“DARKENED ROOMS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 867, 10 January 1930, Page 15

“DARKENED ROOMS”

SPIRITUALISTIC TALKIE SPOOKS AT MAJESTIC In presenting “Darkened Rooms” to Auckland picturegoers at the Majestic Theatre last evening the management has given the public something “out of the box.” The story, which is an all-talking play, and an exceptionally good one at that, is based on Sir Philip Gibbs’s famous novel. A drama thriller which has for its theme the occult and the eeriness of the spirit world, needs careful handling. In apportioning the principal parts to Neil Hamilton and Evelyn Brent the directorate could not have made wiser choice. The speaking of both is above criticism. Hamilton is cast as a young photographer who dabbles in spiritualism. Studious, grave of demeanour, terribly in earnest—about making money by a science he half believes a fake and yet realises there may be something in it —he sees his big chance when an actress down on her luck visits his studio to have her picture taken. Emery Jago enlists her support as a medium and together they begin a career of trickery, having for its purpose the relieving of the credulous wealthy of some of their money. One evening the pair are engaged by a host to entertain a party. So appallingly convincing is their acting that between them they make a young girl, played by Doris Hill, believe she has received a message from her lover recently killed in an air crash. The “profession” prospers with astonishing success and a wide clientele attends seances arranged by Jago and his assistant. In the darkened room Jago and Belle put across old tricks of the trade and introduce the audience to new ones. The effect of the subdued lighting, the portentous voices, the “prophecies,” stimulate a creepy sensation. The acting is superb. When Jago plans to get 10,000 dollars from the girl who is in communication with her airman fiance Belle decides the hypocrisy has gone far enough. She appeals in vain to Jago’s sense of honour, then with the aid of an actor cousin she cures him for ever of an art which is beginning to unhinge his .mind. How she accomplishes her object forms a gripping climax to an excellent drama. The supporting programme is excellent. In addition to the famous quartet from “Rigoletto” there is a screamingly funny comedy and a fine selection of short items. The quartet, one of the most beautiful and wonderful quartets ever composed, is sung by Marion Tolley, Jeanne Gordon, Benjamin Gigli and Guiseppe De Luca. These four, a notable combination, do full justice to the piece, singing and acting so well that it is difficult to realise that

one is not witnessing a performance of the opera. The comedy, “Dangerous Females, shows a striking contrast between two women, each with decided views. One. of a religious turn of mind, is charmed with the idea of entertaining a visiting evangelist. The other is a lover of crime and things criminal. An escaped criminal, deadly and dangerous, completes the plot in a comedy that is immensely funny. A Fox Movietone News depicts interesting events in the world, including a visit by the Prince of Wales to Scotland. The wonderful marching of the Scottish regiments and the swing of the kilts will appeal to even the most unmilitary spirit. Another short item gives wonderful insight into the. practically unknown lives of the Eskimos. Mr. Whiteford Waugh’s orchestra playing new selections adds to. an entertaining programme.