BRITISH COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20509, 10 January 1935, Page 3

BRITISH COMEDY.

“ Give Her a Ring ” Booked for Theatre Royal. “ Happy ” will finish at the Theatre Royal to-morrow night. “ Give Her a Ring.” a British comedy set to music, will head the new programme at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Sparkling scenes of flirtations. a running fire of breezy patter, catchy songs and cabaret miisic—these are the attractions of this new style of picture, which combine a merry musical score with a veritable feast of rapid rhythmic movement. Snatches of telephone conversation, a turn or two by a trio of knockabout comedians, some mock-serious incidents in which attractive “ call ” girls at a telephone bureau are put “ on the carpet,” glimpses of a cabaret and open-air scenes in which romance is given rein—such is the fare of this appetising blend of fun-making and gaiety. It is infectious. There is never a dull minute, and yet the whole is pieced together in a story that gives it unity and coherence. To begin with. Clifford Mollison appears as the director of a telephone exchange, where he is new to the job but is anxious to please, and the same seems true of some members of his staff. In a few minutes there is a complete mix-up of telephone wires and numbers, with the complications which inevitably arise when personal contacts are made without even a first sight. It is humorous in the extreme to follow the result, to witness the meetings of those athirst for romance by the fountain in a town square, to note the embarrassments of at least one husband when his wife later hears a young lady’s voice inquiring for him over the telephone, and to follow the fun to a cabaret and there see Clifford Mollison and Wendy Barrie in some admirable team work. “ Samarang,” a romance of. the South Seas, and five of the popular Walt Disney cartoons—“ Three Little Pigs,” “Mickey’s Nightmare.” “Birds in the Spring.” “ Mickey’s Pal Pluto ” and “ The Pied Piper ” —will comprise the special holiday programme for children beginning at the Theatre Royal on Saturday. “ Samarang ” is more than the pictorial recording of the people, customs and scenery of a South Sea island. Against a fascinating land and sea background the film unfolds a romantic and dramatic story that provides real entertainment. This programme will be screened at the matinees only. Box plans at the D.I.C.