AMUSEMENTS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 264, 27 November 1939, Page 1

AMUSEMENTS

“FAST COMPANY” MeJvyn Douglas, who "has recently climbed! to now screen heights with his deft comedy portrayals adds new laurels to h.ik career as a- modern rare book sleuth In “Fast Company,” which opens •Tuesday at the Regent Theatre. Florence Rfce as the feminine lead is (given a complete personality'change with the aid of special mature hair dress and make-up a* a distinct contrast to the ingenues of her recent pictures. She plays the ultra-modern wife of Douglas who believes that domestic and business life can be combined.

The plot presents a novelty background for a last-moving blend of romance, mystery, dlrama and thrills. An inside revelation of the little knoyyn traffic in stolon rare books provides a. diverting series of incidents leading to a murder and the breaking no of an international racket. 31 .iss Rice and share the adventures of the picture with a delightful tongue in check, spirit'' that defies the villainous attmiipts of the book gang t to stop tliejV efforts to solve the mystery. ■ ■

Claire l Dod l provides blonde in the role of an insidb member, of the—, book gang, who finds that romancer is more dangerous than a knowledgjp of gaiigv./jeerets. flier revelations tm Melvyii -Douglas, who masqueradcrl® as a roving swain with the of bis wile, finally breaks .-up the book racket. Others featured in the east live, Shephgrd Btrodwiek, Louis Calbcni, Nat Pendleton and Douglas Difmlirille. j . Edward Biizc.ll, who recently directed llio highly, entertaining “Paradise for Three,” added bis able- knowledge "of high comedy r an,d last-moving action, to “Fast pnnyv” ”'

FAMOUS FARCE “Cli AULKY’S AUNT” SPIiUTED- HEVIVAD V* With - just- a gentle and artistic touch of modern mnko-np in concession to the passage of time since she shocked and charmed the Victorians' with lier pristine madcap frolics, “Charley’s Aunt”, has demonstrated! convincingly; in her Dominion tour than “there’s life m gal yet.” !hc Celebrity C; n etfy Company’s, opening performance of the revival season in Auckland was characterised by continuous gusts of laughter, indicating that the. .farce winch has been, a joy t<> s. -eral successive gt aerations of thev.egoers and acclaimed one of the world’s greatest funniakers, is still-good for an. enjoyable night’s Jnn. Many notable comedians have been associated with the title role in. this pioneer of masquerade comedies, but Don Nicol, who leads the present Australian, and New Zealand eohibiuation, in no way suffers by comparison with past favourites, states an Auckland paper- Ho, lias, of course, liis ow'n I'ollowing‘pt admirers. yfftTiir previous local performances, but Y It he. masquerade character acting required of‘him n'v, “Bubs” and “Cihar.-.... ley’s Aunt” in fliis farce isM’ar be- • > yond the'funny , lms’iiiess deipauds of his former appearances. Ho/rose ad’"‘tfSEisbly' to the occasion of keeping **£-■:■ character portrayal Van voicing, at/ the same time lesitig up op-p> - ' unity for up til) farcical': '~v Vriiatiokl luSJ.Mcal ciincdy fav*> d Ihroufiijout the/ piece. quariis* of ililcnteCD younglplayors fit f. leadit’g roles of eftra ight "ireting-w----quirodi to emphasise. the • larfc wore' -lol.n Electing, Lane jUattei'son, Shir-. lOy Ann Mary Duncan, 'While in pints o'l*’"special intricacy fho <3«Mfixion(o(| ! P i;iw,s Albert, Norman 4Vrfrmigt onf arid JWfa,! Dm jins gave «n- - to /ho . porforni- ' A lit of the cast, w£stW <:; l! a.J are favourAlgs whosfc talent -has' boon recognised "other foies, and tldjy gave a spirited production. ‘ -