REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 15

REGENT THEATRE

* “Say It In French”

Like ‘The Rage of Paris," the Paramount production, “Say It In French suggests a Continental background which does not, however, materialize. The action of this new attraction at the Regent Theatre takes place in New York, whither the hero (Ray Millaud) brings big French bride (Olympe Bradna), only to discover that, for the sake of the tailing family fortunes, he is expected to marry an heiress (Irene Harvey). D- is the wife herself who, with truly Gallic logic, suggests a way out of the difficulty —that she should masquerade as a maid in her mother-in-law’s house, while her husband pretends to be courting the heiress. This situation gives rise to other situations of the kind usually described as “piquant”—such as the butler finding the master in the maid’s bedroom, and so on —but fortunately the heiress turns out to be almost as good-natured and accommodating as the wife. When she learns that her suitor is already married she does not expose him. However, just when it seems to be plain sailing to the happy ending, the wife imagines that she has been deserted, and catches the inevitable first boat back to Europe. There is a decidedly amusing last-minute dash to the wharf by the husband, who goes aboard, only to discover, as the ship pulls out, that his wife is still on the dock. As French farce done in the Hollywood idiom, this picture makes pleasant entertainment. The idea behind. it is not by any means new, but there is considerable freshness and variety in the treatment. 'There are a few wordy passages. but just when the story is becoming static, it gathers fresh with some neat trick of direction. For instance, there is a notable episode in a restaurant where the hero strives to deal nonchalantly-with an embarrassing situation and an unconscious partner. Also, Billy Lee’s brief appearance as a little boy with a -lollipop is a notable example of how an entirely superfluous character can steal a sequence from the stars. Above all, “Say It In French” is a comedy with the virtue of restraint. It is not self-consciously funny, like so many recent pictures have -been. For this, much credit belongs to the cast, whose acting is of high quality. As the temporarily unwanted wife, Olympe Bradna reveals a true sense of comedy as well as emotional depth. It is a better performance than she gave in the artificial “Stolen Heaven,” and more in keeping with her piquant French character. Ray Milland continues to look like one of the most attractive young leading men in Hollywood. He handles the role of the perplexed young husband with ease and intelligence. These -two players dominate the picture, but not at the expense of Irene Harvey, William Collier, sen., Janet Beecher, and several others who add polish to the cast. It should be mentioned that “Say It In French” was written by Jacques Deva-l, author of “Tovarich,” Which probably accounts for its lively Latin mood.