THE NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 153, 19 September 1927, Page 15

THE NEW REGENT

“THE TELEPHONE GIRL” Drama, vaudeville, music and novelty —malting up another brilliant programme that more than upholds the reputation of the “Theatre Magnificent,” is being presented at the New Regent this week. On Saturday night a packed audience demonstrated its a.pproval of every offering on the splendid bill. Th_e principal picture attraction is “The Telephone Girl,” and it is notable, not only for its gripping story and its superb cast, but also for the fact that it is the latest masterpiece for Paramount by Herbert Brenon. who will always be remembered as the man who achieved “Beau Geste.” “The Telephone Girl” is a stirring political drama, a story of warring factions and of an attempt to drag an honourable man’s name through the mud —an attempt frustrated by the cleverness and bravery of a telephone girl. Madge Bellamy has the title role, and plays excellently in this, her first picture for Paramount. Holbrook Blinn is well cast as the political boss, who does not think twice of resurrecting past scandals to destroy an enemy; Warner Baxter is the clean fighting enemy. May Allison is an old favourite who makes a return to the screen, and Lawrence Gray, popular leading man. is excellently cast. The story concerns Matthew Standish, who is running for the governorship of his State, while Jim Blake champions the opponent, his son-in-law. They unearth a past scandal about Standish, and the telephone girl in the hotel intercepts their plot. Thinking she is holding out because she is in love with Blake’s son. Tom, she is brought to their room, but despite their efforts, she will not tell the name of the woman in the case, the facts of which she had heard over the phone. Her reason is because the name she heard is that of Blake’s own daughter, and not because she wishes to marry his son. . . She is about to be arrested, but a confession by the woman dears the way. The governor forgives her, and old Blake accepts a new daughter-in-law. , , Enthusiastic greetings have marked the return of Colin Crane, the eminent baritone of J. C. Williamson’s Celebrity Vaudeville Company. His songs are well chosen and he is inevitably forced to respond to repeated calls for encores. . A novelty song film “Marcheta is an harmonious surprise that has met with general approval, while Eddie Horton s numbers at the Mighty Wurlitzer, including “At Sundown,” are as popular as ever. The special musical programme arranged by Maurice Guttridge for the New Operatic Orchestra is an outstanding feature of the entertainment. The overture is Keler Bela’s “RomanAn hilarious comedy “The Salty Sap,” a new Bosi picture, a Regent Review and other features complete this excellent bill.