PLAZA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 834, 30 November 1929, Page 15

PLAZA

“ON TRIAL” “On Trial,” Warner Bros/ latest and greatest murder mystery drama continues its season at the Plaza Theatre. The phenomenal success of the piece when produced on Broadway as a stage play, and by road companies, is excelled by its success in the more plastic medium of the talking motion pictures. The play was written by the now celebrated playwright, Elmer Rice, at the time a clerk in a New York law office. The human drama which he saw daily in the pursuance of his duties finally crystallised into the play which, when produced, set New York agog. This does not mean that he was able at once to secure a producer. “On Trial” went the long, hard way of so many plays in search of a producer, and in the end made its author independent. The scenes are laid in the courtroom where the trial of Strickland for the murder of Gerald Trask is in progress. Strickland’s wife and small daughter are present as witnesses, as are the widow of the slain man, his secretary, and others. All the routine of the law is followed to the letter — and the result is thrilling in the extreme. The cast of “On Trial” includes Pauline Frederick, Bert Lytell, Lois Wilson, Holmes Herbert, Richard Tucker, Jason Robards, Franklin Pangborn, Fred Kelsey and Edward Martindel. Archie L. Mayor directed. The Plaza also presents a full programme of shorter all-talking items. This included songs by the tw r o famous singers, John Charles Thomas and Vivienne Sigel. Paramount Sound News, with interesting events, a sound cartoon and the sketch “A Moonlight Romance” by Douglas Stanbury and Marie Gambraelli. “ABIE’S IRISH ROSE” AT ROYAL The film version of the most successful play ever written is being screened at the Theatre Royal, Kingsland. Paramount has filmed “Abie” on a big scale, building it into a mighty comedy-drama of love and tolerance, with frequent touches of clever humour, and a cast that is ideally suited to the various roles made famous on the stage for so many years. “Abie’s Irish Rose” teaches us that love can conquer all racial misunderstanding, and that bigotry and the jealousy of creeds is all wrong. Never before has such a stirring tale so beautifully told been presented on a local silver sheet, but the picture does not preach—it amuses and entertains.