AMUSEMENTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20124, 19 December 1939, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS

REGENT THEATRE ANNABELS A ANI) ROBERT YOUNG IN “BRIDAL SUITE.” The jo I i shod and extremely witty comedy ‘Bridal Suite" is to open a •eason ar the Resent Theatre to-day. An incomparably amusing plot proves a perfect vehicle for the talents of an excellent cast of comedians, which includes the charming French actress Annabclla, Robert Young, and inimitable Billie Burke, Waiter Connolly, Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Arthur Treacher and Virginia Field. Robert Young appears as Neil McGill, who should, by all civilised standards, strike the audience as a waster and a cad. but the actor gives him such a delightful conceit, and such a flair tor parody and smart repartee, that he becomes a most amiable and engaging playboy. His distaste for the bride of iiis mother's choice makes the loiter believe he is ill, and, after the wedding has been postponed several times by reason o! the bridegrooms absence, Neil McGill is taken to Switzerland for a holiday. There lie meets the innkeeper’s daughter, and a casual flirtation develops into his first serious love affair. An example of the film’s heartv comedy is the explosion of the boiler in the bathhouse while m more subtle, but none the less amusing, vein, is the courtship of Robert Young and Annabclla on the edge of a precipice. —Friday: Christinas Attraction, Douglas Fairbanks, jim„ Basil Rathbone and C. Aubrey Smith in “The Sun Never Sets" — An epic story of service to the Empire is unfolded in “The Sun Never Sets,” the drama that on Friday will have the first showings of a Gisborne season at the Regent Theatre, Ihe most important feature of the cast is the appea ance in leading roles of Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Basil Rathbonc. These two differing types are stated to have been put in perfect ro’ms. Barbara O’Neill handles with dignity and effectiveness the leading feminiai role, while others with oart#of note are Lionel At-will, Virginia Field, that veteran of character acting C. Aubrey Smith. Melville Cooper and Mary Forbes. Of interest in this part of the world; too, is the appearance in the role of a civil service official of Australia’s favourite of stage and .screen, Cecil Keliaway. “The Sun Never Sets" is essentially a family story, besides being a story of the traditions of a nation. The British overseas Colonial Service is the .seed of the tale. Loyal service in England’s far-flung colonies and protectorates .has long been considered the patriotic duty of the Randolphs. It is the life blood of the older brother Clive (Basil Rathbonc). Younger brother Jonn (Fairbanks) has no liking, no inclination for it: hut his grandfather persuades him to carry on tiro family tradition. A time comes when the national safety of England, as well as that, ol the rest of the world. is threatened. Events then lead to Clive’s demotion. John, derelict on the African Gold Coast, is responsible, and his alibi is rot accepted by the family. Then romes an the scene of pseudo-scien-tist. broadcasting subversive propa ganda Tom a radio hidden in darkest Africa. The finale, with John Randolph proving himself in a thrilling sequence, is a fitting conclusion to a film of real importance. The dual role of producer and director was played by Rowland V. J_.ee. Lee, it is stated has made the finest film o; a long career. Of significance also U the ’.'act that Lee, and the screen play author, W. P. Lipscomb, have been associated with several earlier productions of historical and semil.istorical background.