THE REGENT THEATRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12651, 11 January 1927, Page 11

THE REGENT THEATRE

“THE BLACKBIRD,”

Lon Chaney, one of the most fascinating personalities in motion pictures, hns never been more amazing than in his remarkable dual portrayal in “The Blackbird,” his new Metro-Goldwyn-Alayer picture now showing at the Regent Theatre. The Liffiehouse district of London is dominated by “The Blackbird,” a daring outlaw who poses as the crippled keeper of a mission to escape detection. He has carried on this masquerade for years, and as the missiom-ke-eper is known and loved os “The Bishop.” He falls in love With Fifi, a vaudeville actress, and promises her a diamond collar she sees on one of a party of slummers. West-End Bertie also promises her the jewels. The Blackhird gets the collar, hut Bertie is more successful in his suit, and brings Fifi to the Bishop to be married. The Bishop revenges himself and hopes to win the girl by exposing Bertie as a criminal. Fifi refuses to leave her lover, and the Bishop then makes him promise to return all he has stolen. In order to evade arrest the Blackbird changes into his other self,' the Bishop. It is for the last time, for an accident permanently cripples him so t-hat he cannot change back. He .dies loved and respected by all Limehouse.

There are excellent ■ supporting films, while the vaudeville is again of a high standard. Ngaire and Tointon present a musical extravaganza with beautiful Eastern settings, entitled “An Idyll of the East.” Syd. Beck, a comedian with a reputation, fully upholds it. A first-class programme of incidental musio is provided by the orchestra, under the baton of Mr M. Dixon.