"BULLDOG DRUMMOND."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 17

"BULLDOG DRUMMOND."

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE.

Through a double trilogy of novels, "Sapper's" engaging hero, Captain Hugh Drummond, has laughed and fought his way, a post-war adventurer of infinite resourco. Now, on the talking screen, Mr. Ronald Colman has recreated this dare,devil fellow and invested him with all the manifold attributes of which the most hardened "Sapper" devoteo over dreamed. In the film. "Bulldog Drummond," which opened a season at the Strand Theatre last evening, outstanding production and a brilliant personal performance by Mr. Colman have combined to furnish-a picture which can share honours with " The Broadway Melody " and " Madame X " in indicating, at this early stage the immense possibilities of the "talkie." " Bulldog Drummond " has everything that makes for a popular success. There is the story, packed with thrills and action, of an ex-army officer roused from post-Armistice boredom and plunging into a lone-handed fight against a band of criminals who use drugs, and myrmidons of villainous countenance; there is comedy to*tone down the melodramatic; and thero is a romantic interest, not forcing its way into the dialogue as it has done in past "talkies," but treated with admirable reserve. Added to this is the fact that the story has lost nothing in its translation to the screen; the plot moves briskly from start to finish; the dialogue is crisp and appropriate; and no pains have been spared in combining all the advantages of the cinema with the technique of the stage. Mr. Column's performance is masterly, in many respects the finest yet seen through the medium of the talking screen. He appears first as the young ex-officer, bored to extinction, shattering the tomblike silence of a London club out of pure cussedness and finally advertising for aiiy dangerous enterprise, not even excepting crime, provided that it is of a humorous nature. With a revolver and a toothbrush packed by his faithful retainer,_ he dashes to the assistance of a beautiful girl and plunges into a battle of brain and brawn with her enemies. With an air of easy nonchalance ho kills one of thorn—an old Spanish custom, he says—and with hardly any more fuss falls in love with the girl—another old Spanish custom.

Mr. Colman carries the whole thing oil with a smile. Seldom does he permit himself to become serious and never for more than a few fleeting seconds. He revels in a part which might have been written for him, and in figure, action and speech strikes the appropriate note from start to finish. His speech is perfect, and ho seems to be totally unaware of the existence of the microphone.

Opposite Mr. Colman, Miss Joan Bennot makes her motion picture debut. Young and beautiful and the possessor of an excellent speaking voice, she acts without affectation and is beyond question a great discovery. Mr. Claude Allister appears as the "silly ass" friend of the hero and gives a sterling performance, covering his true spirit with a mask of comic imbecilities. Mr. Montague Love, Mr. Lawrence Grand and Miss Lilyan Tashman make a thoroughly sinister trio of villains and the complete gang of crooks has to be seen to bo believed.

Apart from actors and directors, v'Bulldog Drummond" is also a triumph for the technicians. The dialogue has been flawlessly recorded and the photography is remarkable. "Shots" have been- taken from all manner of angles and the lighting effects arc superb. In the supporting programme are scenes and sounds of unusual interest in the Fox Movietone News and a song «cena in -which Mr. Dale Smith sings several old English airs. They complete an entertainfhent which should enjoy the distinction of a fully extended season.