STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 16

STRAND

“STEAMBOAT BILL, JNR.” To the accompaniment of river shipping wars, tornadoes and love afLfirs, Buster Keaton is leading a laugh carnival this week at the Strand Theatre, where the frozen-faced star’s new United Artists’ comedy, “Steamboat Bill Jr.,” is showing. The star, still his frozen-faced self, is a. master of subtle comedy and pantomime in “Steamboat Bill Jr.” as well as the limb-risking, blundering farceur whom the lovers of broader visibilities prefer. He also gives the other members of the company opportunity to glean their share of the laughs, especially Ernest Torrence, who is as funny in Buster’s picture as he has been villainous in most of his previous vehicles. Torrence’s venture into straight comedy stamps him as a gloom chaser of the first degree. Another supporting player who should be heard from as a result of “Steamboat Bill Jr.” is Marion Byron, a little comedienne who has a rollicking love affair with the star. A typical lower Mississippi River town is suddenly given a new lease of life by a bitter war between rival steamboat owners. Thousands of townspeople take sides in the feud. Buildings are swept into the river by a cyclone, which leaves large packets helpless. There is a laugh a minute throughout the excitement, which starts with the first scene and reaches its climax in the wildest, funniest ending ever shown on the screen. At the head of the excellent supporting programme is “Lady of Victories,” a beautifully coloured film of the lives of Napoleon and Josephine. Delightful music is provided by Eve Bentley’s Strand Symphonic Orchestra. On Friday next a new picture will be presented in “The Dove,” starring beautiful Norma Talmadge. “The Dove” is a romantic tale o.f Coster Rojer, of a dance hall girl, a young American engineer and a bluff brigand leader played by Noah Beery. Norma Talmadge officially becomes a United artist with the release of “The Dove.” In her debut as a United artist her role is that of Dolores Romero, a heroino of many moods. “The Dove” is a colourful narrative of a virtuous dance hall girl, a courgeous young itmerican, and “the bes’ cabalerro in all Costa Roia” —Don Jose Maria Sandoval. Noah Beery and Gilbert Roland play opposite Miss Talmadge.