BRILLIANT FARCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1028, 19 July 1930, Page 14

BRILLIANT FARCE

“ROOKERY NOOK” AT ST. JAMES

WONDERFUL PROGRAMME Delightful humour, riotous situations, and the rarest and best of English wit; hardly ever can the St. James Theatre have resounded to such hearty laughter as it did when “Rookery Nook” was shown there last night. One almost grew tired of laughing at this brilliant farce. “TJOOKERY NOOK” is a superlative j production in every sense. In these days of Broadway, of strong drama, and of catchy songs, a really funny film is a special treat, and “Rookery Nook” contains a laugh for every minute. This picture was made in England; it has a notable cast of English players whose clear speech is a delight to the ear, and it contains all the original members of the stage version. It is full of witty dialogue and side-splitting situations, and as a merry, mischievious, mix-up, no talking picture has yet been fnade anywhere that can equal it. The story of “Rookery Nook” is woven around Gerald Popkiss’s chivalry in harbouring and caring for a young girl, a very beautiful one, wlio strays from her home in pyjamas. Gerald sees no harm at all in introducing the little girl to his sophisticated cousin Clive, but begins to get nervous when his sister-in-law, who insists on “caring” for him (even if she has to do it by force) announces that ms wife will be paying a visit to Rookery Nook” to see liow he is getting along with his rest cure. The main trouble is to know where to hade the cute little “rest cure.” and sti4l retain his dignity and his wife. r Ono must see and hear “Rookery Nook.” though, to really appreciate the subtleties of the Travers touch. But for the sake of those who might be a little anxious about the “rest cure” and Gerald, it might be stated that the. film progresses to a whirlwind climax, and Gerald evades the issue rather luckily. Tho picture is extremely lucky to have at the head of its large cast such deft and capable players as Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Mary Brough and Winifred Shottcr. These talented people, incidentally, are also the leading lights in tho London stage presentation. So delightful, refreshing and charming is the talking picture version, however, that its popularity is likely to eclipse that of the play. This picture is excellently directed by Tom Walls, who also acts the part of the blase and sophisticated cousin, Clive Pepkiss, to the life. Winifred Shotter is admirably naive as Rhoda Marley. Robertson Hare's clever impersonation of a very hen-pecked husband is highly amusing; his managing wife is excellently played by Ethel Coleridge; while Ralph Lynn is the newly-wedded husband who gets mixed up in the most extraordinary way with the fair unknown. Mary Brough as Mrs. Doverctt, the “daily help.” whoso outraged sense of virtue causes her to “spill the beans” with a vengeance, is delightful. All In all, “Rookery Nook” is farce, and British farce at its very best. Every one of the supporting features on the St. James programme was also outstanding. The sound cartoon, made by Walt Disney, creator of Mickey the Mouse, is screamingly funny, and the charming doll phantasy, made in colour, is a beautiful pieco of work. Finally there is a Fox Movietone News with a budget of interesting items. As the large audience came away from the St. James Theatre last evening wiping the tears of laughter from their eyes, they voted it the best programme seen in Auckland for many a long day.

PRINCE EDWARD A narrowly-averted war a decade hence between the “Federated Atlantic States” and the “United States of Europe” is the theme of a new British talking picture, “High Treason,” based on the play by Mr. Pemberton Billing. The film is now at the Prince Edward Theatre. The blowing up of the Channel tunnel—which, combined with an unfortunate frontier “incident,” almost brings about a declaration of war—is very realistically staged, and, indeed, the mise-en-scene altogether is on the grand scale. Benita Hume ar.d Jameson Thomas are the stars. A full programme of talkie supports is also being shown. DIXIELAND CABARET Dancing will be enjoyed as usual this evening at the ever-popular Dixieland Cabaret. The lloor is in perfect condition, the Dixieland Dance Band plays the latest and brgilitest jazz music and a merry time is assured. SHOP ASSISTANTS’ DANCE The usual weekly dance of the Auckland Retail Shop Assistants’ Union Charity Club will be held in the Scots Hall on Monday evening, and a v ery pleasant time is promised. The music is provided by the popular and talented Versatile Pirates’ Jazz Band, and the floor is ideal for dancing.