TWO WINNERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 577, 1 February 1929, Page 15

TWO WINNERS

NEW REGENT PROGRAMME “SKIRTS” AND “SKYSCRAPERS” Two rollicking comedies provide the main features of the bill of fare which ushered in the new picture week for the Regent Theatre last evening. Mirth was the keynote of the two main pictures—but mirth presented from two different angles, though both possessing that essential requirement—box office appeal. The big draw of the evening was, of course, “Skirts,” the British comedy in which the inimitable Syd. Chaplin found full opportunity to exercise his talents as a mirtlimaker. Not since “Charley’s Aunt” has lie had a vehicle that afforded him such opportunities, and he has taken advantage of them to the fullest. This supporting cast is headed by Betty Balfour, “the English Mary Pickford,” and a comedienne who knows how to extract the last vestige of humour from every situation. “Skirts” is the fourth of these new British pictures. and the first in which Syd. Chaplin has starred, coming over from America specially to produce the picture. The story is a scream, based on the ever popular theme of a strong, masterful mother-in-law, and a timid, yielding a son-in-law, who is “kept under.” As Bertram Tully, a husband whose mother-in-law has taken charge of affairs after a fortnight of married life, Chaplin has a wild and woolly time.. When his wife and mother-in-law leav? for a sho.rt holiday, he finds himself plunged into a whirl of hectic gaiety through no fault of his own. While on a visit to a cabaret where he tries innocently to add to the enjoyment of others £ general riot is precipitated with the well-meaning but slightly dazed Benedict as the centre of the disturbance, which culminates in a police raid. The sudden return of the wives of both himself and his bosom friend, and the trouble caused by the machinations of an actress of the “fair but forty” variety, complicate matters still further, while a prize-fighter adds to the trouble. Attempts at concealment from his wife of his hectic evening lead from one mirth-provoking situation to another, involving the unfortunate young husband in a sea of troubles, which include a .real burglary and an attempted one, a genuine “caveman” fight, ending in a very much chastened mother-in-law. Chaplin is excruciatingly funny when he dons feminine attire and in the scenes where he has a hasty struggle with a bee which has found its way into his clothing. A feature of the production is the cabaret scene in which the famous Tiller girls appear in a series of dances. The production is a credit to British industry and is packed with laughter from beginning to end. The second big comedy is “Skyscraper,” which presents fun from a different angle. The story concerns the friendship of two steelworkers and combines hilarious mirth with a delicate touch of the dramatic. A great deal of the story is worked out high in the air above New York and breath-taking situations keep the audience gasping as the plot unfolds. William Boyd and Alan Hale in the principal parts and Sue Carol in the leading feminine part provide excellent acting in a picture which is excellent in every respect, and would provide a fine evening’s entertainment on its A programme of short supporting pictures adds to an already bumper programme. On the stage Freddie Hodges and Ivy Towe. in' a series of novel dance numbers, are as popular as ever, providing a wonderfully clever demonstration of nimbleness and drawing well-merited rounds of applause. The famous Regent Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Maurice Guttridge, provides an entertainment in itself, the fare provided including all that is the latest in music. Monty Collins is teamed with Georse Davis in the feature comedy roles of “Who's Lyin’?” This is a new Educational-Mermaid comedy, and the second in which Collins has been featured.