“ISLE OF LOST SHIPS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 856, 27 December 1929, Page 14

“ISLE OF LOST SHIPS”

MAJESTIC’S PROGRAMME OF ROMANCE AND ADVENTURE Mysterious, yet gripping in its fascination. Such is the talkie, “The Isle of Lost Ships,” presented for the first time at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. It is one of those fantastic adventure tales of the true H. de Vere Stacpoole class, for this isle is one where mighty monarchs of the sea are locked together in a mass of seaweed. It is a weird colony of rough and lovehungry men, among whom a pretty girl is cast unexpectedly. She is forced by law to choose a husband from them within one day. ’ Such pickings from the theme of the story may indicate to some extent the fascination of the picture which to be fully realised would need to be witnessed.

Thrilling adventure, even though so imaginative, can always be enjoyed. And what better setting could be found for adventure than in the centre of the Sargasso Sea, in water which is calmed by an entanglement of seaweed. It is a small wilderness afloat, a colony of 50 souls, which includes but two women and a few children.

Then tangled in the mass a passenger steamer which has struck drifting wreckage and which has been abandoned by all except a beautiful woman and two men, one a detective and the other a young naval officers who is in charge for murder. They arrive at this floating colony of mystery and rough men, to find that it is ruled by one unscrupulous sea captain. 1-Ie makes his laws to suit himself and announces that the girl who has come into their midst must choose her husband within 24 hours. When the time arrives for the choice to be made he has the young naval officer imprisoned. The girl refuses to make her choice and in being bullied to marry the ruler of the colony makes wild attempts to free herself. Interest becomes rife. The young naval officer, with the assistance of the detective, manages to break from his lock-up and rushes over to the scene where he enters into a thrilling fight with the captain. The younger man wins and goes through a form of marriage with the girl, in accordance with the rules.

In his plans to revenge, the captain sets out to do away with the naval officer, but his plans do not succeed. The three new arrivals, as well as a number of the more sympathetic members of the isle, make a daring escape in a submarine which had also become tangled in the mass of seaweed, but which had been kept in good order.

Such is the story. One of adventure and thrills unequalled before on the screen. Clever stagecraft makes it a success, while how it was produced in such realistic and convincing style forms a puzzle to Auckland’s band of theatre-goers. The part of the beautiful girl is played by Miss Virginia Valli. Jason Robards makes a fine hero with an abundance of dash, while Robert O’Connor has indeed “detective” written all over his face. And then the king of the isle, Noah Beery. He is the typical villain, cunning and cruel. An important feature of the picture is the fine speaking voices of the actors and actresses. Every word can be heard, and from beginning to end it is a talkie in every sense of the word.

The supporting programme is indeed bright and entertaining. Those outstanding English patter artists, Clapham and Dwyer, provide an abundance of fun with their clever repartee, while there is also Jack Smith, the whispering baritone, and a few gazettes. Mr. J. WhitefordWaugh’s band makes a distinct hit in playing “Viennese Medley” and “Piccolo Pete.” EMPRESS, NEWTON Tho big all-talking comedy, “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City,” will be shown this evening at the Empress Theatre, Newton. “The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City” is a story of two business partners who can’t get along with each other or without . each other. This time they are in the woollen goods business, and Craft took full advantage of this in showing bevies of blonde and brunette bathing beauties. “The Wild Party,” a cheery story of college love, starring Clara Bow, will be the second attraction.

ST. JAMES TALKIES FINE PRESENTATION FOR OPENING NIGHT TECHNICOLOUR AND SOUND St. James Theatre established its change-over from revue to the screening of talking-films successfully last evening before a capacity audience. The event was notable because the alteration in the policy of the management marked the adoption by an important City theatre of talking film programmes. The management chose an attractive story of back-stage life as the principal picture of the initial programme. “Gold Diggers of Broadway” gave highly pleasing entertainment as well as spectacle. Again, it served to show the remarkable development of the technicolour process in the studio of the ‘Warner Brothers and Vitaphone organisations. The whole production is in colour and every scene has been admirably toned. In “Gold Diggers of Broadway” there is vivid spectacle in the scenes of revues in a large New York theatre. Gorgeous stage arrangements present a riot of colouring which has yet been presented by expert hands in a natural degree. The music and the tremendous scenes of the stage productions give, in themselves, an excellent entertainment.

But, told lightly, there is the real story of the film, the success of a chorus girl, Jerry, played by Nancy Welford,. who makes a successful first appearance in talking subjects, when she is suddenly called upon to take the leading role on a big revue night, and at the same time definitely breaks down a prejudice against chorus girls which had been maintained stubbornly by Stephen Lee, played by Conway Tearle.

Jerry had been endeavouring to gain Stephen’s approval of the prospective marriage of his nephew, William Bakewell, to another chorus girl, charming Helen Foster. There were complications, but Stephen realised in time that he had begun to like chorus girls, and, of course, Jerry. There is fine scope for humour, and throughout the brilliant scenes there is riotous fun by Winnie Lightner, playing as Mabel, an experienced chorus girl and just as experienced “gold digger.” Winnie Lightner has transferred her success in vaudeville to an achievement in a talking film. Her attentions to an elderly and portly lawyer whose aid had been sought to prevent Stephen’s nephew from marrying a chorus girl, are intensely amusPrincipal parts are played in the production by Ann Pennington, famous as a dancer in Florenz Ziegfeld’s Follies; Nick Lucas, who sings many popular songs; and Lilyan Tashman, whose representation of an unusually superior chorus girl is excellently handled. The dance numbers by Ann Pennington supported by immense choruses and the incidental singing of Nick Lucas add greatly to the value of the film.

“Gold Diggers of Broadway” presents entirely new features for a revue film telling graphically of the lives of chorus girls on and off the stage.

A careful selection is apparent in the supporting programme. The large Vitaphone Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Herman Heller, plays the “Orpheus” overture finely in the opening film. Van and Schenck, humorous duettists, are heard in original song numbers and the Vitaphone girls’ ballet of 25, appearing in the musical numbers, “Chinese Lullaby” and “The Doll Dance,” presents clever dancing. Elmira Lane, who possesses a fine soprano voice, is featured in the number. Realisation,” the remaining support, is a comedy sketch of a man who found his intentions of divorce were not wholly justified.

A new era in colour, sound and fine photography has been opened up by “Gold Diggers of Broadway.”

BRITANNIA, THREE LAMPS

The exploits of a “stunt.” aviator form the theme of the “Flying Fool,” the chief film at the Britannia Theatre, Three Lamps. The leading part is played by William Boyd, who makes his appearance as a stunt fiyer, surrounded by a bevy of admiring blondes.

“WHOOPEE” SPECTACULAR MUSICAL SHOW MELODY AND MIRTH “Whoopee,” a musical comedy in two acts and 11 scenes. Book by Wm. A. McGuire, music by Walter Donaldson, lyrics by Gus Kahn. Presented last evening at His Majesty’s Theatre by J. C. Williamson. CAST Jim Carson .. .. Edmund Butterwcrth Judson Morgan Fred Deal Sheriff Wells Hilton Porter Sally Morgan Lilian Crisp Wan-en-is William Perryman Black Eagle Fred Bonner Mary Custer Laurel Streeter Henry Williams Don Nieol Jerome Underwood John Byrne Chester Underwood Roy Tovey Harriet Underwood .. .. Muriel F *ty Andy Nab John Ra £ >n “Whoopee,” we are told, is an expression of joy or pleasure and evidently another product of the United States. For over three hours last evening the members of the company, in their own words, “made Whoopee.” Mr. Nicol, a comedian new to these shores, was the most successful. He is the liveliest “invalid” who has ever stepped the boards of His Majesty’s Theatre and certainly one of the most elastic. His consumption of pilis was terrific. His dance at the end of the second act was the most amusing episode in a musical comedy which, for action and change of scene, must be a record, and yet it does not contain the ingredients of a really first-class success.

In a large company which is practically unknown as far as New Zealand is concerned, Miss Crisp and Mr. Perryman figure prominently as hero and heroine. Both have toured the Dominion previously, though not as leads. Both have excellent singing voices more worthy than the trite lyrics they have to sing. However, they manage to invest their principal numbers with charm.

Two happy moments arrived simultaneously with the dances of Pa* and Terry Kendall. The first was a tango, danced with the grace and abandon of that fascinating Spanish measure. Mr. and Miss Kendall come with a big overseas reputation and, what is more, they live up to it. One welcomes their appearance in coming productions. Mr. Ralston, usually associated with romantic singing roles, disguises himself in a ranchman’s garb. His voice is dormant for this production. Miss Streeter threw herself heart and soul into a comedy part and made the most of it. Miss Armstrong, under her Indian tan, lifted a pleasant voice in song as occasion demanded.

A lively and energetic chorus played its part importantly, shaking a nimble knee and still more nimble ankle in numberless dances and singing with concerted ability. There were rapid changes from cowboys and dancing girls to warriors and gaily-decorated squaws. In one scene, the most picturesque in the whole production, an Indian encampment suddenly becomes a kind of glorified dress parade each featner garment more lovely than the

And now, if the story of ‘ Whoop ’ must be told, it can be done q.. briefly. Love finds a way as in t musical comedies, though with mi more trouble and excitement than usual. Sally Morgan decides on spur of the moment that she will r marry the sheriff as her father wish' With the aid of the comedian, w ncidentallv, suffers from number, maladies, she flees to the mountains the hope of meeting her lover. Wan-en-is. Sally's father has forb den the marriage with this handsc lad because of his Indian blood, considerable time is spent in threat l : ing death to all and sundry, but a(: adventures in a tumble-down r and on a ranch, the truth is to!i-Wan-en-is is no Indian. He vv rescued as a baby and brought up imagine himself a redskin. Wedd: bells at a Halloween party, and eve body puts on pretty clothes fcr final spectacular curtain. After “Whoopee” will come thr revivals of excellent shows, the f’ ; of which will be melodious “Li l Time.” PLAZA

“COLLEGE FUN” TODAY Hollywood has made a college p ture in sound and dialogue. It is "0 lege Fun,” made with Hollywood most popular young screen person; ties and it epitomises on the sere the spirit of American sporting you; “College Fun” will be shown at Plaza Theatre today. The synchro: sation includes all the noises, strand music that made college what it a j Screen fans will find it a perfect dep tion of college life as it is lived toa From the college hero to the boy' and from the beautiful co-ed n oine to the college widow, the pb} all talk. The effervescent, crack” conversation that patters k and forth on the campus, in the i[ : ; ternity houses and sometimes w ■ classroom has been written into - story in the form of dialogue. Carl Laemmle, jun., the scr* youngest production executive, t the producer of “College Fun. Ross, the director, is in his nufltwenties, and his assistants younger than himself. Even the Fboys and “grips/’ the men who dc jobs on the sets, were working during the summer mon or breaking into the movies bottom. George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliy are cast in the leading roles mfeature. In the supporting cast Eddie Phillips. Churchill Ross, Bay ■ Stevenson, Sumner Getchell and others. Leonard Fields wrote the**--' The high-light of the feature “ thrilling football game with ai noise, singing, cheers and close P--of a championship grid-iron s ~- n ‘: r It is as realistic as seeing a . re =; game. Special college music written for this picture. A full supporting progremm«. talkie featurettes will also he sented.