STATE THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 9

STATE THEATRE

"TOPPER TAKES A TRIP” Constance Bennett, who proved herself a first-rate commedienne in last year’s “ Topper ” and “ Merrily We Live,” returns to the screen in another mad and merry portrayal in Hal Roach’s latest comedy production, “Topper Takes a Trip,” which will open at the State Theatre on Friday Roland Young portrays Cosmo Topper, the banker who manages to slide into marital and fiscal difficulties when Miss Bennett “ philanthropically ” takes a hand in his affairs. Billie Burke, who achieved wide acclaim last year as Mr Topper’s Victorian wife, is again seen as Mrs Topper, who gets into a whole series of strange scrapes when she is followed to the Riviera by Mr Topper Alan Mowbray is cast as valet to Mr Young, and he manages to infuse his duties with a dash of hilarity and to complicate his actions with his usual logic. Alexander d’Arcy contributes a portrayal of a penniless man-about-town with a fine flair for love-making. Also importantly cast in this line-up of stellar players are Franklin Pangborn, Verree Teasdale, and Paul Hurst, Several of the larger and most lavish “ sets ” Hollywood has seen in recent years were constructed for “Topper Takes a Trip.” outstanding among these being an exact replica of one of the famous gambling casinos which add to the glitter and gaiety of the French Riviera. Hundreds of “ extras ” were hired for these scenes, representing patrons, dressed in evening clothes: sightseers, garbed in street wear; attendants. money-changers and croupiers.