REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 August 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

“THE LAMBETH WALK.” The fascinating lilt of the popular “Lambeth Walk” melody is but a minor feature of the screamingly funny pic-1 ture named after it and now showing I at the Regent Theatre. True, the air runs through many of the sequences and the dance is gaily portrayed. But it is the perfect characterisation of true Cockneys and real “blue bloods” of aristocracy in a happily concocted form of mixed grill which makes this picture one of the outstanding comedies of the year. The story is simple and, as other than a means of providing dozens of ludicrous but laughable situaworthless. A Cockney becomes heir To a title and a fortune. He is introduced to a family rich in aristocratic tradition and he, in turn, introduces Lambeth ways and Lambeth people into aristocratic lives. Lupino Lane is the Cockney and plays his part brilliantly. He is little, impetuous and laughter-loving, as true Cockneys are. His “bunch of grapes” is Sally Gray, a vivacious type who wins high honours whether as the Lambeth shopgirl or as the budding lady of the Castle. Sir Seymour Hicks plays the part of a cheery aristocrat and though it Js years. since he was at the height of his fame on the legitimate stage, he has lost little of the perfect poise which always marked hi§, stage performances. Admittedly, the situations are, for the most part, those of true slapstick comedy, but the picture must not be judged on that basis. The dialogue is clever and really funny, although on Saturday night some of it was lost in the roars of laughter from the large audience. That was a tribute, however, to the entertainment value of the show and he would be a dour type who could not find lots of laughter in this brilliant English production. The supporting programme is a good one and the newsreel of the home-coming of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth is very fine. A coloured travelogue of “Costa Rica,” another of the crime does not pay series, and a musical comedy made an excellent first half. “Lambeth Walk” will be shown again tonight and tomorrow night.