DELIGHTFUL COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20454, 6 November 1934, Page 3

DELIGHTFUL COMEDY.

Plaza to Show “ Those Were the Days.”

“ The House of Rothschild,” starring the incomparable George Arliss, is now in its four and final week at the Plaza Theatre.

Skilfully capturing the boisterous atmosphere of the gay ’nineties, “Those \\ ere the Days,” the delightful farce which comes to the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, brings back memories of the old London music-halls. A masterpiece of ingenious comedy, crammed full of laughs—that is perhaps the best description for this British International picture. Dominating the film, which is based on a 50-year-old plav by Sir Arthur Pinero, is Will Hay, who makes a brilliant screen • debut. Already well known to most people through his “ Fourth Form at St Michael’s” records, he proves himself a comedian of the first rank. As the kindly old magistrate who unwillingly sentences his own wife to “ seven days without the option,” he gives a thoroughly delightful and inimitable performance. Taking the part of the irrepressible stepson who is really twenty-one, but has been forced to pose as sixteen, so that his mother can five years off her age, is John Mills. He is nearly as funny as Will Hay himself. Iris Hoey is suitablv austere as the straight-laced wife who receives the sentence, while the part of her charming young sister is taken by Angela Baddeley. The roles of the hard-boiled old colonel and the smitten captain are taken by George Graves and Claude Allister respectively. The film is altogether a delightful production. It is exceedingly well done throughout, photography, dialogue and settings being above criticism. Box plans at the D.I.C.