AMUSEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 172, 3 July 1936, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

Plaza Theatre. ROBERTSON HARE AND SONNY HALE. For sheer hilarious entertainment it would be difficult to imagine more amusing situations than those p;escinted in “Are You a Mason?" the screen version of the most successful play of the same name, which is now being shown at the Plaza Theatre. Robertson Hare and Sonne Hale, both among the first flight of British comedians, are the featured players, and both individually and as a combination they are superb. In his previous films Robertson Hare has had comparatively small parts. But in his present role, except for those aT too frequent occasions when IPs hor’zon is darkened by an altogether crushirgly formidable wife of the “hen - pecker” variety, he blossoms forth in (he awe-inspiring capacity of worsb'pfnl master of a Masonic lodge. When he presumes to lecture Iris harassed con-in law, as portrayed by Sounie Hale, on the deceitfulness of posmg as a Mason to deceive one’s wife, he reaches the highest levels of farce. If possible, an even funnier situatiqn arises when he welcomes, as a louplost daughter, a friend of his son-in-law disguised as a French girl. The whole film, however, is one long sequence of laughable mistakes, humorous misrepresentations and difficult

filiations for tlie supposed “Masons.” For 20 years Robertson Hare, as the pitiable Bloodwood, has succeeded in slipping out one night a week to attnd the “lodge” meeting, but even so, it, is with trepidation he greets his son-in-law when the latter announces that he, too, has at last joined fho Masonic fraternity.

King’s Theatre. '‘DAVID COPPERFI ELD.” Displaying an exceptional ability for his years, Freddie Bartholomew fills the title role of “David Copperlield,’’ Hie film version of Dickens’ popular novel, winch is to be shown at the King’s Theatre to-night. Play mg the part to perfection, this young actor proves that acting ability is not necessarily a produce of much experience. The delightful human touches of Dickens are fully brought out by his clever pottrayal. All the o’d Dickens characters live again in (h s impressive production. Micawher ii just as he has been imagined to be, possessed of human failings perhaps, yet kindly and generous. W. C. Fields, who Ims been chosen to fill the role, gives proof, if any were necessary, of his £ freat and versatile abil ty. Dan 1 eggotty, played by Lionel Barrymore, is Hie exact character created by Dickens. The feminine ides are ably filled by such actresses as Madge Evans, cast as Agnes, and Maureen O’Sullilvan, who appears as Dora. Uriah Hcep is played by Roland loung. For those who wish to see the true old-time characters, such as Dickers’ magic pen has made them, ■‘Da v l Ccpperofild” is the ideal entertain men t.