ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18521, 29 December 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“ BEHIND OFFICE DOORS.” ! AT THE CIV!C THEATRE. I j INTERESTING HUMAN STORY. j Carrying a most liumgn and bei licvable theme, developed brilliantly, and portrayed by a competent cast, j "Behind Office Doors” is a first-class piece of entertainment. The story moves swiftly and develops logically. The picture takes audiences into a modern business office and presents an interesting insight into office romance. It is a new angle for the movies, and the treatment is notable. The film deals with an Increasingly important social problem which has resounded through many divorce courts, and has caused misunderstandings in thousands of American homes—the relationships which eight hours of close intimacy force upon business executives and their secretaries. Should a secretary fall in lo v o with her employer? Is it possible for an emotional girl not to fall in love with her employer when she associates with him daily, reads his lettc”S and attends to his personal affairs? lias a llancec the moral right to discharge her fiance’s secretary just because the girl is conscientious and good looking? These arc the mooted questions that ‘‘Behind Office Doors” answer in a story that constantly holds the interest. The story is laid in a typically American office where numerous typewriters clatter in a noisy industry tint is familiar to more than half of the country’s population. There girls who have families to support live and work, girls drowning out personal tragedies, secret love affairs and joys in a conslant, unceasing flow of work. Into this familiar human background Director Melville Brown has interlaced a beautiful romance which will awaken an interest in the heart of every working girl who some time or other has fallen captive to the good looks and kindness of her employer. The result is an intimate drama of a private se&rclaily, seen through the eyes of those actively engaged in the work. Mary Aslor plays the role of a secretary who falls in love with an unresponsive, facetious and over-dressed salesman, played convincingly by Robert Ames. The acting is extraordinarily good, with unusually fine' performances by Miss Astor, Robert Allies, Ricardo Cortez, Edna Murphy, Killy Kelly and Catherine Dale Uwen. THEATRE ROYAL. A father who loves the son he never saw and a boy who hates the father lie never knew are the roles portrayed by Thomas Meighan and llardle Albright in “Skyline.” Meighan is, of course, the father, and in a smashing climax reveals himself to his son, Albright, who with Maureen O’Sullivan furnishes the love interest in this story of modern life in a great city. Myrna Loy is featured in a characteristic part, as is Donald Blllaway. “Skyline” tells the story of a firendless youth who is bitterly prejudiced against ills father, who deserted the boy’s unmarried mother. Later ho is befriended by a wealthy contractor and engineer, who, in the end, is revealed as Ills father. Following tills discovery, the boy denounces his father for his early conduct, but when he realises lie is not without sin himself, having gorn? perilously near the danger line with a girl, lie becomes tolerant and realises that he is, after all, no better, than ills father. “We Dine at Seven," a British farce, is a feature of the supporting programme. STRAND THEATRE. Joyous hilarity is the keynote of “My Wife’s Family," the delightful English comedy at the Strand Theatre. It is enriched by a series of riotously funny characterisations of the various members of a strangely ill-assorted family, played by accomplished stage and screen artists. Hamilton filmgoers who retain happy memories of Jimmy Godden’s performances as the comedian of the Elsie Prince company will welcome the genial comedian’s reappearance in the film. In a message of greeting to the management of the St'. James Theatre, Auckland, Mr Godden says: “Thanks for your complimentary cable regarding my first talking film. Have pleasant recollections of your audience and beautiful St. James Theatre. Can recommend the picture; enormously successful London. Regards. Jimmy Godden.” Gene Gerrard brings the requisite air of jauntiness to the part of the grossly misunderstood husband whoso intending present to his charming young wife—a baby grand piano —is Imagined by his mother-in-law to bo something rather less inanimate. The part of the credulous young wife is played with dignity and grace by Muriel Angelus, and Dodo Watts brings youthful freshness to a typical ► ingenue role. The type of mother-in-law of popular imagination is cleverly caricatured by Amy Veness, a veteran of the stage. ROXY THEATRE. “The Black Camel” will head the new programme at the Roxy Theatre to-night, and will maintain (lie high standard set in the popular railway suburb. It. is an exciting comedydrama, with thrills a-plenty, as well as romance and humour. The interest is maintained from beginning to end. An excellent cast is engaged.