GOOD COMEDY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3249, 7 April 1943, Page 5

GOOD COMEDY

“TUTTLES OF TAHITI” PROGRAMME AT REGENT “THE GREAT MR NOBODY” ALSO “Tuttles of Tahiti,” starring Charles Laughton, Jon -Hall, Peggy Drake, Victor Francen, Gene Reynolds, Florence Bates, Curt Bois, will show at the Regent Theatre Thursday and Friday.

Languorously romantic South Sea island, glamorous girls and indolent living, set far apart from ' these troublesome times, strike a purely escapist note on which “Tuttles” will find its appeal. As in the Nordhoff and Hall story, Charles Vidor’s direction of the film has placed all the emphasis on the outsize Tuttles’family and their hum- - orously indigent existence, no attempt, being made to dramatise the story in the accepted way. In this formula 1 lies its escapism, and the- majority attracted tb it for that reason will certainly get what they came for. Of the acting, nothing could be more laughable than Laughton in a role reminiscent of “Beachcomber.” He wants to be an adventurer, a .hero, a business genius, a lover, but ■ Eddie Albert is only “The Great Mr Nobody” in Warner Bros.’ gay comedy-romance which will also show at the 'Regent Theatre Thursday and Friday. As “Dreamy” Smith, the indolent, indifferent, day-dreaming newspaper, advertising 1 salesman, Albert does a superb job in a role that specially suits his singular personality. Portraying Mary -Clover, the pretty girl friend who works on the paper, is lovely young screen newcomer, Joan Leslie. Alan Hale does his- usual excellent performance as a blustering, i landed sea captain, “Skipper” Mar- ' tin, who rooms with “Dreamy,” William Lundigan is featured. The film’s action centres around - “Dreamy,” whose open-hearted love of people constantly interferes with., the things he wants to do. For yearsplanning to sail the seven seas ( with “Skipper,” “Dreamy” tosses aside his opportunity to help a crippled newsboy. And he can only see the best side of his boss, John Wade, who hasbeen stealing; the boy’s ideas. He overreaches himself, however, when he holds out ads from his paper to get jobs for needy friends and is fired. Later Wade falls in the bay. “Dreamy” dives in after him, but since he can’t swim has to-be rescued • by ’his boss. Wade is given a banquet for his bravery. Here he announces that “Dreamy’s” the real hero. In his .own way, “Dreamy” has become a, hero. t . FINALLY TO-NIGHT • “ ICE-CAP ADES ” “Ice J Capades” will show finally ten night at the Regent Theatre.