‘SOLDIERS OF THE KING'

Evening Star, Issue 21620, 16 January 1934, Page 9

‘SOLDIERS OF THE KING'

i . CICELY COURTNEIDGE STARRED Laughter is the keynote of every film in which Cicely Courtneidge plays, and ‘ Soldiers of the King,’ which comes to the Grand Theatre Friday next, is no exception to the rule. In fact, it is one of the funniest pictures that have been shown in this district for many a day. . .. The title is 4 rather deceptive, tor it is not by any means a war or army picture. From '■ beginning to end it is one continuous scream, a burlesque on the lives of a troupe of theatrical artists, and the title is derived from the fact that the song ‘ Soldiers of the King ’ is one of their chief numbers. Cicely Courtneidge, who has costarred with her husband, Jack Hulbert, in most of his comedies, plays the dual roles of Maisie Marvello and her mother, Jennie Marvello. The name Marvello is taken by all - members of the troupe, who appear in their show as one great family. While every moment of the picture is sheer delight owing to the speed with which one laughable incident follows in the wake of another, one sequence will stand out in the memories of all who see it. In this particular instance one of the adagio troupe- fails to appear, and at the last moment Cicely takes her place. It would be impossible to imagine anything funnier than the inelegant Cicely Courtneidge trying vainly to appear graceful as she is thrown from one man to another, and there will not be one person in the theatre capable of resisting the tremendous humorous appeal of this impromptu “ act.” The supporting cast comprises many famous English vaudevillians, who perforin their regular nets, and the Courtneidge comedy is greatly enhanced by the presence of Edward Everett Horton, veteran comedian of many of the most successful pictures from Hollywood.