AMUSEMENTS

Northern Advocate, 20 April 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

LOCAL BODY COMEDY. A FI.'OZUN-FACED MAYOR. AVit.lt the municipal elections .so near at hand, it is apropos that “The Mayor’s Nest’’ should come to Whangarei. This very topical British comedy opened a season here at the Regent Theatre hist night. The story has been specially written to exploit Sydney Howard’s particular brand of nonsensical humour, and in it he scores even a greater success than he did in “Up For the. Cup.” As Joseph Pilgrim, lie first appears as a discredited trombone player, who, as an itinerant musician knows only “William Tell,” yet has the affrontery to masquerade among the members of a brass band rehearsing “Zainpa.” He is fired! His next step up the ladder of fame comes with Jus meeting a Airs Ashcroft (Muriel Aired), a strong supporter of the downtrodden, and his tirade against the slum dwellers, who are forced to bathe in pudding bowls while 1 ho wealthy have baths, gets him olccved to the council. He is so popular that he becomes Bumbledon’s mayor. “Pilgrim for progress,” that is his slogan, and his progress is as full of laughs as an egg is lull of meat. Particularly diverting are the election scenes, Pilgrim’s conduct of the town court, and the opening of the cherished garden suburb which replaces “Paradise Row.” The reception accorded him is all but overwhelming, including his own rendering of his favourite trombone number “ William Toll. ” The comedy is quite without romance, which in itself; stamps it as refreshingly different from the American routing.

The supporting programme readies the same high standard. It includes a Filmcraft of Rotorua, a study, “ColdBlooded Friends,” an ideal Cinemagazine, and a. “Melbourne Herald” news reel.

PLAZA. GLAND HOTEL MYSTELY. In liu> change of programme at the Plaza, last evening, Paramount presented an excellent British film, “Life Goes On’’ (first titled “ Sorry You’ve Been Troubled”). The audience is hcpt guessing until the ending, and the him is- full of thrills and delightl’ul humour, well blended. Hugh

Wakefield, Elsie Randolph, Betty

Stockfield, and Wallace Geoffreys are the principal players, find such a east must spell success, Hugh Wakefield takes the part of a man who finds there is more excitement and danger in one hour in the Grand. Hotel in Loudon, than' in three years spent in Africa. Home for a holiday, he and a telephone girl find themselves the centre of a maelstrom of mysterious happenings, that keep the audience thrilled and absorbed, and the surprise at the finish lends much to the mystery, and, incidentally, to the comedy of the picture. A man is found dead, the body disappears, jewels arc stolen, and then —well, tonight will be the only opportunity for sec-ing the delightful ending to an intriguing film which has boon secured for two nights only. The supports are well up to Plaza standard and include a Alack Scnnett Comedy, Screen Souvenirs, old-time novelty, and the final episode of the Bobby Jones series of '‘How I Play Golf.”