NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 595, 22 February 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“LAUGH, CLOWN, LAUGH” Long looked for and heralded as one of the linest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer releases of the year, "Laugh, Clown, Laugh,” Lon Chaney’s masterpiece, was presented at the Regent Theatre last evening. Advance publicity led theatre-going Auckland to expect much. And the

Regent’s critical I audience could I only say: "The I half had not been I told us.” "Laugh, I Clown, Laugh” is I a very simple I story and because I it is simple its I force depends upon I its players rather I than complexity I of plot. Its appeal | is compelling for Lon Chaney—Tito, the clown—is only

the impersonation of thousands who wears the mask of laughter, "even though their heart be breaking.” What a world of tragedy lay behind the painted face of Tito. From the carefree life of a little company of itinerant Italian clowns Tito achieves immense success and becomes the idol of all Rome. In his days of poverty the clown had taken unto liis protection a baby girl abandoned by a family “with too many babes” to the care of the saints.” Nurtured by Tito she develops to become a rare and beautiful flower. The clown realises in his dim sort of way that he loves Simonetta, as the foundling was named. Loretta Young, who is justly described as one of the year’s "discoveries,” lias caught the spirit of the play to perfection. She is equally fascinating as the dainty artiste of the sawdust ring or in the role of the lover of Count Ravelli. It is when the count declares his love for, and is accepted by Simonetta that Tito laughs with gay Rome to conceal a breaking heart. The "Man of a Thousand Faces” gives us a play of a thousand emotions. The tragic sacrifice of his whole soul for a love he cannot attain strikes sadly- 1 — more, it is agonising. The picture is notable for a rapidity in change of

scene. You are transported through the sunny fields of Italy, you visit the palace of a count, you stand at the ringside where clowns are rehearsing and you watch Flick and Flock in death-defying acrobatics under the glittering lights of a great Roman theatre. All roads this week lead to the screen Rome—to the Regent—to Tito and "Laugh, Clown, Laugh.”

As a prologue Alec Regan, the popular singer and drawing-room entertainer, gave a Well-received rendering

of "Laugh, Clown,” a song which finds its inspiration in the famous prologue to "JPagliacci.” He was also heard in clever interpretations of "Sonny Boy,” “Fifty Million Frenchmen,” and other numbers.

Mr. Maurice Guttridge had spared no pains to present an especially attractive musical programme. Selections from "I Pagliacoi” were tastefully

executed during the screening of the principal picture. "In a Monastery Garden” was played by Mr. Guttridge on the Wurlitzer organ. A gazette and a comedy, "Bo Gontlemen Snore?” complete a first-rate entertainment. One of the principal characters In "The Case of Lena Smith,” the latest Esther Ralston starring picture for Paramount, is played by Fred Kohler. Kohler has appeared in many Paramount productions, notably "Underworld” and "Forgotten Faces.” James Hall is playing the male lead opposite Miss Ralston under the direction of Josef von Sternberg.

A new mystery story titled, "Seven Footprints to Satan.” which boasts the largest cast of the year, has been completed by First National Pictures. Featuring Creighton Hale and Thelma Todd, this well-known story is presented as a mystery play full of eerie sequences and spooky thrills, with some splendid acting by the principals.