REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 208, 30 May 1936, Page 4

REGENT THEATRE

“Little Lord Fauntleroy” Hollywood explorers are going back in theatrical history for .-ome of their best screen storiee. One o£ these, which comc„ fresh, clean and sweet out of the past is Francis Hodgson Burnett'u story and play of nearly half a century ago, “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” exquisitely presented by David Selzuic for United Artists. This beautifully-acted picture, notable for two extraordinarily good performances in those of I’Teddie Bartholomew as Lord Fauntleroy, and Mr. C. Aubrey Smith as the Earl of Dorincourt, will stir the memory of many who in their youth saw the play in New Zealand, and came under the spell of its charm. “Little Lord Fauntleroy” is the story an elder son of the Earl of Dorincourt, who marries an American girl against his father s wishes, and seeks his fortune in New York, where he dies, leaving only his wife, “Dearest,” and their son, Cedric. As time passes the Earl ages. He feels that he must have an heir —must know the boy, his grandson, who is to succeed bun, —so sends Haversham, his lawyer, to dig him out in the back streets of Brooklyn. There little Ceddie, naturally refined and gentlemanly, has made his own circle of friends in Hobbs, the grocer, Dick, the bootblack, and the old apple-woman, and his intimacy with these good people is shown in several delightfully humorous scenes. Then comes the call of England and Dorincourt, and Ceddie regretfully leaves his cronies foe a coronet. But crusty old Dorincourt, confirmed in the belief that his son was won by trickery, will have none of “Dearest” at the castle. She must stay at the lodge, while her son takes up the role of Lord Fauntleroy. The lad’s courage, honesty, and subjudate everyone, includriig the irascible Dorincourt. Then comes the news that Cedric is not, after all, the heir. Another woman with a son claims priority of marriage with the eldest sou, a claim which is supported by documentary evidence difficult to combat. It is Dick, the bootblack, and Mr. Hobbs in far-away Brooklyn, who expose the fake. Dick •sees a picture of the new Lady Fauntleroy in a New York photograph, and recognises her as the cheap actress w.ho had married his own brother. So Dick and Mr. Hobbs take ship, and within a week or two they have the pretender out, and restore Cedric to his rightful place, amid the rejoicing of the countryside. The English scenes are beautifully done, and the early Victorian dresses and costumes are carefully depicted. Acting of a very high class is notable throughout the cast, particularly in the case of the winsome Freddie Bartholomew, Mr. Aubrey Smith, Miss Dolores Costello Barrymore (as “Dearest”), and Mr. Guy Kibbee as Mr. Hobbs. Another notable picture on the new programme is "Music Land,” a Walt 1 Silly Symphony in colour, represeniiug in the , quaintest manner an "allair” between the isles of Symphony and Jazz, which ends happily by the two islands being connected by a..bridge of harmony. It is a picture every musician should see.