NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 735, 7 August 1929, Page 17

NEW REGENT

“THE BROADWAY MELODY” Vividly relating the humourous and sad story of a small-circuit “sister act” that looked like a winner for the Follies, but was unsuccessful in rehearsal, is the theme of “The Broadway Melody,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s spectacular all-talking, all-singing, alldancing production, which continues to delight the patrons of the ISTew Regent Theatre. The story, an original by Edmund Goulding, famous playwright, delves deeply into the private and professional life of the ever-interesting chorus girls. Using New York’s colourful “main street” as a locale, the author has woven into this spectacular drama the very essence 6f the stage, with its raciness, audacity and truthfulness. The stellar cast is headed by Anita Rage and Bessie Love, who appear as small town vaudeville players, in New York to show Broadway how it should be done. Miss Page assumes the role of the younger, whose cleverness is merely a presumption. Miss Love as business manager for the act seems destined to land them in the “big time” through the influence of her boy friend, portrayed by Charles King. Practically an entire New York musical revue has been created for the colourful theatre scenes in which a complete musical comedy is unfolded to the tune of specially written musical numbers. The unique and intricate dance steps incorporated in this revue are perfectly reproduced in synchronised rhythm, giving the audience the realism expected of a true musical comedy. A number of entertaining shorttalkie features are also presented. They include songs by William O’Neil, of Broadway fame, songs by “The Revellers,” the well-known gramophone quartet, items by George Lyons, a singing harpist, and humour by “Sunshine Sammy.” Arthur G. Frost plays a number of selections at the Wurlitzer organ.