PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 803, 25 October 1929, Page 19

PLAZA

“THE RAINBOW MAN” Earlier talking pictures had an element of inconsistency in them as .regards the interpolation of music and songs, but “The Rainbow Man. ’ now at the Plaza Theatre, is a fine example of how this lias been overcome in talking pictures, and how songs have been made a natural part of the plot and action. How this is clone is shown by mentioning the spots ip the plot in which vocal and instrumental music have fitting places. The song, “Smile, Little Pal,” is introduced in a vaudeville theatre dressing-room. Then there is the music of the minstrel men on parade. During the introductory scenes of Eddie Dowling and the girl, played by Marian Nixon, Dowling sings “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.’ In the minstrel show, Eddie Dowling, as “Rainbow Ryan,”, sings “Sleepy Valley” and “Rainbow Man.” Other numbers featured prominently by the minstrel company on the stage are “Let’s Lift Up the Curtain” and “Tambourine Tune.” There is a hurdy-gurdy in a New York street, a quartette in a Southern hotel, singing “Smile Little Pal,” and* the principal songs in the closing of the story in a theatre scene. The songs, “Rainbow Man,” “Sleepy Valley,” and “Smile, Little Pal,” were written by Eddie Dowling and James Hanley, and were arranged in the complete musical score by Louie F. Gottschalk, a noted composer and conductor. The programme also includes the following shorter talkie items:—Novelty numbers by the famous jazz band, “Waring’s Pennsylvanians”: a comedy burlesque. ‘•Amateur Night”: and excellent singing by the well-known artist. John Charles Thomas, who sings the prologue to “I Pagliacei” in his rich tenor voice.