ROLLICKING COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20221, 3 February 1934, Page 25 (Supplement)

ROLLICKING COMEDY.

Cicely Courtneidge Leads in “Soldiers of the King” Cicely Courtneidge, one of the brightest and most popular comediennes on the British stage, scores the most decisive success of her- screen career in ” Soldiers of the King,” the rollicking comedy which started at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day. The breezy Cicely dominates the action of this show, her unerring sense of comedy giving it a refreshing and distinctive appeal. Laughter is the keynote of evtry film in which Cicely Courtneidge appears, and ” Soldiers of the King ” is no exception to the rule. The title is rather deceptive, for it is not by any means a war or army picture. From beginning to end it is a burlesque on the lives of a jolly troupe of music-ball artists, and the title is derived from the fact that the song “ Soldiers of the King ” is one of their chief numbers. Cicely Courtneidge plays the most versatile role of her career in this screen play. She is cast as Masie Marvello and .Penny Marvello, daughter and mother respectively. The name Marvello is taken by all members of the troupe, who appear in the show as one great family. Telling a story of the stage, before and behind the glitter of the footlighs, “ Soldiers of the King ” is a bright and entertaining production. With a musical background in the patriotic song of the Edwardian era, the themie only slightly touches on military life, when two dashing officers figure in the romantic narrative that runs lightly but pleasantly through the picture. Cicely Courtneidge is supported by an excellent cast headed by Eldward Everett Horton, the well-known American comedian, who has joined forces with the British production units, and a number of celebrated personalities from the stage and screen. Box plans at The Bristol. BBSBEBBBBFEBBBSBBBSSBI