ENTERTAINING COMEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22853, 7 October 1937, Page 16

ENTERTAINING COMEDY

NEW FILM FOR CIVIC Set against the brilliant background of Paris, and with a cast that includes such popular players at Loretta Young, Tyrone Power and Adolphe Menjou, " Cafe Metropole," which commences a season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow, should prove one of the most entertaining films seen in Auckland for some time. The screen plav was written by the famous French playwright Jacques Devnl from an original story by Gregory Ratoff, who also has an important part in the film. The resulting picture is a spurkling blend of romance, comedy and intrigue, .against the luxurious background of a Parisian rendezvous. The story opens in the Cafe Metropole. where Monsieur Victor, a polished and attractive villain, is the neatl waiter. He has borrowed money amounting to many thousands of francs from the cafe's funds, and, with the intention of recouping his losses, he begins to gamble at baccarat for huge stakes. He wins the necessary sum from a young American, played by Tyrone Power, but to liis dismay he finds that his debtor has no money to pay his debts. The agile brain of Monsieur Victor quickly devises another plan. All old patron of his, Joseph Ridgeway, who is played by Charles Winninger, cables to say that he is bringing his daughter and a large proportion of his millions over to Paris for a holiday, and he wishes to have a table at the Cafe Metropole reserved for each night of his stay. Threatening the young man with prison unless he complies, Victor names him Prince Alexis Panaieff, a Russian aristocrat, and advises him to become friendly with Ridgeway's beautiful young daughter, Laura. This he does, but Laura quickly finds out that lie is an imposter, chiefly on account of his Russian accent, which, in moments of excitement, becomes remarkably American. In spite of this she likes him, but it is not necessary to say that the plans of Monsieur Victor are not realised exactly as ho desired. Those who like bright dialogue, smooth action and genial comedy will find that " Cafe Metropole " fulfills all their expectations.