STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 15

STRAND

LAST DAYS OF “SHOW BOAT” Outstanding negro singei-s used to sing the musical numbers in the spectacular picturisation of “Show Boat,” which is now drawing to the end of its season at the Strand Theatre. These singers included Jules Bledsoe, a Ziegfeld star, and the four Emperors of Harmony, the Jubilee Singers, Claude Collins and a chorus of fifty, and the songs include “Lonesome Road,” “All God’s Chillun,” and "The Walls of Jericho.” The dramatic ingredients in the Fox Movietone all-talking production of New York night life. “Speakeasy,” which will be the next attraction at the Strand, are greatly enhanced by the most extraordinary sound background made possible by the filming of numerous locations in and around New York City. The “sport of kings” comes to life with every bit of zest in this production. Benjamin Stoloff, with Paul Page. Lola Lane, Warren Hymer and other members of the large cast spent several weeks in the metropolis making scenes at the Belmont race track, Madison Square Garden, the “Times” Square section of Broadway and the subway station. At the famous track, the life, colour and human interest of the race permeates the atmosphere while the players develop the plot. At Madison Squai’e Garden film patrons are treated, first hand, to the breath-tak-ing frenzy of this great sport arena. In the speakeasy they hear “below the sidewalk” conversation as it really happens, while, at the same time the principal actors in the story continue to thrill with voice and action, with song and instrument. Sharon Lynn, Henry B. Walthall, Stuart Erwin, Helen Ware, Ivan Linow and Marjorie Beebe portray important parts in the story.