STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 March 1941, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

“PUBLIC DEB. NO. 1.” Boasting a brilliant cast in an hilarious story, Elsa Maxwell's “Public Deb. No. 1,” will be shown tonight at the State Theatre. The new comedy romance is packed with laughs and the dialogue is the freshest the screen has offered in many a moon. Versatile George Murphy, and lovely Brenda Joyce head the cast. Other merrymakers include Elsa Maxwell herself, Mischa Auer, Charlie Ruggles, Ralph Bellamy, Maxie Rosenbloom, Berton Churchill and Franklin Pangborn. “Public Deb. No. 1” tells the story of an heiress who turns a gilded “Red” under the influence of her Russian butler and is smacked back into line by a “broke but brash” young man. Brenda Joyce is the deb, who receives an old-fashioned spanking from Mr Murphy as the first step in their riotous romance. Established as one of the screen’s most versatile light comedians and dancers, George Murphy has a role in “Public Deb. No. 1” which permits him to display both talents. As Brenda’s penniless boy friend,, who still believes America is God’s i country, he has a gay time smacking the lovely heiress back into line, and the pair engage in a dance marathor^ that’s been called a comedy knockout. George Murphy and Brenda Joyce do grand work as the couple involved. Elsa Maxwell throws her most unusual party . and Mischa Auer contributes top-notch fun as Comrade Grisha, the butler. Other fine performances are turned in by Ralph Bellamy, Maxie Rosenbloom, Berton Churchill and Franklin Pangborn. The supports include an outstanding “March of Time” dealing with those points of world-wide significance, “The Gateway to Panama.” Another thrilling film is “Christmas Under Fire,” showing how the people of England spent the Yuletide. Another interesting presentation will be “Wings Over New Zealand,” a review of the New Zealand Air Force.