"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES” IS A SCREAMING FARCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17879, 22 June 1926, Page 9

"WHAT HAPPENED TO JONES” IS A SCREAMING FARCE.

REGINALD DENNY’S BEST IS AT THE LIBERTY.

During the past few weeks, pic-ture-goers in Christchurch have been presented with some excellent comedies, but it is difficult to mention one that surpasses the latest that has arrived. “What' Happened to Jones.” This picture was shown at Liberty Theatre for the first time yesterday, and it proved itself as a laughter maker. The story itself first saw the light of day thirty years ago, when George Broadhurst wrote it as a play. Since then it has appeared in the shape of a novel, and now it comes to the screen. Full justice is done to the author in the screen version, for all the additional scope that the camera affords has been used in the production of the picture. From the outset, comedy prevails, and the opening scenes are just as hilarious as the concluding. The story begins with Tom Jones, a wealthy Bible printer, who is about to marry. On the eve of the great day. he makes a promise to his future wife to travel on the straight and narrow path, and cast all

his vices aside. That evening, he is introduced to a game of poker, and takes a hand. All is going nicely until the police arrive, and Jones realises it would be fatal to his marriage tu be caught in such a position. lie escapes down a fire-escape, and arrived at a Turkish bath during ladies’ hours. There he dons women’s clothes in order to escape, and reaches the home of a friend. The friend’s clothes fit Jones where they touch, but when he is in a dilemma as to what course he should take, file clothes of rf visiting bishop arrive in advance of the churchman. The clerical garments fit him perfectly. but as he is leaving the house, his friend's wife meets him and takes him for the bishop, whom she has never seen. In such a situation there is room for a great deal of comedy work, and Reginald Denny as Jones makes the most of it. There are many more situations in the story quite as funny as these. As the star, Reginald Denny has one of the biggest roles of his career, and he has played in some big ones. lie seems to Vic tireless in his latest production. His progress through the picture is one hilarious triumph, and every time that he appears on the screen there is a roar of laughter from the audience. Denny has aptitude for this type of comedy work, and his admirers will have no fault to find with “What Happened to Jones.” Playing opposite him is Marion Xixon. a talented lady who has risen to one of the leading positions in the moving picture world. Otis Harlan has an important supporting roie as the friend of Denny, who gets him into all manner of scrapes when he is really trying to get him out of his troubles. Another well-known player who appears is Zasu Pitts, who takes a comedy part. For some time past, she has been playing in serious roles, and her return to comedy work is welcome. For the first time since

her marriage to Lou Telle gen, the famous character actor, Nina Romano appears on the screen. She has appeared for some years on the speaking stage, and has now commenced to play with the Universal companies. Melbourne M'Dowell, well known to the stage of a generation ago, proves that he v has lost none of his dash or ability, and plays his part in a manner that leaves no room for criticism. An actor who figures prominently in one portion of the picture is Bozo, the horse that draws the milk-van. With Denny at the reins, he does his work as if he understood that he was taking part in the production of a really big picture. “What Happened to Jones” has been produced by the Universal concern. with whom Denny has been for some years. The director is William A. Seiter, who has never been known to direct anything but comedies, with the result that he has a great deal of experience behind him. The settings are very complete, and one does not need to strain the imagination to realise what is being done on the' screen.

There is a fine supporting programme of news pictures and other items, all of which contribute to a successful evening’s entertainment.

A special musical programme is contributed by the Liberty Quality Orchestra, under the baton on Mr Ernest Jamieson.

The overture was “ Manhattan Beach March” (Sousa). Other musical numbers included, “ Fantasia on Nursery Rhymes” (White), “Silver Sleigh Bells” (Pauli). “ Cophelia ” (Delibes). “Cuddle Closer” (Longstaffefi “Thanks for the Buggy Ride” (Buffano), “Love's Dream after the Ball ” (Czibulka). “ Fortune Teller” (Herbert),

“San Tov ” (Tones), “ Round the Map (Finck >.' “ Bridal Chorus " < Wagner) and “ Wedding March ” (Mendelssohn) The eritr-acte was “ Orilv Me Know Why” (Walden).