ROYAL MATINEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 17

ROYAL MATINEE

KING AND QUEEN AT CINEMA THEIR FIRST TALKING FILM [from otjr own correspondent] LONDON. March 2 The King and Queen recently attended the New Victoria Theatre and heard for the first time a talking film. The occasion was a gala matinee in aid of the League of Personal Service, of which the Queen is patron. They not only enjoyed their first talking picture, but also had the satisfaction of knowing that their support had helped to raise £8564 for the unemployed.

The tasteful decoration of the theatre had been enhanced so far as the Royal box was concerned. It had been specially constructed and set in the middle of the circle. Thousands of carnations had been used in its decoration. The scene in the auditorium was the gayest which London has seen for a long time.

The Gaumont-British film "The Good Companions" was preceded by a witty coloured cartoon, "Santa's Workshop," to which the- King's reaction was instant and hearty. The use of a gigantic toothbrush to clean a fairyland reindeer's teeth brought a chuckle from him, and from that moment the hustling methods of the fairyland factory kept him continuously amused. When one by one the wooden horses were whisked past a specialist who did nothing but throw adhesive tails at them, he shook with laughter as he turned to the Marchioness of Londonderry on his right. The Queen, too, was obviously amused, and. every now and then whispered to the Marchioness of Reading. s Their Majesties' attention, thus captured, was held by the 10,000 ft. long adaptation of Mr. J. B. Priestley's best seller, with its all-star cast. After the performance Mr. Priestley, Mr. Michael Balcon, the producer, and Mr. Vic+or Saville, the director of "The Good Companions," were presented to Their Majesties. The King -fold Mr. Priestley that he had read his novel soon after it came out. He told Mr. Saville that he had been particularly impressed by the scenes of tho burning of the theatre. "They were specially admirable," he said. The Queen particularly congratulated Mr. Saville on the way he had taken so intricate a story and successfully joined up the vast material into so direct a film.