MUSICAL COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20205, 16 January 1934, Page 3

MUSICAL COMEDY.

Lilian Harvey Has Happy Role in “My Weakness.”

In “ My Weakness,” the bright musical show which is featured at the Regent Theatre this week, the Continental star, Lilian Harvey, has a difficult role and competition from a group of the most talented young actresses in Hollywood; vet she dominates the picture throughout. “My Weakness ” is labelled musical comedy, but it deserves a stronger name than that. In addition to a wealth of music and good comedy, it has an intriguing plot, clever dialogue, and a magnificent array of characters; also it has an impishness of presentation that is wholly attractive —and that impishness is Lilian Harvey. The story tells of a young-man-about-New-York who has his income cut off owing to the activity of a “gold-digger” who has matfe a successful assault on his uncle’s heart and pocket-book. “ There isn’t a girl in the world who couid fool me,” boasts the old man. “Show me one who couldn’t.” replies the young man, who then makes the rash boast that he could take any young woman with some pretension to good looks and marry her off to a rich man. The office cleaner (Lilian Harvey) offers herself as a willing sacrifice, and the young man has to make good his boast. That is where his “ harem ” conies to his aid. If a girl could not learn something from such a collection of beauties as Irene Ware. Barbara Weeks, Susan Fleming. Marcelle Edwards, Marjorie King, Jean Allen, Gladys Blake and Dixie Frances, she would not go very far as a matrimonial prospect; but Lilian Harvey proves an apt pupil, and from the char-girl emerges ” Looioo Blake,” prepared for a siege on the heart of some susceptible young man, The settings are good, with attractive music to aid the continuity, “(lather Ye Liprouge While Ye May ” and “ If You Can't Be Good, Be Careful ” are both telling numbers, with the latter given by. a chorus of ornaments as a special feature. The supporting programme is good. “ The Good Companions.” The delightful comedy of English country life, 4 The Good Companions,” will start at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. An authentic portrayal of rural England lias been ensured by Mr J. B. Priestley, author of “ The Good Companions,” supervising the making of the film, and, by careful directing and artistic photography, the romance of a group of strolling players has been brought vividly to the screen. The talented English actress Jessie Matthews takes the feminine lead with engaging grace ancP artistry, while the supporting cast, including Edmund Gwenn, John Gielgud and Mary Glynne, are responsible for some true-to-life character studies.