances, “in person,” with Elsie Prince in ‘ Archie ’ and other popular musical comedies. The critic of the Wellington Post wrote as follows after the first night of 4 My Wife’s Family ’ in Wellington:—“The spontaneous laughter of the packed audience at the openings performance proved l conclusively the popularity of the picture. Mirth let loose would describe better the reactions of an audience that howled at situations so delicate that under other circumstances would have only caused the lifting of an eyebrow. So cleverly are the scenes interwoven, and so swift is the action, that one justs laughs and laughs and laughs. 4 My Wife’s Family ’ is a spariding farce full of good British humour, and < in these days more pictures of its kind would be welcome. The actors are in their element, and their naturalness infuses the picture x with the life and swing of the legitimate stage. Gene Gerrard, the clever English comedian, is the star, and he is more than ably assisted by Jimmy Godden, well known to New Zealand audiences as a refreshing and entertaining stage actor, and he is just as attractive on the screen as he was behind the footlights. He is the old Jimmy Godden in a new setting. Amy Venesk, in the role of the Old Battle Cruiser (a dread mother-in-law), is splendid. The entire cast is so perfect that it would bo unfair to praise one member above another. To realise the merit of the picture, one must go and see it.” Ine box plans are at The Bristol.