NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 14

NEW REGENT

“THE BROADWAY MELODY” At this late date any further enthusiasm over that grand show. "The Broadway Melody,” Metro-Gold wynMaver’s all-talking, all-singing and dancing spectacle, now shewing at tne New Regent Theatre, can only be a feeble echo—for the news of Bessie Love’s performance and Anita Page s beauty have been pretty well broadcast by now. At the same time it may be interesting to inquire into the reasons for the superiority of Mr. Beaumont s talking film —a superiority which he does not seem likely to lose very soon. First of all, Dii-ector Harry Beaumont has practically overcome the worst fault of the talking film tendency to remain pictorially static while the characters are speaking their lines. The photographic half of “The Broadway Melody” is as fast, as engaging and as engrossing as any silent picture of equal calibre ever was. In "The Broadway Melody” sounds are different. Everything that goes.on is heard. Probably, of course, certain sounds are blotted out, but one is never conscious o:! anything artificial. /When Bessie Love laughs or sings or cries it is simply a part of the sound in the room. The characters’ voices do not ;.ave the antiseptic distinctness usually associated with talking films. All this is just another way of saying that the picture has motion—speed is a better word —and that it has more of the spontaneity which gives that illusion of reality, which is the basis of all good entertainment, than any talking film yet to reach the screen. Among the entertaining short talkie features are 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 TV urlitzer organ. ROXY AND CRYSTAL PALACE LAST DAYS OF “DONOVAN AFFAIR” An exciting detective story is revealed in “The Donovan Affair,” the all-talking mystery picture at both the Roxy, Queen Street, and Crystal Palace (Mount Eden), Theatres. A popular player in many other roles, Jack Holt is the leading player as Inspector Killian, a blustering police officer who is investigating one murder when another occurs. Jack Donovan, played by John Roche, is an unscrupulous gambler, who makes many enemies by his methods. He is invited to a dinner, where the guests are all hostile to him. The lights are turned out for Donovan to demonstrate the qualities of a jewel he possesses and which is said to shine in the dark. He is mysteriously stabbed, and suspicion falls on a number of his fellow-guests. The plot lends itself to interesting treatment and the excitiment and- mystery have been well sustained by the director. At both' theatres an entirely new talking programme will be screened from next Saturday. The chief attraction will be a Paramount all-talkie entitled “The Man I Love.” Mary Brian, whom everyone will probably recall as Wendy in “Peter Pan,” is the delightful heroine of the story, and will sing the popular song hit, “Celia!” Richard Arlen, the illfated hero aviator of the famous “Wings,” is the captivating boyfriend. Harry Green, an inimitable comedian whose antics in vaudeville have sent millions into convulsions, and Jack Oakie, the amusing Barney of Barney and Bay in “Close Harmony,” keep the fun crackling. And then there’s Baclanova, devastating Baclanova, whose consummate art and delicious accent delighted audiences who saw “The Wolf of Wall Street.” All these popular players weave into an enthralling, catchy love story of a boy who achieves quick fame and almost loses the all-important girl. It is wonderful entertainment.