REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 200, 27 August 1935, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

•RUGGLES OF RED GAP.” With Charles Laughton, the eminent English actor, in the tile role, “Ruggles of Red Gap,” Harry Leon Wilson’s famous story of society in the backwoods of America during the rollicking 1900’s, is earning the laughs at the Regent Theatre. Produced by Para mount, the picture features Laughton with an all-star comedy cast, including Mary Boland. Charlie Ruggles, Roland Young, and Zasu Pitts, in the ludicrous tale of the perfect butler, won in a poker game and taken to a small Western town to create a furore among the socialities. The picture opens in London. where “Ruggles” changes masters as the result of au all night poker ses sion. On his first day with his now—and democratic—master, “Ruggles’ starts out to show him the picture galleries and winds up on a drunken spree. Taken to Red Gap, U.S.A., he is introduced to local society as Colonel Rug gles of the English Army. The butler becomes so infused with the democratic spirit himself that he loses his old feel ing of servility and starts out on a career of his own. The comic effects of Red Gap society when,“Ruggles” begins courting the town’s leading widow and setting himself up in business as a restaurateur are brought to a happy conclusion when he achieves both ambi tions. Laughton, round, jovial, and plump, renders an inspired performance in the comic role of this favourite of all butlers, and the balance of the cast match him laugh for laugh in the comic sequences. Maude Eburne and Leota Lorraine, a newcomer, prove -agreeable surprises in minor characterisation. Credit for fine direction goes to Leon McCarey, dean of Hollywood comedy directors.