REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 122, 25 May 1936, Page 9

REGENT THEATRE

“MODERN TIMES.” Children and all grown-ups who arc still children at heart should rejoice at the return of Charlie Chaplin to the screen after all too long an absence. “Modern Times,” his second film since the advent of sound, drew packed audiences to the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Gales of laughter rocked the house for an hour and a-half. ■Charlie is still the same old Charlie whose inspired antics delighted filmgoers 20 years and more ago. His hair may have gc-ue grey in real life, but on the screen it is as black as ever. “Modern Times” is a “silent” film. The only speech is a sales-talk delivered by medium of a gramophone. Toward the close Chaplin steps partly out of character and sings a comic song, bet the words are meaningless. Although necessary remarks throughout are made in the old-fashioned way, by means of caption, there are plenty of sound effects and lively music of Chaplin’s own composition. The favourite comedian, with a young city gamin, played by Paulette Goddard, and puts in a wild time as nightwatchman for a departmental store. Lastly, he becomes a waiter in a cabaret, where he sings the song already mentioned. In the finale ho and the girl are seen walking down the highway into the dawn, determined to “try again,’’ but nevertheless following the white line put down for the guidance of traffic. Paulette Goddard makes an excellent foil and provides a few serious moments.