FINE BRITISH COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20278, 12 April 1934, Page 3

FINE BRITISH COMEDY.

Many Laughs in “ Britannia of Billingsgate.” Mae West’s latest film, " I’m No Angel,” will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday night. “ Britannia of Billingsgate,” the fine British corned y, which will open at the Majestic Theatre on Monda3\ is an adaptation of the successful West End stage play' by Christine Jope-Slade and Sewell Stokes. It is a simple, effective story developed with close attention to character preservation. “ Britannia of Billingsgate ” tells of the reactions of the Bolton family of Billingsgate, when Mrs Bolton is suddenly snatched from the smoke and grease of her fish and chips shop to star in a film. Although rapid-fire comedy is the predominating element of this excellent screen play, there are moments of drama. Hilarious fun fairly floods a film location trip, under the guidance of an explosive foreign director and there is an especially' delicious scene in which Bolton nearly wrecks a sound truck bv fiddling with the “ knobs.” Yet another personality 7 is added to the talkies by Violet Loraine. This picture -epresents the screen debut of this accomplished actress. Appearing as Mrs Bolton, proprietress of a fish and chips shop, who rises to film stardom as a result of singing “ out of her turn,” Violet Loraine, backed by her extensive London stage experience, scores heavily. She is partnered by Gordon Harker. who has never done anything more delightful than his portrait of Bessie’s husband, a Billingsgate fish porter. Alw’ays a sterling actor. Harker adds another masterpiece to his gallery of Cockney' roles for which he has become world-famous Box plans at the D.I.C.