“LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 18

“LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY”

REGENT'S ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME NORMA SHEARER LEADS How a small band of professional crocks, the lea f er from all appearances a perfect gentleman, uses a very pretty and fascinating woman as a decoy into polite society for the purpose of a daring robbery, is unfolded in the all-talking picture, “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," screened at the Regent Theatre last evening. It is' a film drama which, with its clever plot and prominent actors, may be claimed to be the most notable shown in Auckland for some time. Since the advent of the talkie, Auckland theatregoers have on occasions been favoured with the best of English actors, elocutionary artists in every sense of the word, but more often has the Aucklander had the strongly accented American actor. But “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" is a drama played by actors with magnificent speaking voices, whose gentle sarcasm and clever repartee are alone an entertainment. The picture was taken from that famous play of the same name by Frederick Lonsdale, which is known throughout the world. And Sydney Franklin, the film director, has indeed worked into the screen version, with outstanding success, all the better points and pleasing qualities of the original. Norma Shearer, who plays the leading role, is most suited to the part and she greatly enhances her fine reputation as a dramatic actress. She is bound to become one of the leading stars in the talkie world, for her speaking voice is most distinct and charmingly entertaining. Then her seemingly casual attitude toward all things classes her as one with personality and a quiet determination. The supporting cast is by no means made up of “second-raters" of the picture world, for Basil Rathmore .vi :h an abundance of stage experience to his credit makes his debut on the screen in the leading male role. Another is George Barraud, who will always be remembered for his work in “The Bellamy Trial," but more so in this picture, in which he takes the part of Mrs. Chevney’s butler and partner in crime. He has a difficult part to play, but he does it well. George K. Arthur, Herbert Brunston, Hedda Hopper and Moon Carroll are among the others. THE STORY Mrs. Cheyney is an adventuress. She is fascinating and beautiful, and these qualities win for her a high place in London society. She quickly becomes popular and is invited to a house party of some consequence. Here the hostess is wearing a most valuable string of jewels and she plans in the most daring fashion to steal them. Owing to a most unexpected intervention she changes her plans. Her new plans are perhaps unusual, but they provide a line of most unexpected happenings, which throughout calls for the keenest interest of the audience. Intermingled with all the seriousness of the story is an abundance of humour, for Cyril Chadwick, in the part of Willie Wynton, while wellmeaning, presents himself as a fool. Then Herbert Brunston. as Lord Elton, who is infatuated with Mrs Cheyney but is rather shy to announce his intentions to her, provides much dry but pleasing humour. Supporting the main picture is an attractive programme which features the popular entertainer. Jack Lumsdaine, well known to Aucklanders. He sings various new numbers from the