“OLD BILL” GREAT COMEDY SUCCESS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17698, 19 November 1925, Page 11

“OLD BILL” GREAT COMEDY SUCCESS

TO BE SHOWN IN CHRISTCHURCH SHORTLY. Brimful of highly diverting situations, and. produced on a scale unusual in comedies, •• Old Bill,” a Selznick release to he screened in Christchurch shortly, is one of the world’s funniest films. The picture is depicted with all the charm and artistry of the book. It is a- good story well told and excellently mounted, and gains greatly from the work of the clever people to whom the interpretation of the loading roles has been entrusted. Old Bill in the picture is just that same happy-go-lucky soul that C aptain Bruce Bairnsfather meant him to he. Sydney Walker in his portrayal scores a great success. There could he no doubt that those present at a private screening of the picture this morning were favourably impressed with the production. The story has been woven with great skill, and the characters delineated with the cunning of good craftsmanship. There are phases in which the movement of the story takes highly unexpected turns, and it is in these passages that the leading players reveal themselves as artists of rare ability. Sydney Walker shows himself, beyond, all doubt, to bo a gifted comedian who has added to his natural talents that polish that comes lrotn assiduous practice and long experience. There is in his acting nothing of exaggeration, although the tendency to exaggerate was great- He does not paint his picture with the brush of the bill-pos-ter. Comedy with him is not a matter of exaggerated posture and grotesque grimaces. The infinite nicety ;of his touch, the subtlety that characterises his work throughout the picture. makes all that unnecessary, lint, the effect of his portrayal of a highly exacting role is wonderful, and makes a greater impression than could all the work of more volatile and less gifted people. Bruce Bairnsfather has won fame as the originator of “ Old Bill.” and Sydney Walker in his own sphere will score no less a success as the portrayer of the role in an altogether excellent photoplay. The picture lias been produced with infinite attention to detail. The costuming, and many of the sets must have involved an expenditure of huge sums of money. But the result has justified all expense. The production which is seven reels in length is a comedy-gem. It is brimful of laughable anachronisms that are bound to keep the audience in a. constant state of hilarity. King John in horn-rimmed glasses is indeed a far different King John 'from the regal gentleman of the history-book plates. But he is an interesting character. Shakespeare is shown to have had a penchant for telling his typistes limericks. However, he managed to snatch i a few minutes from his household to i teach Queen Elizabeth to “shimmy.” “ Old Bill ” is too good to miss.