‘TAKE A CHANCE’

Evening Star, Issue 21748, 16 June 1934, Page 20

‘TAKE A CHANCE’

BRIGHT PROGRAMME AT EMPIRE 4 Take a Chance,’ a tuneful musical comedy, is the feature film at the Empire Theatre this week. It is full of bright material, presented by a. very capable cast, and altogether is tho type of picture which should find favour with many theatre-goers. Songs and ballets form a big portion of it, but there is also an interesting story to bind tho component parts into a complete whole. The acting of James Dunn and Cliff Edwards (Ukulele _ Ike) is really clever, while the opposite sex is well represented by Lillian Roth and June Knight. The appearance of “ Buddy ’’Rogers will be welcomed by his admirers.

There are two songs in tho film which should become favourites, 4 I’m a Night .Owl ’ and ‘ It’s Only a Paper Moon.’ The first is introduced by Cliff Edwards with his ukulele, and his facial expressions are almost as good as his playing and singing. Then James Dunn teaches the song to a ballet of beautiful girls, clad in floating white dresses, and they dance to the piece. The other song, ‘lt’s Only a Paper Moon,’ is sung by Juno Knight (a Broadway si-Shr) and “•Buddy ” Rogers. They render it at a theatre, and wonderful stage effects are introduced.

The story opens with Dunn, Edwards, June Knight, and Lillian 1U 11 1 in sideshows at a fair.' Lillian leaves the other three for New York, but it is not long lief ore they follow. In New York Lillian becomes the star of a musical show, and her friends obtain employment in u gambling house, the two men at one of the tables, and June as a singer. Lillian takes her producer to the gambling house, and ho takes a liking to June’s singing, and gives her a part in his show. The two gamblers get into trouble with'their employer, and Juno runs up a big bill for clothes, so that they all owe more money than they have at their command. James and Cliff have brain-waves, one after tho other, and the trio find themsloves worse off each time. How everything works itself out makes an interesting climax to an entertaining film. The supporting/programme is excellent. Outstanding in a British newsreel is a film in which Miss Jean Batten, the New Zealand girl flyer, is seen landing in Australia, Miss Batten giving an address that stamps her as an able speaker. Fishing for sharks from an airship is a unique item that cannot fail to arouse favourable comment. The over-popular * Screen Souvenirs ’ series includes an amusing “ mellordrammer ” well up to tho usual standard in entertainment value, while “ PopEye,” the he-man sailor of Max Fleischer's cartooons, makes a startling reappearance as a bull-fighter. ‘ Radio Round-up ’ is the title of a musical picture featuring several wellin own artists. _ . Tho programme is completed by Miss Tris Mason’s well-played selections from Irving Berlin’s compositions, including < What’ll I Do?’ and ‘ Always.’