AMUSEMENTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 14, 30 December 1931, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS

COSY THEATRE, HASTINGS. “DADDY LONG LEGS.” Surpassing even her memorable triumph in “7th Heaven,” Janet Gaynor gives a tender, touching portrayal blended with rare humour in “Daddy Long Legs,” Fox romantic comedy which is now at the Cosy Theatre. Warner Baxter, also, does the most brilliant work of his career in the leading masculine role of this delightful talkie version of Jean Webster's play, and a distinguished cast gives flawless support. From al] appearances, “Daddy Long Legs” is going to prove one of the biggest hits, if not the biggest, of the entire screen year. Such a combination of superbly cast players and an ideal story is all too seldom seen on the silver sheet, and the genuine enthusiasm manifested by Saturday night’s audience is significant of the picture’s popularity. The story is so well known as scarcely to need repetition here, but the tale of the orphan girl whom a sympathetic trustee sends to college, only to find himself falling in love with her, has never been more deftly and charmingly told. The director, Alfred Santell, has easily surpassed all his earlier efforts in his subtle and telling manipulation cf the plot, and the notable teamwork achieved by the two principals makes one wonder why they never were cast to play together in a picture before. Una Merkel and John Arledge each portray important roles—the former scoring heavily with her quaint Kentucky accent and droll mannerisms as Miss Ga or’s room-mate, and Arledge, who was “discovered” by Santell, showing surprising promise as a juvenile. Kathlyn Williams, Claude Gillingwater, Sr., Louise Glosser Hale, Elizabeth Patterson and Edwin Maxwell have the principal “grown-up” parts, while from some mysterious source the director obtained a thoroughly delightful and appealing group of “orphan” youngsters for the asylum sequences. “ANNABELLE’S AFFAIRS.” Lovers of comedy—the smartly sophisticated type of humour—can prepare for several hours’ solid enjoyment next Friday, when the Fox comedy, .“Annabelle’s Affairs,” with Victor ijcLaglen and Jeannette MacDonald, opens at the Cosy Theatre, Hastings, for a four nights’ season. “Annabelle’s Affairs” is a merry matrimonial mixup of complications that leads from one mirth-provoking situation to another. Some of the best known comedians on screendoin’s roster are in the splendid cast including Roland Young, Ruth Warren, William Collier, Sr., Sam Hardy, Joyce Compton, Sally Plane, George Andre Hcranger, Jed Prouty, Wilbur Mack, Hank Mann, Walter Walker, and Louise Beavers. Alfred L. Werker directed and Leon Gordon wrote the sparkling dialogue, as well as the adaptation of the film, which is from Clare Kummer’s stage hit, “Good Gracious Annabelle.”

ARCADIA THEATRE, HASTINGS. “THE SANTA FE TRAIL.” A truly distinguished and versatile cast of screen favourites is featured in the new Paramount action romance, “The Santa Fe Trail,” which will be seen at the Arcadia Theatre to-night. Among those who lend their talents to the diverting and entertaining dramatisation of Hal. G. Evarts’ best-selling novel, “Spi.iish Acres,” are Richard Arlen, recently seen as the bronzed adventurer of “The Sea God”; Eugene Pallctte, 01 of Pai Hint’s most popular players in another laugh-provoking comedy role; Mitzi Green, that engaging youngster wk ' mped away with honours in “Ko y.” “Paramount On Parade,” “Live Among the Million aires” and “Skippy”; Junior Durkin, prominent juvenile of the New York stage, and the b au iful and talented Mexican actress, Rosita Moreno, making her first appearance on the screen. Per fectly east in roles that do full justice to the! talents, all these players are seen to advantage in a picture that successfully combines Hing adventure and easy flowi. comedy with a ro manee that s at once charmin' and delightful.