MUSICAL COMEDY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20632, 5 June 1935, Page 13

MUSICAL COMEDY.

Jack Buchanan Has Lead in “ Brewster’s Millions.” Final proof, if any be needed, that British films can claim equal status with Hollywood’s best, is to be found in the triumph of Jack Buchanan’s “ Brewster’s Millions ” now showing at the Civic All-British Theatre. Jack Buchanan is at his best, and his best is good enough for anybody. In his own charming way he sings, acts, dances, indulges in slapstick, burlesques Bing Crosby, and supplies the hind part of a carnival dragon. The picture is based on the famous stage farce of the same title, and with suitable adaptation for screen purposes it tells how Jack Brewster (Jack Buchanan) has to get rid of a £500,000 fortune in six months in order to inherit £6.000.000. That means spending the money at the rate of £l5O an hour for twenty-four hours a day. Of course Jack succeeds, but it is a close thing, for most of the time everything he touches turns to gold including dud shows, dud shares and a dud Derby outsider. The scenes range from Epsom Downs, to the market square of Ajaccio, and from a Bloomsburv boarding house to the bridge of a 1500-ton luxury yacht. All provide excellent background for Buchanan’s fooling. Lili Damita is his leading lady, and Nancy O’Neil is the heroine he marries in the end. An excellent supporting programme consists of “ Twenty-five Years a King.” a film showing all the principal events of interest during the reign of George V. Miss Iris Mason at the grand organ, is heard in some delightful new numbers. Plans are at the Civic, where seats may be reserved at no extra cost