NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 876, 21 January 1930, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“FAST COMPANY” “Fast Company,” the bright comedy romance that heads the programme now at the Regent Theatre, is a story centering round the American baseball game. The cast appearing in it speaks as well as anything else for the picture’s value. Evelyn Brent, Jack Oakie, Richard (“Skeets”) Gallagher, Sam Hardy and Arthur Housman take the principal parts, Jack Oakie in particular j>laying outstandingly well. The plot is based on a story written by that great American humorist, Ring Lardner. The hero, played by Jack Oakie, is a boastful but lovable young man, whose weaknesses are his strongest assets. Brought up in the country, he finds the lure of city life too strong in him and when he finally reaches the metropolis as a member of a famous baseball team, he falls into company that is far too fast. Influenced by an actress and some sharp gamblers he gets himself into a mess that not only nearly ruins his future, but also nearly loses his team their final match. Fortunately, at the last minute something happens that alters the whole position. Oakie is a new type of comedian to the screen, and in this picture he will win many thousands of admirers. A splendid supporting programme is presented. This includes talking and singing featurettes, items on the Wurlitzer organ by Ewart Lyne, and songs by Jack Lumsdaine, the “whispering baritone.” “The Virginian,” coming to the Regent on Thursday, is a classic of the screen. Just as “The Covered Wagon,” in silent pictures, represented a masterpiece of true American drama and romance based on historical facts, so does “The Virginian” portray, in sound pictures, an epic theme, based on American pioneer history in the West. “The Virginian” is rich in characterwork on the part of the players. It is rich in romance, it is super-charged with tense drama and thrilling action, and it is nicely balanced with rollicking humorous interludes. It is a picture for the families, if ever there was one. Above all “The Virginian” represents the- topmost peak of directorial and production 'endeavour in the amazing medium of the new show world.