"M'FADDEN'S FLATS."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19448, 23 October 1928, Page 14

"M'FADDEN'S FLATS."

AN EXCELLENT COMEDY. AT QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Varied and entertaining is the programme at the Queen's .Theatre, this . week. The main attraction is "McFadden's Flats," with the two popular comedians, Charlie Murray and Chester Conklin, in the leading roles. Both actors have considerable .reputations as to their,ability to produce many mirth-pro-voking scenes, and itt .this picture they have ample scope for their ability. The picture is an excellent combination of humour, romance, and pathos, while the theme is both naive and sophisticated. Many laughs are introduced by Charlie Murray, as McFadden, whoso ambition it is to build an enormous block of' flats, and by Chester Conklin, as the barber, who, although he is the best friend-of Mcfndden, is continually quarrelling with liim. McFadden almost attains his ambition with tho assistance of his friend, only to And that he would be unable tp fulfil his contract. He. is faced with ruin, as is also his barber friend, who secretly financed the venture. McFadden meets an old-time friend, and in order to persuade him to advance money to complete the work, invites him to a party in his newly acquired mansion. Everything is progressing satisfactorily when a quarrel ont, and the guests depart, The two old friends are left lamenting, when suddenly their financier returns and everything is arranged to their satisfaction. The love interest has been cleverly introduced in the story, and, as is not the caso with tho majority of pictures, if is not tho main theme. The plot is simple, but so t rleverly is pathos and humour interwoven that the pictnro does not require a complicated series of events to stimulate the interest. Chester Conklin has beeu noted for his comedy acting, but in this picture he excels himself, both .as a comedian and an exceptionally clever character "actor. Tho supporting picture is "Jim the Conqueror," which has been adapted from the novel by Peter B. Kyne. In the rolo of the conquering Jim--is seen 'William Boyd, who made such a favourable impression in* "The Volga Boatman." The story loses nothing in the transposition to the screen, containing the romance, humour, and real 'wholesometiess of all Kyne's stories. The picture opens in'air old German town on the Rhine, but the scenes quickly change to tho Golden West of America. It is here that the action of the story really commences. There are the usual bad men. gun-fights, and hardriding .cowboys, while thrilling scenes follow in quick succession. Elinor Faire lends admirable support to the star. Other pictures shoVn includo news (ilms and entertaining comedies. .