STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 839, 6 December 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“BULLDOG DRUMMOND”

“Bulldog Drummond,” tlie film adaptation of the famous book by Sapper, commences today the second week of its Auckland season at the Strand Theare. The film, which is an all-talking United Artists production, gives Ronald Colman. who will be favourably remembered for sterling portrayals in dramatic roles, an opportunity to play his first genuine comedy part since he entered American pictures. The story, which is familiar to thousands, deals with the thrilling, and at times humorous, adventures of Bulldog Drummond, a demobilised English officer in search of excitement after the war. With a friend, Algy Longworth, he advertises in a London newspaper for excitement, stipulating that there will be no objection to danger. He chooses one answer at random out of several thousand, signed “Phyllis B.”, and follows up the plea for help contained in it. A meeting place is appointed, and Drummond learns that while travelling with her uncle, an American millionaire named Travers, the latter has been taken prisoner by an unscrupulous Dr. Lakington, and his confederate, Peterson. He has been detained at Lakington's sanatorium, with the object of attempting to extort money and jewels from him by means of torture. Drummond and Algy are sceptical, and the girl goes away in despair. Unknown to her the two criminals, and Irma, who passes as Peterson’s daughter, have followed Phyllis, and their sudden appearance, combined with Lakington’s strange manner, convinces Drummond that there is #>mething in her story. That is the start of the excitement he has been looking for. The talking supporting programme includes a Pox Movietone News, songs by Dale Smith, the baritone, and, in addition, the latest Eve’s Review.