“SMILIN’ THROUGH”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 305, 24 December 1937, Page 12 (Supplement)

“SMILIN’ THROUGH”

i NORMA SHEARER STARRED ROMANCE AT MAJESTIC Norma Shearer will he seen in what is claimed to be her greatest role in “Smilin’ Through,” the Christmas attraction at the Majestic Theatre, commencing at three sessions to-day, and also for the Christmas night session. Norma Shearer wins more hearts with her charming and romantic acting than she has ever done in her more sophisticated performances. In a dual role, as Moonyen Clare, and, later, as Mocnyen’s sister’s child. Kathleen, she lived through the loves and sadness of two ages in a spirit of unaffected and romantic sincerity. There is a depth of beauty about the lives she portrays that cannot fail to draw the presence of all filmgoers in Wanganui to see "Smilin’ Through.” The old world settings and dresses are artistically in keeping with the earlier period of the play, and Norma Shearer is equally as beautifully gowned when the threads of the story arc continued during the years of the war. An able cast has been selected to represent the characters, and under the directorship of Sidney Franklin, the excellent qualities of "Smilin’ Through” Jose none of their virtues through being presented on tne screen. Fredric March, one of the most prominent stars of the screen, plays opposite Norma Shearer in both generations of the story. Cast as Jeremy Wayne and later as Kenneth, the formers son, Leslie Howard plays Sir John Cartcrer, the lover of Moonycn and the guardian of Kathleen, and O. P. Heggie is in the role of Dr. Owen, his life-long friend. The story is that of a man who cannot forget the memory of tragedy when the fulfilment of his love is blighted on his wedding day.

Smash-and-grab Comedy. A "smash-and-grab” comedy that

was presented in the West End of London recently was written by Loon M. Lion in conjunction with Basil Mitchell. Mr. Lion has been away from the London theatre for about a year, enjoying a quiet but busy life, during which he achieved the comedy called "The Five Ways.” The story unfolds al the “Five Ways” inn, near Epping, and deals with a pompous M.P., who becomes involved with members of the “smash-and-grab” fraternity. Millon Rosmer played the M.P. in the London production, and Mr. Lion had a part after his own heart as a Cockney. Grace Lane, a distinguished actress who visited Australia some time ago, and who is the mother of a popular London actor, Gerald Savory, played a society lady witii her usual grace and charm, and Dorothy Dunkels was a merry Gipsy from the forest.

Spectacular Production. “The most spectacular production over presented on the Australian stage” is the claim made by J. C. Williamson Ltd., regarding their forth-coming production of “Okay for Sound,” the big revue which will be the firm’s Christmas attraction at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, following the season of “Balalaika.” J. C. Williamson Ltd. have secured the complete original production from the London Palladium,where it ran for over 14 months. Twenty artists are

on the way from London and NewYork lor “Okay lor Sound,” including Lorraine la Fosse, leading lady and J dancer; Connors and Drake, Gale and Carson, and Nat Mills and Bobby, all of whom are comedy teams; Wyn and I Hurwyn, Apache dancers, James I Evans comedy jugglers; the Denmatis Troupe of Arab acrobatic dancers; and Nirska, the world-famous dancer from Radio City, New York, whose Buterfly Dance, in which she wears wings with a spread of 24 feet, is a veritable sensation. Nirska is halfFrench, half-Russian. Laurel and Hardy Swing. Laurel and Hardy in their interpretation of the swing dance! It is an uproariously funny episode in their j latest Hal Roach-M-G-M feature comedy, “Way Out West.” When the sad- ; laced Laurel and his partner went ; into their dance on a set at. the • Roach studios, the cast and crew were ■ sent into gales of laughter. The i comedians scored a hit in “Bonnie Scotland” with a novel dance routine, I but since then 1 lardy has reached a ( maximum of 3031 b. and there’s more weight to his tripping the so-called light fantastic. The terpsichorean efjiort was an impromptu offering during i a rehearsal. The script called for I Laurel and Hardy to alight from an old plage coach and enter a “honky-tonk’ lof the gay nineties vintage. The i Avalon I-our w ere on the porch rend- ! ering a song, and the inseparable duo : started improvising steps. It was so | funny that the dance was included in the production. Both Laurei and 11lardy have done some “hoofing” in I their Jong experience in vaudeville [and on the sei ecu. They know all the I okl routines ami it was no trick for I them Io put in the steps. Their diiiii cult\ in "Way Out West” was that jthey had a fooling of loose gravel, ’which, it must be admitted, does not, jfavour the most artistic of ballroom; I dancing. To qualify their introduc-1 i lion ol the more modern and popu- j liar swing dance- in a locale dating’ j back io the close of the last century,; ! Laurel and Hardy proclaim that many > lof the old steps, like many of the ! I new songs, originated in bygone days I I and simply nave been given a new versio?. I