ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. “ORDERS IS ORDERS.” A refreshing and breezy atmosphere is brought into the Gaumont-British comedy, “Orders is Orders” (released by Fox Film Corporation), which 'was screened at Everybody’s Theatre, New Plymouth, yesterday. This fast-moving comedy by lan Hay and Anthony Armstrong breaks entirely new ground by depicting the screamingly funny situations which arise when a Hollywood production unit takes charge of a British military barracks. It is a brilliant Gaumont-British comedy in, which Cyril Maude, with an international reputation, gives a highly diverting performance. Charlotte Greenwood had made many “hits” in American-made films—notably with Eddie Cantor, in “Palmy Days”— but her most enthusiastic fans ail declare her portrayal of Wanda—the volatile assistant director in “Orders is Orders”—to be the most mirth-provoking performance of her career. Her apparent Lindrum-like prowess at billiards, her strategy when getting James Gleason out of awkward situations, and her flair for wheedling an irascible old colonel in the person of Cyril Maude, makes the lan Hay farce the most excruciatingly funny picture • since “The Middle Watch.” The shorts include Ideal Cinemagazine, “Ludlow” (scenic) and “The Country Comes to Town” ; (Empire Series). Screenings will be repeated twice daily to-day and to-morrow. • REGENT THEATRE. CHAS. RUGGLES AND MARY BOLAND The programme which is being shown nightly at The Regent, New Plymouth, is headed by “Mama Loves Papa,” a somewhat. pointless title which, conceals a fresh, human and genuinely amusing comedy of domestic life. Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, who were seen together in “The Night of June 13” and “Evenings for Sale,” are delightful as a middle-aged suburban couple. Ruggles gives a restrained performance as the timorous wage-slave, the self-conscious wit, and worshipper of success as represented by his loud-mouthed employer, while Miss Boland is admirably suited to the role of the wife who has ideas of social “uplift.” Her sartorial ambitions for her husband result in his wearing swallow-tajls and. a bowler hat to the office where he is employed as a humble clerk, and his employer jumps to the only possible conclusion and gives him the day off to the supposed funeral. There is an excellent supporting programme. HUMOUR AND THRILLS. THE OPERA HOUSE FEATURE. There is a good deal that is risque but at the same time delightfully humorous in that excellent picture “Penthouse,” which opened at the Opera House, New Plymouth, last evening. It tells of the adventures of a young society lawyer who establishes a practice amongst the curious circles of the racketeers. Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy are starred. Warner Baxter plays the part of the lawyer who is brought into a particularly dangerous case in order to save the man who has just taken away Baxter’s sweetheart. The case is one in which the dangerous leader of a band of racketeers has taken revenge and the first thing which the lawyer receives is a warning to keep out. Paradoxically, the defence also asks him to retire from the field, his association with unsavoury cases not being to their liking, but he refuses to withdraw, and before the end has succeeded in winning his case and in winning a bride. The picture abounds with tense situations and is well acted by a large cast. Prom- • inent in the film are Mae Clarke, Phillips Holmes, C. Henry Gordon, and Nat Pendleton, with Charles Butterworth and Raymond Hatton providing comic relief. The supporting bill is varied and good. “ISABEL, EDWARD AND ANNE,” DELIGHTFUL COMEDY. To-night will mark' the first presentation of Gertrude Jenning’s attractive comedy-drama “Isabel, Edward and Anne” by a very talented group of New Plymouth players. That such a play has been eagerly anticipated by theatre-goers is evidenced in the excellent sale of tickets. When the curtain opens on the library in the home of an English M.P. one will immediately be taken into the intimate' story of a man who desires to rule his household as he rules his constituents; who wishes to deny his daughter a happy engagement because he thinks she is about to commit one of the follies of his own youth. One will follow the story of a woman who. ungrudgingly pushes her husband to the top and still has time to assist the in-, trigues of her daughter. . One will go into the secret meetings of these young people and learn how the new generation captivates the old.and continues to disobey it, and one will see and, hear the sacrifices a mother of less distinguished forebears makes in order to give her son a real chance for happiness. Throughout the play in the studio and in the home one will follow 'the : endeavours of a disillusioned peeress to gain the favours of a young artist. Dr. S. C. Allen plays the .part of Edward Carew,. M.P., while Isabel, his wife, is played by Mrs. J. S. Church. Anne, his daughter, is in the capable hands' of Miss Nonnie Griffiths, and opposite her with equal distinction is Mr.. A. R. Lucas. The character of the peeress, .is. portrayed by Miss Dorothy Simpson, and Mrs. Bucket, the hard-working mother, is portrayed by Miss Constance Leatham. Miss Vinnie Ross is the maid Alice, and Mr. J. Bolt the man-servant Matthews. Dr. H. B. Leatham will conduct a recital of gramophone records prior, to the performance and between acts. The nett proceeds will go to the New Plymouth Y.M.C.A. Reserves are at Collier’s.