NOW EDDIE DOWLING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 798, 19 October 1929, Page 16

NOW EDDIE DOWLING

LILTING MUSIC BY ANOTHER BROADWAY SUCCESS “RAINBOW MAN” AT THE PLAZA The reputation of the Plaza Theatre for being "the home of big talkies” was well sustained last evening, when yet another of Broadway's singing stars. Eddie Dowling, was introduced to Auckland. He was an immediate success and looks like adding New Zealand to the list of "scalps"Tbe Rainbow Sian.” Eddie Dowling's initial attempt in the movies, is the kind o£ audible-screen material that the public likes. It has romance, pathos, comedy, action: and sparkling catchy melodies which are intelligently played and sung as part of the plot. . . , Dowling wrote the story, which forms the basis lor the plot, wrote the lyrics for James Hanley's melodies and performed the leading role. The film, therefore, is not only all-talking, but it is nearly all all-Dowling. ! The plot has to do with a smallI time minstrel man who meets a little | girl in a Southern town, and falls in love with her. He loses Ills job, through a misunderstanding, and goes to ISTew York, penniless, to hunt for work. After many heartbreaks, he finds a job, returns to the Southern town with his minstrel troupe again, and one day sees in the audience the ! girl he had deserted. He stops in I the middle of the song and pleads for the girl's love while the audience thinks it is part of the act. The ending is a happy one. ‘‘The Rainbow Man” is worthy to rank with the best film productions (and will certainly be so regarded in the hearts of Aucklanders), because it is real. It sweeps the audience along, until they laugh with The Rainbow Man,” their hearts ache with him in his trouble —and there is not a soul in the theatre who does not love the romance of Mary and Rainbow. It’s a beautiful story.

Not the least interesting part of the film is the reproduction of the oldtime minstrel show, with its ‘‘Grand Parade” through the streets, its “Premier Corner Men.” and everything "Bigger and Better than ever.” If the story of "The Rainbow Man” is sad in parts, it is also happy in other parts. The first party little Billie ever had, the scene in the New York flat, and the scene in the theatre when Rainbow sang right at Mary, touch one’s very heartstrings with their poignant beauty. Eddie’s charming personality is really heard to the best effect in his songs. His singing of “Sleepy Valley.” the theme song, is delightful, and he also sings “Little Pal” and “Rainbow Man” during the course of the story. Marian Nixon as the girl, and Frankie Darro as the little orphan whom he adopts, are Dowling’s main supports in the film. Sam Hardy and Lloyd Ingraham contribute some intelligent acting in their minor roles. The other items presented last evening almost constitute a concert programme on their own. The most outstanding is the singing of the prologue of the opera, “I Pagliacci,” by the rich voice of John Charles Thomas, the renowned baritone. Then there is a happy novelty by the jazz band, Waring’s Pennsylvanians, who sing, chant and play concerted humourous numbers. The last, “Where Do You Work, John?” was a great favourite. A short all-talkie sketch. “Amateur Night at the Vaudeville Theatre,” an International News and “Oswald the Rabbit” cartoon complete an excellent programme.

SUNDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT

SUNDAY EVENING TWO A forceful and interesting address on the subject “Penalties upon Opinion” will be delivered by Mr. E. J. B. Allen at the Sunday evening entertainment at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. An excellent moving picture programme with appropriate music will also be screened, headed by the film “A Kiss for Cinderella.” The entertainment is held under the auspices of the New Zealand Rationalists Association. AMBASSADOR, PT. CHEVALIER This evening’s picture programme at the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier, includes two big features and an interesting collection of supports. The first film is “Thoroughbreds,” a thrilling Kentucky horse-racing tale starring Marion Nixon, and will be followed by a delightful burlesque of war films entitled “The Gay Retreat.” The two comedians, Sammy Cohen and Ted McNamara are the stars.