MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“BROADWAY BABIES” A snappy and colourful story of theatrical life on Gay Broadway is on view at the Majestic this week. “It is Broadway Babies,” starring Alice White, an all-talking picture directed by Mervyn Leßoy. Miss White, one of the youngest stars on the screen today, has in this story of backstage life a vehicle ideally fitted for her. talents. She is seen as the idol of a musical show on Broadway, and while her stage manager wants to marry her, she falls in love with a Canadian “importer” who proves to be a big shot and shell man from Gangsterville. A gay background of theatrical boardinghouses, musical revues, night clubs and other haunts of the stage people is provided, and the story, which is fast moving, and interesting throughout, is enacted by a company of skilled actors and actresses of the silver sheet. Charles Delaney plays opposite the star, as he did in “Show Girl,” and proves convincing as the stage manager. Fred Kohler is the big shot and shell man, and Sally Eilers, Marion Byron, Tom Dugan, Bodil Rosing. Louis Natheaux, Jocelyn Lee and others are splendid in their various roles. Scenes in a poor theatrical boardinghouse where Alice and her two chorine pals who form the “Broadway Babies” live, are done with a deep feeling and understanding of the characters. • A particularly fine supporting programme is shown, comprising short talkie items, view's of the English cricketers in New South Wales, and music by Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s orchestra. EMPRESS, NEWTON "Syncopation,” a delightful talkie musical extravaganza, having as its background the Broadway stage, is now at the Empress Theatre, Newton. Bobby Watson and Barbara Bennett play the leading roles, and are suitably cast as Benny and Flo, forming the dancing team of Sloan and Darrel. They reach Broadway in a specialty dance act in a new revue. The success turns Flo’s head and she prepares to sever her friendship with Benny when the revue fails, but changes her mind when she finds that he has signed up with the agent of a night club at a big salary.