ATTRACTION FOR REGENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21324, 27 October 1932, Page 14

ATTRACTION FOR REGENT

"ON OUR SELECTION » Those who hnvc read the novel by Steele Rudd will bo awaiting with interest tho screen version, "On Our Selection," which will open a season at tho Regent Theatre to-morrow. The story of the hardships and humour of the life of a family in the Australian backblocks is full of natural comedy, interspersed with touches of pathos that make for the best in screen entertainment. Phenomenal success has attended the screening of tho production in Australia, for wherever it has been shown all previous records for attendances have been broken. In Sydney tho film was shown for six weeks at tho Capitol Theatre and was subsequently transferred to another theatre, where its success was continued. In some country towns special sessions commencing at i 0.45 p.m. had to bo arranged in order to cope with tho thousands of patrons desirous of witnessing tho production. This modern story of dad, mum, Dave and all the rest of tho big-hearted Australian family, characteristic ot the pioneer families of the "out-back," is indeed a triumph for Australian film production. As a stage play tho story proved outstandingly successful and the additional scope afforded by tho audible screen has enhanced tho humorous aspect of the entertaining theme. Tho gorgeous natural beauties of the Australian bush in its spring splendour have been vividly captured. No better actor than Bert Bailey could have been chosen for tho principal part of "Dad," for he had played the character many times on tho stage, as had most of the other artists, such as Fred Mac Donald, as "Dave"; Alfreda Bevan, as "Mum"; Willie Driscoll, as "Uncle Rudd"; and Lilias Adeson, as "Dave's Girl." All these players are Australians and each one is said to fit perfectly into his or her part. It may be confidently expected that tho picture will repeat in New Zealand the success which it achieved in Australia.