“ ROMAN SCANDALS.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20296, 4 May 1934, Page 3

“ ROMAN SCANDALS.”

Eddie Cantor Film for Plaza and Theatre Royal. “ Roman Scandals,” the goggle-eyed Eddie Cantor’s latest musical comedy extravaganza, will be shown at • both the Plaza and Theatre Royal to-mor-row. Critics state that “Roman Scandals ” is one of the most original and hilarious musical comedies ever produced on screen or stage. Canter is very wise and makes only one picture a year, and as each one is recognised as something to look forward to with the greatest of eagerness, he makes sure that it contains everything the public wants in the way of perfect entertainment. “ Roman Scandals," as the title implies, gives a j musical-comedy insight into a few I scandals of early Rome, the chief figures being an Empror, an Empress, a j favourite, and an odd slave or two j Cantor, of course, is the most promii uent figure in the show. As a slave | who is freed and who gets mixed up ! in all sorts of trouble at the court of the Emperor Valerius, the comedian gives a performance that eclipses even that which made him so in " Whoopee." The picture starts off in the little town of West Rome, in the U.S.A., where Cantor is seen as a grocer’s assistant who is forever getting into trouble. He is finally made to leave the town, and on doing so fervently wishes that he were in the real Rome of days gone by—and lo and behold, he finds himself there. Within a | few hundred feet of film he gets properly mixed up in the court life of the Emperor Valerius. Adventures follow’ adventures, and finally he leaves the city with dozens of enraged Romans in close pursuit in their chariots. The show is most lavishly mounted, the various Roman scenes being particularly beautiful. Supporting the star are Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart, David Manners, and the glorious Go\dwyn girls. “ Roman Scandals,” for mirth, melody and beauty will surely go down as one of the year’s greatest achievements. A first-class list of supports will be headed by “ The China Shop,” Walt Disney’s latest Silly Symphony in colour. Box plans at the D.I.C.