PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 14

PRINCESS AND TIVOLI

“THE CHASER” Smacking- of those good old days when all comedies were built for laughs alone, whether they succeeded in their primary object or not, Harry Langdon’s latest production, entitled “The Chaser,” is now being shown at the Princess and Tivoli Theatres. It is frankly broad, fast-action material, and as entertaining as it is frank. “The Chaser” is at times subtle, at times slap-stick; but at all times amusing. Of drama there is little and of pathos still less. But the Langdonian drolleries, the whimsical, bewildered manner, the fluttering gestures, the “where-am-I-going” sort of an expression are all there, and they could take a much less worth-.vhile story than this and lift it out of triviality. Langdon is cast as a much-married man who suffers from too little affection, and too much mother-in-law. This, coupled with that irresistible pantomime for which ho is famous, makes the picture one of the outstanding comedy hits of the year. Gladys McConnell heads a strong and decorative supporting cast — strong in the work of Bud Jamieson and Helen Hayward, decorative in it score or more of Bathing Beauties, and both in the case of Miss McConnell.

The second feature on the programme is “The Count of-Ten,” starring Charles Ray in a story of the attempts of a promising young prizefighter to provide a worthy home and livelihood for his pretty young wife and h-er lazy father and young brother. Charles Ray as the prize-fighter, and Jobyna Ralston as his wife, play the principal roles.