WHY LEAVE HOME?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 18

WHY LEAVE HOME?

ROLLICKING COMEDY AT MAJESTIC HUSBANDS BROUGHT TO HEEL How to bring gay husbands to heel is the theme of “Why Leave Home,” the all-talking and dancing Fox Movietone musical comedy version of the noted stage success, “Cradle Snatchers,” which was presented for the first time at the Majestic Theatre last evening. Three college youths, “on the rocks” financially, are compelled to cancel a “date” with three little chorus girls, but are given an opportunity to earn money in a pleasant and remarkable way. They agree to instruct three married woman in the “fair, fat and forty” stage in the intricacies of dancing and all the social graces. The three women are the wives of business men, who have sufficient means to get them into mischief. The husbands of the women are supposed to be off on a hunting trip, but are in reality “hitting the high spots” with three chorus girls. The married women, with their three college escorts, land at the same roadhouse as their husbands and the chorus girls, and from then on the fun waxes fast and furious. The fact that the three college youths are in love with the three chorus girls adds to the excitement. The dance at the roadhouse is in costume, and no one recognises any one else, until after a hectic riot, full of mirth-provoking situations, breaks loose. Comic situations abound, and they are fully exploited by the principals, the dialogue being crisp, clear and humorous throughout. The cast is carefully chosen, and “Why Leave Home” must be admitted to be the funniest talkie film yet released. Under the direction of Raymond Cannon, the picture has not a dull moment. Walter Catlett, the musical comedy star who plays the male lead, wrote the dialogue. He is the most tactless of the three husbands, and asks his companions in the presence of their three wives (though ignorant of their identity) what time they have to meet the “three little ducks.” Miss Sue Carol is a chorus girl of charm and Nick Stuart and David Rollins play the parts of college youths convincingly, the latter, as a lad, frightened of all husbands, yet determined to earn his salary, or die in the attempt. Conrad, Mitchell and Cottier, the song writers who produced the musical hits of the “Fox Movietone Follies of 1929,” and of many Broadway shows, wrote the song numbers, “Look What You’ve Done To Me,” and “Doing the Boom Boom,” the latter being the theme of the dance featured as well, are already two of the season’s hits, although the film has been released only a short time. The “Boom Boom” dance, a catchy ballroom step that is the rage in America, originated in this picture, and dance teachers prophesy a greater future for it than the Varsity Drag. There is also an excellent supporting programme. There is a short comedy, wherein the famous screen comedians, Clark and McCullough, show how to get patients for a rest home. Their methods are drastic and peculiar, but full of merriment. In addition, there is an issue of the Fox Movietone News, a short film revue and a scenic picture, completing an already excellent programme.