LAUGHTER SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 526, 1 December 1928, Page 14

LAUGHTER SEASON

NEW STRAND PROGRAMME Laughter being an excellent tonic, the health of Strand Theatre patrons will be improved tremendously at the close of the “Steamboat Bill. Junr.,” season. It opened hilariously last evening, and frozen-faced Buster Keaton scored easily his greatest success in Auckland. Really funny comedies, like line week-ends, are few and Mr between, but there need be no misgivings about the latest Strand show. “Steamboat Bill, Junr.,” is a brisk and breezy offering that rises rapidly to a n overpowering gale of mirth, sweeping irresistibly forward to a climax which leaves the audience weak and aching, happy. During the past two or three years Buster Keaton has advanced steadily from two-reel slapstick to a position that establishes him as one of the Big Three of screen comedy. His latest picture is quite his most ambitious effort to date, and originality —the life-blood of the fun-maker —is the keynote throughout. The production is a delightfully unusual mixture of comedy methods. Opening in restrained style, it .is amusing comedy drama for a reel or two, and the characters are drawn firmly and realistically giving the human little plot a solid framework. Gradually, however, the action quickens. Situation after situation, each of a screamingly funny nature, is presented, and the story whirls forward on the wings of burlesque plus roaring farce. “Steamboat Bill, Junr.,” spells laughter to the tune of half a million dollars, for that amount was spent in the building and wrecking of the huge riverside sets used in the picture. Keaton plays the part of a college

“boob" who visits his father, the owner of a decrepit old river steamer. The day he arrives a local magnate has put a new and palatial vessel in the trade. “Steamboat Bill, Junr.,” fins that his college, sweetheart is the daughter of his father’s rival, but, nothing daunted, he joins forces with “old Bill" and takes part in the trade war. Things are looking black for the crew of the old boat when a terrific hurricane springs up. The town is wrecked, the wharves are smashed, the gaol is blown down, and the new steamer is sunk. The only surviving structure is the old steamer, on which Bill 'Junr. sails to the rescue. Bill Junr.’s adventures are amazing and his escapes miraculous. In each scene the onlookers are convulsed again and again. Ernest Torrance and Mary Byron support Keaton in this production. The former is both a comedian and a character actor of note. His success in “Steamboat Bill, Junr.,” is outstanding. Miss Byron is a new “find,” and a delectable little person to boot. The remainder of the Strand’s new programme is completely overshadowed by the big picture, but the items are worthy of attention for all that. A newsy gazette is followed by a superb technicolour two-reel film and a remarkably clever animal comedy. The orchestra, under the baton of Eve Bentley, plays “Rienzi” (Wagner) as a musical interlude. Having completed their scenes at Atlantic City, “The Cohens and Kellys” arrived recently in New York to take pictures of their arrival and departure from the Pennsylvania Station to entrain for Atlantic City.