STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 739, 12 August 1929, Page 15

STRAND

“SHOW BOAT” Many of the world’s outstanding negro singers were signed by Carl Laemmle to sing musical numbers in the picturisation of “Show Boat,” Universal’s super-production now showing at the Strand Theatre. A search that was equal in intensity and widespread area to any detective investigation, was conducted by the casting department of the studio to locate and to sign negro vocalists. The spirituals, melodies and other darky songs so characteristic of the South will be heard for the first time by picture audiences and in the finest negro voices obtainable. Among the songs are several of the Florenz Ziegfeld hits, including “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and “Old Alan River” that drove Broadwayites into shouts of enthusiasm in witnessing the stage production. The Four Emperors of Harmony are among the leading groups singing in “Show Boat.” When these gesticulating negroes were first introduced to Hollywood in the stage prologue to a motion picture they took the film colony by storm. Stars, directors and producers crowded to see these four darkies who spoke as much with their hands as with their tongues.

Two choruses of 50 and 20 voices each are heard in the picture. Included in the smaller chorus are the popular Bilbrews and Silvertone Quartets. The Jubilee Singers is another of the large groups. Among the songs they sing are the old favourites, “All God’s Chillun Got Wings,” “The Walls of Jericho,” and “Lonesome Road.” There are also a number of spirituals and tuneful hits from Ziegfeld’s stage production of “Show Boat.”

Laura La Plante, starring in “Show Boat” with Joseph Schildgraut, sings several negro melodies, accompanying herself on the banjo. “Show Boat” is one of the most colourful super-productions ever filmed. It is made from Edna Ferner’s novel. Among the principals

are Otis Harlan, Alma Rubens, Jack AlcDonald, Jane La Verne, Neely Edwards, Elsie Bartlett, Stepin Fetchit, Gertrud© Howard and Emily Fitzroy.