PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 15

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

BIG COMEDY PROGRAMME NIGHT OF LAUGHS Laughter may be a little exhausting in Auckland’s February, but that is a poor excuse for keeping away from places Where laughter is to be had. Aucklanders, however, will laugh no matter at what personal sacrifice, and this fact was strikingly apparent at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres last evening when glorious laughter-pro-voking programmes were presented to large audiences. There were two big comedies, and they both had distinguished qualities. The plots were original, the various situations splendidly developed, and the players happily cast. This rare combination made success a certainty.

The principal film was a First National comedy, “The Life Of Riley.” A pleasant uproarious chronicle it was too. The setting is a country town where all the civic bumbles go earnestly about their meagre thoughtdiverting business. Riley, the local storekeeper, was in his off hours chief of the fire brigade, while Meyer, the ice vendor, was chief of police. Friends t 0 the last ditch, these two jolly fellows, but they could not help urging laggard time along with occasional squabbles. Most of these resulted from their dual courtship of the fascinating wealthy widow Jones. All goes well enough until one fateful July the Fourth, which brings an attractive guesser t« the town. He soon learns how sound the widow’s financial situation is, and it is not long before he attempts to secure money by painless extraction. The method, is too slow, and finally he develops into a real villain, sombre and bad. Then the comedy works up to its greatest heights, and it is not long before welcome marriage bells are pealing after the last sounds of the uproar have stolen away.

The stars in the film are Charlie Murray and George Sidney. Sidney will always be remembered for his work in “Potash and Perlmutter,” but in this latest production he lias given a performance of equal merit. Although essentially a mirth-maker, Sidney has, at times, that subtle little touch of wryness which makes great comedy. Charlie Murray, the great Riley himself, also gave a distinguished character study. Myrtle . Stedman and June Marlow are the women leads.

George Sidney, together with Anita Stewart, is starred also in the second feature, “The Prince of Pilsen.” The hero of the picture is the pseudo Prince of Pilsen. In reality he is Hans Wagner, brewer, and a member of the Loyal Order of Squirrels. He happens to be about when a royal wedding is to take place, and in his regalia lie is mistaken for the blue-blooded bridegroom. It is a hearty comedy, with more than one laugh to the minute. There is an excellent Supporting programme, including a scenic, a gazette and a juvenile comedy. The Princess Orchestra, under Mr. Howard Moody, played the following: Overture, “Liebesfreud” (Kreisler), soloist, Miss Gladys Vincent; “Baby Bunting,” "The Clinging Vine,” “Melodie” (Rachmaninoff), “Is Everybody Happy Now,” “Barbara,” and “Dancing Tamborin.”