STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 194, 5 November 1927, Page 14

STRAND

AN IRISH FARCE A varied programme, with the humorous element predominant, entertained large audiences at the Strand Theatre yesterday. The featured film was "The Callahans and the Murphys,” a r*icture which has been the cause of discussion in the United States. It gives a grotesque and in many ways unnecessarily vulgar study of Irish-Ameri-can life, but all this being set aside, the picture is undeniably amusing, and it was relished greatly by the audience. The humour is of the obvious kind, but it is wholesomely diverting, and that, of course, is something to be thankful for. The principal characters are two Irish women, leaders of their clan, presumably on New York’s east side. Filled with kindly feelings toward each other, they do. nevertheless, have that elfish spirit of antagonism which each day manifested itself in a lurid, crossalley’, verbal duel. The home lines of the two families are vividly depicted with charming insistence on pretty* well all the minor vulgarities of domestic routine. The comedy* runs at its fastest pace at the St. Patrick’s Day picnic, where the two heroines assuage a thirst in a manner which would bring unfading joy-light to a bootlegger’s eyes. Then follows the free-for-all fight. While all these diversions are going on, and the domestic chronicle is being unfolded, a pair of romances develop, and finally* the gentle influence of cupid speeds the differences between the families to oblivion. The parts of the heroines were played by Sally O’Neil and Marie Dressier, both of whom did excellent character work, and their first-rate acting throughout was one of the pleasing features of the production. There was a strong supporting programme, which Included a gazette, two comedies, and a New Zealand scenic. The Strand Symphony Orchestra played appropriate selections throughout the evening.