EDITH ROBERTS AT CRYSTAL PALACE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17854, 24 May 1926, Page 7

EDITH ROBERTS AT CRYSTAL PALACE

LAUGHABLE DRAMA IN “ SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE.” One of the most popular stage comedies of the last generation was “ Seven Keys to Baldpate,” an intriguing, laughable drama that always had a most insistent appeal for the public. Douglas Mac Lean has now made the play into an excellent picture, which will be shown at the' Crystal Palace Theatre this week, and what is a really fine screen comedy should prove a very popular offering. There is a little elaboration at the commencement necessary to the play as a picture, but the main theme lias been followed closely, and an entertaining story results. “ Seven Keys to Baldpate ” is surprisingly original, and MacLean invests the part of the hero with genuine comedy, abstaining nicely from

over-emphasis and lending smoothness to the general action. The picture is always comedy, but there are some ceric thrills at Baldpate Inn which, while causing spinal shivers, would also bring a smile to the face of the Sphinx. So surprising is the finish to this film that a special sub-title has been inserted at the beginning of the picture. It asks people seeing it to refrain from divulging the secret of the. climax to those who are seeing it for the first time, so that the latter may get the full enjoyment out of it. This clever and surprising twist at the end furnishes that which is, perhaps, the most entertaining aspect of this most entertaining picture, and will cause “ Seven Keys to Baldpate ” to be remembered as one of the few suc-

cessful stage comedies transferred to the screen. P'dith Roberts is again. Mac Lean's leading lady, and does creditable work in a congenial role. The second picture on the. programme is an English production, “If Four Walls Told,” in which Lilian Hall Dayies is the star. It is a strong story dealing with seafaring folk, and the simple dramas and emotions of

their every-day life. Varied complications occur in the .course of the story, which required considerable skill on the part of the author to unravel in an artistic manner, but what difficulties there were have been admirably overcome in the best literary fashion. Excellent comedy is afforded by the übiquitous “ oldest inhabitant,” and the scenery, all natural country and village, is a welcome change from the prim, “ jerry-built ” views - so often shown on the screen. The Symphonj' Orchestra, under Mr A. J. Bunz, will play a special musical programme, including the following numbers : Overture, “ Raymond ” (Thomas) ; “ Zauzerflote ” (Mozart) ; “ Rienzi ” (Wagner) ; “ Yenusberg ” (Wagner) ; “ Coronach ” (Barrett) ; “The Gypsy Princess” (Kalman); “Britannia’s Realm” (Ronald); “ Veronique ” (Messager) ; entr’acte, “ Only Me Knows Why” (Walden); “Felix Kept on Walking” (David). The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.