ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 23183, 26 April 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE “IT ISN’T DONE” Those who have been in Australia have met him—the jovial, well-edu-cated farmer who radiates simplicity and kindliness combined with a shrewd clear-headedness and whimsical sense of humour. He is the backbone of the country, the typical “Aussie” farmer who has one eye on his family and the other with a twinkle in it despite the bad harvest. There is the same type in New Zealand, too. That is the character Cecil Kellaway plays in the film, “It Isn’t Done,” which had its New Zealand premiere at the Majestic Theatre last night. As Hubert Blaydon, an Australian farmer, he unexpectedly inherits an English title and the story deals with his adventures as a “Lord.” He makes his character live, you know him immediately and though he may disregard the niceties of etiquette he is essentially always as grand and as big as the country he loves. Shirley Ann Richards, who plays the part of Patricia Blaydon, the daughter,, is a lovely example of Australian girlhood and she will be a surprise to New Zealand audiences. The film is full of happy asides, but it has more than comedy, it has drama and beauty, the scenes in Australia and England having been selected with a masterly eye to effect. Harvey Adams, as the butler, gives a splendid performance and his attempts to save the situation when Lord Blaydon succumbs to the 60-year-old whisky will convulse the audience. John Longdon, as Peter Ashton, the next-of-kin who might have been the heir to the title and and who falls in love with Patricia, establishes himself as an actor who is assured cf a bright future and the whole cast worthily supports the principals. The climax is one of the finest seen on any film and it is an exceedingly appropriate one at this special time when the Coronation is drawing near. It will set a new value on Australian productions. The supporting features are varied, entertaining and of a high standard in keeping with the main attractions. The box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s and Patrick’s Sports Depot.