STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 17

STRAND

“THE BLACK WATCH” Victor McLaglen leaped into stardom : with his Captain-Flagg of “What Price Glory?” and for that immemorable performance must always expect to have his name coupled with that inimitable character, despite his sterling all-round qualities as an actor. But if Victor ever makes another picture as thoroughly satisfying as his current “The Black Watch” (incidentally, his first all-talker), then the public might i very well forget his first success. McLaglen’s role in “The Black Watch,” now at the Strand, though a military ond, is as different from the doughty, cussin’ marine as “Journey’s End” is from “What Price Glory?” as different as intrigue in India is from trench warfare. It is wholly in dialogue and it may be mentioned here that the Movietone process again demonstrates its superior qualities. A fine supporting cast enunciates perfectly and not a syllable is lost. Mitchell Lewis, Myrna Loy, Lumsden Hare, David Rollins, Roy D’Arcy (a most successful villain) and many others in the. cast are a treat to hear. There is also some very successful singing, a prayer song sung bv Joseph Diskay the tenor, and some other charming things by David Percy, the young baritone. Last. but not least, there is a glorious bagpipe band. The talking and singing features which make up the remainder of the programme include an all-talking comedy, “His First Lesson,” a new Fox Movietone News, a Fox Variety Travelogue, and -songs and dances by Randolph’s Royal Hawaiians.