“THE GAY RETREAT” IS STAR FEATURE AT THE LIBERTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 7

“THE GAY RETREAT” IS STAR FEATURE AT THE LIBERTY.

Two feature films comprise the main portion of the bill at Liberty Theatre this week. The}- arc “ The Gay Re treat.’* a farcical comedy, and a British film. " Mont.- 1 arlo." a delightful story of the famous gambling resort on the Riviera These, with excellent music played by the Liberty Concert Orchestra, make a programme that it cf first-class qualitv. ‘The Gay Retreat** s a comedy of the Great War. but the war is only used as a background. In fact, the story has practically nothing at all to do with warfare, with the ex ception- of the fact that the scenes are laid in the war area and the principal comedians are American soldiers belonging to an ambulance unit. The laughter in which the film abounds is provided by Ted M Xamart

and Sammy Cohen. who first got their chance t<> prove their worth as screen comedians in “What Price Glory?” In that picture, they proved that they were excellent burlesque soldiers, and on the reputation they made then they have taken the leading parts in “ The Gay Retreat.” Had they never appeared in "What Price Glory?” they would have made a name for themselves in the pictiire which was shown at Liberty Theatre yesterday. As comedians they are,funny, but as soldiers they are more amusing still. The plot is based on the activities of the son of a millionaire who has a weak ness for walking in his sleep. He joins the ambulance corps as this seems to be the safest place for a sleepwalker in warfare, and in order that his midn’ght activities may not lead him into harm, his ehafTeur and valet also join the unit. Thus it comes about that Gene Cameron appears on the film as the sleepwalker and Ted M Namara and Sammy Cohen a? his attendants. Trouble soon arrives when the sleepwalker gets to France, especially in view of the fact that his sergeant and himself are both in love with the same girl. The two attendants do the best they can to rectify matters, but only manage to get into further trouble, which leads to their capture by the enemy. All ends well in the proverbial manner of the films, leaving the audience well satisfied with-the method in which this has come about. There is an extensive cast in addition to the principals and the plot is so written that several players have parts that are almost big enough to be placed on a footing with the main trio. Judy King as the French girl has a delightful role in which she gives an excellent interpretation. while Betty Francisco, al ways charming, does not suffer in her part as an American nurse. Holmes Herbert has seldom been seen in comedies, but although well on in years, lie prove* that he still is capable of adapt ing himself to the lighter class of entertainment and doing it successfully. All the world has heard of Monte Carlo, the Mecca of gamblers, where fortunes are made and lost in a night, but until recently, .a motion picture camera had never penetrated to the recesses of the Casino. Now, however, the interior of this palatial building has been caught bv the camera and reproduced for the world to see. The whole of the interior scenes are shown in ‘ Monte Carlo,” which is a pleasing drama concerning principally three English people. The story is a simple one, telling of a fairy godmother, who helps a voung couple out of great difficulties and in so doing, brings happiness to himself and incidentally saves his own life. Betty Balfour takes the main role and carries it through to perfection. She is ably supported by Carlyle Blackwell, who was first seen in Christchurch a few years ago. There is an excellent supporting cast, while the production of the film leaves nothing to be desired The story is from the pen of E. Phillip? Oppenheim. The Liberty Concert Orchestra and their conductor. Mr Efnest Jameson, were in great form last night and gave one of their best programmes to date. Included in the repertoire were “ Ruv Bias” (Mendelssohn). Ballet Music from “ ( oppelia ” v (Delibes), The Marriage Market ” (Jacobs), and Fifty Million Frenchmen” (Fisher).