ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22210, 30 December 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE. GRACIE FIELDS IN “THIS WEEK OF GRACE.” ROMANCE, COMEDY, SONGS. Gracie Fields, undoubtedly England’s greatest entertainer, is Lancashire’s contribution to the stage and screen. She is the uncrowned queen of English songsters and the nightingale of the stage. Commencing to-day at the Civic Theatre Gracie Fields presents her latest and best musical comedy, “This Week Of Grace.” The story is: The Duchess of Swinford, a kindhearted but eccentric old lady, has entrusted the management of her estate, Swinford Castle, to her stepsister, Lady Warmington, and the latter’s son Clive, Lord Swinford. Lady Warmington, who is a selfish and unprincipled woman, has allowed the estate to get into a deplorable condition with the result that the Duchess seriously considers turning her out, an event which would be very disastrous for her ladyship, as her resources are extremely limited. In a North country town, where the Duchess has a house, there also resides the Milroy family, consisting of Mr and Mrs Milroy, their daughter Gracie and their son Joe. Mr Milroy and Joe run, somewhat unsuccessfully, however, a small garage and Gracie works in a local factory. One Sunday when the Milroy family are taking it easy, Mr Milroy reads from a local paper that a city typiste has been left a large fortune by an old gentleman, who was wont to travel to work in the same ’bus with her and for whom she had occasionally done small services, such as helping him across the road and carrying his bag. Gracie thinks that this is a very easy way to acquire a fortune, and the following morning she endeavours to do the same service to an old gentleman getting off the ’bus. Unfortunately, he turns out to be a bank manager and threatens to give her in charge for attempting to steal his bag. As a result Gracie is late for the factory and is summarily dismissed. She wanders into the Park and takes a seat near a quaint old lady who is, in fact, the Duchess herself. They get into conversation and the Duchess becomes highly interested in her story. The next day a lawyer calls at the Milroy home and announces that an anonymous client has authorized him to offer Gracie the job of managing Swinford Castle for the space of one year, and that, if she makes a success of it, there may be further benefits in store. So the Milroy family leaye the humble street in which they lived and set out for a new life at Swinford Castle. There Lady Warmington and Clive, having been informed _of the Duchess’s intentions, are awaiting the new arrivals with some trepidation. The matter is a very serious one to Clive, for he is engaged to Pearl Forrester and realizes that the changes may seriously affect the prospect of his marriage with Pearl. Gracie takes whole-heartedly to her task and in a few months has worked wonders on the estate. In addition, she has placed herself in the hands of Henry Baring,

the librarian, and is educating herself for the position which she now occupies. Meanwhile, Clive and Gracie have fallen in love, so that when Pearl breaks off with Clive they become engaged. However, Gracie overhears Clive and Pearl talking and from their conversation jumps to the conclusion that Clive is interested in her merely because of the interest shown in her by the Duchess. She leaves Swinford Castle and she and her family go back to then old home. She secures a small part in a musical revue and steadfastly refuses to have anything to do with Clive. Determined to prove his worth, however, Clive opens a small garage and works hard for the first time in his life. Henry Baring is determined to bring these two people together and invites Clive to the theatre where Gracie is appearing. Her first appearance is disastrous, owing to her inexperience, and, having entirely ruined a scene, she rushes out of the theatre straight into Baring’s arms. Outside the stage door there is a car and a chauffeur waiting and Baring shows her in. The chauffeur appears to know what is required of him, and it is not very long before she recognizes Clive, whom she has refused to see and for whom she has been longing. In a few words he explains to her that he is earning his own living and begs her to come and share it with him. And Gracie is only too anxious to agree. Gracie Fields in her inimitable style sings “Happy Ending," “Heaven Will Protect An Honest Girl,” “My Lucky Day,” and “Mary Rose.” The supporting programme includes: “Stolen By Gypsies,” comedy; “Fatal Note,” cartoon; and a Pathe News. The box plan arrangements are announced in our advertising columns. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “FRA DIAVOLO.” THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. Auber’s opera, “Fra Diavolo,” is not a great work of music; but, like all this composer’s operas, it has a delightful string of melodies running through it, and, in general, illustrates a refined, if superficial, French taste. A screen version of “Fra Diavolo” reached the public last night at the Majestic Theatre and was thoroughly enjoyed by a large audience. One uses the word “version” in an extremely elastic sense; for Auber’s music and the original libretto by Eugene Scribe have been severely pruned and thrust into the background by new material. In effect, this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production is another Laurel and Hardy film, with a few bits of Auber and Scribe admitted to give greater weight. Laurel and Hardy are clever comedians. The popularity of comic opera is undiminished, and the success of this innovation leads one to hope that many more old operas will be produced as sound films in the same attractive style. Its musical and singing numbers alone make this production an attractive one. Denis King, principal of “The Vagabond King,” is heard in several musical numbers, supported by a splendidly-trained chorus of 150 voices. The song of the bandit chief, Fra Diavolo, is particularly fine. Hardly less colourful and tuneful are all of the other numbers, notably “Lady Pamela,” “Drink for Joy Bestowing,” “Robbery Song,” “Victoria,” .and “Proudly and Wide My Standard Flies.” But stirring singing is not the sole attraction of this entertainment. Graceful dancers and clever comedians, scenes of love and laughter, and picturesque backgrounds combine to make a delightfully romantic story full of sparkling wit and humour. As Fra Diavolo (the Devil’s Brother) Denis King is seen in the picturesque role of a brigand-marquis. Fearless, handsome, and courteous, he makes an ideal bandit chief. Notwithstanding all misdeeds he will be admired. for his audacity and courage and his voice will charm everyone, even as it captured the heart of Lady Pamela. In the main supporting roles Denis King is specially fortunate to have associated with them three such versatile artists as Thelma Todd, Stan. Laurel, and Oliver Hardy. Thelma Todd as Lady Pamela, appears in the role of a lady charmed by the masquerading robber, who woos her for her priceless jewels and her husband’s money. The laughs are supplied by a strange and motley pair, Stanilo and Ohio, as would-be bandits and the “retinue” of Diavolo. In quaint medieval costume they are a remarkable and clown-like combination. Probably the funniest scene of all is that which follows their return from a visit to the wine cellar of a tavern. In the best of “spirits” they make the inn resound to their roars of laughter. The diminutive Laurel alongside the over-grown Hardy, who is twice his weight, always brings a smile, but here the audience is carried by storm. Then there are the silly games of “Kneesy-Earsy-Nosey.” and “Fingerwiggle,’’ which seem to be simplicity itself, but those who care to try it might be puzzled at the result. Of special interest in the supporting programme are two outstanding features, a thrilling exhibition of motor cycle riding with explanatory remarks by Pete Smith, and an educational Fitzpatrick Travelogue, which takes the audience on a delightful visit to Barbados and Trinidad. ’ The New Zealand newsreel is also full of (interesting items. “Fra Diavolo” will be screened on Monday afternoon and evening. THE REGENT. “LORD OF THE MANOR.” DELIGHTFUL ENGLISH COMEDY. “Lord of the Manor,” the Paramount British picture to be shown at the Regent Theatre for the first time this afternoon and evening and again on Monday at both the matinee and evening sessions, will delight all who demand wholesome, rollicking humour in their screen entertainment. That British producers invariably reach heights of brilliancy in the realm of comedy has become almost axiomatic. In “Lord of the Manor,” the combination of witticism in dialogue and cleverness in situation, which has marked most English productions of this class, has been duplicated with full effect. There is the additional charm of a typical English sotting, with its captivating glimpses of rustic beauty and manorial magnificence. One can applaud the deft touches brought to bear by Henry Edwards in his direction of the niece. Principally, however, one feels a complete satisfaction with the splendid character acting of the late Frederick Kerr. This is the high-light of the picture. Always at his best when playing the typical role of the “peppery,” impetuous aristocrat, he excels himself as the hot-headed, but large-hearted, landowner who is called upon to offer the hospitality of the manor to some of the unemployed in the district. There is wide -cope for his particular powers of impersonation. He takes full advantage of the oppor - tunities which offer and the picture, which proved to be his last, proved also to be one of his most brilliant. The popular Australian actress, Betty Stockfield, fills a prominent role with distinction to the film and credit to herself. As Barbara Fletcher, the guest of the lord of the manor, she is a charmingly determined figure, especially when it comes forcing a declaration from a hesitant admirer in one of the unemployed, a handsome young colonial, billeted at the manor. The joy of the play is enhanced by the splendid performances of Kate Cutler, as the lady of the manor, who makes an excellent foil for the old lord’s irascibility, and Frank Bertram, as the bronzed colonial. The preliminary films are of outstanding interest, including a Paramount British News, a screen song “Down the Old Mill Stream,”

comedy, and other subjects. Plans are open at Rice’s Regent Shop and seats may be reserved by ’phoning No. 1938.