STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1939, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“JUST AROUND THE CORNER.” There was a packed house at the State Theatre last night, the special attraction being a picture in which the popular American child actress, Shirley Temple, has the leading role, namely, a bright comedy “Just Around the Corner.” She is cast as Penny, a little girl returning home from boarding school to find her father, an architect, almost bankrupt. He has invested all his capital in a great slum clearance project which has been suspended for want of further money. Owing to his financial difficulties he is forced to leave his luxurious apartment and, live in the basement of the same building. The reason, he explains to his small daughter, is because “Uncle Sam” is in need of help. Mistaking her father’s reference to his country, Penny believes he means a wealthy banker, whom her playmate calls Uncle Sam. Therefore, she stages an amateur musical show to get money to help him. The local newspapers get to hear of the show and make a feature of it. The resulting success and explanation of the misunderstanding make a fitting climax to an enjoyable film. Bill Robinson. “Just Around the Corner” is not only claimed to be the best picture Shirley Temple has ever appeared in, but also one of the most entertaining hits ever produced by the studio that has made us so many great pictures in the past. And it finds Shirley in her happiest role, one which allows her an occasional outburst of that mischievous humour which is said to be so characteristic of her irrepressible spirit outside the studio. Among those who share in this fun are Charles Farrell, as Shirley’s father, Joan Davis, as lady-in-waiting to a kennel full of Park Avenue dogs; Amanda Duff (a promising young newcomer to films) as the girl with whom Farrell is in love; Bert Lahr, as Joan’s chauffeursweetheart, and the inimitable Bill Robinson, who does a new dance routine with Shirley that surpasses even their sensational “Toy Trumpet” number in "Rebecca.” >