PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 822, 16 November 1929, Page 15

PLAZA

“WEARY RIVER” Picture-goers will welcome the ap- j pea ranee of Richard Barthelmess, who ! has proved so popular in many a | silent film, in “Weary River,” a talkie drama, which now in its second ' week at the Plaza Theatre. Barthelmess has emerged success- i ■fully from his first test in a sound •. picture. Bettj T Compson capably sup- * ports the principal, and gives a care- | fully-studied performance, having an | excellent speaking voice. Barthelmess !is cast in it part well suited to his j talents, and ‘plays with commendable restraint, his unobtrusive manner and speech bringing out the dramatic incidents more forcefully than any blustering heroics. “Weary River” is a story of underworld and vaudeville life and relates the adventures of a singing convict whose voice over the radio brings him fame and love. The picture contains dialogue sequences and presents Barthelmess talking and playing the piano. Frank Lloyd directed “Weary River” with a superb cast headed by Betty Compson and including William Holden, Louis Natheaux, Raymond Turner and others. The story was adapted to the screen from a magazine short story. The items on the remainder of the programme include a comedy-sketch by the Howard Brothers; a cartoon; several violin selections by Albert Spalding, world-famous violinist; and finally a new and interesting sound gazette.