“MERRY MOMENTS” REVUE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 13

“MERRY MOMENTS” REVUE

GEORGE WALLACE AT ST. JAMES George Wallace and his revue company are the present entertainers at the St. James Theatre, and it would seem, judging from their popularity, that they are booked for a long run. The “Happy Moments” Revue Company as the show is called, will present this evening a new programme of bright and cheerful jazz, dancing and singing. Mr. Wallace and Jack Scott will appear in a new playlet entitled “Married Bliss-ters,” in which he is as funny as ever—if not funnier. The play should give Mr. Wallace full scope for his talents. tie will also entertain the audience, with the help of his “Flaming Youths,” in a new series of songs and dances. In these he will also be supported by the dancers, Thelma Buxton and Maida Jones, and the ballet which was so successful last week. •Marshall Crosby will sing again and it is easy to predict that he will prove as popular as ever, and the jazz band —well, everyone enjoys the jazz band. A matinee performance will be given to-morrow afternoon, and the show will be repeated every evening next week. STRAND SUCCESS OF “SPEEDY” “F ast and furioiis” is an expression that carries little weight any longer, owing to its misuse by motion picture press agents, but nothing more aptly describes Hi void Lloyd’s newest production, “Speedy,” now at the Strand Theatre. From start’ to finish it is literally a whirlwind of comedy, as the name implies. Lloyd, in the breezy character of a New York boy, whose principal vocation is losing jobs, gives one of his most likeable characterisations, and in addition has a story that is appealing, as well as based on fact. Lloyd has a variety of positions in “Speedy,” ranging from soda-jerker to the chauffeur of a horse-car, with a taxicab pilot, and several others sandwiched in between. Finding new fields of comedy is a job worthy of the sturdiest pioneer, yet Lloyd finds plenty for his humorous adventures, and in “Speedy” he covers entirely new territory. “Speedy” is the kind of universal picture that will make the whole world laugh. Its comedy is the kind that knows no nationality, and it will be just as popular in London as in Manhattan. Lloyd has one of those likeable characters for which he is noted, and when he gets into trouble—which he does early and often —his audiences are as anxious to see him out of it. A bright supporting programme, and excellent music from the Strand Symphony Orchestra, under Eve Bentley, completes the entertianment.

“Dynamite” will be the title of Cecil Be Mille’s next; it is to be a story of to-day, with a society background.