THE CIRCUS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19466, 13 November 1928, Page 9

THE CIRCUS.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN'S LATEST. ALSO, "THE GENERAL." A programme of unusual merit is being screened at the Queen's Theatre this week, and patrons of that theatre have a week of undiluted mirth beforeMhem. Charlie Chaplin reappears in Ohristchurch in his splendid picture "The Circus.'' Charlie Chaplin is'funny-at all times, but he appears in this 1 Picture to have reached the zenith ot his humorous acting. "The Circus," with all its farcical humour, its gleeful foolery on the part of Chaplin, has mingled with it that touch' of pathos and sadness which that genius always inserts in his broadest comedy. There is pathos in the spectacle of the handy man about the circus 'striving- for the honours of the ring and whenever he is allowed to essay hiß hand.on the ringß and his feet on the tight ropes, that is the signal for complete uproar. Chaplin is,a great comedian, and in-"The Circus," with a good story and an elaborate picture from the material viewpoint, he has made a brilliant fllin.'of laughs and uproar. ■_•• . Chaplin; is a man about town, a. tramp, 'and hangs about, the' circus which is playing in the city.- Time and time again he is packed off by the irate owner,- -wha-has, bythe way, a very pretty, although ill-treated daughter, but still Chaplin, in his humorous and delightful manner, potters about until he is taken on as a "funny man.' But in the rehearsal he annoys the owner and again is "sent about his business. Eventually he again lands a job at the circus, this time as a scene shifter, and in that capacity makes good. Without knowing it he is the hit ol the circus. . .. • However, things come out all right for mm in the long run, and the picture is brought to a splendid climax with Charlie appearing as the hero of the hour. The second picture is also a riotus comedy. "The General" is the title, but it is an altogether different type from the first picture. Here is comedy, and farce, and still more comedy. Buster Keaton, with his unsmiling face and his assumption of stupidity, does not bother with such subtle things as tears and sympathy. He wants to be a soldier, for war, of a kind, and a very funny kind, is abroad. So he becomes a soldier, even a: general, and makes a muddle of things in: a most glorious and riotous manner. . . . Both comedies are vastly clever, original, and thrilling. Altogether it is an excellent programme and can be recommended to anyone wanting a good, hearty laugh.