REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 December 1938, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

. ‘'DAD AND DAVE" TONIGHT. \t the Regent Theatre tonight there - 11. be presented that record-breaking acture, "Dad and Dave." Seven years Fgo the famous Rudd Family was first ■■■presented on the Australian screen, after nearly thirty years of stage characterisation. "In "On Our Selection" they made their screen debut in much the same way as they had delighted audiences for so long over the footlights. And the amazing success of the film, "On Our Selection,” is now screen history. Even today, the picture still holds attendance records in many theatres throughout Australia, and its popularity has increased with the years. This is proven by the remarkable success that attended the recent re-issues of “On Our Selection” in all the Australian capital cities. In this film Bert Bailey as “Dad" was the fiery, blunt, honest old farmer; “Mum,” a comfortably padded homely old soul; "Dave,’ awkward. gangling. slow spoken; "Sarah,” clumsy, with a drawling voice, and “country” screaming from her atrocious hat to her illshod feet: “Joe,” shy and hesitant in speech, was the second Rudd son. But that was seven years ago. In the new Cinesound comedy, “Dad And Dave Come To Town,” the Rudd Family has been modernised. In Bert Bailey, the change is merely in his clothes when he reaches the city, and bursts forth in his frock salon a vision of sartorial splendour. His “Dad” is still the same fiery,, blunt and honest old man in “Dad And Dave Come To Town,” because his characterisation is so natural, so intensely human, that even in 20 years’ time, it would still be essentially the Australian small farmer. “Mum,” as played by Connie Martyn in this 1938 version, is still a homely woman. But a natural dignity and motherly sweetness, gives her distinction when she joins in the family adventures in the city. Her frocking is simple and neat, and her calm, attractive face framed with soft white hair, seems to bear a decided resemblance to her two daughters “Jill ’ and “Sarah.” Bert Bailey does his best work on the screen to date. The. cast is a strong one, stiffened by Shirley Ann Richards, Muriel Flood, and two Americans, Billy Rayes and Leila Steppe. The management highly recommends the picture, and on account of its popularity throughout New Zealand urge that intending patrons book their seats early.