STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 653, 3 May 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“STREET ANGEL” Excellent entertainment is provided by the “talkie” programme Avhich is now in its third week at the Strand Theatre. A sound-synchronised picture, “The Street Angel,” featuring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, is the main picture of the programme. It is a remarkable production, with a perfect accompaniment by the famous Roxy Orchestra, of New York. The story is laid in Naples, and tells of the tribulations of an artist and a girl who is hampered by the shadow of past events. The photographic treatment of the many picturesque scenes is a conspicuous contribution to the art of the motion picture. Opening with a Fox movietone gazette, the programme shows scenes of varied interest, and introduces a number of world celebrities, who actually address the audience. Probably the most interesting feature of the programme is that of the opening of the Newcastle-on-Tyne Bridge by his Majesty the King. Every emphasis, every inflection, comes clearly as from the mouth of the speaker, and the audience becomes part of the multitude. Gertrude Lawrence is charming as she sings “I Don’t Know,” and none of her charm is lost in this unusual presentation. Then Mr. George Bernard ShSaw, one of the foremost personalities in the English literary world, is heard in a humorous speech. In addition. there is an all-“talkie” comedy, “The Star Witness,” in which '‘Chic” Sale does most of the talking. It is almost purely dialogue, which proves very entertaining.