REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1941, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

"THE GOLDEN FLEECING.” Machinations of racketeers are turned to hilarious use in the comical adventures of Lew Ayres among a group of the toughest denizens of a big city in "The Golden Fleecing." mirthful romance with Rita Johnson, which will be shown tonight. It is the story of a timid young insurance clerk. His sweetheart stirs him to ambition. so he goes out and sells a £lO,000 insurance policy. The next day he learns he has insured a racketeer leader, now a fugitive from the authorities and likely to be “rubbed out" any minute. The boss, seeing a £lO,OOO payoff near, sends the clerk out to find the gangsters "or else." Dodging in and out amongst gangsters. Ayres goes from one comical tribulation to another. He finds himself a "public" hero, finally makes a fortune overnight. is sued for breach of promise, is pursued by the gangsters and climbs on the seventh storey ledge of an office building to rescue Miss Johnson from henchmen of the gang overlord. A comical denouement ends the story in a gale of laughter. Ayres performance as Henry Twinkle is whimsical and in striking contrast to his "Dr. Kildare” role. /Xs a comedian he leaves nothing to be desired. Miss Johnson is convincing and also adept at comedy in her role as the sweetheart who serves as Ayres’s balance-wheel. Virginia Grey presents a surprise by turning "heavy” to play the racketeer’s girl friend*, which she does in perfect hardboiled style. One of the funniest sequences is provided by Leon Errol as Uncle Waldo. Comedy highlights include the town where nobody is ever arrested. Ayres’s adventure on the ledge of the" building, his discover}that his big sale is his downfall, his adventure in gaol with the racketeers, his "public hero" appearance, and other amusing details in the rapid-fire plot.