ST. JAMES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 881, 27 January 1930, Page 15

ST. JAMES

“GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY” Although now in the fifth week of an exceptionally popular season, there is no diminution yet apparent in the public interest in the all-colour musical film, “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” showing at St. James Theatre. Nearly 116,000 people already having attended. Attractive features of the spectacular Warner Brothers’ and Vitaphone production, which is all-talking, are the wonderful stage effects, charming singing, brilliantly-coloured ensembles, and, above all, the superb acting of the principals. Winnie Lightner, Nick Lucas, “the crooning troubadour,” Helen Foster and Conway Tearle having prominent roles. The features which are shown in support include the overture from “Orpheus,” items by Van and Schenck, “Realisation,” an amusing drama, and a pleasing dance by the Vitaphone Girls entitled “Serpentine.” STRAND HAROLD LLOYD’S TALKIE Harold Lloyd has two pet hobbies in connection with his picture making. One is the selection of an expressive title, and the other a final joke that has originality and cleverness. A Lloyd title invariably tells a story and when you see the bespectacled comedian in his newest picture, “Welcome Danger,” at the Strand Theatre, you can know the picture means just that. Throughout the entire production Lloyd does little other than shake hands with trouble and danger. He gets out of one tough ’spot only to find himself in a more hazardous position. Underground Chinatown invites a lot of trouble for an amateur sleuth, and Lloyd gets all that he invites and a litlle more that he is not looking for. Every time Harold Lloyd moves in “Welcome Danger,” something fast and funny happens. That’s what makes “Welcome Danger” great entertainment.

Excellent supporting talkies complete a splendid programme.