“LAUGHTER WEEK”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 899, 17 February 1930, Page 13

“LAUGHTER WEEK”

GLENN TRYON AT HIS FUNNIEST “BARNUM WAS RIGHT” AT PLAZA Glen Tryon’s efforts to prove that “a ! sucker is born every minute" were hilariously received when “Barnum Was Right," a talking farce-comedy, opened at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, Universal made a happy choice in selecting Tryon for the leading role in this picture. The story lends itself admirably to Tryon’s fun-making abilities, and immeasurably strengthens his place in the front rank of comedians. Merna Kennedy is co-starred with the comedian. Tryon gives a flawless performance in his role. Miss Kennedy shows a strong flare for comedy. "Barnum Was Right" deals with the adventures of an impoverished young man whose girl is whisked away by her father on the day set for their wedding. Poverty being the objection to his matrimonial desires, the young hero sets out to win a fortune. He opens a summer hotel, trusting to tales of pirate treasure concealed on the premises to bring in guests by the carload. His scheme succeeds beyond his wildest dreams —and to his great discomfiture. His treasure-hunting guests chop holes in the walls and floors, and eventually blow up the hotel in their search for pirate gold. Crooks and detectives offer still further complications—and the hero finally attains his . ambitions through entirely unexpected means. The supporting cast is one of the strongest ever assembled. Otis Harlan. in a featured role, gives his usual polished performance, and excellent character work also is done by Basil Radford, an actor who was well known on Auckland stages not so very long ago. To complete the programme for "Laughter Week," there are two big talkie comedies. These are "The Interview," starring the popular comedians, "Clark and McCullough," and "Mush Again,” a "Sunny Jim" comedy.

A 1 Jolson, of course, became the first great star of talking pictures; his films, more than any other factor, revolutionised the motion picture industry and established generally the medium of talking pictures. He is under contract for further films, one each year, and George M. Cohan and William Anthony Maguire will be concerned in the writing and directing of the first two pictures Jolson does for United Artists. When he went into picture work, it is well established. Mr. Jolson was the biggest personal drawing card on the stage 71 America.