THE REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 43, 13 May 1927, Page 13

THE REGENT

“TAKE IT FROM ME” “If you would laugh until you cry, see Reginald Denny’s latest farce,” is the general advice given to-day. It is entitled “Take It From Me,” and it is being played now at the Regent Theatre. Denny, star of many excellent farces, is at his very best m this light and frothy comedy, and dashes hrough it with an air of serious abandon that would rii. ■ laughs from the most solemn of men. Ben Hendricks, jun and Lee Moran, as the blundering floor-walkers of Denny’s . partmem store, give the comedian capable support in provoking the risibilities of the audiences. Blanche Mehaffey graces the picture as the feminim lead with a large stock of perse -iity and an Irish smile that is hypnotic when it is not actually dazzling. Lucit-n Little.l eld as a dyspeptic business man and Ethel Wales as a chronically unpleasant business spinster, add muen solemn merriment to the production as do Tom O’Brien, Jean Tolley, Bertram Johns, Vera Lewis and the other members of the cast.

Great credit for the picture must go to William Seiter, who directed it with the unswerving knowledge of the true humorist and the technical ability of the expert.

The picture is based on the musical comedy of the same title by Will B. Johnstone and Will R. Anderson, and was ably adapted to the screen by Harvey Thew. The vaudeville side of the bill will be provided by the Eton College Boy, direct from great sue cesses in Melbourne and Sydney, who is a violinist extraordinary and presents a novel musical act. Eddie Ho. ton’s new numbers include “Rustle 3f Spring” (by request), Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song,” and “Silver Threads Among the Gold.” The operatic or chestra. under the direction of Maurice Guttridge. will play special selections and the overture “Hungarian Lustpiel” (Keller Bela).