MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19916, 1 May 1930, Page 9

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

That the Americana are- not the only ones who can make good films is proved by "Blackmail" at the Majestic Theatre this week. Thia film is one of the beat we have had bo i**t **& i n addition it is acted by- the best English actors, and produced with the thoroughness characteristic of British undertakings. "Blackmail" > 3 one of the outstanding talkie productions of the year. To those moving picture patrons who have until recently deplored the fact that Britain has lagged behind in the cinema world, "Blackmail" will come as a welcome confirmation of the impression left by recent British films presented here that such a state of things no longer exists. England has been over-conservative in the film industry, with unfortunate results, but "Black'mail" is-, convincing proof that no longer is 1 the quality of British films in any way inferior to thoee of America. Some remarkably fine sidelights are thrown by the pioturo. on the work of the Scotland Yard organisation, and the story concerns a young girl who, in the defence of her honour, kills an artist In a Chelsea studio. 1 The Yard iB concerned only with apprehending those who have broken the law, and the detective who is set to track down the murderer happens to be in love with the girl, and also to know the justification for her act. A criminal also has this knowledge, and uses it for purposes of blackmail. This leads to complications, which are eventually happily solved without strain-, ing credulity over much. The girl, the detective, the blackmailer, and the artist are playedV respectively by Anny Ondra, John Longden, Donald Calthorp. and Cyril Richards, and the interpretations of intensely human and dramatio roles leave nothing to be desired. There are also some excellent talkie ""shorts," news items, and musical numbers, including the ' 'lndian Love Lyrics. "ROMANCE OF RIO GRANDE." WARNER BAXTER HEADS CAST. Not since that first really good talkie, "In Old Arizona," has Warner Baxter had Buch a completely satisfying vehicle than he has in "Romance of Rio Grande," the picture which will be presented at the Majestic Theatre next week. Not only is ■Baxter one of the best drawing cards in talkies,, but in "Romance of the Rio Grande he returns to hie first love, the type of story that is at once gloriously romantic and still possesses all the freshness and spaciousness of a true out-door drama. Associated with him in the film are Antonio Moreno, Mary Duncan, and Mona Maris, three artists who typify the colour and verve of the Latin American. Moreno is seen in his firet unsympathetic role, but with Warner Baxter in the cast no other man can hope to win tho senonta and emerge the greatest of the caballeros. The story is .taken from that great American work, "Conquistador," not the one by Phillip Guedella, but by Fullerton Gerould. The action takes place along the Rio Grande, that turbulent stream that separates not only the United States from Mexico, but also separates two people. The story is not humorous, for border passions are early loosed, and when there is so much Latin love it is not sensible to aeek comedy. Two songs, "Ride on, Vanquero" and "You'll Find the Answer in my .Eyes," are sung. The box plans are now open at The Bristol Piano Company, where eeats should be immediately reserved.