PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 725, 26 July 1929, Page 15

PLAZA

“LOVE NEVER DIES”

The Plaza Theatre has booked one of the biggest productions of the year and the large houses at every session are thrilled over it. The picture is “Dove Never Dies,” First National’s special production in which Colleen Moore is starred, with Gary Cooper opposite. It came to New Zealand with an, established record as one of the most charming love stories ever recorded on the screen. Adapted from the celebrated stage play by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin, “Lilac Time,” this film is the story of a little French girl who grows from childhood to young womanhood iinder the shadow of the world war. She lives with her gra.ndparents in a village near the allied front through which day by day troops pass on their way to the trenches. She jokes with them and she sorrows with them. All of the drama, the pathos of a girl caught in the maelstrom of the great conflict, is admirably depicted by Miss Moore, who, as Jeannine, reaches dramatic heights that far outshine any role of her career. Gary Cooper, a comparative newcomer to the films, handles the chief supporting role, while the direction of George Fitzmauricc establishes him as a supreme genius. “Dove Never Dies” is accompanied by a special sound synchronisation which reproduces all the varied sounds of this air epic. In addition there is a musical accompaniment, and a fine tenor voice sings the theme song, “Jeannine, I Dream of Dilac Time.” A number of most entertaining alltalkie items comprise the remainder of the programme. Mary Dewis, ooprano of the New York Metropolitan Opera, sings “Dixie.” and “Carry Me Back To Old Virginny,” and. with a male chorus, “Swing, Along Sue.” Humour is dispensed in liberal quantities by Val and Ernie Stanton, English comedians, and Abe Lyman’s Orchestra provides a season of jazz. Clyde Cook, the Australian-born Hollywood player, appears in a short talkie sketch, and Rex Schepp, a really clever ban joist, plays a number of his own compositions. Advice has been received that Reginald Denny is going to make 12 pictures to be distributed through British International Pictures. Six of the productions will be made in Hollywood and the remaining half dozen in London.