MARIE’S FUN-MAKING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1076, 13 September 1930, Page 14

MARIE’S FUN-MAKING

GREAT COMEDIENNE AT REGENT “CAUGHT SHORT” IS SCREENED Again proving Herself an actress and comedienne of unique ability, Marie Dressier convulsed her audience in “Caught Short,” which opened at the Regent last evening. This M.G.M. laughter film co-stars Polly Moran, and includes in its cast pretty Anita Page, but no injustice is being done to anyone by saying that Miss Dressier walks off with the show in every scene. HPHIS veteran American is respon- -* siblo for quite 80 per cent, of the merriment in as amusing a play as Auckland has been offered for manv a day. j Polly Moran is an efficient foil to ! the more versatile and arresting Dress- . There are times, indeed, when i Miss Moran does some effective work, I but the brilliance of the central cliarI acter is such that one forgets all else | and as the film unwinds waits impatii ently for her next effort, j Anita Page as attractive as ever, plays a light comedy part in a sincere fashion, and the youth anting opposite her is of equal ability. “Caught Short” is a comedy based on the stock exchange “flutters” of America’s Four Million, and has as its background—or. rather. climax—the sensational New York smash of some time ago. Mario and Polly are rival landladies. Marie, whose daughter has just completed a college course, is a careful soul, putting her dollars and cents In the local bank. Polly, whose son is a rising young business man, disbelieves in banks because “so many of them go bust.” She is addicted to malapropisms and speculations. As a result of the first failing. she is the butt of the neighbourhood; as the outcome of the second, she has become amazingly wealthy, i Marie is tempted by Polly’s thousands, and decides to have a little flutter to. In the meantime the young people meet at a party, take the part of peacemakers in some of the many squabbles of the maternal parents, and proceed to fall in love with each other. Both women become rich overnight, but their squabbles end in a bitter quarrel, and their children are parted. Both families visit a fashionable resort, and each proceeds to outdo the other. At the height of the rivalry comes the smash . . . EXCELLENTLY PRODUCED “Caught Short” is very American, but an excellently produced picture. It is a delightfully human story, and a perfect cure for the worst " kind of blues. Marie Dressier can produce as much laughter out of one sentence or grimace as the average fun-maker can find in a whole film. Supporting “Caught Short” last evening was a programme of generous length and unusual variety. Another delightful Gus Edwards re- : vuo in full colour was screened, and j a new and interesting Grantland Rice I “Sportlight” was included. Fourth on the list was a topical Hearst News, and room was found for a quaint, animated musical cartoon. “The Revellers,” that popular gramophone quartet, offered three song numbers. and sang them in that delightful way that is peculiarly their own. Last, but by no means least, came some attractive Hauraki Gulf views in an Auckland scenic picture. This featurette is worthy of special attention. It represents a successful attempt on the part of (presumably) local film-makers to,put action into a scenic, film. Without labouring details, it may be said flint the result is an unusually attractive little offeri r * # ‘ rivalling the best of American and Continental products of the kind. VENTURA DANCE CLUB Another happy time is promised at ! the weekly dance of the Ventura Dance Club, held in the St. Sepulchre’s Ha’l. The latest and best music is provided by the Pirate Shippe Band, and every arrangement made for the comfort and pleasure of dancers. ORGAN RECITAL The programme for the Recital in the Town Hall tomorrow (Sunday) will include movements from Widor’s Fourth Syphony. an Andante by Bach and Gigout’s brilliant Toccata. Mr. Maughan Barnett will also play the well-known variations by Beethoven on the Duet from Paisiello’s Opera, “La Molinara,” and an arrangement of Vesper Bells for organ and chimes. MUNICIPAL CHOIR CONCERT Miss Kate Campion, the well-known operatice singer, has been engaged for the Municipal Choir Concert in the Town Hall this evening. She has selected airs from operas by Tschaikowski and Gounod for her solos. The choir will sing a varied selection of unaccompanied choral numbers including Sullivan’s Homeland and an arrangement of the Welsh air “All Thro’ the Night. The city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, will conduct.

ROXY TWO BRITISH TALKIES Two outstanding British talkies are 1 being screened on the same programme at the Roxy Theatre. The success which attended the presentation of two British talkies at the Roxy' a week or two ago was so pronounced that the management lost no time in securing another and equally' brilliant double-feature progra mme. The first attraction tonight will be "Flame of Love,” an unusual drama, in which the leading role is played ; by the well-known Chinese actress. Anna May Wong, who has appeared in several American and English productions in recent years. The second attraction is "Song of Soho,” starring Carl Brisson. a handsome English actor, who will he remembered for his work in "The Ring” and "The American Prisoner.” EMPRESS, NEWTON "The Girl Said No.” which will be shown at the Empress Theatre this evening, is a gay, romantic comedy of a. youthful swain’s enthusiastic wooing, starring the popular comedian William Haines. It is full of laughs from beginning to end. Bright talkie shorts are also being shown.

“LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT” COMING TO AUCKLAND A glance backstage of ifroadway, where the tears and heartaches that are hidden by the footlights show themselves in real human beings, Trill be shown at the Lyric Theatre when “Love at First Sight.” the new alltalking and musical film romance, i* screened next week. 1 This new production will introduce many of Broadway's most celebrated stars. Suzanne Keener, famous Metropolitan Opera soprano, appears in leading role, co-featured with Norman Foster, one of America’s foremost young stage stars. The cast of more than 200 also has such outstanding players as Doris Rankin, former wife of Lionel Barrymore: Hooper Atchley. Lester Cole, Bert Mathews, Dorothy Adams and Abe Reynolds. PARISIAN STUDIO DANCE The dance usually held in the Parisian Studio every Saturday evening for past patrons and pupils will be held again this evening. The Parisian Dance Orchestra of professional players provides the music.