NEW REGENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 761, 6 September 1929, Page 15

NEW REGENT

“THE IDLE RICH” TOMORROW This evening sees the final screening in Auckland of the spectacular and melodious talking film, “The Broadway Melody,” which stars Anita Page, Bessie Love, and Charles King, and introduced a number of popular and catchy song tunes, also the short talkie features which accompanied it. On Saturday the Regent will present an entirely new talking programme, which will be headed by a film entitled “The Idle Rich,” starring Bessie Love, Leila Hyams, Robert Ober, Conrad Nagel, and Paul Kruger. Robert Ober and Paul Kruger did not have to learn a single line for their talkie roles in “The Idle Rich,” which is william De Mille’s all-taking picture, with a 100 per cent. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer dialogue feature. William de Mille directed the picture version with Conrad Nagel, Bessie Love, and Leila Hyams in the leading roles. Edythe Chapman and James Neill, famous character actors, who have appeared in countless stage and screen successes, are included in the supporting cast. Kenneth Gibson •also has a prominent role. The cast is in every way an exceptional one, and is also one of the smallest ones ever used in a feature production, using but two “extras.” Bessie Love established herself as a star of the talking screen through her marvellous performance in “The Broadway Melody.” L§ila Hyams scored her success as the leading lady in “Jimmy Valentine,” one of the early talking films. In fact, it was due to her work in that production, and the unusual quality of her voice, that she received her contract with MetroGold wyn-Mayer. Conrad Nagel is ranked as a veteran of the talking screen. He has appeared in more dialogue pictures than any other Hollywood star. So much in demand are his services that even while he was busy on the William De Mille film lie was taking direction from brother Cecil B. De Mille on another set on the M.G.M. sound stage, where “Dynamite” was in production. The specially selected short talkies will include songs by the Keller Sisters, comedy songs at the piano by Van and Schenck, the well-known comedians, dialogue and songs by Gordon and Squires, a popular vaudeville team, items by “Ukelel© Ike” and a Pathe Sound News. In addition. Arthur G. Frost will play selections on the Wurlitzer organ.