REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 278, 20 August 1938, Page 16

REGENT THEATRE

* “The Perfect Specimen”

In view of the fact that it was written by the same author, it is perhaps not surprising that Warner Bros’. “The Perfect Specimen,” at the Kegent Theatre, should show a close resemblance in style to' It Happened One Night,” the first of the “runaway” series of comedies. sstill, tne new film has a certain individuality, arising from its thesis that a young man could be reared in isolation to a state of perfection, but would soon show his human fraility, and become a much more likeable fellow, when brought into contact with the outside world. That idea in itself is a bright one, and it becomes much brighter through the acting ot Erroll Flynn and Joan Biondell, and

a supporting cast which includes several o£ the studio’s most competent players. Errol Elynn is charming and efficient }n a lightcomedy manner, but does not bother

much with the subtleties of hie role as

the apparently spineless young multimillionaire who is brought up as a virtual prisoner on his estate by a dictatorial grandmother. Under her direction he is schooled in all the arts and sciences with a view to excelling all ot his 10,000 employees when the day shall come for him to take control of his fortune. He even submits to his grandmother choosing a fiancee for him. But it is inevitable that the old lady’s plans will go astray when Joan Blondell, a fascinating little minx, crashes into the hothouse in which the "specimen, is being nutured and tempts him -to join ner in gaining a taste of the fun that normal, imperfect, beings enjoy. Their runaway adventures make up the rest of the film, and include a prize-fight, an encounter with a mad poet, and a great deal of amusing chasing about the countryside in a motor-car. While the specimen is at large, his grandmother is firmly convinced that he has been kidnapped, and urges on the police force of the whole nation to frantic efforts. The film is not without its comparatively dull patches, and takes rather too long to reach its conclusion, but on the whole is most enjoyable .fare, thanks largely to the brilliant acting of Joan Blondell, who is by long odds, the best performer in a cast that also includes Edward Everett Horton. May Robson,. Hugh Herbert, Hick Foran, Allen Jenkins, and Beverly Roberts.