AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 166, 3 April 1939, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS

“IT’S LOVE I’M AFTER” Seldom, .if ever, have you Avitnessed a more sparklingly -and hilariously funny comedly than “It’s Lo\*e I’m After’ Avliich screens at the Regent Theatre Tuesday and Wednesday. Bette Davis and - Leslie Howard are well remembered as a teani for their outstanding work in “Of .Human Bondage” and “The Petrified Forest”.'“lt’s. Love I’m After” is absolutely and ‘definitely tops among the comedies of this, or any other season,.

The story is an intricate tale; Avoven around the life of a great, Shakespearean actor and his leading lady who are of course Leslie and Bette Davis.

The picture opens as Leslie Hoavard and Bette Davis are playing the suicide scene from Romeo and Juliet before an enraptured • audience. Romeo’s, impassioned- lines are interseprsed Avitli whispered remarks to Juliet who, equal to the occasion, replies in kind Avith ■ thoughts which are far from complimentary to the •great matinee idol. Miss die Havilland portrays the role of a Avealthy society girl Avho has gone completely gaga over the great actor.

All might have gone well- Avith the actor and his leading lady. Having convinced her that there Avas nothing , hetAveen himself and Miss de Havil-, land, Howard ' makes plans for his immediate marriage to Miss Davis. HoAvever, at this juncture, Patric KnoAvles, Avho> is engaged to Misfe de Havilland, arrives to demand that the great actor do something to straighten out his case with Olivia, Actor that he is, Howard recalls a former role in Avhichhe disgraced himself in front of a lady in order to destroy her love i'or him. He iminediately decides that this procedure must he put into effect for the' young lady’s benefit. Forthwith, and AA'itliout notifying his Avife-to be, he sets out for Miss de Havilland’s home accompanied by his A-alet, Erie Blore. What, follows is as hilariously funny as any comedy yet to come to the Regent Theatre. NoAvhere is there a duii moment or a Aveak spot in either cast or story. Olivia de Havilland’s work ■„ is extremely convincing, AA'hile Patric KuoavJcs is as competent as usual. Others in' the cast, Avliich includes Bonita Granville and Veda Ann give outstanding performances. “It’s Love I’m After” aaull long he remembered as an outstanding motion picture comedy. “LONDON BY NIGHT/’ Thice established stage players win ne*v honours <;n. the screen in MetroGokhvyn Mayer’s mystery picture, “London By Night”, Avliich screens Tuesday and Wednesday at the Regent Theatre. George' Murphy, former Broadway dancer, more recently in pictures, has liis first dramatic role and proves, his ability AA-itliout qusetion, Rita .Johnson, likewise, a product of the theatre, aa* lie starred in George M. Cohan’s “Fulton of Oak Falls” and other plays, makes her screen dehut in the feminine lead and assures her career in HollyAvood. Leo G. Carroll, also a former stage , actor, appears in a’ role of mystery and promises to become a make-up Avizard in the Lon Chaney school. Others in the cast are uniformly good in their respeettoe parts. —They include Virginia Field, George Zucco, Montagu Love and Eddie Quillan, The story is played in London in at atmosphere of fog and intense mystery. Murphy appears as a- young and determined reporter avlio selves tv series of mysteries that baffle cveii ' Scotland Yard. Miss Johnson, as the daughter of a Avealthy man who is invoked in the plot. rcA-oas the scope of artistry that made her a success on the stage.