PRINCESS, TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY’S

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 30, 28 April 1927, Page 15

PRINCESS, TIVOLI AND EVERYBODY’S

“FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE” There comes a time with patrons of picture theatres, when dramas, no matter how cleverly produced, how interesting or how romantic, lose their interest. The business man and the housewife after a tiring day, when the smallest things jar their nerves, feel the need of a tonic, and laughter is the finest tonic of all. The average comedy of to-day is not comedy. It is a slapstick conglomeration of idiotic “shots” that are not funny and bore one to distraction. It lacks the essentials of cleverness, good comedians and the knack of making the people laugh wholeheartedly and spontaneously without effort. Cleverness must be mingled with subtlety and d plot, and then one can expect a really successful laugh-provoker. It has come at last in “For Heaven’s Sake,” the gem of laugh makers, with the greatest comedian of the silver screen, Harold Lloyd, as the mirth-maker-in-chief Three theatres opened the week’s programme with this wonderful production last night—the Tivoli, the Princess and Everybody's—but had three times as many theatres done the same thing they would not have been big enough to hold the volume of laughter which echoed and re-echoed throughout the theatres mentioned.

“For heaven’s sake,” see the picture; it is so much easier than trying to describe it. Never yet have patrons of the picture theatres been disappointed with one of Harold Lloyd’s productions, and in his latest and finest presentation he must certainly envelope himself with high honours. “For Heaven’s Sake” is a decidedly clever, interesting and screamingly funny picture. It -starts with a laugh and concludes —all too soon —with roars of mirth. Harold Lloyd combines artistry with his daredevil stunts, and the person is not alive who could not laugh at his funmaking propensities. There were many last night who borrowed the title of the film to ask that it be stopped while they gave their aching sides a rest. It’s not usual to ask for trouble unless one happens to be inebriated or pugilistically inclined, but Harold more than asks for it in this picture, and the results are truly delightful. Imagine Harold, if you can, as the willing slave of a girl who runs a mission for men who are down and out, and then see him get all the “toughs” in the city to that mission. It’s the way he gets them there that causes the fun. And that is only one of the many screamingly funny episodes. The girl who causes Harold to become a reformer is Jobyna Ralston, and she makes a delightful little lady in a charming place. The cast is excellent and the picture has been produced and photographed on a big scale. It is Harold Lloyd at his best. The second feature at the Tivoli and Princess Theatres is “So’s Your Old Man,” a clever and amusing comedy with W. C. Fields in the major role. There is an interesting plot to this production. and it is a good foil for “For Heaven’s Sake.” At Everybody’s Theatre “The Traffic Cop” forms the second feature, but all three theatres offer excellent supporting programmes. The huge attendances last night were ample indication that the public know a good thing when they hear of it, .vnd it’s in Auckland this week in “For Heaven’s Sake.”