REGENT, ELTHAM FILMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1940, Page 4

REGENT, ELTHAM FILMS.

EXCITING ACTION DRAMA. Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew share honours in their new Universal film, "Two Bright Boys, which will be showing to-night only at the Regent Theatre, Eltham. Here is a story into which are woven heart-throbs,_ laughter and the absorbing drama of a youngster's courage in the face of impending disaster. In this picture both Freddie and Jackie prove their right to a place among the screen favourites. Jackie is east as a penniless youth who defies an unscrupulous oil-baron while drilling a well on "a run-down Texas farm. Bartholomew's portrayal of the young English stranger and the unwilling obstacle to Jackie's plans, is moie varied and finel.y done than any role he has played since "David Copperfield. By turns he is a scoundrel, hero, traitor and then, in the climax, a brave friend who is willing to risk everything to prove his loyalty to a pal. Matching Cooper's skill at every point in the narrative, he scores a personal hit. Alan Dinehart lends grim realism as the scheming oil baron, while Melville Cooper is especially effective as the impoverished Englishman who has been reduced to gambling to support his son Freddie. Dorothy Peterson as Jackie's mother and J. M. Kerrigan in the role of the fire-eating Irish oil-man, contribute to the general excellence of the film. The Metrotone Newsreels to-night contain views of the Anzac's landing in England.