NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“SHOW PEOPLE” In ‘‘Show People/* the New Regent Theatre is presenting to the motion picture public of Auckland its most informative and entertaining glimpses of Hollywood movie life. It has a story moviegoers everywhere will revel in. It has the most distinguished cast ever assembled for a motion picture, headed by Marion Davies and William Haines in the two principal roles. It was made by King Vidor, ace director, and it has received a production that gives the moviegoer an “inside” slant on Hollywood, and the life of the motion picture star that is more comprehensive and entertaining than moviegoers can possibly imagine. The story is the romance of a girl who wants to break into the movies, enters upon a career by the comedy route, becomes a dramatic star, nearly loses everything because her success goes to her head, and is saved at last by the machinations of a comedian and her own sense of humour. With all these unusual highlights, “Show People” stands out as a picture for all classes, with Marion Davies’s inimitable comedy and Haines’s amusing satire of slap-stick comedy dominating the production from beginning to end. It presents the magic story of Hollywood with all the genius of showmanship at its best, with a thousand and one laughs, full sound synchronisation, and an unprecedently brilliant cast. The remainder of the programme includes two or three short talkie features, musical numbers on the Wurlitzer organ by Arthur G. Frost, and finally the picture, “Masks of the Devil,” John Hilbert’s fine picture of romance and drama in Vienna. On Saturday the Regent will present the enjoyable singing and talking picture, “Close Harmony.” Three popular songs are to be heard in this Paramount a 11-talking picture. It is a story of the stage and shows a young fellow who is trying to make his jazz band famous. The stage from the front and intimate glimpses back stage make this one of the most enjoyable of stories, apart from the singing and dancing and jazz, that is all through . Nancy Carroll sings “I Wanna Go Places and Do Things.” Charles Rogers sings “All A-Twitter” and plays five instruments in the jazz band and Jack Oakie and “Sheets” Gallagher do a dual act, singing “She's So, I Dunno.”

PLAZA “THE TERROR” ON FRIDAY The bright talking comedy, “Give and Take,” which heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre, will be presented only until tomorrow. The leading roles are played by George Sidney, the celebrated comedian, and Jean Hersholt, equally well known as a character actor. The talking sequences are remarkably clear, as most of the players have had considerable stage experience, and the two stars in particular established reputations as stage actors of the first rank. The story deals with the career of John Bauer, the owner of a factory, who has built up a successful business for the sake of his only son, of whom he is exceptionally proud. When the boy returns from college, he brings some novel ideas on commerce, which he proceeds to apply to the business, with most amusing results. The Plaza programme also includes a number of excellent talkie items, of which the most outstanding are those of the Florentine Choir, and of the Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra, playing “Light Cavalry.” “The Terror,” which is the Plaza’s next talkie attraction, is based on the successful English play of the same name. Warner Bros, have brought the play to the cinema with dialogue and all the effective sound accessories which are so important in a mystery drama of this character. May MacAvoy, Louise* Fazenda, Alec B. Francis, Holmes Herbert and other picture artists play the leading roles. All the lines are spoken, no titles whatever being used.

According to a recent communication from England, his Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales .attended a private screening of the TJ.F.A. super-produc-tion “Hungarian Rhapsody” which was produced by Erich Pommer. This picture, which was produced in the wheatfields of Hungary, stars Willy Fritscli, Dita Parlo and Lil Dagover. Cinema Art Films will release this picture throughout New Zealand.