ENTERTAINMENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE. “GOOD OLD SOAK.” On the screen at the Mayfair Theatre to-night comes to life that unforgettable character, the Old Seak, immortalised by Don Marquis in his original novel. Wallace Beery now finds his greatest role in this characterisation. The picture, “Good Old Soak,” from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, draws a cross-sec-tion of the America that was —the almost United States in the ora of prohibition. Beery portrays the character of a smalltown philosopher who retires from active business in order lo locate the local speakeasies. The complications of the plot revolve around a family ncstegg that is stolen. Of course Old Soak is blamed. The manner in which ho restores the money and reunites the clan makes a 6tory. that provided many laughs for the audience. Beery, in the leading role, utilises all of his innate knowledge of human nature and virtually lives tne character conceived by Marquis during those confusing years of the dry era in America. In the supporting cast Una Merkel contributes another of her delightfully funny portrayals as Nellie; Eric Linden gives a sensitive warmth to the role of Beery’s son. Ciemmie; Judith Barrett enlivens the drama with her singing of “You’ve Got a Certain Something,” and Betty Furness scores in the part of Beery’s daughter. Also not to he overlooked is the work of 'Ted Healy, Janet Beecher, George Sidney, Robert McWado, and James Bush. J. Walter Ruben has directed the picture with a keen understanding of small-town characters. When the picture was finished it was Beefy who saw to it that a print of the film was sent as his personal gilt to Don Marquis, an invalid now recovering from a lingering illness.

KOSY THEATRE. “LET’S GET MARRIED.” There’s a laugh a minute in Columbia’s rollicking new screen comedy, “Let’s Get Married,” screening to-night at the Kosy Theatre. The story hinges on the romance of Miss Lupino, daughter of politico Walter Connolly, and Ralph Bellamy, the official Government weather forecaster. The very handsome menace in the case is Reginald Denny, scion to great wealth and family tradition, who is being groomed for Congress under the sponsorship of Connoliv. Miss Lupino first meets Bellamy when his invention, a ballroom-type “meteorograph,” falls from the skies and strikes her on tier pretty red bead. Ida, already irritated by the obvious attempts of her father to got her engaged to Denny, is angered by the fact diat Bellamy’s weather instrument lias struck her. When Ralph calls for his ballccn she expects to see a professor-like pedagogue, and is agreeably surprised to find Bellamy to be a personable young chap. Their numerous verbal till’s finally result in a “break,” and in pique Miss Lupino promises Denny, if it does not rain, to go to the mountains with him for ski-ing. She further promises to marry him while they are on their weekend trip. Connolly, too, is interested in the weather. He realises that if it rains, up-State voters will stay away from the polls, thus assuring Denny's election. Bellamy, however, upsets the apple cart after learning of Ida Lttpino’s promise to Denny by falsely predicting rain for the election day week-end. The resulting turmoil winds up in an extremely surprising climax, filled with romance and high comedy. Miss Lupino is perfectly grand as the hot-tempered, hard-headed young firebrand. Bellamy, as usual, turns in a fine performance, while Walter Connolly is flawless as the political ward heeler. Much of the comedy is supplied by Raymond Walburn as .Connolly’s private secretary, with capable portrayals supplied in lesser roles by Nana Bryant, Robert Allen and Granville Bates. You will enjoy “Let’s Get Married.” It is fresh, vivacious, rapid-fire entertainment.. “The Man in Blue” is the supporting picture at- the Kosy Theatre to-night.