NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 715, 15 July 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“CLOSE HARMONY” The fine talking and singing production, “Close Harmony,’* starring Nancy Carroll and Charles Rogers, continues its successful season at the New Regent Theatre. During the film Miss Carroll sings “I Wanna Go Places and Do Things,” and Rogers is heard in “All Atwitter.” two new songs which should prove popular, and Oakie and Gallagher, the vaudeville team, sing the humorous number, “She’s So, I Dunno,” which has gained immediate favour wherever heard. In addition to taking the leading male role, Rogers plays several of the instruments of a jazz band, and proves himself an exceptionally versatile artist. The film was directed by John Cromwell, whose wide experience and knowledge of stage technique have enabled him to make the film a faithful reproduction of a stage performance. The story deals with the careers of Marjorie Merwin, the leading dancer and singer at the Babylon Theatre, and A 1 West, a promising young musician who is employed at the same theatre. Both West and the theatre manager, Mindel, fall in love with Marjorie, and before long the young man is dismissed, and a vaudeville team is given a contract in his place. The manner in which Marjorie, by means of welltimed coquetry, restores A 1 to his position, makes an enjoyable theme for the film. The supporting programme includes shorter talking pictures of interest and items on the mighty Wurlitzer. which will be played by Mr. Arthur G. Frost, the well-known conductor and musician. There arc songs by Ruth lotting, the Columbia recording artist; some clever humour by Smith and Dale, two Jewish comedians; musical selections by Borrah Minevitch and his Harmonica Band, and a gazette with full sound accompaniment.