Stage Intrigue

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 792, 12 October 1929, Page 27

Stage Intrigue

NANCY CARROLL AGAIN “Manhattan Cocktail” for Roxy NANCY CARROLL, vivacious star of “Mother Knows Best,” lias a similar and equally successful role in the Paramount sound-synchronised production, “Manhattan Cocktail,” booked by the Roxy. Popular Richard Arlen is her leading man. The picture is an intriguing- melodrama of Broadway, containing moments of sparkle and humour which serve to relieve a powerful story. It should prove to be one of the Roxy’s biggest drawing cards.

It is more than a little difficult to find the peg of excuse on which Paramount has hung the title of "Manhattan Cocktail,” for the film is something deeper and more solid than the usual frothy concoction set under Broadway’s night signs. Certainly there are moments aplenty

of girls and gaiety, but these are quite incidental to the main theme which is melodramatic in construction and completely absorbing in scope. Nancy Carroll, an actress with a decidedly bright future in talking and sound films,

adds considerably to her reputation by her work as Babs the stage-struck college girl who visits New York in search of work. Danny O’Shea appears successfully as Bob,, an equally stage-struck youth who runs away with her, and Richard Arlen plays, the male leading part of Fred, the more steady college hoy who is rejected by Babs in favour of Bob. Paul Lukas appears as Renov, theatrical producer, who is persuaded by his wife, (Lilyan Tashman,) to give Boh a chance. Bob takes the position and deserts Babs, who appeals to Fred. Before his arrival, how-

ever, she secures a. place in Renov’s chorus. Meanwhile Bob has been discharged. When Fred arrives Mrs. Renov makes love to him, and to assuage his jealously, Renov accuses Fred of forgery. Babs goes to plead for Fred and is attacked by Renov. She escapes and Fred rushes to avenge the insult, arriving in time to see Renov killed by Bob. The climax comes when Bob hurls himself to death from the files of the theatre and in a final fade-out, Fred and Babs turn once again to the country and happiness. Accompanied by sound and singing “Manhattan Cocktail” is in every sense a satisfying picture. It is well produced, well acted, and exceptionally well photographed.