ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23181, 23 April 1937, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE “WALKING ON AIR” A light-hearted story is unfolded in “Walking On Air,” which concludes a season at the State Theatre today Ann Sothem plays the part of a beautiful but temperamental heiress. Her father hires a college graduate to act as secret bodyguard to the girl; but in the meantime she has hired another graduate (Gene Raymond) to pose as an obnoxious French count and convince her father by force of contrast that the man she wants to marry is not so bad after all. Complications are bound to follow, especially when a radio programme is interrupted while one of the graduates broadcasts a frantic appeal to the heiress, with whom he has fallen in love. Clashes between father and daughter are followed by impulsive action, but love tames the headstrong young woman and smoothes away the difficulties she has placed in her own path. BEGINNING TOMORROW “EAST MEETS WEST” George Arliss needs no introduction to theatre-goers. In “East Meets West.” which comes to the State Theatre tomorrow, he makes use of an unusual story as the framework for another of his masterly portrayals. The background is exotic. Renang is an East Indian state looking across a narrow strait to a British possession. As the Rajah of Renang, George Arliss negoti-

ates with British and Japanese diplomats for harbour treaties. His son Zezim, who has been educated at Oxford, falls in love with the beautiful wife of Carter, a drunken customs officer. Carter has been smuggling liquor to the natives, and when he is caught red-handed he becomes an important factor in the Rajah’s plans. The Japanese emissary persuades Zezim to stir up a revolution in order to have Carter lynched. Up to this stage George Arliss has played with his customary smoothness and certainty; but when he is threatened by an angry mob and by his son’s treachery he rises to great heights. With revolution outside his palace walls he negotiates calmly with the rival diplomats and continues to win concessions from both sides before striding out to deal with the mob. The eastern backgrounds are colourful, and the supporting cast has been carefully chosen. The story is dramatic and well-con-trived; and George Arliss gives a polished performance.