NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 576, 31 January 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

SYD. CHAPLIN IN “SKIRTS” Comedy, riotous and subtle, runs rampant throughout “Skirts,” the new production from the shores of Merrie England, which is to be the attraction at the New Regent Theatre this evening. This last word in screen merrymaking once more brings Syd. Chaplin to the fore as one of the screen’s greatest comedians. The film was made in England, birthplace of the popular unmaker, by British International Pictures, Ltd., and shows Chaplin at home in many scenes that for sheer fun top anything he did previously as a producer of laughs. “Skirts” was originally a famous London stage hit under the title “A Little Bit of Bluff.” As such, it took the English metropolis by storm a few seasons ago. It is said to be even funnier on the screen than on the speaking stage. In “Skirts,” Chaplin again demonstrates his ability to wear women’s regalia in a manner that creates gales of laughter. He did it successfully in “Charley’s Aunt,” and now he repeats with even greater gusto in a scene where he dons feminine garb to escape an angry villain in a night club battle. This new film deals in amusing fashion with the troubles of a man in search of diversion during his wife’s absence from town. Chaplin plays the husband, who is inveigled by a pretty actress into attending a cabaret at which she appears, with ensuing complications that are at their height when the absent wife returns. Nancy Rigg as the wife, and Ennie Esmond as an irate mother-in-law, both provide much entertainment. The second attraction this evening is a story in a novel setting. This is “The Skyscraper,” -which tells of two steelconstruction workers who are great friendsu ntil they fall out over a girl. The pcture abounds in thrills and suspense. William Boyd and Alau Hale have the leading roles. New music will be played by the Regent Operatic Orchestra, under Mr. Maurice Guttridge.