SUPERB PROGRAMME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 941, 11 December 1933, Page 3

SUPERB PROGRAMME.

“M -c- uerader” and “College I Humour.” . .-squerader ”, the Ronald Colmar-. . ..i Landi dramatic success) which drew crowded houses to the Plaza for four weeks, opened its fifth week at the Theatre Royal on Saturday, backed by a gay musical farce, “ College Humour”, starring Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard Arien, Mary Carlisle and several others. The two fi:ms make an admirably-baianeed programme, which should make the Theatre Royal a popular house this week. At this late stage ” The Masquerader ” calls for no review, since it is on everyone's lips as one of the big dramatic films of 1933—a picture everyone should see. Those who like football thrills will find much to grip their interest in ” College Humour ”, which features big inter-Varsity games, battling studentgiants, cheering crowds and last-minute victories. Of course, it is American football, and few New Zealanders lave a knowledge of the rules, let alone the science of the game, but, as it is depicted in this production, it is a code for class A fit men only, about ten times more strenuous than Rugby, perhaps a trifle more scientific, with apparently only gouging and biting barred. Jack Oakie is the big man in this tougii game. Indeed, apart from the ringing and crooning, he carries all the Honours of the male side, being the complete “ he-man " in every department of college life. In his particular college, much more attention is devoted to sport than to study, and nearly as much to love-making. The fact is that most graduates take out a matrimonial license with their degree. This means that when Jack Oakie is not doing the things expected of a college footballer he is in the limelight as a lover. Bing Crosby, one of the most popular crooners of the day, who has the part of a professor, sings two hit songs, “ Learn to Croon ” and ” Moonstruck ”, which are most acceptable in the midst of a mad whirl of beautiful gii'ls, fun. love and football. Almost the whole cast joins in a third number, “ Down the Old Ox Road ”, which is sung to a swiftly-changing series of love scenes, with three girl students of (he Plain Jane A-ariety singing disconsolately on a bench by way of contrast. It is most unlikely that there ever was or t-ver will be just such an American college as the one which this film repiesents. but in a way the fantastic life portrayed is typical of the unfettered spirit of youth, and young people generally will enjoy its gaiety and romance.