Tivoil

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6838, 20 April 1932, Page 3

Tivoil

“THE AIAN IN POSSESSION” Wo know very few young women who wouldn’t like to solve the servant problem as does Irene Purcell iu “The Alan in Possession.” For ii Robert Montgomery wouldn’t suit as a butler we don’t know who would. That’s what happens, at any rate, iu Aletro-Goldwyn-Alayer’s screen version of the popular 11. AI. Harwood stage farce with tile exception that Alontgonicry forces himself into the job where, in real life, it might take some persuasion to coax him into the service. This is Montgomery’s best picture to date and in it lie seems to be having as much fun as the audiences who howl at his brilliant characterisation. It is purely a laughing matter from start to finish and is outlandishly spicy at several spots. However, you won’t take offence and surely couldn’t object to anything Alontgomcry says, the saintlywav ho says it.

Charlotte Greenwood romps away with supporting honours as the maid who appoints herself Nemesis to the pseudo-butler but finds herself outpointed when he brings romance into the life of the dashing young lady-of-tbc-house. It is one of Aliss Greenwood’s most hilarious roles and she makes the most of it in a big way. Among the outstanding members of the cast are 0. Aubrey Smith, Beryl Mercer, Reginald Owne and Alan Alow rbray, all perfectly cast. The story concerns itself with the young court clerk who goes to the widow’s home to attach her possessions :oi a debt. To spare her humiliation

during an important dinner ,hc acts as her butler with disastrous results. The fact that she is engaged to his blustery brother intrigues his sense of vengeance and by tho time dinner is over he is completely the “man in possession” as the title of the play indicated. This is one of the swiftest-moving and screamingcst films wo have seen yet. It’s worth seeing twice. A matinee is to be held to-day at 2.30 p.m.