ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18987, 3 July 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“TOPAZE.” JOHN BARRYMORE'S ART. AT THE STRAND THEATRE. An unworldly professor’s reactions on entering a -hard business community where false values abound are portrayed very convincingly by John Barrymore in “ Topaze." The versatility of Barrymore’s acting is emphasised by a brilliant performance in the role of Professor Topaze, intellectual teacher at a French academy, who, through no fault of his own, suddenly finds himself cast out from its sheltered precincts into a grasping and unscrupulous outer world. The actor’s demeanour when delivering his learned remarks on the elementary philosophies of life to the class of children has a weight of appeal which immediately cotplures attention, and the subsequent episodes of his own education in the school of life alternately calcb at one’s sympathies and bring forth spontaneous laughter. The essential details of this fascinating story are depicted through the agency of a well-chosen cast, with Myrna Lov making an attractive Coco, Reginald Mason as the Baron de Latour T Latour, and Alberti Conti in the role of Henri. In llie class which Professor Topaze conducts is a young son of Baron dc Latour-Latoue, prominent because of his ineptitude in gaining knowledge, but because the reports are unfavourable influence is brought to bear and the professor is dismissed. A little bewildered by Ihe harsh treatment, Topaze keeps an appointment j the same afternoon in response to an j inquiry for a tutor, arid comes on the scene at a crucial moment, which results in his appointment as chief chemist to a Arm. He brings his scientific knowledge lo bear in pro- 1 diicing a chemically pure beverage put | on the market as Sparkling TopazeThe inevitable denouement arrives on | Hie discovery lli.it- it is not actually i his formula which is being sold, and in a night of mental torture a new and cynical spirit replaces Professor Topaze's former unsophisticated feelings. With Coco’s aid, he is able to outwit Ihe baron in a series of amusing situations, which prove very entertaining to the audience. THEATRE ROYAL. “ AYlia't, No Beer? ” is a very ivmusing comedy, and proves another out- i standing success for Buster Keaton j and Jimmy Durante. Ample scope is allowed for the oddly-assorted and j happily-combined humour of the pair, whose comedy styles the widely dif- i I’crcnl. Busier Keaton's famous) "wooden-faced” humour, offset by Hie j boisterous fun of Jimmy Durante, keeps tin* audience in high spirits. The j •I 11 ,, I was specialty written for Ihe! Kealoii-lHirante pair, and turns on Hie i misapprehension of Jimmy, a barber, j who thinks Unit boor will be legal oil j the day after the ”wol" vole lias been j carried at the polls, and, in partner- | ship with Buster, he buys a brewery. • Busier is a mild taxidermist, whose j ain hit-ion is lo marry a beautiful girl; (Phyllis Barry), who is found Id he in league with a rival beer-making j faction. Exciting as well as amusing i scenes follow after the partners com- j meitro selling beer, causing the rival! faction to try lo control their out- I put. There is a wildly funny scene {

when, with a police raid imminent, the two comedians give free beer to the whole town, in order to destroy the evidence against them. (Phyllis Barry, who made a big success recently in “ Cynara,” is convincing in the main ■feminine role, while other leading supporting characters include Rosco Ales, who is inimitable as the stammering browmaster, and John Miljan, as the leader of the bootlegging gang. A strong supporting programme includes “ Free Wheeling," an Our Gang comedy; “Romantic Argentina,” a fascinating travelogue; “North Wood," an Oswald Ihe Rabbit cartoon; and an interesting news reel. ROXY THEATRE. Richard Arlen and Peggy Shannon are co-featured in “ The Secret Call,” a tensely gripping romantic drama of modern political intrigue in a big city. The story deals with the lives of a boy and girl who are inextricably bound in the activities of a political “party machine.” “ Ilorse Feathers,” featuring the four Marx Brothers, has neither rhyme nor reason—except to make audiences laugh. This time the Marx maniacs go collegiate—and with a vengeance. CIVIC THEATRE. “ Wedding Rehearsal,” the gay British comedy at the Civic Theatre, is concerned with the determination of the Dowager Marchioness of Buckminster to see her grandson married. She draws up a list of eligible young London society women, and in a last endeavour to maintain his liberty the grandson sets out on a career ot match-making. The first two he commences with are the famous Roxbury 'twins, and his efforts to bring lueii romances to a successful conclusion lead him into a series of amusing complications. Roland Young, as the grandson, contributes a very entertaining performance and George lirossinith, the noted London comedian, gives a sterling portrayal as the choleric father of the irrepressible twins, being ably assisted by Lady Ircc as the girls’ mother. Wendy Barrie and Joan Gardner, who bear a remarkable resemblance, are charming as the twins. The coloured Silly Symphony, “ Santa's Workshop,” is a popular feature of the supporting programme.