THRILLS AND LAUGHS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 15

THRILLS AND LAUGHS

REGENT'S NEW PROGRAMME LATEST BUSTER KEATON COMEDY Laughs and thrills are competing for public approval at the Regent. The latest programme, presented for the first time yesterday, contains a selection of each, and on this occasion it must be said that the laughs win. But what chance have the creepiest of thrills against Buster Keaton? Once more a bill of all-round merit has been selected. It is to be enhanced still further this evening when Signor Russo and Miss Bradford, of Ltalian Grand Opera fame, from J. C. Williamson Celebrity Vaudeville (Sydney), will make their Auckland debut, but last evening’s offering was excellent in itself. “The Cameraman,’’ a genuinely funny Buster Keaton feature-length comedy, earned and held pride of place. “Shadows of the Night,” with Lawrence Grey, “Flash,” the dog star, and Louise Lorraine, supplied excitement and dramatic interest. A Regent budget of particularly interesting news was the hors d’oeuvre, and the screen fare was served in conjunction with the Regent Orchestra led by Mr. Maurice Guttridge, who has made an exceptional choice of musical numbers. But to return to “The Cameraman.” For straight-out comedy there is one test, and one only. If it produces really hearty laughter from beginning to end it is perfect. If it falls short of that ideal, the measure of its success is in proportion to its humour content. It w r ould be too much to say that “The Cameraman” is perfect- Unless man’s sense of humour became standardised, such a film will remain an impossibility. Nevertheless, the new Keaton production takes a high place on the ladder. “Steamboat Bill, Junr.,” was, per--1 haps, the funniest comedy seen in Auckland during the past 12 months | and, unquestionably. Buster’s best I effort to date. “The Cameraman” runs it very closely.

Plots mean little in pictures of this type, but the story of “The Cameraman" is worth mention. It tells of a young newsreel man who battles against the -world in general for his lady love. Marceline Day is the girl, and one of the most charming supporting stars Buster has employed. There is a trace of burlesque in the adventures of the man with the camera, for the subject has been a favourite among comedy-drama producers. The new comedy shows how a newsreel should not be photographed. and Buster creates endless fun with his strange antics in still stranger situations.

Now for criminals and gun-men, underworld frays and midnight mystery. . . . “Shadows of Night" is running through the projector. This is a “dog" story treated from a new angle. It is usual for fourfooted stars to make their appearance in Westerns and two-reel slapsticks, but “Flash" is cast as the companion of a young reporter who is making criminal investigations in a city underworld area.

During the prowls of the man and the dog, Jimmy Sherwood, a newspaper man, meets Molly, a gang member, who wishes to reform. Together they defeat the criminals, but it remaifis for “Flash" to crown their of-

forts with success by hie remarkably intelligent behaviour. This is lively entertainment of th« sort that produces lively appreciation. Laurence Grey and Louise Lorraine are thoroughly at homo in their parts, and the supporting players have been chosen cprefullj". The entr’acte is •Massinello.' played delightfully.