GAY COMEDY FILM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 12

GAY COMEDY FILM

"THEODORA GOES WILD"

A gay and rollicking comedy with an entirely novel plot. "Theodora Goes Wild," which was privately screened at the Majestic Theatre last night, is one of the most amusing pictures to be produced this year, and a worthy successor to that brilliant comedy "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," which was also made by the Columbia studios. In a series of richly humorous episodes it tells the story of a girl brought up by two prim and proper maiden aunts in a small country town and how she writes a novel which shocks all the residents. The picture becomes funnier and funnier when Theodora Lvnn decides that she will live up to the reputation of the mythical and apparently sophisticated Caroline Adams who wrote the book, and begins to go wild to such an extent that the residents of Lynnficld hold up their hands in - pious horror. She goes to New York to see her publisher, tries to show the artist who designed the cover of her book that she has as much knowledge of the world as Caroline Adams, and then comes buck to Lynnfield.

The artist, however, follows her home, iind bullies the maiden aunts into employing him as a gardener. He persuades Theodora to revolt against the conventional atmosphere of Lynntie Id, but is most surprised at the results. Theodora goes back to New York, complains to her publisher that she has not had enough publicity for her book, and then starts to plav the part of Caroline Adams in sueii a way that Lynniield becomes more and more shocked every day. Finally, she comes homo to find that all the residents are not so critical as the local literary circle, and abandons her wild career for a more conventional and romantic existence. There are many opportunities in this story for comedy, and Irene Dunne takes full advantage of them. She plays the part of Theodora to perfection, and is ably supported by Melvyn Douglas as the artist who is responsible for her revolt. Thomas Mitchell is outstanding us the small town m-wspitper editor who shocks Lynniield when he publishes the first- instalment of Theodora's novel. Thurston Hall, as the publisher, and Spring Hying ton, as the town gossip, also give excellent, per- j forma nces. !

" Theodora Goes Wild " will begin at the Majestic Theatre on Friday.