REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 12

REGENT THEATRE

An old-time frontier melodrama with a new twist that turns it into a comedy is "The Lady from Cheyenne,” produced and directed by Frank .Lloyd. When a rascally, land-grabbing politician, a lawyer ready to participate in all forms of "genteel skulduggery,” and- a- very “rightthinking” schooltna'am get together in the opening up of the frontier town oi Laraville, there is all the makings of a first-class “saga of the West” so familiar to filmgoers. There are the usual shootings. beatings, and burnings by the henchmen of the crooked politician, played by Edward Arnold, even though his lawyer, Robert Preston, tries to keep the schemes of his boss “all legal-like.” But this phase of the plot lasts ouiy till the schoolma'am, Loretta Young,' takes a hand. Unsophisticated and naive though she may be, after Arnold’s nefarious, schemes are exposed to her by Frank Craven, a crusading newspaperman, and her .school is deliberately burnt down, she decides it is time the people of the community gave Arnold his deserts. But the men will not take any action, and the women have not any franchise, so Loretta Young sets out for Cheyenne to persuade the Legislature to enact a law giving women the franchise. Quite oblivious to the fact that she is proposing an unheard-of departure in law-making, she naively tells' the townsfolk she will get the Bill passed and “be back Thursday”! Acting honours go to Loretta Young for a very fine performance in a role calling for versatility, especially in the gradual blossoming of a staid schoolmistress into a beautiful and smartly-gowned heroine — a role which could, so easily be oyerdone. Edward Arnold gives his usual polished performance and in spite of his foul doings he is a rather likeable villain. Robert Preston’s acting still needs a little ironing-out here and there and lacks the “body” of some of the more experienced actors.

Of the small part nlayers.one worthy of special mention is Wiliie Best, who, plays the part of “George,” a wise negro cloakroom attendant of a frontier- Legislature, in the 1870 period. Best, who first won screen prominence in the role of a valet in “The Ghost Breakers.” has a small part, but he handles it smoothly.. . .