HAROLD LLOYD AGAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20539, 14 February 1935, Page 3

HAROLD LLOYD AGAIN.

Famous Comedian Starred in “ The Cat’s-Paw.” “ Crime Without Passion ” and " The Mystery of Mr X ” will be shown finally to-morrow night at the Majestic. Theatre. In the entertaining comedy, “ The Cat s-Paw,” which will head the new programme at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, Harold Lloyd ascends to the higher level of orthodox comedy, without forgoing any of those inimitable characteristics which have placed him in the first rank of screen comedians. Taking the role of the sly and inoffensive Ezekiel Cobb, he appears as the son of a missionary in China who has received a liberal education in the classics—both Chinese and European—and has become thoroughly steeped in the philosophy of a Chinese savant, Ling Po. He returns to his home town, Stockport, where the local politics are marked by corruption and vice, and where his Chinese philosophy and habits make him grotesquely out of place. He is still that sly, timid young man, always doing and saying the wrong thing, and quoting Chinese proverbs to meet the most impossible situations, but he is also the centre of an interesting and highly amusing story. He is persuaded to offer his services as mayor, simply because the rival faction is convinced that he will not be elected, but, somehow, his child-like simplicity arouses the public sympathy. Inspired by a charming cigarette-seller. Petunia Pratt, a part convincingly taken by Una Merkel, he determines to clean the city and exterminate the “ organisation ” at the head of affairs. Cobb’s utter simplicity and ignorance of American politics lead him to revert to Chinese methods for the suppression of crime in the city. A strong supporting cast includes George Barbier, Nat Pendleton and Grace Bradley. George Barbier as Jake Mayo, Cobb’s sponsor in the election, gives an exceedingly clever portrayal, while Nat Pendleton as the frightened “ gangster ” also is very good. Box plans at the D.I.C.