CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 859, 31 December 1929, Page 15

CIVIC

TALKIES, MUSIC, DANCING With the steady flow of Aucklanders and visitors to the Civic Theatre during the holidays, many thousands have seen and admired the gorgeous decorations of this fine atmospheric theatre. It has been crowded at every session. Equally attractive is the splendidlyvaried programme which is being presented. There are colourful dances by the Civic’s own ballet, acrobatic work by the continental trio Ramon, Madeline and Pedro, organ solos by Fred Scholl and, an attraction in itself, the orchestra music under the able direction of Ted Henkel. If the enthusiastic approval of the audience is a criterion, the chief picture easily carries off the honours of being the best all-talking picture dispatched from a Hollywood motion picture studio to date. “Three Live Ghosts” is not a mystery story but a delightfully refreshing comedy-drama, based on the play by that name which scored so heavily on the Xew York and London stage. The story revolves around three British soldiers who escape from a German prison camp and return to their former haunts in London only to discover that they are legally dead in the eyes of the Government and their friends. The “Three Live Ghosts” are Charles McNaughton, who gives a realistic characterisation of “Jimmie Gubbins,” a Cockney; Robert Montgomery, as “William Forster,” an American, wanted by the police, and Claud Allister, an English “gentleman” who is known as “Spoofy” because he has lost his mental faculties due to shellshock. Beryl Mercer, as “Old Sweetheart,” stepmother of McNaughton, who, between drinks, urged him to remain dead until after she has collected the final instalment of his war insurance, and who, subsequently dazzled by the reward offered for the American, seeks to bring about his arrest, unquestionably gives one of the finest performances ever seen on the screen. This is Miss Mercer’s first screen appearance. She has for many years been acclaimed the stage’s foremost character actress. The Civic Winter Garden and tearoom are open continuously and all classes of light meals are served. There is a special session for afternoon or morning tea, when the complete Civic programme is watched.