STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 774, 21 September 1929, Page 19

STRAND

“THE BLACK WATCH” Owing to its unprecedented success, Victor McLaglen’s fine film of India in 1914, “The Black Watch,” will be screened at the Strand Theatre for yet another week. To say that it is

the most entertaining talking picture that has ever been made is a statement few will feel inclined to quarrel with. It’s simply the sort that the whole town is talking about. It’s got just about everything, exciting intrigue, amorous adventure, thrills

and romance. The characters, thanks to the excellent cast, actually live. The direction, thanks to John Ford, is flawless. And the story throughout is admirable and logical, never lagging yet never slipping over the best spots. McLaglen, whose popularity is sure to increase by leaps and bounds in talkies, is the star, and does excellently. “The Black Watch” is a tale of love and adventure and intrigue and passion. All of these elements are carefully balanced and gracefully embellish the conflict between a man and a woman, political enemies yet in love, playing with empires as stakes. From one situation to another the story moves, the duel constantly mounting in intensity to a breath-taking climax. An interesting sidelight on the production is the music. An excellent bagpipe band entertains in one sequence, while in others there are old folk tunes and a Moslem prayer's song. Joseph Diskay, the Hungarian baritone, and David Percy, tenor, are the singers, and very effective, too. The strong supporting cast includes such capable players as Roy D’Arcs’, David Rollins, Lumsden Hare, Mitchell Lewis, Cyril Chadwick and Walter Long. Hundreds of minor players appear in various scenes. 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.