STRAND’S ATTRACTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22004, 13 April 1935, Page 10

STRAND’S ATTRACTIONS

1 STRONG ALL-ROUND PROGRAMME * Herbert,’ tbo chief offering'of an excellent programme at the Strand, is notable for brilliant acting by Aline MacMahon and Guy Kibbeb. It is a story of an arrogantly uncouth bathtub manufacturer, whose wife decides to give him a “ dose of his own medicine.” Miss MacMahon s impression of a genteel woman who overnight changes into a garrulous housewife is a splendid piece of acting. The opening of the story shows her as a gracious wife and mother, doing her best to make light of her husband’s domineering nature. But when his complete lack of tact and decency humiliates her »nd the children at a dinner party given to welcome the parents of a young man to whom her daughter has suddenly become engaged, she makes up her mind to teach “ good hearted Herbert” a lesson. He had always boasted Or being a “plain” man; very, well, she would become a plain woman. The pretty furnishings disappear and drabness takes their place ; even a ghastly old family portrait is restored to a position of honour. The husband brings home to dinner a valuable customer, and there follows on© of the most hilarious dinner parties the screen has produced. The guests depart hurriedly, having seen the joke, and Herbert is left limp and helpless and still quite hungry. A sadder and wiser man, he settles down to life with a better understanding of his family, and an increased tolerance of college men. Although Miss MacMahon and Mr Kibbee dominate the film, good performances are contributed by Helen Lowell, as the woman who helps with the housework once a week, and is recruited to serve dinner. Patricia Ellis and Phillip Reed, as the young lovers, Robert Barrat, Henry O’Neill, Marjorie Gateson, and Trent Durkin. ‘ Letting in the Sunshine,’ a farce comedy, also provides excellent entertainment. This deals with the escapades of a window cleaner who manages to tie himself into all the knots imaginable and then come t out with flying colours. Burdon plays the role of Nobby, a window cleaner, while Rene Gadd is east as Jane, a maid, and the chosen one in Nobby’s eyes. Burdon is admirably cast in a role that demands an actor with a flair for real comedy. Whether it is his short and stocky build or moustache and general facial expression that bring spontaneous laughter it is hard to say, but the laughter comes and Burdon proves that he is the nearest approach to Charlie Chaplin the screen has produced. Rene Gadd also gallops her way through her part in true comedy style, and one scene were she dances with her Nobby is side-splitting. The film is undoubtedly good, and reminiscent of the many fine comedies of the silent screen.

An interesting and instructive news gazette gives glimpses of important events abroad, and pleasantly varies a well-balanced programme.