UNENDING QUEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 674, 28 May 1929, Page 15

UNENDING QUEST

LON CHANEY, AVENGER REGENT’S DRAMATIC OFFERING Lon Chaney has chosen a new and uncommonly appropriate setting- for his latest Auckland release. For a time he specialised in city “haunties” and underworld stories; now he appears against a background of strange, forbidding jungle—the jungle that gives such an unusual touch to “West of Zanzibar,” now at the Regent. This exciting picture of a man’s amazing intrigues in the course of an unending quest for one who stole his wife comes as a sound synchronised production. Without question it is one of the most absorbing films of its kind screened by the Regent for rryiny a “Unusual” is the adjective most frequently used in dealing with Lon Chaney’s work, both from a personal and from a production standpoint. It must be used again. “West of Zanzibar” is quite an unusual picture—unusual in the treatment of the theme, the weird nature of the settings, and the quality of the acting. Chaney is a brilliant star though his methods are painstaking and meticulously thorough. His acting seldom sweeps to great dramatic heights: ( rather does it create a solid foundation and builds steadily from that. And when the edifice is complete one faces a characterisation of startling power, seldom pleasant, but undeniably real. Such is his “Lead Legs” Flint in “West of Zanzibar.” It is not a sympathetic role, but it is ideal for the purpose of a man who sacrifices everything in attaining the desired level, be it high or low. Round it are built a number of admirably portrayed characters, each with a decided shade of difference from the humdrum everyday part. Lionel Barrj-more. Mary Nolan and Warner Baxter are the supporting principals. The first is one of the finest character actors in America. Mary Nolan is a correct foil to the stark and primitive nature of the action, while Baxter is an increasingly successful juvenile lead. I The story tells of a revolting cripple’s i wanderings to Zanzibar, and beyond, j in pursuit of the man who wrecked his : life as a vaudeville entertainer. He believes that the girl who bears his name is the daughter of his rival and treats her accordingly, but in the end, when his lifetime object is attained, lie finds she is really of his own flesh and blood. This brings about a gripping crisis and climax. The sound synchronisation of the picture is excellent, adding much to the entertainment quality of the film as a whole. A novel and delightfully varied programme of talkie short subjects is included in the Regent’s new programme. There is an up-to-date news budget. particularlj r interesting because many of the sequences deal with the terrible winter of 1928-29 in Europe. Next Van and Schinck “take the stage” in a series of Movietone comedy duets. These artists, who make their second appearance in Auckland, are a little difficult to follow, but their work is smart, novel and wonderfully co-ordin-ated. Nat L. Ayres, the popular composer of light melodies, and his partner, Elsa Ersi record excellently, and their songs and patter are exceptionally realistic. Then there is Luce Dekerek .Tnrto. a violinist of outstanding merit, whose playing provided the bept short item last evening. The melody of the instrument was projected with a delightful crispness and clarity.