THE PICTURE-NEW PROGRAMMES

Evening Star, Issue 20138, 1 April 1929, Page 7

THE PICTURE-NEW PROGRAMMES

REGENT ATTRACTIONS

BRITISH AND AffiRRIGAH FILMS If only fox’ tho wonderful opportunity it atfnrds pictui'o theatre patrons to draw for their own satisfaction a comparison between tho British ami tho American typo of film, tho now programme at the llegcnt xxiust bo regarded as one possessing outstanding attraction. Tho British Film Service, Ltd.’s, ‘ Stand and Deliver ’ and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s ‘ Beau Broadway ’ arc pictures of equal length, each in its own stylo possessing equal merit. At first sight its may scorn invidious to compare photoplays which have two totally different types of story to tell, but a thought which possibly will strike mote than one beholder is that tho pictures under review represent in a general way the avenues of adventure opened up by British and American producers. The Briton’s love of good, rollicking adventure carries him further afield than bis native isles. All tho world is his stage. Ho fights, plays, and loves in every quarter of tho globe. Around him hovers the atmosphere of romance which gives authors and scenario writers their chance to produce something fresh and virile. Perhaps for the reason that America is in itself a vast country wherein lurks adventure of every known pattern, the American film, unless it ho something historical, depicts life within the hounds of the United States only. In ‘Stand and Deliver’ the audience follows the adventures of a yon me English ex-officer who finds civilian Ijlo in London so dull after active service in Franco that he accepts tho bantering advice of a colleague and sails lor Greece, where it so happens that an army is busily engaged suppressing a powerful band of outlaws. The role ol the hero is splendidly interpreted by Bod La Bocque. who. without overstepping tho mark into the realm of exaggeration, infuses into the part eoiiviucing high spirits. How this self-styled woman-hater rescues a beautiful Greek maiden from. Ghika’s bandits, how the young people arc together captured by Ghika and carried off to a mountain stronghold, and how they _ escape through matching ingenuity against the low cunning of their adversaries are episodes that, make an exciting and highly absorbing drama. Lupo Velez as Jama, tho Greek girl, and Warner Oiand as the bandit chief great admiration for tho manner of their acting. ‘Beau Broadway,’ the second big feature, is a fascinating mixture of domesticity and prize fighting. Lew Cody, in his usual bright way, takes the part of dim Lambert, a light promoter, gambler, and general shrewd man who has many professional boxers under his thumb. Aileen Pringle as Yvonne takes the female lead, though in actual point of fact the honours go to the youthful Sue Caroll in the role of an old prize-fighter’s daughter. Before his death Gunner O’Brien (James J. Jeffries) makes Lambert promise to bo a father to his daughter Mona, and the complications which arise when the sophisticated Yvonne becomes conversant with the situation can he left to tax tho imagination. A romantic quartet is completed by tho introduction of Killer Gordon ( Hugh Trevor), who is in love with one of tho two girls (the climax of the story reveals which). There is much clover comedy treatment in ‘Beau Broadway,’ for Kit Guard and Jack Herrick, old riiigmen themselves, come into the picture as Professor Griswold and Dr Monahan, and in mirth-provoking fashion assist Lambert to hide from Mona tho fact that ho is embroiled in the fistic profession. A rattling good fight and a surprise denouement complete the satisfaction the overage patron will dcX'ive from this film.

The progress made in cinema photography in New Zealand is proved in the local scenic ‘Winter Playgrounds.’ Mount Cook, with its ski-ing, snowballing. and tobogganing is the locale; so faithfully has the camera done its work that one can easily _ sense the thrill of the long, swift glissade down a. slope of virgin snow. Comedy of a broad nature is supplied by Max 'Davidson rind the actors who arc associated with him in ‘ Should Women Drive?’ Those who have seen Max before will know they arc in for a period of hilarity. ‘Up West,’ the first of a novelty series depicting London after dark, was very entertaining in an original way, and the remaining; instalments can be looked forward to with pleasure. The enjoyment of the evening is greatly enhanced by the programme of accompanying music played by the Regent Orchestra. The overture, 1 Boys of the Old Brigade,’ and the entr’acte, intermezzo from ‘Cavalleria Rustic-ana,’ were splendidly given and deservedly well received on Saturday night.