THE STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 34, 3 May 1927, Page 15

THE STRAND

A VARIED PROGRAMME Heading the all-British cast in the great naval picture being shown at the Strand is the well-known actor, Donald Calthrop, as Nelson, Malvina Longfellow as Lady Hamilton, Ivy Close as Lady Nelson and Ernest Thesiger as Pitt. - Johnny Hines’s latest funniest comedy, “Stepping Along,” is also being shown. “Stepping Along” is a bright and breezy story of New York, with the comedian in the role of a good-natured newsboy, who has political aspirations, and comes through on top after an uproarious struggle through a maze of humorous complications. It is Johnny’s dancing and his apparent popularity in his “Way Down East” district that brings him to the attention of the political boss. It is Johnny’s performance with his hot feet, and it is Johnny’s persistency that brings him his reward and his pretty sweetheart at the final laughter sequence in the picture. Throughout tire fast moving laugh episodes the comedian keeps up a terrific pace of comedy energy. Hines surrounded himself with one of the finest casts ever assembled for a screen comedy. Mary Brian makes'a splendid foil for the star's antics, and shows that she. can turn a trick or two on her own account. William Gaxton is, indeed, a relief from the usual villain of the movies. He is especially good in his comedy fight scene with the comedian. Ruth Dwyer, who will be remembered for her work with Hines in “The Brown Derby,” is her usual pretty self, and is the most realistic girl reporter these old newspaper eyes have ever witnessed. Among others contributing to the fun are our old favourites, Edmund Breese, Dan Mason, Lee Beggs, Blanche Craig—oh, and I mustn’t forget, Johnny’s, troupe of midget comedians, who furnish one of the funniest sequences ever filmed in the hilarious scenes at Steeplechase Park, Coney Island, and the trick dog, Rex!