AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19157, 14 November 1927, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

" ROLLED STOCKINGS."

COMEDY A LA MODE

CRYSTAL PALACE, TO-DAY. It may be a. fairly obsolete fashion, but it, i 3 »ot an obsolete comedy, for reasons here set out: (a) Louise Brooks, James Hall, and Richard Arlen; (b) locale, a university; (c) a ecenarist with a penchant for Broadway thrills, Fifth avenue elegance, and the ukelele. Mould all tho3e into a picture, entitle it "Rolled Stockings," and one has the screen's most satisfying example of light opera. At the Crystal Palace Theatre this week, this obviously pleasing picture will open its season, and as this popular house has earned tor itself an enviable reputation where its comedy progiammes are concerned, the bill offering next week should tend to enhance that already illustrious name. £or it is palpably a most brilliant effort along very youthful lines, invested with an airy piquancy all its own, characterised by up-10-dato mannei'isma, and possessing a plot of unusual strength, story of interesting trend. Also, Louise Brooks is clever enough, and sufficiently fair to look upon, to make any film reach practically epic- heights. A figure of speech, perh»ps, but veracious. "Rolled Stockings" is not nearly so before-thc-times as its title suggests, not nearly so sophisticated as one might suppose. A dissertation on the doing and misdoing of undergrads does not lend itself to orgies and the like, for, though the undergrads may suppose themselves very bored with life, they are still very young, arid their activities are coloured with gay irresponsibility rather than jaded gaiety. So really "Rolled Stockings" is more in the line of amusing, romantic, and youthful fun than anything else. The 'cast is comprised of the Paramount junior stars, Louise Brooks, James Hall, Richard Arlen, and the quietly hilarious Ed Brendol, who provides some delicious comedy. There are plenty of very thrilling moments in the story, and the thrills of college life are centred mainly around sport, so the picture has its outdoor appeal as well.

"Ladies of Leisure,'' with Elaine Hamin evstein in the leading ro'.e, is the second picture to be shown, a society drama, of more than ÜBual interest, and mercifully lacking in those hectic spots that some producers firmly believe are the popular delights of leisured people. Not so, it would appear. This picture concentrates on an altogether different angle, witii the result that it may rank high with its fellows. Miss Hammerstein playa her part witli rare understanding. Opposite her is Robert Ellis, a young man of exceptional personal beauty and brilliant talents where the act of acting is concerned. The Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Alfred Bunr, will play the following musical piogramme—Overture, "Boston Cadets" (Weodt); symphony, "Scottish" (Mendelssohn), "Rosamunde"' (Schubert); ballet music from "Carmen" (Bizet), "Lyric Suite" (Korganoff), "Green Meadow" (Eilenberg), "Bacchanale" (Weksler), "A Box of Tea" (Moignard), "Flapper'B -Dance" (Krueger). "Tinker, Tailor" (Damerell). The box plans are at The Bristol Piano where seats may be reserved.