FINE AUSTRALIAN FILM

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 638, 16 December 1932, Page 3

FINE AUSTRALIAN FILM

** Sentimental Bloke” Opens To-Morrow. “ Six Hours to Live ”, the Fox romantic drama, starring Warner Baxter, will be screened at the Regent Theatre for the last time to-night. The earthly philosophies of C. J. Dennis, almost wholly characterised by wit but sometimes by pathos, are exceptionally well emphasised in the Australian talking picture. “ The Sentimental Bloke ”, which will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The production, made in the EfTtee Studios, naturally enough was received with acclaim in Australia, and, even for the fact that New Zealanders are reasonably well acquainted with Australian thought, compared with other peoples, it should win wide approval throughout the Dominion. The picture features Cecil Scott as the “Bloke”, and adorable little Ray Fisher as Doreen, and the statement of the talented author, who adapted his own poem for the talking screen, to the effect that Miss Fisher just about expresses his conception of his heroine, coincides with the impression of practically every audience. The vital appeal of the surrounding characters—“ Ginger Mick’’, “Uncle”, “Arty”, “ ’Erb ”, from the 'erbage, and “Ma ” —is splendidly interpreted at the hands of the players cast in those roles. Tal Ordell, as 44 Ginger ”, is splendid, while Dora Mostyn, as •* Ma ”, is a veritable triumph. The poem itself is familiar to almost every New Zealander. In every way the film 5s a fine example of Australian enterprise. There is, for instance, the accomplished acting of Cecil Scott in. the name part of the film. Appearing as a young man raised in an Australian city, living on the fringe of the underworld and accustomed to its harshnesses, his part Is attended by difficulties which may not appear at first sight. But Mr Scott is fully acquainted with the mannerisms and the speech of such an inhabitant. Further than that, he is able, with success, to convey a sense of the pathetic to such a man labouring under a knowledge of his lac-k of advantages in life, and yet eager for sympathy and essential human contacts. That, in essence, is what Mr Dennis’s philosophies mean. They speak for the cause of those recognising deficiencies which are not of their making. They show that true humanity survives, and, indeed, flourishes, in the deepest shades under city walls. And then there is the charming romance between “ The Bloke ”, whose sentimentality rather becomes a fascination, and Doreen, the humble city girl with a charming daintiness. It is one of the mofet moving and human stories ever told, and those who have read C. J. Dennis’s immortal poem will receive added enjoyment from the enhanced effects made possible by the story's adaptation to the screen. The supporting features will include a comedy, starring the well-known actor George "Wallace.