ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 21854, 3 November 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. “BACHELOR’S AFFAIRS.” ADOLPHE MENJOU IN BRIGHT COMEDY. Irrestible merriment of an infectious nature characterizes “Bachelor’s Affairs,” a neat and gay comedy starring that warm favourite Adolphe Menjou, which proved thoroughly enjoyable throughout to a large audience at the Regent Theatre last night. The production must necessarily draw a steady flow of patronage during its short season here, for it is a succession of such riotously funny incidents that one pleads for relief and almost a jolt is needed to bring home the fact that all this delightful entertainment comes out of strips of celluloid. Never - were the principals at such cross purposes and seldom has a plot provided not alone such amusing situations and strange complications but also a continuity of incident and bright dialogue so wellsustained as to hold the interest from start to finish. The story centres around the love affairs of Adolphe Menjou, a wealthy middle-aged bachelor, who, making a trip on a palatial ocean greyhound, loses his head and heart to a flapper whose beauty dazzles his better judgment. The budding romance is aided towards its blossoming by the girl’s sophisticated and “gold-dig-ging” sister, who sees in her future brother-in-law a “source of ready supply.” On shore the wedding takes place and the couple spend their honeymoon in sunny California. The youthful bride, of tireless energy, enters into a whirl of gaiety and poor Menjou, in endeavouring to keep in pace with her, becomes a “tired Butterfly.” To his sorrow, he then realizes his mistake in marrying and is at his wits’ ends to disentangle himself from the web in which he is enmeshed. Two loyal friends lend a hand, however, and the means by which his freedom is ultimately obtained form the pivot on which the comedy revolves. The story takes one with equal facility from aboard ship, to New York, to Los Angeles and to the more peaceful atmosphere of the country and the scenes are delightful. Menjou is absolutely in his element and he finds a first-class supporting cast in Minna Gombell (the avaricious sister), Joan March, as the butterfly wife, and other favourites. Special mention must be made of the clever character study given by Herbert Mundin, the English comedian who scored such a success as the taxicab driver witness in “The Silent Witness.” His facial expressions alone produce bursts of laughter—plus his mannerisms they reduce the audience almost to hysterics. The film is certainly above the average and well worth seeing. As usual the supporting programme is of the high Regent standard, including, as it does, Fox and Cinesound Newsreels, a Magic Carpet Trio to romantic Venice and an interesting animal study.

THE MAJESTIC. LAUGHTER REIGNS. “LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD.” Joe E. Brown is in town. Lovable old, wide-mouthed Joe is at the Majestic Theatre—but not with the kind of exaggerated slapstick comedy that set ’em guffawing in his other pictures. “Local Boy Makes Good” is based on a play by those masters of characterization, J. C. and Elliott Nugent, which is a guarantee that the story is worth telling, and that the people in it are real folks. Joe E. plays the part of John Miller, a timid and near-sighted clerk in the bookstore of a college town—a man outwardly interested in botany—and inwardly occupied with contemplation of the fair sex. He has seen pictures of Julia Winters, a pretty co-ed of a distant college—and spends much time penning love letters to her, in which he enlarges on his prowess as an athlete. He writes these passionate missives for the thrill of doing it, but never mails them. Someone else, John never knew who, did mail one of them —and he is horrified to receive a reply from the lovely Julia, in which she says she is coming to attend the track meet, and to witness his skill. About this time Marjorie Blake, an old school friend of Julia, comes to clerk in the store. She likes John Miller, understands his oddities and urges him to get a try-out for the field events, to make good his statements to Julia. He succeeds in getting on the lists. Julia arrives, all enthusiasm saying she is accompanied by her affianced, Spike Hoyt, captain of the opposing team. Julia, a bug on psychoanalysis, tries to psycho—analyze John into courage, but without success. He enters the trials as a javelin-thrower and at the start thrusts the javelin into the husky anatomy of Wally Pierce, speediest sprinter of the school. Wally pursues John on vengeance bent. The officials, seeing the speed made by the runners insist that the two must compete for the honour of the school. John hides in a store, believing that Wally means to beat him up. It remains for pretty Marjorie to devise ways and means to fill John with false courage and—but the uproarious happenings which bring the story to its unexpected end—must be seen to be properly appreciated. Joe E. is grand and glorious in his interpretation of the role. Dorothy Lee, the pretty blonde, remembered in “Rio Rita,” “Dixiana” and other films is captivating as Julia. Supporting features are novel and good.

SONG AND PIANOFORTE RECITAL. Miss Eunice Meredith and Mr Hellmuth Hoffman, two artists of good repute, are associated in presenting to music lovers a recital- in the Victoria Hall on Saturday evening next, November 5. The fact that Miss Eunice Meredith was born and educated in Dunedin, will make music lovers keen to hear her in recital work after her long sojourn in London. Very few New Zealand artists achieve the success that has been won by Miss Meredith in her concert work in Great Britain. In grand opera, in oratorio, and in classical and modem songs, Miss Meredith is equally at home. Her items on Saturday evening will be selected from composers such as Brahms, Strauss, Gunter, and amongst modern composers, Elgar, Harty, Ronald Chamberlain, etc. For those who appreciate pianoforte playing, a generous part of the programme is to be supplied by Mr Hellmuth Hoffman whose playing will surprise the audience by its brilliance. Mr Hoffman is indeed an artist of international repute, and has performed successfully in many countries of the world. He will present several solos from compositions by the classical pianoforte masters. Prices for admission are moderate, and tickets may be purchased and seats reserved at Begg’s Box Office.