DOUBLE SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 636, 12 April 1929, Page 15

DOUBLE SUCCESS

COMEDY AND ROMANCE REGENT’S NEW PROGRAMME Here is a. bill to delight motion picture lovers of every creed. Two fea-ture-length productions, each in itself a worth-while entertainment, and short subjects to Jill the few remaining- gaps. fc?uch was the Regent’s latest programme, presented for the first time last evening. “Brotherly Love,” with Karl Bane and George K. Arthur, was the principal picture, but “Stand and Deliver,” starring Rod La Rocque, ran it exceedingly close. The latter release took the place of “The Wind,” which was postponed. However, there need be no disappointment because of the change, for “Stand and Deliver” proved a most acceptable substitute. i Then there came the usual newsy Regent Gazette, and some delightful musical moments with Mr. Maurice Guttridge and his polished band. Gautier's amazing dog troupe appeared for the last time. Altogether an admirable evening, demanding special attention. “Brotherly Love” is the newest of the Dane-Arthur comedy specials, and one of the best presented by that rib-tickling pair. Besides covering a wide field of completely fresh humour, it is a delicious burlesque of prison reform, and as such, is embellished with quaintly original sidelights. This time George K. is introduced as the dapper manager of a hairdressing parlour who falls in love with a girl met by chance in a restaurant. She turns out to be the daughter of a prison warden, and their next meeting takes place with George in the role of prisoner. j Bane, as usual, is his deadly rival, j fortunate in holding the position of warder at the prison. He opens the picture in a gale of laughter with his adventures in the toilet rooms. These reach their climax when he finds himself in the street, clad only in a bath towel. The scene on the train, when Bane cats heartily and Arthur starves, the j interlude in the prison hospital ward 1 when Bane mistakes a sponge for a marshmallow, the views of the pampered gaol-birds, the prison football match, and the turning of the tables on the warder are moments of pure delight, raising “Brotherly Love” far above the i average comedy. Jean Arthur is the leading woman and something of a "discovery” into the bargain. There are two reasons why “Stand and Deliver” makes intensely interesting entertainment. First, it is a rousing drama of the romantic type with plenty of punch, thrills, and fast action; secondly, it shows the work of Lupe Velez, the pretty little Mexican rival of Dolores Bel Rio, who is rapidly forging to the front rank of Hollywood players. Rod La Rocque is the star, playing the part of a bored young ‘ demobbed” Englishman who joins a punitive expedition against a notorious European bandit. In the mountains he meets and rescues his future lady-love, but endures perils and escapes a-plenty before peace, happiness, and a marriage ceremony happen along. The remainder of the cast includes popular Warner Oland in one of his inimitable and wholly nasty “menace” characterisations.

The production of Warwick Doeping’s famous novel, “Kitty,' amidst the picturesque and natural settings of one of the most charming beauty spots on the banks of the River Thames, makes this latest British International attraction of more than usual interest. It is interesting to learn that the rights of this book were obtained in the face of keen competition from America. Like his other great novel. ‘“Sorrell and Son,’’ this latter work of Warwick Beeping’s is a world-wide best seller, and in Britain it is now in its seventh edition. “Kitty’’ is scheduled for release by Cinema Art Films,