STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 760, 5 September 1929, Page 17

STRAND

“BLACK WATCH” TOMORROW This evening sees the final screening at the Strand Theatre of “Speakeasy,” the fine all-talking production of New York sporting life, also the short talkie supports. The new film and talkie attraction at the Strand from tomorrow introduces yet another popular player from the silent films, who has gone into talkies. His name is Victor McLaglen, he is a Fox Films star, and his current starring production for the organisation with which he is affiliated is the alltalkie “The Black Watch,” is based on the Talbot Mundy story and directed by John Ford. Curiously enough, his ability to withstand punishment stood him in good stead in the making of this picture, for in one sequence he was obliged to wrestle with a 2501 b Fox Movietone means that it is an all-dialogue production. McLaglen enacts the role of “Captain Donald Gordon King,” of the “Black Watch.” who is sent to India at the outbreak of the World War on a secret mission for his government. His brother officers incline to the belief that “King” asked for the detail solely to avoid actual fighting, but the evolution of the story reveals that “King” upheld all the traditions of his regiment, proved himself a valiant soldier and accomplished the objective of his government, though he had a fight on his hands mostly because of the intrigue and scheming of a most exotic woman, “Yasmani,” who aspired to rule India. Myrna Loy as “Yasmani” heads the supporting cast, which includes such seasoned, capable and popular players as David Rollins, Lumsden Hare, Roy D’Arcy, Mitchell Lewis, David Torrence, David Percy and Cyril Chadwick.