THE PICTURE HOUSES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 9 August 1927, Page 9

THE PICTURE HOUSES.

COSY DE LUXE. Another cyclone of laughs, with Reginald Denny as instigator and master of ceremonies, is entertaining audiences at the Cosy Theatre now. Its title is “Take It From Me,” and its sole purpose is the promotion and furtherance of laughter. It has no serious intent, and it is riotously funnier even than Denny’s previous pictures, “What Happened to Jones” of “Winner’s Dress Suit.” Fancy Reginald Denny, if you can, as the manager of a department store in a big city. He doesn’t know any more about running one in the picture than he probably does in real life. But he is deadly serious in trying to do the job right. He must show a profit or lose the store. Of course the comedy villain comes in here by trying to prevent him from keeping the establishment out of the red side of the ledger. But Denny’s numerous amusing antics — which he performs in a profound and solemn manner which makes them all the funnier—and his countless blunders and instances of bad business judg mental Iturn out for the best, and Denny wins the store the girl and the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience. Blanche Mehaft'ey makes a beautiful and charming leading woman for the clever farceur. Ben Hendricks, Jr., and Lee Moran as the blundering but well-intentioned friends of the hero are a splendid comedy team. The second picture is “The Man of the Forest,” Zane Grey’s fine tale, with Jack Holt in the title role. • MUNICIPAL. Victor Schertzinger, who directed Bell© Bennett in “The Lily,” Fox Films version of David Belasco’s gripping drama of sister-love, now at the Municipal, made a significent statement concerning Miss Bennett while filming initial sequences of this intensely human story. “Women like Belle Bennett,” said Mr Schertzinger, “and I think I know why this is so. She never thinks of Belle Bennett. She always thinks of others.” One of the most dramatic moments of the fine picture is Miss Bennett in the act of leaving the hone o-f a heartless father, who has sacrificed her upon the after of selfishness. This same father, had just driven a younger daughter from home and, in the higher emotional scene wich follows, Miss Bennett is required to rise to dramatic heights seldom achieved in a motion picture studio. The supporting picture shown is “Strings of Steel ” the new serial, with William Desmond in an exacting role. HAVELOCK NORTH PICTURES. Monte Blue has the leading role in “Recompense,” to be shown at the Havelock North pictures this evening. This is the picture of Robert Keable’s great book, the sequel to the much discussed “Simon Called Peter.” The book is faithfully followed in the picture, and those who enjoyed the story should see the characters realised on the screen. As a support “The Early Worm,” with Johnny Hines starred.