ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 12 March 1936, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

HERBERT MARSHALL AND SYL= VIA SIDNEY IN “ACCENT ON YOUTH.”

It is easy to understand that Broadway gave tremendous success to the play "Accent on Youth.” which lias come in its film version to the Majestic Theatre. It is unusual; it is puckish in humour; it is situationally clever, and it never ceases to poke fun at itself and its characters. It may seen; that the characters arc overdrawn, and at times over-acted, but it is right that they should he so for in the creation they are glorious caricatures, not intended to be taken seriously. Herbert Marshal 1 lias a typical role in which dashing wit gives the lie to a certain aspect of pomposity and self-appreciative selfsacrifice, and Sylvia Sidney is a delightfully piquant character, with more than a touch of fire. But, perhaps, best of all is tb,e rcle of Earnest Cossart as Marshall’s "gentleman’s gentleman. Here is a character even more quaintly conceived than Wodeiiouse’s Jeeves and if it rested with Cossart alone "Accent on Youth” would be a. success. I hero are a number of well-drawn and wellacted characters in the story, eacli adding a slice of humour to the jesting whole. The little star ot "‘The American Tragedy” and Street Scene,” Sylvia Sidney, gives a great deal to the picture, and it is to be hoped that theatre patrons will see more oi her in future. The entertaining supporting programme includes latest viewsand news in Paramount News service, Mack Semtett comedy and Betty Boop cartoon.

The splendour, savagery and romance of the old world comes to the screen at the Majestic on Saturday in Cecil B. de Miile’s latest super production, "The Crusades.” 'this ornate and dramatic film has ail Hie famous de Millc wealth of detail and all the drama that the famous producer lias been able to extract from an ingenious arrangement of a series of historic events relating to the Crusades. The film deals witn the romance of Richard tin- Lion-Heart, n:s decision to lead an English army to Jerusalem, depite his lack of Christian faith, his feud with Philip of France, and romance with the beautiful Bereugaria of Navarre. The brutal soldier s wedding which Richard gives his bride, the sti'ugglc he later makes to win her love, and the scenes of battle and adventure through which Ins crusading adventure leads him before lie finds himself trapped by the now ho made on his sword f hat he would lay -ns weapon on the tomb of Christ, are welded into a production of vast scale. Booking plans are now open at the theatre hooking office.

STATE : "REDHEADS ON PARADE’ A BRIGHT SHOW. "ROBERTA’ ON SATURDAY.

Last night’s programme at (.lie State proved to be an altogether enjoyable programme. ‘ Redheads on Parade stars John Boles and Dixie Leo and is a coniedy-with-inusic, well balanced witii soim, dance, and elaborate scenes that captivate the eye. A feature of the film is the appearance of no less than forty-eight beautiful young women who were specially selected for their pcisonal charms. In this film John Boles sings and dances, proving himseif versatile to a high degree. Dixie Lee makes a splendid partner for Boles and completely wins the approval of her audience by the consumate artistry ot her performance. , Already the picture going public _ot Nelson is talking about Roberta i igi'tly named “The Queen of All Musiealc which conies to the State on Saturday. It is no exaggeration to say that no film in the last five years has aroused such a storm of applause as this great show which completely overshadows even stage success that ran for so long b<?nmd the London and New York footlights. The highlight of the film is on course the marvellous dancing of the Tree. Astaire —Ginger Rogers team, and they fully justify the praise , that has been so lavishly bestowed on them It would be difficult to find a dancing pair who have ever roused audiences to suc.i a pitch of excitement. The likeable personalitv of Astaire and die striking beauty' of Miss Rogers seem to have a universal appeal altogether apart from their dancing pYowess. But it must no be thought that the dancing, wonderful as it is, constitutes the sole charm c ‘Roberta.” Some of the most beautiful and memorable song numbers of recent years are contained in the film, sung by the ever popular Irene Dunne, whose beautiful voice is heard • at its best. Among the numbers she sings are the now 'famous “Smoke Gets m llt Eves” and “Lovely to Look At. AboHicr outstanding feature of Hus film is the frocking which is on the most lavish scale imaginable. Gowns that are the envy of every feminine heart arc displayed with reckless profusion Jerome Keru wrote the music and lyrics—and that name means everything when it is remembered that lie alone was responsible for the score ot the stage success. In addition seveui new medolies have been added to make the film literally sparkle with music. The plans are at Begg s.

“WE’RE IN THE MONEY” REGENT TO=NIGHT AND FRIDAY. SAD URDAY ‘‘THE BISHOP MISBE= HAVES.”

Joan Blond ell, Glenda Farrell and Hugh Herbert have been the source oi riotous laughter in a number ot > matures. Now they are together again in what is heralded as the most hilarious comedy romance ot them all. “We’re in the Money.” This picture tells of the adventures of two blonde process servers, which being interpreted means tluit the girls work ten* a laywer who sends them out to c.eliyer summonses on men against whom culinary methods have failed, 'lhe luwyci is Hugh Herbert and the girls. Jo an Blond ell and Glenda Farrell, So it will he seen that this is no ordinary job, and the fun begins when they are hired as a last resort to serve, the papers m a breach of promise suit. What transpires is too amusing to describe; it is enough to say that the story was written by Hugh Herbert. The girls arc involved in all sorts of adventures, with night clubs, with gunmen, with a wrestler and finally with a millionaire, the picture comes to a grand climax with a court scene which is guaranteed to make anyone laugh. Also featured m picture are Man Mountain Dean and Chief Little Wolf the world-famed wrestlers.

On Saturday laughter will again ''f'g ll supreme in one of Mctro-Goldwyn-May-er’s greater movie season attractions “Tile Bishop Misbehaves, with F.ngland’s grand old actor in his first American release, and Maureen 0 Sullivan. In this delightful pic lure which could be most aptly described as a pleasing and thrilling admixture of Edgar Wallace. Conan Doyle and Somerset Mauglian. humour lurks in an unusual wav, and. the story brings out, unexpected finalities in a most weirdlv assorted set of people drawn into thrilling adventures.