SAUCY STORIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 282, 18 February 1928, Page 15

SAUCY STORIES

FRENCH FARE AT MAJESTIC Snappy comedy with a goodhumoured tolerance for the conventional idea of “proper” behaviour and almost a French delight in sauciness of situation, gave the Majestic patrons

an entirely pleasant, sense of being “on 1 the edge” last evening. They went there expecting something piquant under the title of “Adam and Evil,” and they came away well satisfied. Better and brighter than “Cradle Snatchers,” because it has no suggestion of ab-

normality, “Adam and Evil” is a very enjoyable tale of human and superhuman frailty, built on the hypothesis of an unhappy marriage, and rising swiftly, through some dizzy heights to a plateau of happiness. .

Briefly, and to mix the metaphors, it steers along exceedingly close to the wind in parts, but with a delicate avoidance of the Charybdis of vulgarity on the one hand and the Scylla of blatant naughtiness on thp other, for the highly-laudable object of tickling one’s sense of humour. It succeeds as few comedies have done. Some there are who say that a comedy is the only moving picture worth while looking at. Although one usually regards these people as poseurs, high throws or exceedingly low-brows, one is tempted to pay a little more attention to the statement after seeing this picture -with the punnish title. After all, a laugh is worth two thrills and a heart-throb any night in the week and in “Adam and Evil” dull moments are about as plentiful xs last January’s rain. The title has an Edenisfc sound about it. but the picture has not a garden setting and neither does it stress unduly the part pla.yed by Eve in that lamentable affair. But there is an Adam and, quite in accord with precedent, he slips badly.

Lew Cody, once a screen “heavy,** proves that lighter roles suit him perfectly. As the gay Adam, he comes home drunk, in a style which has a ring of experience about it, and as the loving Al, be works at such a speed that it is not safe to leave a wife with him for five minutes. Aileen Pringle, of the intelligent forehead, has much of the original lure, combined with a craftiness,. which, often as not, allows her to be easily deceived. She is what

most charming Eves are likely to develop into; and therefore she represents a danger and a moral. But the comedy side of the bill is reinforced by another bright picture. | “The Old Wallop,” and featuring the lads of the “Old Gang.” These terrible | infants have a wonderful time with a j skyscraper in the course of construction, during the lunch hour. The only trouble about the film is that it will give most parents palpitation. Then there is an Auckland special, entitled “Round the Bowing Greens.” Most of the local clubs and a good many of the bowlers are shown doing their stuff” on Saturday afternoons, and occasionally speeding up the game miraculously. The news films are out of the way, and this news of the world in tabloid form includes pictures of the latest battleship, H.M.S. Nelson, of hurdle jumping on motor-cycles, and of a disastrous New York Are. “Piccolo Pic,” with a solo by Mr. Frank Moore, was the light and bright musical interlude, the Majestic Orchestra following its conductor, Mr.

J. Whiteford-Waugh perfectly. "Star of Eve,” March of a Bumble Bee” (Marsden), “Ballet of the Flower,” “Polonaise” (Mousaorgsky),

and “Fino” (Adams), were 3ome of the popular pieces played.