MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 865, 8 January 1930, Page 15

MAJESTIC

“DARKENED ROOMS” TOMORROW The tuneful musical revue, “Broadway Babies,” will be presented for the last time at the Majestic Theatre this evening. Alice White is the star of this all-talking and singing* show, which is accompanied by an excellent programme of shorter items and musical selections. “Darkened Rooms,” a mysteryromance, starring Evelyn Brent, dynamic actress who was recently seen in “Fast Company” and “Woman Trap,” will be shown at the Majestic tomorrow. “Darkened Rooms” is Miss Brent’s first starring picture. She was raised to stardom by Paramount because of her ever-increasing popularity and because of her masterful work in every picture in which she has appeared since joining the Hollywood forces of the company. Among Miss Brent’s more prominent successes have been “Love ’Em and Leave ’Em,” “Underworld,” “The Last Command,” “Interference,” “Why Bring That Up?” “Fast Company” and “Woman Trap.” The first three pictures were silent films. The new medium of talking films has opened a new pathway to greater laurels for Miss Brent. She has a gift for reality in her portrayals which makes each type she enacts stand out like a solitaire gem. “Darkened Rooms,” which is based on the new novel by Sir Philip Gibbs, is a theme that ties in admirably with Miss Brent’s dark beauty. She plays the role of a medium for Neil Hamilton, amateur conductor of mysteryseances, whom she later manages to save from this life of falsity by a mystery trick of her own. The play is supercharged with drama, and nicely infiltrated with a charming love story. Hamilton, as the leading supporting player, turns in a fine performance, commensurate with his big role in “The Studio Murder Mystery.” David Nowell and Doris Hill complete the clever cast. A particularly fine supporting programme will be presented tomorrow. The support cast for the Vilma Bankv production titled “Sunkissed” thus far includes Edward G. Robinson, Robert Ames. Lloyd Ingraham, Richard Carle and Anderson Lawlor. Victor Seastrom will direct.