THE GOOD GUNMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 15

THE GOOD GUNMAN

“DRESSED TO KILL” AT THE MAJESTIC

Direct descendant of a long line of “gentlemen of the road,” going back to Dick Turpin and Robin Hood, “Mr. Barry” is proving nightly that he is a good bad man, in one of the most thrilling pictures ever screened at the Majestic Theatre. “Dressed to Kill” is the title of this week’s big attraction, and just to relieve from its succession of thrills the management has provided a most amusing comedy, several news and scenic films, including one of South African football. The music also is delightful, one of the best numbers being “Morning, Noon and Night,” played as a xylophone solo by Reno, an agile expert, who place the biggest instrument ever placed on an Auckland stage. If you saw “What Price Glory,” you cannot fail to remember the quick-on-the-draw sergeant of marines played by that excellent actor, Edmund Lowe. He is back again in the role of “Mile Away Barry” in “Dressed to Kill,” and it is a triumph for him. One cannot speak too highly of the artistic and truthful production of the picture. It is a classic.

In “Dressed to Kill” the gangsters are evil-doers, but they are still men, and the detectives are not merely automatic trackers and. third degree artists. Barry of course is a slightly idealistic character, but he rings true in most of his actions, and even in his Sydney Cartoonist end.

“You sho’ looked dressed to kill,” says the negro commissionaire as Mr. Barry, immaculate in evening clothes, begins one of his little adventures in company with the Count, and after all the thrills of the story are expended, a constable, discovering the same immaculate form in the gutter, makes the same remark. It is a pretty touch.

There are moments in ‘Dressed to Kill” which make one really sit up and grasp the arms of the chair. “Mile Away Barry” plans one of his little coups. A fur store is to be robbed. Jean (Mary A^tor) is to go into the shop with the Count and the other member of the Mob are to be on the scene in different roles. Jean is to faint, the others play their parts automatically, and then Barry, the mastermind. is to come in with the suitcases. The moment arrives, but Jean’s nerve breaks and the plot fails in one of the most dramatic scenes ever filmed.

The Mob has one way of disposing of “stool pigeons.” Jean and Barry are condemned. TJie picture rises to a great climax, proving that Barry is as much the “perfect gentil” highwayman as any of his illustrious predecessors. Ben Bard and Charles Morton are in the cast.

Among the lesser pictures is “Queen of Rivers,” a scenic record of a trip up the Wanganui River, which rises from

vertised. ' the snowy slopes of Mount Ruapehu The photography is excellent and a - credit to the New Zealand Publicity ; Department. The hard, dusty grounds on which the All Blacks are now play- t ing in Africa are shown in a film ol this season’s club games at Capetown. Johannesburg and Durban. Great j crowds, Dutch, English and natives, seem to turn out to the matches. The comedy is one of the adventures • of that prize ass “Bibber,” who after ; going to immense lengths to prove to ; his uncle that lie is married, finds that : uncle has produced the most adorable i girl in the world. i Mr. J. Whiteford Waugh and the ; Majestic Orchestra play a splendid score.