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CRIMSON PLAYGOER

"THE WAY TO LOVE"--Metropolitan

Francois  Maurice Chevalier Madeliene  Ann Dvorak Gaston Bibi  Edward Everett Horton Joe  Arthur Pierson Suzanne  Mirna Gombell Pedro  Douglas Dunebrille

"There's a Lucky Guy." The camera approaches a street singer in an alley in Paris, then several other malcontents who eye their compatriots enviously, and finally Francois who carries a sign on his chest advertising his employer, Professor Gaston Bibi, who can patch up marital troubles. Francois is looking at a guide from the Prias Tours Company; he longs to be in that man's place. He is standing before the great Mr. Prias begging for a position; he leaves with the slight consolation that he may hear from the firm when it has an opening. Before he realizes his desire, there are, of course, complications. In a chivalric moment he abducts runaway Madeliene from her knife-throwing guardian, Pedro. As you probably have already guessed, the ending is not unusual, nor should it have been.

"The Way To Love" is whimsical romance of the very best sort. Maurice Chevalier and Edward Everett Horton are a good deal funnier than they have been before, thanks to clever dialogue and a few gags which are on a level with those of Mr. Chaplin. In the direction by Norman Taurog you will find evidence that Rene Clair's technique has been imitated, and with considerable success. As movies go, "The Way To Love" should please everyone; it is never too subtle for the masses, for too serious for the classes.

Stoopnagle and Bud, famous for their work on the radio, perform on the stage with a seemingly natural knack of knowing what will get a laugh. They take off Rudy Valee, Bert Lahr, and the Barbasol Man. The imitation of Rudy's singing by Bud was excellent, and elicited many healthy sniggers from the audience. No less commendable in the stage show was a couple which did the tango and rumba gracefully.

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