PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 5

PICTURE THEATRES

WALLS AND LYNN AGAIN A BEH TRAVERS FARCE AT STATE The Tom Walls.-Ralph Lynn-Ben Travers triumverate always means a firstrate comedy. Many there are who still chuckle when they think of ‘ Rookery Nook ’ and the other comedies that have been the result of the co-operative efforts of these three, and so there are many who will learn with pleasure that Ben Travers wrote the story of the State Theatre’s new picture, which was given initial screenings yesterday, while Walls and Lynn, along with a strong supporting cast of English players, interpret the farce on the screen. The film is ‘ A Cuckoo in the Nest,’ and if the almost deafening roars of laughter which greeted its showing last night may be taken as a criterion, it will play a long and successful season at the new theatre. While other Travers farces have been picturised, it has remained for ‘A Cuckoo in the Nest ’ to show of what the author is capable. It is farce pure and simple, and so delightfully nonsensical that only a limited few could possibly fail to appreciate it. With Walls and Lynn hi the famous Aldwyeh Theatre cast are Mary Brough, Robertson Hare, and Yvonne Arnaud, three players who are dependable supporting artists. The thousands who have read the book kill appreciate the apt casting of the roles—Tom Walls is the bibulous father-in-law, Ralph Lynn is, of course, the victim of matrimonial circumstances, Mary Brough is the “ completely occupied ” landlady, Robertson Hare is the “ cuckoo ” curate, Yvonne Arnaud is Mrs HicEett. The story is a chuckle from start to finish, with now and then an extra burst of daughter. It is a pity that some of the dialogue is lost in the laughter, but nevertheless the audience is well entertained, and that is the main thing. In its transference to the screen the siory loses none of its quality, and the bright witicisms please everyone. The character part taken by Tom Walls is the oldest he has so far assumed, and his ceaseless yearning for the cup that cheers, under the eye of a wife who nags, is given expression on every occasion where punning is allowed. This is. his moat difficult role to date, and is a distinct success, his mannerisms and antics being admirably suited to the part. Ralph Lynn is, as usual, caught and compromised in a perfectly innocent set of circumstances, hut he blunders through with Lis usual distinctive inanity. He falls into his unfortunate position in this way. He is just married, and becomes a dutiful husband, tender and considerate. Papers are needed for the train journey, and it is by pure accident that he meets his old friend, Mrs Hickett, at the bookstall. Presumably, also by accident, the train starts punctually to schedule time, but without the travellers who are in search of reading matter. It is suggested by Mrs Hickett that a car could easily catch the train, but the car they choose to travel in is evidently temperamental, and this accounts for the young husband and his old friend being forced to seek a night’s rest at a country inn. The landlady makes it quite plain to a young couple at the inn that a young unmarried man who hikes three miles _ with a girl will have a deal of explaining to do on the Judgment Day, and so it is willed that the young husband has to sign the register as Mr Claude Hickett, M.P. It is here that the trouble starts, and when his father-in-law, plus his vitriolic mother-in-law, plus Mr Hickett (and minus all his own courage) eventuate, the equation is almost insoluble. The sanctimonious landlady is another chance for Mary Brough to carry off honours. Her characterisation is perfectly natural, and is infused with her quaint autocratic personality. There are few' pictures of this type without the menacing mother-in-law, and in this case, the type is well [presented by Grace Edwin. Robertson Hare’s importance as the cycling curate lies in his complete lack of tact. The second of the series of pictures dealing with the life of 1 the Prince of Wales occupies the greater portion of the first half. In this film the Prince is shown attending many functions in various parts of the world. He is equally popular wdth all classes, and_ at each gathering has the knack of being one of the crowd. This is a most interesting pictorial record of his life. A Gaumont-British News is also shown.

BRAND The thrilling story of the adventures which drastically alter the lives oi seven passengers on an express on its long journey is recounted in ‘ Orient Express,’ which concludes to-night at the Grand. With the setting or the express the plot is carefully developed, and the interest is maintained throughout. ,The cast is an exceptionally strong one, headed by Heather Angel, who achieved fame in ‘ Berkeley Square,’ and supporting her are Herbert Mundin, who will be remembered for his portrayal in ‘ Cavalcade,’ Ralph Morgan, and Una O’Connor. REGENT Two of the most popular American and British comedy players are Stanley Lupino and Thelma Todd, the principals of ‘ You Made Me Love You,' which finishes at the Regent to-night. The story moves with fast action throughout, and Stanley Lupino is given full opportunity to display his natural aptitude for humorous roles. Thelma Todd also gives an inimitable performance, while others in the cast are John Loder, .James Carew, and Gerald Rawlinson. EMPIRE ‘ Voltaire,’ a brilliant historical drama in which George Arliss plays the leading role, will conclude at the Empire Theatre to-night. Arliss is noted for his splendid characterisations in parts of this type, and in this film he excels himself, for he brings the great French thinker vividly to life. The film centres round the famous Galas case, in which Voltaire interested himself for qnany years, in spite of threats of imprisonment and oven death. The supporting players include Margaret Lindsay, Doris Kenyon, and Gordon Westcott. OCTAGON May Robson gives one of her best performances of her career in ‘ Lady for a Day,’ which finishes its season at the Octagon Theatre to-night. The actress is responsible for a fine characterisation of an old apple-seller in an American city, who is addicted to gin and keeps a beautiful young daughter at a private school in Europe. An unusual plot is unfolded. Others in the cast are Warren William and Guy Kibbee. ST. JAMES Some most amusing Cockney studies by Gordon Harker, the talented Britisli actor, and Binnie Hale .are features of ‘ This is the Life,’ which concludes at the St. James to-night. The story is the familiar one of a couple living in humble circumstances who are left a fortune and their efforts to enter into society. Complications arise when two confederates of the uncle who left the fortune disclose that the money was obtained by dishonest means. ‘ Kamet Conquered ’ is also shown. STRAND In ‘ Love, Honour, and Oh, Baby,’ which concludes at the Strand to-night, Slim Sommervillc is seen as a lanky comedian in the role of a struggling lawyer, while Miss Pitts is seen as his fiancee. There is a wealthy hanker in the town, and Zasu Pitts sees an opportunity of working up a good breach of promise case. All does hot go well, however, but they finally secure the verdict after a series of the most humorous incidents. There is also a good supporting programme, KING EDWARD Jessie Matthews, the English stage favourite, makes a successful talking picture debut in ‘ There Goes the Bride ’ at the King Edward Theatre. She is cast as the unwilling bride-to-be of a wealthy South American. The gird flees to Paris on the eve of her wedding, and on the Continental express her purse is stolen by a sneak thief. • Suspecting a young man, MaxBrand, who is sharing her compartment, the girl inspects his belongings, is caught in the act, and is suspected in turn by him. Max takes the girl to his apartments, and . complications ensue when the young man’s fiancee arrives on the scene.