REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

LAUREL AND HARDY. On the principle that where there is more cheese there.should be more mice and more market for their mouse-traps, Laurel and Hardy go to Switzerland in their latest picture, “Swiss Miss,” which will be shown finally tonight at the Regent Theatre. The idea is fine but it does not work out quite as the two comedians expect, and a neat piece of work by a Swiss cheese factory proprietor lands them into a great deal of bother. Broke to the wide, they find that a valueless banK note is of little use to stay the wrath of the innkeeper whose meal they have just enjoyed, and they are condemned to serve in the kitchen until they have worked off their debt. Despite the warning of the chef that every broken dish will mean an extra day of servitude, they succeed in breaking an incredible number of utensils, in addition to getting into all manner of hilarious adventures. Pathe Gazettes, a cartoon, “The Captain’s Pup,” a historical mystery of unusual interest entitled “Strange Glory,” and an Our Gang comedy, “The Awful Tooth,” complete an entertaining programme. “THE GREAT GARRICK.” The powdered wigs and ultra-gal-lantry of one of the most colourful periods in England’s theatrical history are revived in “The Great Garrick,” which will head the programme at the Regent Theatre tomorrow night. David Garrick was on the crest of his fame at Drury Lane, and it was not surprising that he should receive an invitation to play at the Comedie Francaise, its counterpart in France. The London theatre-goers do not want him to go, and David gives it out that the French want him so that he can teach them how to act. The world of the theatre was small in those days, and the company of the Comedie Francaise was incensed at the impertinence of the “popinjay,” whom, the actors decided, should be humilitated. First they decide to ridicule him, then frighten him, and finally pack him back to London a laughing-stock. Unfortunately for the Frenchmen David is warned, and after the many abortive hoaxes he gives a ’lecture on acting. Brian Aherne, Edward Everett Horton, and Olivia de Havilland are the stars.