HILARITY AT THE PLAZA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 207, 1 September 1934, Page 14

HILARITY AT THE PLAZA

“JACK AHOY,” JACK HULBERT. , MIRTHQUAKE IN THE NAVY. ' . Jack Hulbert makes merry in his L latest Gaumont-British picture, “ Jack , Ahoy,” commencing to-day at the I Plaza Theatre. Jack Ponsonby joins . the navy, eventually rating as A.B. . His ship is ordered to the East. Pat- , ricia. the admiral’s daughter, arrives to bid. farewell to her father, whom she is to join at the Eastern station. Jack falls in love with the girl. , He is put in the cells when he masquer- ’ ades as the ship’s barber and attempts . to shave the admiral, who thinks him insane. On arrival in the East, the admiral hears that pirates have captured a submarine and are attacking shipping. A certain Air. Larios, acting as intermediary, in is reality a spy for the pirates. Jack, clad in evening rig, goes to the Consulate ball, where he is introduced to the admiral, who thinks he has seen him before somewhere and welcomes him as the son of an old naval friend. Jack makes headway in Patricia’s affections until she sees him in the arms of Conchita, one of Larios’ agents, from whom Jack is attempting to get information regarding the pirates. While the admiral is negotiating for the return of a submarine, Jack and Dodger go ashore and stumble upon the secret. Tho admiral and Patricia are kidnapped. but Jack and his pal hold up the pirates, and together all four escape to the submarine. None of them know how to operate the submarine, but by an element of luck they succeed in gaining the open sea, where! they are chased by .Larios and his • * * * Comparatively few can afford the time and leisure necessary to see onehalf of the extraordinary range of life and colour that this country h,as to offer, and it wall therefore came as a delightful surprise to picture-lovers to be able to view by medium of the silver screen a selection of subjects and incidents of unusual interest which have made this Dominion famous overseas. The purely scenic charm of the country carries a magic appeal in itself, but when there is merged with I this its early romance and history, and its present life and progress, there fs a tense interest. The film at, the Plaza Theatre on Wednesday next, has a dramatic opening, depicting the early Polynesian voyagers obtaining their first, sight of “The Long White Cloud” stretching along the dim ocean horizon. This is followed by the coming of Captain Cook’s Endeavour. Then in rapid sequence the full pageant, of the Dominion’s life and history is brought to life. Pioneering, whaling, gold-seeking, the romance of rail anti road building and a thousand and one picturesque items appear in lhe full beauty of colour, sound and bright descriptive talk. 'L'he colour photography of the picture is described as being of exceptional artistic merit. Comedy, action, excitement, and intriguing romance—“ Call It Luck” has them all, according to reports. It has plenty of uproarious laughs, supplied chiefly by Herbert Mundin, and ludicrous situations in which he finds himself. It has lots of Jove interest, with “Pat” Patterson and Charles Starrett as the principals. And St nas a hilarious surprise finish, 'l'he picture will be at the Plaza Theatre next Saturday. The story is about a London cabby who wins 125,000 dollars in a sweepstake. What does ho do with the money? Thereby hangs a tale that is filled with , suspense. It was as a cabby that MunI din made his bow to America and he regards this as his greatest role since he went into the movies. “Pat” PatI terson stars in “Call It Luck.” As Alundin’s beautiful niece, she sings and dances in a night, club to help him recoup his lost fortune. The second attraction will be “Aniakchak.” “the story of hell on earth,” which tells of I the adventures of a modern IDante in [the Alaskan inferno of ice and fire. “In Sour Grapes,”' the famous stage plav, picturised as “ Let s Try Again.” Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook show the world what artists they really are. “The Life of Vergie Winters.” Striking straight to the heart with its sincerity, its human qualities and its poignant drama, “The Life of Vergie Winters” takes its place as one of the noteworthy screen achievements of the year. Not only does this RKO , Radio picture provide Ann Harding with a distinct and powerful role, but it also tells a story that must rank as one of the really beautiful romances of all time. In her characterisations of the sacrificing small town milliner, Vergie Winters, Miss Harding reveals superb artistry. John Boles, too, has perhaps the best role of his screen career, and the combination, of his talents with those of Miss Harding is exceptionally effective. Included in the wonderful cast are Helen Vinson, Betty Furness, Molly O’Day, Wesley Barry and Ben Alexander. J. C. Williamson. Ltd.’s attractions running at the present, time make up a varied list. In Melbourne, “White Horse Inn” is playing to capacity audiences at the new His Majesty’s Theatre. At the Comedy Theatre, the Somerset Maughan play, “The Sacred Fame,” has been highly praised by the Press and public. “Gay (Divorce,” with Madge Elliott and Cyril Bitchard, is a popular attraction at the. Theatre Royal. At the Criterion, Carter the Great is demonstrating his drawing powers as a magician. In Brisbane, capacity business is being done by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. Musical Comedy Company, which includes Herbert Browne, Romola*Hansen. Phil Smith, and Don Nicol, in “The Quaker Girl.” and other plays. The firm’s comic opera company, including Sylvia Welling, has left for New Zealand, where there is tremendous interest in their season with “The Dubarry” and “Waltzes from Vienna.” Forthcoming attractions include the big Russian Ballet Company, which is to open in Bris bane on October 6, and the visit o! Sir Nigel Playfair and company with a varied repertoire of plays. Under' the J. and N. Tait management notable musical attractions include Philip Hargrave the wonderful boy pianist, the Band of His Majesty’ s Grenadier Guards, Percy Grainger, and, j.n 1935. Yehudi Menuhin, the wonder violinist of the century. Other important attractions are ?ilso being negotiated for.