“TAMING OF THE SHREW”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 975, 19 May 1930, Page 14

“TAMING OF THE SHREW”

MARY PICKFORD AND DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS GREAT PICTURE AT CIVIC If anyone ever doubted that one of Shakespeare’s comedies could, in the form of a talkie, amuse a 1930 audience, he should have been at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, and heard the continuous roars of hearty laughter which greeted “The Taming of the Shrew.” further with. Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks as the stars, there is no wonder it was such a success. For lovers of Shakespeare let it be said at the outset that this play preserves the original text of the famous comedy; nothing added and only a few passages deleted for the sake of the condensation necessary for a talking film. It is a story chock full of humour, colour and delightful satire. Laid in the 15th century, it sparkles with 20th century laughs. Douglas Fairbanks as Petruccio, and Mary Pickford as the little vixen Kathrine, have roles for which they are admirably suited. They called him mad Petruccio, this arrogant, swaggering, handsome gentleman of Verona, whose repartee flashed like sunlight on a sword blade, whose boisterous laughter drowned the venomous onslaughts of a woman’s tongue, and whose methods of love were merciless as a bludgeon. The populace shook with terror and stood aghast when he dared face the spitfire Kathrine, of Padua, whose tempestuousness had forced the hasty withdrawal and complete rout of many a brave lover. WAIT HIS BIDDING They were dazed when he forced the wedding ceremony to wait his bidding, and stood amazed when he carried off his bride on a draught-horse while she, the one who had never been conquered, fumed and ranted, helpless in his grasp. To her sharp retorts, he had one sharper. Her whip, which had lashed the back of many a suitor, looked small and puny when compared to his blacksnake, and if she hurled a kettle he hurled a pot. Shakespeare’s uproarious tale has had adroit handling. Not a laugh has been lost, and an top of it all there is quite a lot of subtle moralising—and 1 apparently the troubles of wooing and j matrimony have not changed these 500 years. The dialogue throughout is remarkably clear. One thinks of a Pickford or a Fairbanks picture as a beautiful production, and in this there will be no disappointment, as “The Taming of the Shrew” represents the last word in magnificent settings. No one who cares for the joyous opportunity of an evening of hilarious fun will miss the chance to see these two great artists, together, at the Civic Theatre. New musical features and talkie shorts complete the rest of the programme. Ted Henkel’s delightful orchestra plays “Poet and Peasant” (von Suppe) as well as several incidental pieces, and the introductory musical session. Fred Scholl plays a number of “request” pieces, including “I Love You.” Another of the delightfiil comedies by the Rubeville Players, and several talkie gazettes complete the programme. Views of the huge Anzac parade and service in Sydney are most interesting. PRINCE EDWARD Two of the most enjoyable films available are being presented at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening on the one programme. They are “Noah’s Ark,” the stupendous production of the world cataclysm, enacted with striking realism, with George O'Brien and Dolores Costello portraying the leading roles. The second big attraction is “Under the Greenwood Tree.” a delightful tale of English country life from the brilliant novel by Thomas Hardy. John Batten, the Auckland actor, enacts the leading role.