PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 17

PLAZA

I “THUNDERBOLT” During the past week, record audi- - enoes at Plaza Theatre were thrilled f as they have seldom been thrilled by r any moving picture before as the dramI atric sequences of “Thunderbolt” took x them from the heart of New York’s great negro metropolis, to the aweinspiring setting of Sing Sing’s Condemned Row; through the night clubs of New York’s “black belt” to the “Little Green Door,” where society claims its penalty for crime. Josef von Sternberg, maker of some of the screen’s finest dramas, directed “Thunderbolt,” which accounts for its gripping reproduction of contemporary life. Its events are the episodes which newspapers blazon forth every day; its episodes are the intimate details behind the curtain of these gripping events; its chief character is a mighty king of the lawless land which conJ tinually threatens law-abiding society, the underworld. I George Bancroft has done a great 5 piece of work, greater than he offered r in “Underworld.” Likeable Richard 5 Arlen and lovely Fay Wray have the 3 supporting leads and a brilliant cast II of charactor actors carry the true-to- \ life roles. 1 The remainder of the programme in- * eludes a number of short talkie fea--5 tures, offering humorous songs accom--3 paned by musical instruments by Milp ler and Farrell; selections by the - Six Brown Boys and their jazz band; 1 and items by Horace Britt, celebrated 1 ’cellist.