“WHITE SHADOWS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 656, 7 May 1929, Page 15

“WHITE SHADOWS”

A PICTURE BEAUTIFUL REGENT’S NEW PROGRAMME In its second programme of talking and sound synchronised pictures the Regent Theatre presents an entertainment of remarkable worth. It is an all-round show, every item of which is intensely interesting, and last evening’s audience met with an experience worth remembering—and repeating. “White Shadows,” a specially sound synchronised offering which opened as the programme feature, is one of those rare products of screenland —a really beautiful picture. And, what is still rarer, it combines beauty with intense dramatic interest, blending fact with fiction in splendid style. It is indeed difficult to make a film that is quite out of the ordinary in scenic and photographic value, yet replete with the virtues of a pleasant, smooth-running photoplay. For that reason “White Shadows,” or to give it its fuller title, “White Shadows of the South Seas,” represents an achievement that commands widespread attention. Apart from this, of course, it is one of the new wonder films; sound synchronised with all the characteristic noises of the seas, the palms, the birds, and the songs and cries of brown humans in the enchanted Marquesas Islands where the action is set. Th© wash of warm Pacific waters on sand-fringed beaches, the sighing of the winds, the roar and scream of the dread typhoon, the crooning melodies of the natives—all these and more are heard, while one follows with the eye scene after scene of delightful variety, and absorbs a pathetically beautiful love story of a man who makes a virgin spot his home and dies for the ideals a dusky maid has implanted in his heart. To a greater degree than ever does this sound film disclose the advantages of the new invention as applied to desirable incidental “atmosphere.” Rovers of the silent screen have their familiar sub-titles and, at the same time, imagination is stimulated and realism effected by the amazingly natural sound accompaniments to each sequence. It is ideal entertainment for those who admire the new regime yet cling to the undoubted brilliance of the old. As a straight photoplay “White Shadow's” has not been excelled this year; nor is it likely that a better picture of its kind will come to Auckland for many moons. The theme of “White Shadows” is the evil effects of the white man’s rule among the primitive peoples who live “like birds and flowers.” as the renegade doctor says in his dispairing appeal to the raiding pearlers. The exploitation of the native divers and weavers is depicted graphically, sometimes with appalling realism. Monte Blue and Raquel Torres are the leading players and both act with delightful sincerity. They are supported by an excellent cast and a host of islanders—dancers, fishers and tribal braves—act as extras. Harlier last evening an outstanding budget of Pathe sound synchronised news, every item of which was new’, novel and completely absorbing. The life-like touch of the talkie is never more satisfactory than in these newsreels. An interview with the famous “Nansen of the N’orth,” who tells of his plans to fly to the Pole, a brilliant demonstration of difficult billiards cannons by an expert, a speech by President Hoover of the L7.S.A. on the occasion of his formal appointment, are a few’ of the items. Then the grim and terribly thrilling film of Leo Bible's death in a racing car, hurtling to fragments in a cloud of sand. It is taken by Traub, the Pathe cameraman who was struck by the skidding car and killed also. Breathlessly the audience watches through the camera eyes of the doomed man, the approach of White's car, speeding like a rocket. As the projectile machine flashes into view it swerves sickeningly . . . That is all. An awe-inspiring memorial in celluloid to two brave men. Two other talkie short subjects are presented. There is a comedy inter-

lude by Van and Schenck, clever vaudeville duo, and a brace of songs by an attractive American singer of popular airs. Marion Harris. Both are clear, well photographed and indicative of the steady improvement already noticeable in the new devices. The programme is rounded off pleasingly by a band overture and ‘Flower of Love,” a tuneful song number.