SPARKLING COMEDIES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19152, 8 November 1927, Page 13

SPARKLING COMEDIES.

"WEDDING BILLS" AND "THERE YOU ARE." CAKN'IVAL PROGRAMME AT CRYSTAL. Two ot the cleyerest comedies screened in Christchureh for some conaiderable time past comprise the principal offering* at Crystal Palace Theatre this week. Nice discrimination is needed to say which proTcd the more enjoyable at laßt evening's change of programme, but if a vote were taken pride p '*£® 11 w ?? ld Probably be given to "Wedding Bills, which is unquestionably one J , mo . st original screen comedies yet produced in Hollywood. The expression shrieks of laughter" is often used, but usually this is mere hyperbole. There were real shrieks, however, last evening at Crystal I alace, and the interval came as a pleasant relief to an audience sore with laughter. ,£ m .°P. " r, ffiths is the mirth-maker, and in 'Wedding Bills" he outdoes Harold Lloyd. Chaplin, and all of those others who have hitherto held undisputed sway as the screen's greatest comedians. The story of his misfortunes from the time he agrees to help a friond out of a matrimonial tangle is ft complicated one. One might naturally look for troubles in such circumstances, but the troubles in this case come not singly but in battalions. Everything goes wrong, and the tangle becomes so apparently hopeless that it would seem impossible for a successful unravelling ever to be effected. How the wedding bills ore transformed to wedding boils is an exceptionally clever piece of comedy which must be seen to be appreciated. For good, wholesome entertainment, "Wedding Bills" would be hard to beat—it ranks as ono of the best, if not actually the best, comedy yet screened in Christchureh. The other feature on the programme is "There You Are"—another matrimonial comedy based on a series of unexpected complications. The star in this production is Conrad Xagel, whose woes are caused mainly through bis being induced to hold someone's baby a few hours prior to his wedding. The mother of the child disappears and the bridegroom-to-be is faced with the awkward problem of explaining just how and why he turns up with a child to his wedding. Not a new theme, but one which is capable of many variations. In "There You Arc" the producer breaks quite a lot of fresh ground and invests his story with many original and highly mirth-provoking episodes. A strong cast interprets the comedy, which is excel* lent fare for a holiday week programme, and is certain to find full favour with those who finish off their day's amusements this week with a visit to Crystal Palace. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bunz, provides a bright and attractive programme of popular music, interpersed with excerpt's from the classics. The same programme will be presented all this week, the box plan being at The. Bristol.