COMEDY ABOUT SCOTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 85, 9 April 1936, Page 10

COMEDY ABOUT SCOTS

“THE GHOST GOES WEST” RICHARD DONAT AT REGENT ‘ ‘ The Ghost Goes West, ’ ’ the London Film production released by United Artists which wil l start on Saturday at the Regent Theatre, is such a notable achcievement as a British film that it is all the more surprising that it should have been produced by a Hungarian and directed by a Frenchman. In this brilliant comedy about tin Scots and the Americans, Alexandoi Korda's flair for tackling the uuusua and the different, and the freshness oi outlook and Puckish sense of humoui which have made Rene Clair the direc toria. genius of the French film iudus try, have achcievi?d an entertainmcnl that, according to reliable adxiuiee re ports will be enjoyed and talked about wherever ii is shown. “The Ghosi Goes West” is a brilliantly conceive* an<| cleverly embellished joke, with tlu starring role handled superbly by Rob ert Donat, now one of the most populai stars of the British Empire, as well a> of the United States, together with : cast of international reputation. Basel on a story in the Christmas number ol Punch two years ago, “The Ghost Goes West” tells of how Murdocl Glourie dies ignominiously in 1745 be fore he ran avenge, tin insult Io his elat by the hated McLtiggans; and for thiomission he is condemned by the spirit of his father to haunt the famih castle until he can meet a MrLaggar and. wipe out. the score. ||e i s siij keeping the vigil when his modern de scendrinl, Donald, deeply in debt, sells the castle to an American who tears it up stone by stone and transports it t< the States. Donald accompanies tlu castle to supervise its re-onstructioi and also because lie i s in love with the Americ.-ni's daughter. Boor ghosth Murdoch also has to go with th.' building, and after he has made a sen sal tonal appearance on shipboard he if used as a publicity stunt. There is a great inaugural party when the castk is rebuilt in Florida. Not only doe? the owner finds himself richly rewarded for his acumen, but the phantom alsc manages to avenge the honour of the Glouries. How this happens provide? a superbly comic, (dimax.

Top place on an all-star cast has been assigned to Fredric Marsh in “Wooden Crosses” based upon a story of Americans in the. French Army during the War, Merle Oberon work with Fredric March in “The Dark Angel” was so successful that Sum Goldwyn is borrowing her from London Films for a film specially written for her. Mary Boland and Charles Ruggles, popular comedians, will continue lheir team work in “ W'herc Am I?” a forthcoming Paramount production. Production on Grace Moore s new musicale for Columbia is nc?w ■well under way witih Josef von Sternberg directing, and Franchot Tone in the loading mule role, while Michael Martlett, who won his spurs as the tenor of “Love Me Forever,” o-cupies an important part.