AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

GRAND THEATRE One of the most popular comedians whom the British films have brought forth is Gracie Fields; who heads the cast in " This Week of Grace," which is attracting large audiences to the Grand Theatre. She has a distinctly attractive personality, and when this is added to a style peculiarly her own the reason of Miss Fields's success as an actress may easily be seen. She is also a talented singer, and in this production has no fewer than six numbers that will meet with general approval—" My Lucky Day," Happy Ending." " Heaven Will Protect an Honest Girl," " Mary Ro3e," and " When Cupid Calls." She sings and dances her way through the film in the most delightful manner possible, and has the support of a large and thoroughly competent cast. Miss Fields is seen as a typical Lancashire mill girl who is suddenly elevated to fortune, and is not quite sure how to carry off her new part. She is appointed by the Duchess of Swinford to control a castle and an estate that have fallen on evil days, and the manner in which she accomplishes this h responsible for a great deal of the humour with which the production abounds. Others of prominence in the cast are Frank Pettingell. Douglas Wakefield, and Henry Baird, all of whom contribute characterisations of merit. In addition to "This Week of Grace," there is a varied and entertaining supporting programme to round off a bill of an unusually high standard. The box plans are at the theatre and at Messrs Charles Begg and Co.'s. "ORDERS IS ORDERS," Commencing to-morrow at the Grand Theatre, " Orders is Orders," lan Hay's latest comedy, is to be the star attraction. With what joy the authors of '• Orders is Orders " realised the possibilities of their distinctly original theme may well be imagined. The development of the story discloses how freely they allowed their imaginations to rove the flowery meads of humour, while at the same time respecting the boundaries beyond which extravaganza could not gOj save at the risk of distorting characterisation. For " Orders is Orders" is very definitely a series of character sketches, the faithful filming of which is a tribute alike to the ability of the authors and the artists. Never for an instant is the clarity lost of any of the types depicted, for all the speed of action and for all the racy humour of dialogue and situation. The picture is riotously funny from beginning to end. From the moment that Ed. Waggermeyer and his fair assistant Wanda descend upon the barracks of the Royal Loamslrires with their picture production unit, hot from the cauldron of Hollywood, to the final volcanic eruption of British military officialism insisting that the film be destroyed—as destroyed it is, but not by the instructions of headquarters—that sacrosanct machine "administration," as the British Army works it, is violated with a ruthlessness possible only to that most remarkable of all impudent despots —a hard-boiled movie producer. Both the British colonel (Cyril Maude) and the American picture chief (James Gleason) are men married to system. But the sys-

terns are mutually repellent, and neither expert can see the viewpoint of, the other. From the methods of movie producers, too, the authors of " Orders is Orders" have drawn vivid caricatures, laughable in the extreme; and the whole absurd comedy is one of the merriest shows ever put on the screen. The supporting programme will include the latest Gaumont Graphic (British newsreel), a Fox newsreel, an "Ideal Magazine," and "The Country Visits the City" (one of the Empire series).