TALKIE TRIUMPH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1029, 21 July 1930, Page 15

TALKIE TRIUMPH

SEYMOUR HICKS IN FILM “SLEEPING PARTNERS” AT NATIONAL A delightful farce comedy, “Sleeping Partners”—transferred to the screen with all its scintillating wit, its amusing dialogue, its piquant situations and its intimately witty atmosphere,, superbly acted by Seymour Hicks and Edna Best, is the all-British triumph at the National Theatre. It is the comedy par excellence and nothing funnier has ever been witnessed since the whimsical “Charlie’s Aunt.” Seymour Hicks, that famous comedian and London stage celebrity who has the reputation of making even a cat laugh, is at his best with Edna Best, a comparatively new', but nevertheless welcome, comer to the talking picture screen. A young thing whose husband seeks female companionship elsewhere, is invited to attend a party, while hubby is away entertaining an “Argentine millionaire.” Becoming overcome with grief at her supposed unfaithfulness toward her husband, she decides to faint. In the rush that ensues for a glass of water a very powerful sleeping draught is given in mistake, with the result that she fell asleep In her admirer’s rooms. Imagine her consternation on waking to find it is early morning. Many highly amusing and screamingly funny situations arise out of this estrangement. This picture is indeed a credit to British Dominions Films, Ltd. Youth and beauty run rampant through Radio Picture’s all-talkie. “Half Marriage,” which was the second attraction on Saturday, with Olive Borden featured. This film version of George Kibbe Turner’s magazine story, “Companionate,” concerns a young art student who marries a budding architect in her father’s employ, then tries to keep the nuptials secret until her hubby’s genius is recognised. The secret wife, besieged by the menace of a young and wealthy man about town, in a struggle to free herself from unwelcome advances, sees the menace fall six floors to his death, which fastens suspicion on the newlyweds and bares the secret of their marriage. Enjoyable talkie supports were also shown on 'Saturday.