“THE CAT’S-PAW.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 3

“THE CAT’S-PAW.”

Majestic to Show -Harold Lloyd Comedy. “Crime Without Passion” and “The Mystery of Mr X will be shown finally to-night a£ the Majestic Theati^. Harold Lloyd, the solemn, bespectacled comedian, whose adventures rocked theatres all over the WQrld in the days of the silent films, will be seen at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow in ‘The .Cat’s-Paw.” No wisecracks pass hjs lips—he is still the honest, simple young inan blundering along in a wicked world, but always blundering in the right direction. It' is .an uproarious comedy. 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 n °t he elected, but, somehow, his child-like simplicity arouses the public S3*mpathy. 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.

Apple-eating Competition. A special attraction on the stage at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow afternoon will be an apple-eating competition for boys and girls. The prizes include watches, fountain pens* annuals and chocolates.