VAUDEVILLE AND COMEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 7

VAUDEVILLE AND COMEDY

STARS FROM STAGE AND SCREEN Every picture-goer should enjoy “Merry-Go-Round of 1938,” which will commence its Dunedin season at the Empire Theatre to-day, for there are attractions that cater for all tastes. It is a film that must be labelled “ iifferent.” Ncvei before, accoiding to one critic, has stage and night club talent been utilised in a screen play so effectively. Three of the leading players are stage comedians, and this film has proved that stage players are as funny in pictures as behind footlights if they are allowed to display their talent in their own way. It is the antics of four stars that make Universal’s “Merry-Go-Round of 1938” the hilarious feature that it is said to be. They are Micha Auer, Bert Lahr, Jimmy Savo and Billy House. In clowning, pantomime and straight comedy alike they are superb. The film is released as a vaudeville musical, and these four are adept at the art. All manner of devices are used to raise a laugh, and they never fail. Allied to the above players in the featured roles are Alice Brady-and Louise Fazenda. John King, Universal’s handsome young leading man, and Joy Hodges supply the romantic interest for the film. Dave Apollon’s orchestra, long noted as one of the best musical acts on the American stage, is in a featured position in the picture. Harold Adamson and Jimmie McHugh, famous Broadway and Hollywood song-writ-ing team, composed music for the orchestra renditions and for the song numbers by the four male comedians. and bv Jov Hodges.