ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18622, 28 April 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“REBOUND.” INA CLAIRE. AT THE STRAND THEATRE. As a stage play “ Rebound ” was a great success in the United States, and the talkie version, in which Ina Claire plays her'original character of Sara, is even more entertaining. It is in every way a polished production. Ina Claire, whose every inflection of voice, every word, every gesture counts, contributes a convincing performance as Sara, “ a heroine who is as real as she is unheroic.” She is admirably supported by Robert Williams, and the pair give as line and delicate acting as the screen has seen for a long time. “ Rebound " is a battle of wits and repartee, in which words are used to cover feelings rather than to express them. The story tells how Sara Jaffrey caught Bill Tuesday on the rebound. The love situation in the suburban circle that surrounded Sara was nothing if not odd. Johnny Cole loved Sara; Sara loved Bill; Bill loved Evle Lawrence; and Evie married Lyman Patterson because he had eight million dollars! So Bill married Sara and they went to Europe on their honeymoon. When they had been married a month, they planned an anniversary luncheon , with. Sara’s father who w r as living in • Purls. Bill had time to run down for j the mail before Mr Jaffrey came, and at the express office he ran into Evie and Lyman, who had just arrived in Paris. Evie insisted that they visit a bar she had discovered. Lyman had some business to attend to and left the two alone. Dad and Sara had the anniversary luncheon alone. The complications which followed before Bara and' Bill found happiness with each other held the attention of the audience throughout. • The strong supporting cast includes Robert Ames, Myrna Loy, Hedda Hopper, Hale Hamilton, Louise Closser Hale and others.

THEATRE ROYAL. Last night’s audience at the Theatre Royal accorded enthusiastic approval •to ; “ Misbehaving Ladies,” featuring Lila Lee and Ben Lyon—and no wonder, for the Juliet Wilbor Tompkins story on which the picture is based, is one of those human, genial, tender, chuckling pieces which everybody enjoys. The story is that of a small town beauty who goes abroad, marries a prince, and after'a few years, returns home widowed.. ' Her old friends are expeoting to see her In all the purple and gold of royalty, and .when she appears simply clothed and subdued she is taken for a seamstress, and at once put to work to prepare for her own arrival. How she shocks and delights her democratic countrymen and coun- ' try-women by donning her regal gowns —-how the gossips gossip—how the ladies’ "aid convenes—how • the real Prince Charming comes into her lifemake as jolly an evening’s entertainment. as' can be imagined. , Beautiful and versatile Lila Lee is cast as Lllen, and her portrayal is vivid and finely balanced. Ben Lyon appears as the gentle, misunderstood village genius, who renews his childhood lovemaking with Ellen, and finally wins a name for himself and Ellen in the bargain. The out-and-out comedy is in the capable hands of Louise Fazenda and Lucien Littlefield as Aunt Kate and Uncle Jo Boyd.

OIVIC THEATRE.

“ Sally in Our Alley ” brings to the screen one of the outstanding personalities of the London stage, in the person of Gracie Fields. The pathetic story of the temporarily blighted romance between Sally and her soldier lover is artistically interpreted. There are some remarkably fine studies of characteristic London types the proprietor of the coffee shop; the drink-sodden Tom Small; his artful, thieving daughter; the alley gossips; and all the other inhabitants of Mile End Road. Ben Field, as the selfsatisfied proprietor, and lan Hunter, as the soldier, are admirable. Florence Desmond’s portrayal of the unfortunate Florrie Small, a victim alike of her unhealthy environment and her father’s savage cruelty, is unusually well done. But it is Gracie Fields who dominates the film. She plays the part of Sallv Winch, whose ready-made philosophy of life is as laughable as it is practical, with exceptional talent. Her songs, “ Sally," “ Fall In and Follow the Band," and “ Fred Fanackapan," are a delight. The supporting programme is very entertaining. It comprises an amusing comedy, several Gazettes, one of the popular Australian Cincsound Reviews, and the Vagabond Adventurer ]n "The Lair of Chang How."

ROXY THEATRE, " East of Borneo," which has created something of a sensation in other theatres, will be screened at the Roxy Theatre to-night. The film is remarkable for Its jungle scenes, the glimpses of animal life in the wild places, being very thrilling. An Intensely dramatic story, full of romance and with touches of humour, is told against the unusual background and. altogether, it Is a production that will appeal to film-lovers.