"CLEAR THE DECKS," "THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE"—GAITEY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 142, 18 July 1929, Page 2

"CLEAR THE DECKS," "THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE"—GAITEY.

The Gaiety De Luxe Theatre was the popular house of ontertainment last night when a pi'Ogramnie of unusual attractiveness and nierit was offered. Rarely liave tliere been so many spontaneous bursts of laughter as tiiose which greeted each and every new development in the screaming comedy entitled "Clear the Dec-ks." Reginald Denny is a tonic for sombre minded souls and last night he surpassed anytliing that lie has previously attained in this department. The story of "Clear the Decks," in itself niakes exceedingly humorous reading, but Reginald Denny' s interpretation of the leading role was absolutely priceless. The storv tells of a young' man in society circles who agrees to take his friend's place on board a sliip. He takes cbarge of tbe ticket, the staterooni ancl also his friends' nanie. In the midst of this he is in complete ignorance of the fact that he is supposecl to he a half wit. He then falls in love with a pretty passenger as young men will under tlie intoxicating influence. of the mighty ocean, but tlie c-ourse of true love iives up to its reputation _ and refuses to run smoothly and Reginald Denny finds himself with - tlie somewhat nnenviable task of proving-to his amour that he is not in the slightest bit orazy. The developments tliat followecl were the funniest that have been seen for many days and maintained tbe audience in a constnnt fit of merriment. _ Supporting Reginald Denny was Olive Hasbrouck. a charming addition to any cast, while otber excellent artists fulfilled their various duties in wortliy manncr. The second feature on the progrnmine was t]ie film adaptation . of Sir Philip Gibbs-, outstandiug novel, "Tlie Crossworcl Puzzle," and provecl a worthy supporter of the main item. Fcaturiug that favourite of the Englisli screeu, Betty Balfour, the film deals with tlie life and adventures of a girl wlio wins some money from a crossworcl puzzle. This girl travelled to the Riviera ancl encouutered many experiences ancl adventures. Featurecl with Betty Balfour was Valentino's successor, Alexandre D'Arcv, who gaye a very fine conception of the role allotted him. Not least of the attractions was the presentation of a very fine- film dealing with tlie earthquakes in the south. Tn the height_ of the danger a New Zealancl publicity .officer went through the stricken areas with a camera ana the® fruit of his bravery and daring was secured exclqsively in Napier for the Gaiety and was shown for ihe first time last night. No one shoulcl m.iss these extraordinary pliotographs whicli give an accurate conception as notliing else could do of the real cbnditions prevailing. Excellent supports com-. pelte a niost enjoyable progranlme.