At the Palace Soon “The Dark Horse’"

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7064, 25 January 1933, Page 5

At the Palace Soon “The Dark Horse’"

Coming: to the Palace theatre on February 1, is ‘‘The Dark Horse.” Here is a merry story of American politics, full of hearty laughter in its broad comedy of a “dumb” candidate for the governor's chair, and pointed throughout by shrewdly satirical' digs at national electioneering resource. Our dumb’friend is a specimen of bovine masculinity named Hicks, who first secures nomination by being presented as “a dark horse” by his opponents in order to split a too solid vote. Of course ho is hopeless as a governor-to-be, but once he is taken.in hand by. a professional campaigner, Hal Blake, who puts over a whirlwind series of interviews and tie-ups and photos in his interests, the situation changes, and Hicks appears to stand a chance of election.

Unfortunately, however, Blake has an ex-wife to whom he is behind in his alimony payments, and in order to raise a little financial wind this accommodating lady agrees to lure poor old Hicks into a compromising situation with her. But in the proverbial nick of time along comes Blake and Co. to achieve a dramatic Tescuc. Hicks is triumphantly elected, and Blake receives a tremendous amount of dollars with which he essays another bout of marital adventure.

We have nothing but praiso for the manner in which the director has extracted the maximum of fun, not only out of the fast-moving situations which so genially gibe at American electioneering, but out of the two leading characterisations of Hicks and Blake. The latter has the former photographed with prize bulls and as a piscatorial champion, while there is a great scene when Hicks, after having memorised a political speech by Abraham Lincoln, hears it being reeled off by his opponent. Naturally, the astute Blake turns the incident to great account by exposing the plagiarism, leaving the relieved Hicks without the necessity of having to make a speech at all. It is broad comedy such as this, backed by the finer satirical touches referred to, together with appealing moments of romance and impressive crowd scenes of electioneering fervour, which make “The Dark Horse” an unquestionable winner for popular houses. The picture also scores on its portrayal, for Guy Ivibbo is a delight in the role of the dumb but docile Hicks, and WaTren William has a paTt entirely after his own heart as tho cy'clonic maker of state governors. Another excellent bit of work is the siren of Vivienne Osborne, and Frank McHugh and Sam Hardy are also well on the target in small but important roles. The heroine is Bette Davis, with a piquancy' which adds further zest to an already snappy film