“BONE-HEAD” WALLACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 587, 13 February 1929, Page 15

“BONE-HEAD” WALLACE

, EXCITEMENT AT ST. JAMES Wrecking the schemes of his criminal superiors by a display of incomparable boneheadedness, George Wallace has much to do with the rounding up of a gang of crooks at the St.. James Theatre this week. This latest show, “The Sparklers,” is a real George-Udgar Wallace performance. A murder or so, and any number of villains, are scattered throughout the revue, but comedy is always supreme over drama. George, as “the nuisance,” is gloriously funny in his wooden attempts to do wrong—always, however, doing right by accident. The revue occupies the second half of the programme, but the first half is equally ambitious. We are shown the brewing of the first jazz, when Father Time lays aside his scythe and mixes in his cauldron dancers from all the nations. The pot begins to boil, and the froth that boils over is jazz. Marshall Crosby sings “That’s How We Got Jazz,” and Bert Tucker, followed by the company, sings “Saxophone Madness.” Maida Jones and the Rascals. Thelma Buxton and Jack Scott, and “The Flaming Youths.” and the “Two Cutics.” all sing and dance as delightfully as ever. The show is indeed worth seeing.

The Mississippi steamboat days, drifting romance and the roaring flame of river rivalries —all go to make the new Fox production, “Captain Lash,” featuring Victor McLaglen. A race between two river steamboats with the climax reached when one bursts into flames and imperils the lives of ail aboard, while the agonised watchers on the levees stand terrified and helpless. is one of the big moments in this production. Claire Windsor plays the leading feminine role.

Clara Bow is making preparations for her next Paramount production titled "The Saturday Night Kid.” Her latest film, “Three Week Unde,” from the story by Klinor Glvn, was completed recently, and will be seen in New Zealand shortly. Neil Hamilton played the male lead in the latter picture.