NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 137, 31 August 1927, Page 15

NEW REGENT

DENNY FUNNIER THAN EVER Reginald Denny never fails to hit home with his comedies, and, as he is funnier than ever in his latest Universal offering, “The Cheerful Fraud,” it follows that lie is attratcing crowds of delighted admirers to the new Regent Theatre. He is one of the screen’s greatest favourites with young and old, and he has no more appreciative audiences than the hundreds of children for whom special matinees are given daily. Any farce must necessarily start with the star becoming involved in an embarrassing or difficult situation, and getting in deeper than ever when he tries to straighten it out. And if you think anyone has ever had troubles, just go and see what happened to Denny in “The Cheerful Fraud.” The whole production, plentifully sprinkled with novel situations and superb “gags” is a tribute to the directional skill of William A. Seiter. There are no big mob scenes, lapses of time or spectacular settings for comedy. Instead, there are only six persons spending a week-end at a country home and from this modest situation, the director has wrung a wealth of comedy to move one into almost dangerous stages of laughter.

Denny is surrounded by supporting players who provide excellent foils for his comedy antics and themselves contribute many touches of comedy. Gertrude Olmstead is charming in the feminine lead and Otis Harlan. Gertrude Astor, Emily Fitzroy, and Charles Gerrard are splendid in supporting roles. “The Cheerful Fraud” is a screen version of the popular humorous novel by Iv. R. G. Browne. Bertini, of .T. C. Williamson Celebrity Vaudeville, continues to score a big success with his novelty violin offering, “A Night at the Club.” Another splendid musical programme is given by the Regent’s new operatic orchestra under the direction of Maurice Guttridge, and Eddie Horton is as popular as ever at the Wurlitzer. The supports are excellent.