PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 818, 12 November 1929, Page 16

PLAZA

“WEARY RIVER” Richard Barth el mess has made a great success of his first talkie, "Weary River,” and it is now being played to large houses at the Plaza Theatre. lie plays the role of a gangster, of a type peculiarly American, but he does so in a manner quite easy to | follow. lie is betrayed to the police ! by a rival, and cast into prison. While ! there he finds in music the expression ! of his true personality, and on his ; release he lias a musical reputation I already made. lie encounters uncx - j pected difficulies, however, and he discovers that his record has not been forgotten. The discharged convict is engaged to appear in vaudeville. His opening night arrives, but when lie walks on the stage a voice in the audience whispers the word "crook.” lie fails miserably. and in failing does some of I the most skilful work in the whole , picture. His final redemption is an ! excellent piece of dramatic construc- ‘ tion. | Barth elmess is heard in several : pleasing vocal numbers, including the theme song, "Weary ltiver,” which he sings at the prison radio concert, and which makes him famous in the space of a lew seconds. William Holden gives a splendid character portrayal as the kindly warden. A successful season may confidently be expected foi the picture. The supporting talkie items include a comedy sketch by the Howard Brothers, a cartoon. several violin selections by Albert Spalding, worldfamous violinist, and finally a new and interesting sound gazette.