PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 1 September 1928, Page 14

PLAZA

PICTURES AND REVUE Far surpassing in. emotional drama her previous work as a comedienne, Colleen Aloore has given a performance in the stellar role of “Happiness Ahead” that unquestionably should be considered the finest of her career. “Happiness Ahead” was shown again last evening, at the Plaza Theatre before an enthusiastic audience. Elements of comedy, romance and pathos have been well blended in this picture, endowing it with every quality of entertainment from humour to tragedy. Through it all the convincing work of Aliss Aloo.re dominates, whether the action be serious or comic, revealing in her a breadth of dramatic ability rarely found. Aliss Aloore gave a delightful performance in an episode in which she enacted a bride from the country, contending with the mystifying mechanical devices, of a city apartment, and flying about to the tune of a door-bell, telephone, and speaking-tube whistle while the dinner burns. In striking contrast to this enjoyable scene is the final scene of the picture—emotional and dramatic in the extreme, which provides a rapid and well-rounded ending for the plot. The story concerns a little country girl who marries a professional crook from New York. When he has to go to gaol for six months he endeavours to keep the information from her and says that he has to go to South America. Edmund Lowe plays the role of the crook. The second half of the entertainment is provided by the Punch Bowl Revue Company, a combination of artists from London, and under the direction of Air. Rex Alack. Emerging from a large punch bowl on the stage, the company provided a varied and excellent programme of songs, dances and novelty items. One of the most popular items was nn old-world song “Until To-morrow,” su.ig by Aliss Linda Dale and Air. Rex Alack, while the chorus danced one of those graceful old minuets. In Frank Aloran the company is possessed of a comedian of real humour. His appearance was always welcome and he secured a real success with his dress and manner of a curate, as well as in the domestic skits. Zen da Ba.nky, a. dainty little Australian dancer, presents a number of remarkable agile and beautiful dances. She was mainly applauded for her Apache Dance with Rex Alack. The “Toreador” song from “Carmen” was excellently sung by Air. Walter Brough. • A feature of' the entertainment was the ballet, a bevy of beautiful girls, who, smartly frocked, provided most enjoyable interludes. The Plaza Orchestra under Air. C. Aves played, among the accompaniments, the following pieces: “Harvesters’ Dance” (H. Wood), “La Source” (Delibes), “Lady Dragon Fly” (Finck), “Tip Toes” Selection (Gershwin)’ “Bubbly” Selection (Finck), “Unfinished Symphony” (Schubert), “Reverie Interrompue” (Tchaikowsky), “Romance” (Wieniawski), “Traume” (Wagner). The first motion pictures of the preparations for Commander Byrd’s coming Antarctic flight have already been released by Paramount. They were taken at the training camps' which Byrd established. The two Paramount cameramen, who are to accompany him and film the expedition, are already with the explorer.