PLAZA AND TIVOLI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 585, 11 February 1929, Page 15

PLAZA AND TIVOLI

TWO FINE PICTURES

An intensely dramatic climax laid in a powerful story of unusual setting makes “The Night Watch,” the First National picture, now at the Plaza and Tivoli Theatres, a highly worth-while screen production. Billie Dove, never more beautiful nor charming, has what many will i-egard as the most dramatic role of her starring career and one which called upon all her emotional depths for a convincing characterisation. She plays the wife of a naval officer who is falsely implicated in a murder which can only be cleared up by her testimony and this testimony will cast a. shadow upon her own honour. In this role Miss Dove displayed unusual dramatic qualities, and at the same time maintained a line restraint in her characterisation. Donald Reed and Paul Lukas, in the leading masculine roles, have parts of practically equal importance and their contrasting personalities add greatly to tlio story’s power. Nicholas Boussanin, Gustave Partos, Nicholas Bela, Anita Garvine and others are prominent in the supporting cast, and all present finely drawn characterisations. Charlie Murray had some lively moments during the filming of “Do Your Duty,” the second picture at both theatres. The story required that he be slugged and later doped and turned loose to disgrace his policeman’s uniform without being in the least responsible. He has all sorts of difficulties with crooks, and at home he is overwhelmed by the children. But he comes out with a smile at the finish and everybody is happy. Doris Dawson, Charles Delaney, Lucien Littlefield, Yola d’Avril, Aggie Herring, Charley McHugh and others are in the cast.

The programme also includes a new picture in * the popular “Collegians” series, a comedy and a gazette, and atthe evening sessions songs by the wonder boy soprano, Master Desmond.