“GIRL CRAZY” AT MAJESTIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 280, 26 November 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

“GIRL CRAZY” AT MAJESTIC

WHEELER AND WOOLSEY “ARROWSMITH” COMING. Hilarious times on a Western ranch, with shrieking comedy and bright spectacle in almost bewildering succession, are the features of “Girf Crazy,” the main attraction at the Majestic Theatre, opening to-day. A son of a wealthy landowner, having lived too fast a life in the cities, is sent West to his father’s ranch, and there quickly proceeds to set new standards in this part of the country, “when men draw from the hip, and women drink it,” to quote a portion of the film’s snappy dialogue. The ranch house is transformed to a cabaret and dancing saloon, to which come Wheeler and Woolsey, and likewise, Mitzi Green, after various ridiculous roadside adventures, which keep the audience shrieking. Enter then a villain, not too villainous, and a champion sheriff-shooter and his accomplice, who make the official post a decidedly short-term one. How Wheeler becomes sheriff and contrives still to live, give the play its brightest burlesque, rising to screaming heights when Woolsey performs miracles by exercising his hypnotic powers, until he unfortunately hypnotises himself in a mirror. “Divorce in the Family,” dramatic story of children and divorce, presents Jackie Cooper in a new angle of his many-sided dramatic talents, at the Majestic Theatre commencing next Wednesday. Jackie is tragedian and comedian both, in a vivid story of what children feel and think when parents divorce and remarry. Jackie copes with many problems, some funny, some pathetic, in an intimate human interest story. The scene where the doctor stepfather gives his blood to save a stepson’s life, hilarious incidents in an older brother’s “puppy love’’ all figure in the gripping new play. Charles F. Ricsner directed the picture with deft skill, blending comedy and intimate human life perfectly. Lewis Stone is seen as the divorced father and he and Jackie have a number of interesting scenes, as also have Jackie and Lois Wilson, playing the mother.

A skilful adaptation by Samuel Goldwyn’s studio of Sinclair Lewis’ brilliant novel, ‘Arrowsmith,” has been termed one of the most notable pic turcs that have been shown in Zealand. The heroic work of scientists and doctors, who face death in the fight against the ravages of plague, is strikingly brought homo on the talking screen. It is to open at the Majestic

Theatre next Saturday. Ronald Col man plays the leading role of Dr. Martin Arrowsmith with outstanding success, and he is ably supported by players, many of whom have a record of achievement on stage or screen. Ronald Colman, as the lover, the country doctor, the scientist and the humanitarian scores a triumph. Helen Hayes, as Leora, makes an instant appeal. Her vivacious acting in the early part of the picture and steadfast devotion as the wife of Martin Arrowsmith contribute much to the success of the picture. An outstanding portrayal of Dr. Gotlieb is given by A. E. Anson, and Richard Bennett, as Sondelius, who accompanied Martin to the West Indies, is no less impressive.