HARRY LANGDON IN “HEART TROUBLE” AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 7

HARRY LANGDON IN “HEART TROUBLE” AT CRYSTAL PALACE.

It is always a doleful spectacle, that of a young man heaving under the strain of Cupid’s arrows. But somehow Harry Langdon makes it a thousand times more doleful, and a thousand times funnier than the usual sight. This week, at Crystal Palace Theatre, “Heart Trouble” will show this original comedian in the role of a young man sorely beset with women and trials, all emanating from the one source, his romantic ardour for a pretty girl. It is a simple and unadorned story, this “Heart Trouble,” but it is diverting and amusing. For purposes of comedy—-and the end always justifies the means—the picture introduces a period between those good old years, 1914 to 1919, when warriors brave roamed the land, and when the hues of khaki caused maidens’ hearts to go pit-a-pat, and all that sort of thing. But the “late unmentionable” is never mentioned. In this wise do the roar of the war drums make themselves heard. Further to insinuate himself into his lady’s good graces, the young man, suspiciously named Harry von Housen, announces himself to the authorities as a candidate for military honours in the field; he would unsheath the noble sword; in short, he would go to the War. Rudely he is rejected, fallen arches, or something. Ladies and love are, apparently, not for him. But he stumbles Upon a spying service, he unearths some amazing secrets, and, like the young Byron, awakes one morning to find himself a hero. How the lady now smiles and fawns upon the heroic he-man, and how von Housen handles hex form the closing sequences of a comedy singularly rich in dry humour, convulsive situations, and the inevitable but pleasing romance. Harry Langdon is supported by a good cast, which includes Lionel Belmore as Papa Housen, another cause for mirth. The second picture is “A Reno Divorce,” from the story by Ralph Graves, which talented young man also directs and plays the masculine lead in the picture. May M’Avoy and Hedda Hopper are the two other stars. The picture is a brilliant- and searching comedy-drama of the famous Reno divorces of America, with comedy and human interest and some disconcerting complications to lend an impetus to the action. It is such stories as these, light, amusing, pocket editions of “Our Betters,” that find such wide favour on the screen, and “A Reno Divorce” is one of the best in its class.

Mr Alfred Bunz has arranged the following musical programme for the Symphony Orchestra: Overture, “ True Friends” (Blankenburg) ; “Leonore” (Beethoven); “Ludmilla” (Glinka); “Sha'dow Sketches” (Tours); “The Pink Lady” (Caryll) ; “Serenatella” (Cerri) ; “Darby and Joan” (Leslie); “Lullaby” (Besly) ; “Constantinople” (Carlton); “Chiquita” (Wayne); “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Christians Awake.” The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats may be reserved.

Manuel Hymans, the celebrated violinist, has been secured for a season at Crystal Palace very shortly. This talented musician has appeared before the New Zealand public many times in the past, and he has never been in better form than now. Apart from his brilliant playing, he has introduced into his act a little dancing and singing, all the while fiddling in his inimitable manner. As a syncopating violinist of the modern school, he is the nearest approach to Paul Whiteman there is, but he plays the masters just as well.