REGENT THEATRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20490, 26 February 1941, Page 5

REGENT THEATRE

BRIAN AHERNE IN “THE LADY IN QUESTION” The expression "handsome is . its handsome does” could not be applied to the current cinema scene. Characterisations. not masculine beauty, have the top hand in Hollywood. Late tosses in the ranks of leading men have been more than recompensed by rich additions to the file of top-fiight character actors engaged in movie-making. Such dashing and debonair heroes as Cary Grant, Robert Donat. Errol Flynn and William Holden have deserted the mirror for the make-up box, surrendering long options on hero roles by being anything but themselves. Now Brian Aherne. who for years has been reckoned a matinee idol in more thftn a hundred stage and screen successes, dons a pair of false eyebrows, a walrus moustache and a handsomely padded stomach to play the role of a middle-aged Frenchman in Columbia’s "Ihe Lady in Question,” the gay new comedy romance at the Regent Theatre. Even the fact that Rita Hayworth, one of the cinema city’s leading giamour girls, is co-starred fails to deter Aherne’s determination to be as unromantic as possible. Donat took to make-up for his prize-winning performances in "l'lie Citadel” and “Goodbye. Mr. Chips.” His doddering old men in late stages of those pictures was a far cry from his gallant ghost who went west. Enchanting Gisborne audiences with his novelty piano playing. Frank Andrews con-

tinues to receive ready acclamation af each performance at the Regent Theatre. To-night there will be a special treat in sort for picture-goers with a complete change of programme, Frank Andrews offering some of his best numbers, which have received .great applause in Australia when he toured Fullers’ circuit. Numerous requests for piano items have been l’eLeived and while Frank Andrews will o his best to play them it is doubtful, in view of the excellent varied programme already- arranged, whether ,1010 will permit of request items being . resented. However, patrons are assured of an entertaining evening’s entertainment.