MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 17

MAJESTIC

“INNOCENTS OF PARIS” Despite its title and the fact that the picture is a story of Paris, the Paramount, all-talking, singing and dancing hit that is at the Majestic Theatre this week has only one person who speaks with a French accent. And that is because it is natural. Maurice Chevalier, before being signed to appear in talking pictures, the first of which is “Innocents of Paris,” was the idol of the Paris stage. He is a Frenchman and speaks with an accent that is pleasant and charming. As lie says, it is easier for you to listen to him speak English with an accent than to try to follow him in French. In this picture lie sings three fine songs in English and does some of his famous eccentric dancing. The story deals with the life of Maurice Marny, a second-hand dealer, who sees a child and its mother leap into the Seine. He saves the child and takes it home, where he meets a young aunt with whom he falls in love. Her father is opposed to the match, and the film deals with the manner in which the young man finally wins the girl. A particularly bright supporting programme of short talkies is also being presented. There is a Fox Movietone News, in which the voice of the Prince of Wales is heard, an all-talking-comedy, a singing feature, and in addition, selections by the Majestic Orchestra.

Ruth Chatterton plays a brilliant role in the Paramount all-dialogue production, “Charming Sinners.” Other fine characterisations are given by *CJiv3 Brook, Mary Nolan and William Powell. The story is by W. Somerset Maugham.