REGENT THEATRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 11

REGENT THEATRE

“THOROUGHBRED ’’ , A milestone m the Australian film . inuustry, “ luoroughbred,” opened its [] auganui season at the Regent i Theatre last night. Tne picture repre- '' sents the greatest single advance yet * made in Australian films, for it reveals the polished methods uT Hollywood and Elstree. It takes its tempo from the thud of Hying hooves on turf, and from beginning to end the action never Hags, planned round the Australian breeding industry, and culminating m thrilling scenes at the Melbourne Cup meeting, it is u-ne of tne most thrilling racing stories to come lo ’ the screen, for tne scene quickly changes from the sun-bathed pamlocks of a palatial stud farm to the overseas den of a gang of international racing , criminals, to city scenes in Melbourne and then to Flemington. Tne racing scenes are brilliant, reaching a stand- , ard comparable with that set by overseas studios, and reflecting great credit £ on the photographic stall. Of almost equal merit is the Australian pastoral country. Additional importance is lent the Him by the fact that it is the first Australian production in which an in-ternationally-known player takes the ; leading role. Helen Twelvetrees makes j a charming heroine, as the young Canadian girl whose hand is sought by , the dyed-in-the-wool Australian and the polished Englishman. Frank Leighton ‘ gives a splendid portrayal as the young Australian, bursting with national pride and glorifying in his clumsy aggressiveness. Then there is John ' Longden, as his rival, while other good performances are contributed by Nelt lie Barnes, Harold Meade, Nellie Jfer- , guson and Elaine Hamill. The direcI tor was Ken. G. Hall, who was responsible for “On Our Selection’’ ami * “The Silence of Dean Maitland.’’ } Among the supporting films arc a Cinesound newsreel, and two British gazettes snowing events in the Homeland and on the Continent.