NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 197, 9 November 1927, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“TEN MODERN COMMANDMENTS”

Esther Ralston and Dorothy Arzner are brought together again in an entirely new comedy.

It will be remembered that this was the combination which made “Fashions for Women,” Miss Ralston’s first starring vehicle and, as a matter of fact, the first directorial attempt of the young feminine genius who has the distinction of being Paramount’s only woman megaphonist. They outdid themselves las evening, however, in a clever comedy “Ten Modern Commandments,” at the New Regent Theatre. It is the type of story which fits Miss Ralston to perfection, giving her a chance to demonstrate her versatility, and it also substantiated the fact that Miss Arzner is one of the industry’s cleverest directors. Jack Lait is credited with the story. It has every bit of the jazzy style which has made him famous. “Ten Modern Commandments” deals with a maid in a theatrical boarding house who has vowed never to go on the stage because she feels that it “got” her parents. She sticks to these views until a young song-writer enters her life. From then on her ideas of life and the stage undergo a radical change. How she assists him and how she follows the “Ten Modern Commandments” of the chorus girl in obtaining her desire, make one of the year’s best productions.

Neil Hamilton, famous for his work in “Beau Geste,” one of the most handsome leading men on the screen, is excellent as Tod Gilbert, the young songwriter. Maude Truax, Romaine Fielding and Rose Burdick do all that is expected of them as the old troupers.’ Vaughn, the King of the Xylophone, now appearing at the Regent, has a style of playing that is a bit different, that is his way of syncopating. He syncopates with two, three and four hammers, but is just as at home on slow, sentimental 4-hammer harmony selections. Eddie Horton lias again introduced a popular number with panatrope accompaniment. and Maurice Guttridge at the head of the Regent Operatic Orchestra plays numerous selections during the evening.