THE REGENT THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 5 September 1930, Page 19

THE REGENT THEATRE.

"THE VAGABOND KING."

The bos plans are filling rapidly for thii season of "The Vagabond King," which opens at the Regent Theatre on Monday. This picture, based on the well-known stage play whifh was, in turn, adapted from Justin McCarthy's book, "If I Were King," tells the romantic story of Francois Villon, King Louia Xlm and Katherine de Vaucelles, * history of picturesque people which gives the prosaic man and woman of our day a few hours of glamour and gallantry by the simple medium of the motion picture and talking screen, a medium of modern magic it is to be feared, the average theatregoer is too apt to take for granted. It is impossible to dismiss "The Vagabond King" as "just another picture." There is in this musical» dramatic film all _ that the best that stage and screen combined can offer. Artists recruited from the stage play the leading roles; the services of Luavig Berger, a sort of modern Da Vinci, were obtained to direct the.film; it is made entirely in technicolonr, and the story of Villon ia not told with too sentimental sympathy for that vagabond. Dennis King, an Englishman, plays Villon with just the right touch of kindliness and arrogance. Jeanette Me-' Donald is Katherine, O. P. Heggie is King Louis, and -Warner Oland is Thibault, the treacherous Grand Marshal. The picture riots with gorgeons scenes,and is one imposing panorama, of spirited action. Tho music, singing, solos, are artistic gems, and the love story of Francois and the Royal ward is retold with great good taste. To miss this pictnre wonld be to miss seeing and hearing one of the masterpieces of the screen. "SARAH AND SON.»> A woman's persistence and perseverance in reaching her objective in life, though struggling against continued adversities, is the general theme of "Sarah and Son," the picture at the Regent Theatre this week. Ruth Chatterton has the lead.