ROXY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 17

ROXY

TWO BIG PICTURES The principal film at the Roxy Theatre, “Lucky in Love,” embodies a charming romance and serves to introduce the wonderful voice of Morton Downey, one of Broadway’s most popular singers. The story is set amid colourful backgrounds in America and Ireland, and some of the sound sequences are claimed to be the best yet heard at the theatre. Supporting Downey are Betty Lawford, Colin Johnston and Holliwell Hobbes. “Thunder,” the new Lon Chaney starring vehicle, a sound synchronised production, is the second picture and is decidedly worth while entertainment, for it tells a human interest story and is set against a background of mighty thrills and adventure. There is deft characterisation in it, too, as, of course, there always is in a Chaney picture. There is also romance, speed and authentic atmosphere. It also shows the beautiful Phyllis Haver in what she has announced as her farewell to the screen. Permeating all the scenes is breathtaking adventure. Thundering locomotives rush out of the dark like firebreathing monsters; a crack limited races the Mississippi flood—and wins—men sacrifice their lives for their calling. and so on. Altogether “Thunder” is just about the most thrill-crammed picture ever presented. Chaney’s role, that of a lovable old engineer, is vastly different from any of his previous characterisations. It is not on the order of the grotesque, but is, instead, intensely poignant and human. As old* “Grumpy,” veteran engineer, he appears to be always growling, never satisfied with anything, but Underneath he idolises his sons and little grandson and worships the traditions of the road he has served so long.