GRAND THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21831, 19 December 1932, Page 10

GRAND THEATRE

RE-OPENING ON SATURDAY. No better entertainment for all members of the family than “ Sunshine Susie ” could be selected to reopen the Grand Theatre on 'Saturday next. “ Sunshine Susie,” a Gainsborough production, when it was shown in Wellington recently, captivated the audiences. “ Sunshine Susie ” has a very definite plot. Susie arrives in Vienna from Germany with luggage, an ideal, and an inexhaustible store of optimism. The ideal is a bank director’s heart and the way to attain it is through becoming a bank typist. The bank porter when Susie goes to apply for a job falls for her charms, and who would not? He paves the way for her obtaining the desired job, and back to her boarding house goes Susie singing “ To-day I Feel So Happy,” a refrain which is caught up all round. Meeting a gentleman whom she takes to be a clerk in the office late one night. Susie captures another bird in her net, for the happiness and optimism she radiates are irresistible. Dinner follows in a cafe, where there is fun and dancing. The next day, however, Susie wakes up to the fact that her supposed clerk is a bank director in disguise. But by this time her ideal has been attained, although to begin with she did not know it, and there is the usual happy ending, This bold outline of the plot by no means does justice to the film, the brilliant acting being what will long be remembered after the details of the story have been forgotten. Renate Muller has been a veritable “ find,” and her charming personality at once wins instant appreciation. The slight trace of n Continental accent adds a perfect finishing touch. The success of “ Sunshine Susie,” however, docs not depend on charming ladies and the usual kind of screen dialogue; it is the acting that counts, and that is where the British film star excels. Supremo artistry is displayed by Jack Hulbert, who is the elderly bank porter whose good offices plav such an important part in Susie’s fortunes. His acting is absolutely natural, yet at the same time so amusing that it is difficult to recall any finer characterisation. Hi« role is really a double one, for, besides being the bunk’s porter, lie conducts a choir in a Vienna cafe, and the scene in which he does this, while at the same time indulging in familiarities with the incognito director, is as laughable as it can be. He has mastered the art of facial expression to a remarkable degree, and his eccentric dancing is a thing of joy. The famous Owen Nares is also in the cast. In his part as the bank director destined to be captured by the irresistible Susie he discards the austerity shown in some other roles and enters heart and soul into the spirit of the comedy. Another bright star in the firmament is Morris Harvey, the bank manager, and all the other minor characters are in very capable hands. Altogether, “ Sunshine Susie ” is about the most refreshingly humorous film one could ever hope to see.