KING’S THEATRE

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

KING’S THEATRE

“The Young In Heart”

Continuing at the King's Theatre for a second week “The Young In Heart’ introduces another eccentric family, the Carletons, whose sole ambition in life is to get money without working, and who trot happily about the globe looking for people to cheat. Head of the family is that magnificently droll comedian, Roland Young, as Colonel Anthony Carleton, “late of the Bengal Lancers” who actually gained his knowledge of pukka sahibs from stage shows. His wife is Billie Burke, as feather-brained as ever; and their children are Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, juu., a likeable pair of young rascals who help to keep the wolf from the Carleton door by searching out heirs and heiresses. On their way from the Riviera, where the attentions of the police have been too persistent, there is a train smash from which the Carletons rescue a dear old lady—such a suitable old lady for the Carleton’s nefarious purpose. -She is very rich, very -old, and very susceptible. When this Miss Ellen Fortune (Minnie Dupree) invites them all to stay with her in London it looks as if fortune has indeed fallen into the Carleton’s laps. They have reckoned, however, without their own soft hearts. Their intended victim exercises such a benign influence that, almost before they know it, they are on the road to reformation. Father Carleton goes to work selling motor-cars, and his son becomes a clerk. This brings the eon into contact with Paulette Goddard, his boss; and in this is half of the romantic element in the story. The other half is supplied by Janet Gaynor and Richard Carlson w’ho is admirable as the young Scotsman who sees through. Miss Carleton, but remains in love with her. This is the first time Paulette Goddard has appeared since her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in “Modern Times.” She has a comparatively small part but it reveals a clear-cut personality and a pleasant voice.