NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 248, 10 January 1928, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“BARBED WIRE” Th© war of the non-combatants deprived of the tools of war. Men and women goaded by thoughts of murder and destruction, but lacking the opportunity to give vent to their feelings. This is “Barbed Wire,” the new Pola Negri starring vehicle for Paramount, which is now running at the New Regent Theatre. “Barbed Wire,” a dramatic love story gigantic power and universal appeal, has been acclaimed the most unusual war picture ever filmed. It is unique in that it is not primarily a story of the battlefield itself; it repeals the dark currents of the back eddies from the time of the declaration of hostilities until after the armistice was signed. It is from the pen of Hall Caine, being an adaptation by Jules Furthman, of the novel, “The Woman of Knockaloe.” “Barbed Wire” had the benefit of International production, for it was guided through the studio by Erich Pommer and Rowland V. Lee. Lee, who also directed, Is recognised as a master of American production methods, and for his keen sense in dramatic values. Clive Brook, Einar Hanson, Claude Gillingwater, Clyde Cook, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Ben Hendricks, jun., and Norman Peck are in the supporting cast. A feature of the current programme is an exceptionally clever and funny Fox film comedy, “The Monkey Farm,” introducing Max and Moritz, tw6 of those amazing monkey movie marvels who are appearing in person on the stage of the New Regent, for one week, commencing Monday, January 27. These astounding monkeys are almost human in their intelligence, their antics raising shrieks of laughter. The management states that when the monkeys actually appear on the stage, the trainers will be pleased to put them through any of the stunts performed in any of the 50 films they have already made for Fox and the “Our Gang” outfit. On the vaudeville side, Miss Marie Bremner, understudy to Miss Harriet Bennet in “Rose Marie,” is providing a delightful and charming divertissement. Miss Bremner received a most enthusiastic reception on Saturday from a packed house, opening with “Danny Boy” (the Londonderry Air), she sings “The Flower Song” from “Lilac Time” with sweet charm. As an encore she sang “The Cuckoo Clock.” The Regent operatic orchestra, under the baton oLMaurice Guttridge, renders an excellent musical programme, playing a selection from “The Country Girl” as an entr’acte. Eddie Horton at the organ, an interesting gazette and scenic complete the programme. The latest additions to the Para-mount-Cnristie comedy players are “Miss California” and “Miss Ontario,” being respectively Miss Billie Copeland and Miss Leon McAuley. The formerwill appear in “Tillie’s Punctured Romance ”