REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

■ “THE HOUSEMASTER.” “Housemaster,” wnich will be shown tonight at the Regent Theatre is one of the best and brightest British films ever to be produced. Its cast is perfect, containing such front-rank players at Otto Kruger, Diana Churchill, Phillips Holmes and Rene Ray, and such able character actors as P. Kynaston Reeves, Walter Hudd, Michael Sheplcy and Joyce Barbour. Its story, although it has comedy predominating, is human and sympathetic, and is cleverly contrived. Adapted from the lan Hay long-running play of the same name, “Housemaster” tells the story of a middle-aged housemaster, devoted to his boys, who finds that the newly-ap-pointed headmaster is gradually trying to get him to resign. Matters are made worse when his three charming but irresponsible wards descend upon the school, upsetting all routine and almost causing a mutiny. Otto Kruger, of course, has the role of his career as Charles Donkin. Ihe lovable housemaster who nearly has his life work taken away from him. Diana Churchill, the star sensation of 1937, with her sympathetic portrayal of the young wife in “The Dominant Sex,” has the part of the eldest of the three wards, and shows herself as a brilliant light comedy actress. Rene Ray and Rosamond Barnes are her madcap sisters. A charming romance enters the story with the young science master (Phillips Holmes) falling in love with Diana, while the headboy (John Wood) finds Rene Ray’s bright eyes very attractive.