“ THE CIRCUS ” WILL RUN ANOTHER WEEK AT GRAND THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18467, 19 May 1928, Page 10

“ THE CIRCUS ” WILL RUN ANOTHER WEEK AT GRAND THEATRE.

Charlie Chaplin’s picture, “ The Cir cus,” which has been at the Grand Theatre all the week, will run next week also. Quite a funny and entertaining comedy, this, slapstick all through, very little of the “ sadness ” which the American public dotes on in Chaplin films, and a very creditable cast of supporting players. Together with the little man with the shockingly battered derby, the lively cane and the aged boots, “ The Circus ” presents amusement of a vivacious and humorous character; the star’s personality is reflected in the lightest scene, and his antics as a circus performer are, if not adorned with the artistic touch, at least supremely delighting to the young mind; Charlie on a tight-rope represents the sublime to them. The story unfolded in the picture is conventional, and nearly always obvious, but it is doubtless the multiplicity of the comedian’s “ gags ” and “ stunts ” and other tricks of office that makes “ The Circus ” one prolonged laugh; that, and the inevitable laughter conjured up by the mere spectacle of Chaplin himself. Certain it is that, notwithstanding a paucity of plot and an everyday tale, his picture amuses more than do the more ambitious efforts of lesser comedian's. It is an improvement on the semi-pathetic figure that prospected through “ The Gold Rush,” for here all is pure comedy, and a love story to boot. Chaplin never wins the fair lady, the bliss of romance is not for him, but he gets the plaudits of the crowd, the adorations of youngsters, the admiration of his peers, and that must surely be sufficient unto the day. He makes but one picture a year, so many months will elapse until his next comedy appears. Therefore, it behoves all lovers of the sublime and the ridiculous tc. watch his merry capers in “ The Circus,” drollest as handy-man, most thrill ing as the trapeze artist. The Grand’ Orchestra plays appropriate music. The box plans are at The Bristol Piano Company, where seats nxajr be reserved.