AMUSEMENTS

Northern Advocate, 21 September 1933, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT A GOOD PROGRAMME ''No Funny Business/ ’ which was the main picture for the change of programme at the Regent last evening, belies its title, as it provided fun in abundance., Gertrude Lawrence, of musical comedy fame, heads an equally famous east, which includes such stars as Jill Esmond, Lawrence Olivier, Muriel Akecl, Edmund Breon, Gibb McLaughlin and Finlay Currie. The plot gives ample scope for gaiety deals with an agency promoted for adjusting the differences of married couples by providing a fillip of jealousy. A mistake on the part of the booking department of the hotel at Cannes, the headquarters of activities, leads to confusion of the two assigned couples, and there are many amusing situations which finally are adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. The theme song, “No Funny Business,” runs through the story, and other bright numbers are also introduced. There was a diversion from the orthodox “supports” in substituting the Gainsbrough film, “The Man They Couldn’t Arrest,” a dramatic and gripping story dealing with a gang of professional “crooks,” and the endeavours of Scotland Yard to run them to earth. How this is accomplished with the assistance of the mysterious “Ghost” makes for good entertainment. The whole programme is of British production, which speaks for itself, and it will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night at the Regent.

THE PLAZA. "GRAND HOTEL" AT LAST. Much was expected, and justly so, of "Grand Hotel," which is being shown at the Plaza Theatre, and the production can be bracketed with the best pictures for entertainment value.

Told in a direct, graphic manner, suggesting a Continental influence, the drama of human lives moves forward with tremendous impetus. Constantly, we are reminded of the greatness of the Berlin hotel in which the action takes place. No matter the prominence of its guests, the hotel is ever dominating. Its personality is morq compeling than that of any of the actors. Goulding has adroitly emphasised this symbolic phase of Miss Baum's narrative. He never lets us forget that in the Grand Hotel "no one lives here, all are transients. Here today, gone tomorrow, with strangers sleeping in our beds.' ’

The story of “Grand Hotel” centres upon a number of striking characters who are drawn together when they spend a night in the fashionable Berlin hqstelry. There is Grusinskaya, played by Greta Garbo. Grusinskaya is a temperamental Russian ballerina, who finds herself• beyond the peak of her popularity. A titled thief (John Barrymore) enters her room to steal her pearls —and remains to take her love as well.

Another outstanding performance is that of Joan Crawford, who appears as Flaemmchon, the appealing stenographer whose charms prove disastrous to Preys mg,- a domineering industrial king, brilliantly portrayed by Wallace. Beery. Then there is Kringclein, a provincial factory clerk, told he will die in a few weeks, spending his savings for an eleventh-hour taste of life in the Grand Hotel. Lionel Barrymore lives this role. Lewis Stone is stirring as the shell-shocked doctor and Jean Hersholt 'scores as Sent’, the chief porter.

On account of the length of the principal picture, the supporting programme was abbreviated.