"TELLING THE WORLD."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19460, 6 November 1928, Page 16

"TELLING THE WORLD."

HUMOUR AND DRAMA. j

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE,

There is an abundance of drama and action in the excellent film showing at the Crystal Palace Theatre this week, ' 'Telling the World.'' The locale of the story ranges from happy, go-lucky New York to the stirring and turbulent battlefields of revolutionary China. But the predominant theme is humour, and no more accomplished humorist could be found to fill the role of the amazingly self-assured young reporter than Billy Haines. His colossal "cheek" is astounding, and throughout a story which is vibrant with pop and nerve he ' does everything in a most unorthodox way—a way peculiarly his own. If Billr Haines wants anything, ho takes it for granted that he will get it, and he is U Ta"t fifth from hi, home by an irate parent, Don Davis (Billy Haines) bethinks himself of the necessity for some-nie&ns of livelihood. He would make, so he thinks, an excellent city reporter (the jolly old New York Press needs bucking up, anyhow) so he approaches the news editor of a big New York paper bearing the glad tidings that he (the news editor) is about to engage the best reporter in New York He is eventuallv engaged, on the understanding that he will give the paper a good story about the dramatic disinheritance of a young man-about-town, Donald Davis.. The amazement of the news editor can bo imagined when he learns the identity of his now member of the literary staff.. The. first assignment, of the cub reporter is to interview his father on the subject "Why My Father Kicked Me Out." At the Blue-Bird Cafe he gets his first really "hot" story, when ho is instrumental in unmasking a murder, and his paper, incidentally, gets the scoop.. At the cafe he meets the girl in the piece, a young lady of the chorus. The girl, however, leaves on a tour of China, and of course Davis follows with all'speed. Hero enters the real drama of the Btory, for the eirl is accused of shooting the Governor of Banking. She is sentenced, without trial, to death, the death sentence to take the hornblo form of beheading. In thrilling manner Davis gains access to a wireless station and sends out a call to an American destroyer for help. Even in the stress of the events which follow in fast and furiouß order Davis retains his news instinct, and manages to transmit an exclusive story to his paper in New York concerning the sensational death sentence passed by the Chinese military authorities on the captive white girl. The. rescue by aeroplane is a thrilling culmination to a picture crammed with action and incident and a wealth of humour peculiarly Hainesian. ' William Haines gives a delightfully refreshing rendering of a part well suited to him, and he keeps the fun going strong from start to finish. Anita Page is a new character on the screen, and her reputation is assuredly made by her fine exposition of this vivacious and yet often dramatic role. Polly Moran blbo has a most amusing part, but the camera is practically monopolised by the acting of the two principals. "Honour Bound" is a story of intense dramatic force, featuring Gew-ge O'Brien and Estelle Taylor. A further Urn of the very fine Music Masters series and a topical gazette complete the bill. The Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr Alfred J. Bunz, plays an attractive musical programme, including the following numbers: —Overture, "Raymond" (Thomas), "Eroica" (Beethoven). "Scherzo" (Tschaikowsky), "Sins and Prayers" (Mozart), ."Beatrice and Benedict" (Berlioz), "The Diamond" (Stas), "Supplicstion" (Baynes), "Just a Little Lady" (Merrin), and "Trombono Rag" (Kluckmann). ~