PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 449, 3 September 1928, Page 14

PLAZA

REVUE AND COLLEEN MOORE In a role that tests to the utmost her versatility as an actress, C*lleen Moore is scoring a decided success at the Plaza Theatre in the picture Happiness Ahead.’* _ . “Happiness Ahead” is that rare Picture that leaves the audience m doubt as to the finish until the actual fadeout—a quality for which the author is to be congratulated. It holds the interest from beginning to end, providing humour, satire, romance, pathos and stark drama in succession. The central character, portrayed by Miss Moore, is a small-town girl who marries a card-sharper, believing him to be an upright young man. The drama of her disillusionment, and the irony of her husband’s determination to go straight only to be thwarted by his former associates, provide variety in the action and dramatic mood of the story which lifts it out of the classification of a mere movie.

The second half of the programme is given over to a merry revue company known as the Punch Bowl Revue. No small share of the success of this entertainment can be attributed to Frank Moran, the lengthy but witty comedian, to Linda Bale, the dashing soubrette, who, by the way, is also the possessor of a very pleasing voice, and to Zenda Banky, the dancer. Miss Banky can do everything that every other dancer can do, and does it very well to boot. She is graceful in her classical dances, unbelievably nimble in the acrobatic style, and her final appearance in an Apache dance is something to be remembered. Songs, dances and skits compose an enjoyable hour’s entertainment.