MAJESTIC THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 12

MAJESTIC THEATRE

“THE MOUTHPIECE.” The Mouthpiece,” a Warner Bros, picture adapted from a play by Frank J. Collins opened at the Majestic Theatre yesterday with Warren William heading a specially selected cast of prominent screen players. “The Mouthpiece’’ derives its title from the main character, portrayed by William. In certain circles a lawyer whose practice consists in freeing and assisting doubtful characters enmeshed in the toils of the law is known as a “mouthpiece.” The story deals with the tragic fate of a great legal light who sends an innocent youth to the gallows in an excess of prosecuting zeal. He learns his ghastly error too late. His conscience destroys his value as a prosecutor. In a revulsion of feeling he- turns to the defence of persons accused of crime, bringing all the energy and skill that had won him fame as the criminal’s nemesis to the defence of those same criminals. It is powerful drama all the way through, modern and up-to-the-moment in theme. “Wedding Rehearsal.” The novel expedient of marrying off al’ the eligible young ladies in his circle to his friends in order to outwit his grandmother, w'ho has offered him the choice between marrying and having his allowance stopped, is adopted by the principal figure in ‘‘Wedding Rehearsal,” the British farce which will head the new hill-of-fare at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. The Marquis of Buckminster has filled the role of best man at many society weddings, and his grandmother feels that it is high time he took a more important part. Two of the prospective brides are the Ladies Rosemary and Maryrose, a beautiful pair of twins, but they astound their titled relatives and acquaintances by selecting two commoners, Thompson and Hopkins. It is for them that the rehearsal is arranged, but at the critical moment there is a hitch in the proceedings and it looks as if Buckminster’s scheming has all gone for nought. However, his enterprise is equal to the occasion and he brings the temporarily estranged couples together again, although in the process there is an important change in his own outlook. In this development an important figure is Miss Hutchison, a self-effacing young lady who has long worshipped him from afar. With Roland Young, as irresistibly droll as ever, in the part of Lord Buckminster, the smart dialogue of Arthur Wimperis is heard to excellent effect, the other players’ admirably following his lead. George Grosssmith is in fine fettle as the pompous Lord Stokeshire, father of the 'twins, and Lady Tree is his wife. Kate Cutler plays Lord Buckminster’s grandmother, and Wendy Barrie and Joan Gardner are the twins. The production is excellent entertainment all through, and there are some beautiful and impressive scenes, outstanding among the latter being the changing of the guard at St. James’ Palace. The changing of the guard is not put into the "film simplv because, of its value as a spectacle; it happens to be an integral part of the fascinating and original plot of the picture.