ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1926, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. ‘THE MAN ON THE BOX.” A DELIGHTFUL COMEDY’. When the novel “The Man on the Box” was published first it leapt into instant popularity, and it is remarkable that the etory was not made use of earlier by the motion picture producers. It has been left to Warner Bros, to make a picture of it. A private screening of the film was given at Everybody’s Theatre on Saturday, and those seeing it were immensely pleased. In the film version of the cleverly-thought-out story Syd- Chaplin, who recently appeared here in “Charley’s Aunt,” is the centre of the comedy work and, as it is nearly all coonedy, his part is one which gives him full scope for his ability to raise laughs. Hs gives straight, clean eomedy and, when the picture is shown to the public to-night, patrons can be assured of a wholesome arid, at the same time, diverting entertainment. There is, of course, a plot bn which the scenario is hung, light mostly, but with a few serious touches by way oi variation. There is also a double romance, the more important of which, of course, being that in which Bob Warburton (Syd. Chaplin) is engaged. The early scenes do not suggest that comedy is going to be the strongest element of the film, but when Chaplin becomes driver of a hansom cab, draw-n by a particularly docile grey, matters become lively indeed. Later, a screaming situation too, he becomes maid to th£ girl with whom he is in love. At curling hair and finding brassieres (he does not know a brassiere from a brassie) he Is superb. The producers of this picture have set out to amuse and they have done it, as the publie, attending Everybody’s, will say. "The Man cSi the Box” is undoubtedly a great comedy and should add much to Syd. Chaplin’s career as a screen comedian. “The Man on the Box” shows at Everybody’s to-night and on Tuesday and IVednesday, and the programme is completed to the point of excellence by the addition of the speed comedy of the Florida Beaches “The Palm Beach Girl” played by Bebe Daniels, assisted by Lawrence Gray. Seats should be reserved at Collier’s.