STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1010, 28 June 1930, Page 14

STRAND

“LITTLE JOHNNY JONES” Another great stage show has come to the screen, and is on view at the Strand Theatre this week. It is “Little Johnny Jones,” perhaps the best musical comedy that ever came from the pen of George M. Cohan, and it brings .Eddie Buzzell. Broadway stage favourite, to the pictures lor the first time. It is a First National all-talking j production. ! Buzzell appears in the role of a jockey who is in love with a girl, and also with his career as a rider of thoroughbred racehorses, and who is tricked by a showgirl and almost loses both. Th© story swings from the race tracks of America to the historic Derby in England, and back again, with all the typical Cohan touches in the cornedy. the - drama and the red-white-and-blue flavour that he gives to his stories. Buzzell, known principally as a comedian heretofore, does some, very fino dramatic work as well in this story, and demonstrates that he is just as much at home upon the talking screen as behind the footlights. His whimsical, delightful characterisation is strongly reminiscent of Cohan, and he proves admirable in the role. The race scenes are umisually thrilling, and the entire production is pictorially beautiful. This is a picture that everyone, old and young, will enjoy. A full programme of short talking and singing featurettes -is also being shown.