River Theatre

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 25

River Theatre

___...— 6‘ n ROMANTIC 81-10 W BOAT Umversal Success for Strand ROMANCE, born in one of those quaint 01d house-boat theatres that used to pursue their lazy course down the broad rivers of the United Stafes, visiting the small towns. . . That is the setting of “Show Bout,” coming shorfly to the Strand. This all-talkie is one of Universal’s biggest films. Starring Laura La Plante, it represents a screen effort of unusual magnitude.

No pains or expense have been spared to make “Show Boat.” 3. distinctly new rung on the ladder that is leading to talkie perfection. It is a great picture, quite apart from its sound and talking qualities.

Perhaps the most striking “inside” feature of the production is its cast. Laura. La. Plante is too Well known to need introduction. Sufficient to say that she emerges as a. talkie artist with flying colours, her voice being liquid. and pleasant.

The leading man is Joseph Schildkraut, a young man who is making rapid strides toward stardom. He is a. good actor, speaks excellently, and looks well.

Then there are Otis Harlan, Emily Fitzroy, Alma. Rubens, and half a dozen other players, all in the first flight of feature artists. A small company of singers, engaged in New York for the presentation of plantation melodies, is numbered among the principals.

The story tells of Mangoli’a (Laura La. Plante), daughter of Captain Hawks and Parthenia Hawks, owners of the Show Boat Becoming the star of the troupe, she slopes with Ravenal, a river gambler. Later they return, and Mangolia. becomes a. mother on the night of her father‘s tragic death.

Part-home’s nagging is too much for the young couple, who sell their interest in the Show Boat. and go to Chicago, where Ravenal loses all his money at the gaming tables.- Convinced that he is a. burden to his wife, he leaves her. Forced to earn a living, Mangolia. turns to the variety stage, and is outstandingly successful with plantation songs and negro melodies. She becomes a famous New York star, but. hearing of her mother’s death, decides to return to the Show Boat and her old life. _

There she is Visited by her husband, and a reconciliation is effected. By the magnitude of the settings, the touching nature of its glory, the worth of its acting, and the beauty of its music, “Show Boat" will be remembered as an admirable Universal release. ‘