AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 3 May 1927, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

. EXIT SMILING. AT THE GRAND. Perhaps the most distinguished personage to enter motion pictures for many years is Lady Peel, who, as the wife of a British peer, is a leader in England’s social circles. Lady Peel is a popular stage figure in London and Paris. Her first venture into “movies”, is as the featured feminine player in “Exit Smiling,” a breezy and original comedy ' of stage life, in which she appears with Jack Pickford. Lady Peel will be known to screen followers by her stage, name of Beatrice Lille. Miss Lillie’s screen work is entirely original and novel. It is proof positive that comedy does not need slapstick. She is the first actress to bring to the screen the subtleties of the stage —the inimitable whimsical flashes of ; genius that made her the sensation of “Chariot's Revue,” in London, Paris, and New York. “Exit Smiling” is a hilarious burlesque of life with a travelling stage troupe. It shows them in performances of fearsome melodrama in hack-country “town halls.” It reveals their backstage life—even funnier than the play. Under it all there are poignant touches of drama that show how close every life comes to tragedy. There is a wonderfully sweet romance and a touching little sacrifice of which no one ever knew. But overshadowing everything are the spontaneous laughs of wholesome comedy. This new Metro-Gold-wyn-lVlayer picture comes to the Grand Theatre to-night. It was directed by Sam Taylor, and other players in its cast are Doris Lloyd, Tenen Holtz, Louise Lorraine, and Franklin Pangborne. The supporting programme contains the latest Patlie News, two reel comedy, entitled “Move Along,” and a New Zealand film showing Motor Assembling in New Zealand. Seats may be reserved as usual. ’Phone 456. JOHNNY HINES IN “STEPPING ALONG,” AT FULLERS. Johnny Hines lias given you the fastest stepping comedy your screen has ever shown in “Stepping Along.” Besides a great story, hilarious laugh sequences, and big punch scenes, there are no end of feature spots that furnish shows within the big show. “Stepping Along” showing at the Theatre Royal this evening, is as brimful of action as its name. .Johnny Hines has exceeded his pep record m this one. Besides performing his usual comedy antics, johnny opens a new bag of tricks by showing that lie has the hottest feet in the country when it comes to dancing. Johnny perforins the Charleston, tile new “Black Bottom” dance, in the action of the picture, aud keeps things going at a rapid pace from beginning to end. Johnny Hines in an ambitious young newsboy in “Stepping Along,” who lias been studying law in night school, because of liis political ambitions. Ilis pep and personality comes to the attention of Boss O’Brien, the political leader in his district, and Johnny is put on the ticket to beat the opposition. How ha does ft, is shown through a maze of laugh sequences, each one funnier than the other, and piling up mirthful moments as they speed along. 'lhe locales of the picture has every fascinating element one would desire., There’s Broadway —the Great White Way—Fifth Avenue, the Bowery with Brooklyn Bridge in the background. I here s New York’s City Hail and newspaper row. There’s a gala opening night at a big Broadway rovue, with scenes back stage and a beauty chorus from George White’s “Scandals,” working m full force behind the footlights. “Stepping Along” means action, and is synonymous with Johnny Hines —every one knows his pep keeps things going at breakneck speed, and the greatest comedy cast ever assembled in one picture. Additional pictures will comprise, tiro English Gazette, and an excellent comedy, “The High Sea Blues.” W r ell chosen music will be provided by the Royal Orchestra, and seats may be booked through phone 570.